Rules for courteous newbie

[quote author=evan link=topic=899.msg8613#msg8613 date=1334105522]
[quote author=Royalfisher link=topic=899.msg8602#msg8602 date=1334095654]
Well we spent mon and tues 7-11 trying our luck. Struck out but learned a few things and saw fish caught. We used a 25 lb wire leader about 12 inches long and gold and silver Gotchas reeling like we saw those catching. No luck. Are Spanish Mackeral leader and line shy?

Any thank yall for a nice welcome and tips. I saw how well the regulars get along on the peir. Great to be out there with my 14 yr old.
[/quote]

If you can't catch them on a gotcha switch to a bucktail on heavy mono and just be prepared to lose some tackle. You can keep catching them when others are not by going to wire less/ lighter tackle.
[/quote]

I'll agree. The trick here is just don't work them too hard, so when the Mack bites, you're not jerking it sharply across his teeth and forcing a cut.

You can play a little more lightly with these styles.

Sometimes the fish are leader shy--especially in clearer water.

If there is a forum where new folks can introduce themselves and let You All know a bit about "US" ? I haven't found it, and am now asking directions...............


G'Morning Folks. A am a genuine newbie to Saltwater fishing along the Gulf shore. For many years we fished out of Ensenada B.C. while worked my way towards retirement from a Teaching job in Southern Cal.
We have been coming down to the Gulf Coast for the last decade plus, mainly for a Winter break, But since I also serve as a Moderator on the ROADFOOD.COM Website, much of our time fits around visiting restaurants and other sources of food that represents the Coastal area and culture. Home is in Southern Indiana, Just across the Ohio River from Louisville.

Recently the desire to Saltwater fish has had a bit of a rebirth in me. I don't fish Freshwater at all and don't care to begin now. This past year I did take a large Bison while in Missouri doing our annual Hog Hunt. So my hunting Bucket LIST is pretty much complete. Our fishing goal, like our hunting goal is to fill the freezer, rather than gather trophies.

Now I need to get back into fishing the Saltwater, and for us that makes the Mobile-PeeCola area the top of the Target list. In my mid-70's now and using a walker about 90% of the time when outside, I need my wife and usually one or more of our 6 sons to assist me in doing what ever has to be done.
With that in mind we are planning a weeklong trip down to your area for February of 2016. Attending with the Wife and myself will be a couple of the Boys for a total of 4 or maybe 6, don't know yet,
Looking at a Condo rental, but would be happy with a good PRICELINE Deal at a decent Motel...Then there is the selection of a charter Boat and which shore fishing locations get our attention??
We are looking at one day of 8-10 hours for the deeper water fish, then 1/2 day (4-5 hours) of inshore freezer filling and some evening and early morning shore/jetty fishing. Looks like early February will be the time !! Everything is flexible at this point, but housing and charter planning will be ready by October and the rest will fall into place in time.

I will be pestering you with questions about what is available for fishing in Mid-Winter,,, any and all feedback will be appreciated,
I am a BBQ Freak...and dearly love Bill Ambrechett (sp?) and his "Big Red" cooker at the BRICK PIT in Mobile...We will haul home a cooler full of Ruby Red's and Sea Scallops (big ones) from JoePatti's in Pee-Cola and as much useable fish filets as we can.

OK That's it for now. I look forward to meeting some of you while we explore our fishing potential this winter. Here I am with a couple of Mexican fish..and me with 6 sons and a S-I-L,
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4124&stc=1http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...tid=4125&stc=1

If there is a forum where new folks can introduce themselves and let You All know a bit about "US" ? I haven't found it, and am now asking directions...............<br><br><br>G'Morning Folks. A am a genuine newbie to Saltwater fishing along the Gulf shore. For many years we fished out of Ensenada B.C. while worked my way towards retirement from a Teaching job in Southern Cal.<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;We have been coming down to the Gulf Coast for the last decade plus, mainly for a Winter break, But since I also serve as a Moderator on the ROADFOOD.COM Website, much of our time fits around visiting restaurants and other sources of food that represents the Coastal area and culture. Home is in Southern Indiana, Just across the Ohio River from Louisville.<br><br>Recently the desire to Saltwater fish has had a bit of a rebirth in me. I don't fish Freshwater at all and don't care to begin now. This past year I did take a large Bison while in Missouri doing our annual Hog Hunt. So my hunting Bucket LIST is pretty much complete. Our fishing goal, like our hunting goal is to fill the freezer, rather than gather trophies.<br><br>&nbsp; &nbsp; Now I need to get back into fishing the Saltwater, and for us that makes the Mobile-PeeCola area the top of the Target list. In my mid-70's now and using a walker about 90% of the time when outside, I need my wife and usually one or more of our 6 sons to assist me in doing what ever has to be done.<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;With that in mind we are planning a weeklong trip down to your area for February of 2016. Attending with the Wife and myself will be a couple of the Boys for a total of 4 or maybe 6, don't know yet,<br>Looking at a Condo rental, but would be happy with a good PRICELINE Deal at a decent Motel...Then there is the selection of a charter Boat and which shore fishing locations get our attention??<br>&nbsp; &nbsp;We are looking at one day of 8-10 hours for the deeper water fish, then 1/2 day (4-5 hours) of inshore freezer filling and some evening and early morning shore/jetty fishing. &nbsp;Looks like early February will be the time !! Everything is flexible at this point, but housing and charter planning will be ready by October and the rest will fall into place in time.<br><br>I will be pestering you with questions about what is available for fishing in Mid-Winter,,, any and all feedback will be appreciated,<br>&nbsp; I am a BBQ Freak...and dearly love Bill Ambrechett (sp?) and his "Big Red" cooker at the BRICK PIT in Mobile...We will haul home a cooler full of Ruby Red's and Sea Scallops (big ones) from JoePatti's in Pee-Cola and as much useable fish filets as we can.<br><br>OK That's it for now. I look forward to meeting some of you while we explore our fishing potential this winter. Here I am with a couple of Mexican fish..and me with 6 sons and a S-I-L,<br><img src="http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4124&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="4124" alt="" id="vbattach_4124" class="previewthumb"><img src="http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4125&amp;stc=1" attachmentid="4125" alt="" id="vbattach_4125" class="previewthumb">