Shark Fishing Expanding

According to WKRG:
https://www.wkrg.com/nxs-main-v2-the...older-16x9.jpg

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) - Anglers can rejoice. The limited shark fishing season at Gulf State Park Pier is expanding.The previous two Tuesdays were part of a testing phase. Now we're hearing additional dates are set for July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31. The hours for those dates will be from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
Also expanding is the number of fishermen allowed on each night. During the testing phase, only 10 were allowed. On the newly announced dates, 15 fishermen will be allowed each night.

https://www.wkrg.com/news/baldwin-co...=facebook_WKRG

Glad to hear that!!!

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Originally Posted by eym_sirius

According to WKRG:
https://www.wkrg.com/nxs-main-v2-the...older-16x9.jpg

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) - Anglers can rejoice. The limited shark fishing season at Gulf State Park Pier is expanding.The previous two Tuesdays were part of a testing phase. Now we're hearing additional dates are set for July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31. The hours for those dates will be from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
Also expanding is the number of fishermen allowed on each night. During the testing phase, only 10 were allowed. On the newly announced dates, 15 fishermen will be allowed each night.

https://www.wkrg.com/news/baldwin-co...=facebook_WKRG

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Keeping the octi closed until 7 a.m. is going to get some kick-back.

File this under 'be careful what you wish for' ;-) lol
It will be 7:30 actually...

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In response to the angling community’s interest, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is expanding its pilot program for permitted managed shark-fishing at the Gulf State Park Saltwater Fishing Pier in July. The next shark-fishing events will take place on the south end of the pier – called the octagon – from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning for the following Sundays and Tuesdays: July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31.
The octagon will close to routine use 30 minutes prior to these events, and reopen to routine use 30 minutes following them. During the events, the octagon area of the pier will be designated for the exclusive use of participating anglers and their designated assistants.The remainder of the pier will be open to anglers and other pier guests as normal.

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Actually, it will only affect a few days this July and (hopefully) will render a LOT more sharks caught and removed from the theater around the pier.
And at least it is publicized well in advance to give folks warning to plan around.
But IF that isn't working out, they will tweak the process some more.
Main thing is they are progressing and making adjustments toward 'normalization' of shark fishing on the pier.
We just need to remain supportive and patient ;-)

Managed Shark Fishing Events at the Gulf State Park Pier | Alapark

Yah as I mentioned in the other thread that amount of time sucks lol. With the crowds/closed octi there's no reason for me to buy a week pass now at the pier as 2 days will be unusable when I normally can get there. Why can't they just do like any other pier and let people fish around shark fishermen...

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

File this under 'be careful what you wish for' ;-) lol

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Funny, because that was going to be my analysis. But it's all good as far as I'm concerned. I'm fine with fishing in skinny-water on Monday and Wednesday early mornings. I'm hoping that the net effect will be better King/Spanish Mackerel fishing in the long run. I'm not interested in shark fishing, myself, though. If I ever DO participate, I'll need to share my catch with other fishermen who want some blacktip/spinner shark steaks!

Kings and Smacks get sharked- People fuss...
Shark fishing allowed after months of pushing the topic, but with a slow, safe introduction- People fuss...
Shark fishing times increased- People fuss...
Win 5 million on a powerball, have to pay 35% in taxes- People fuss...
Forget to take the trash to the road on trash day- Wife fuss...

Sounds like I hear alot of fussing, when in all honesty we should be Fishing, talking about Fishing, or praying to God- maybe about fishing also...

Like #'r said, it's very limited, well posted, and it not set in stone. Lets enjoy the opportunity presented before us.

Maybe they should keep a standby list so when 1 gets caught they have a replacement contestant on the pier waiting to fill that opening(sign up on day of event). Be a way of cycling fisherman into the PIT for an opportunity.

On a safety note, I think this will continue until an injury occurs.

Just for the record, I was not fussing, I was making an observation/prognostication. The pier is an hour's drive for me and the day is rare, indeed, that I get there before 7:00 am (or 7:30). Getting down to the coast that early is mostly for boat fishing.

My ox has not been gored.

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Originally Posted by frednic

Keeping the octi closed until 7 a.m. is going to get some kick-back.

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Hell yeah , that's some stupidity there , I planned my vacations back in January , now they close best part of peir to fishing and the rest will be to crowded to fish , end the shark fishing at 4 30 am , going to make people mad, especially since your on vacation

#'r nailed it. We finally got what we all wanted and it's not done yet. After the states assessment, I'm sure things will be adjusted to meet the majorities needs and attempt to satisfy everyone so we can all catch more Fishin in the end.

Only the octi will be closed for 12 hours on those days, the rest of the pier will be open for business.

They could say sharking fishing with no limits but only on odd days and y'all would find complain cause you wanted to fish on even days.
Jeesh....

Just happy something is being done, hopefully open catching when hooked during normal fishing

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Originally Posted by fshntime

#'r nailed it. We finally got what we all wanted and it's not done yet. After the states assessment, I'm sure things will be adjusted to meet the majorities needs and attempt to satisfy everyone so we can all catch more Fishin in the end.

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Blocking off part of the pier and not allow people to fish isn't the answer , I planned my vacations back in January , it's not cheap either , so now I can't fish two days because of pier being partly shut down and massive crowd on the rest of it ? It needs to be opened up like any other species of fish and let people do it , you would get rid of lot more sharks and and not mess up people vacation plans .

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Originally Posted by Johntr21

...massive crowd on the rest of it ?

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I don't think the crowds will continue. WKRG had done a lot of publicity before the last 2.

I do think people should be allowed to follow a good fish out onto the octi if they hook one back down the pier.

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Originally Posted by frednic

I don't think the crowds will continue. WKRG had done a lot of publicity before the last 2.

I do think people should be allowed to follow a good fish out onto the octi if they hook one back down the pier.

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You have people that think seeing a shark is rare thing so they want to come , better way to do it

I am glad to see the opportunity for shark fishing expanding. Sorry if a few people miss an hour and half of fishing on those days, but as was pointed out, that is the best time to reduce the shark herd---something we have all been screaming and bitching about. I am very thankful for the State Parks people (and others) working with us on this.

Mr. Cleland---you get stars, points or whatever for your first post. Great!!!!

+2 for being positive and putting up with some disruption in our plans while they figure this shark thing out. During my recent two weeks on the pier, sharks were present each day. My son Tyler and I fished every day we could. During those trips we had more hook ups with sharks than kings or Jacks or reds. We donated 3 X-Raps, 2 kings leaders, 2 Bubble rigs, and 2 gotchas to the tax man along with some nice fish. During those shark hook ups 2 legal sharks were brought close enough to the pier that we could have landed them with assistance if legal. I vote stay positive and let the process role. Hopefully by my next vacation the shark population has thinned or I'm allowed to land that fish stealing Bastich when he grabs my X-Rap!

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

File this under 'be careful what you wish for' ;-) lol
It will be 7:30 actually...


Actually, it will only affect a few days this July and (hopefully) will render a LOT more sharks caught and removed from the theater around the pier.
And at least it is publicized well in advance to give folks warning to plan around.
But IF that isn't working out, they will tweak the process some more.
Main thing is they are progressing and making adjustments toward 'normalization' of shark fishing on the pier.
We just need to remain supportive and patient ;-)

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And what happens if they expand the closing the end of pier ? People not going to be happy . I planned coming down the end of July way back in January , it's going to mess up half the days I'm here . There will be so may people on the pier you want be able to fish at all . Even if you open shark fishing all the time for everyone it want make a difference , there just to many . It's easier for people to say be patient when it's not there vacation and money .

"God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference."

It seems that there are a few dozen sharks that tend to make the pier "home" and I will reserve judgment until a couple of dozen have been harvested and many more have been hooked, harassed, worn down and released with the bigger equipment being allowed. The fact that the decision makers are making adjustments to make it more successful is encouraging to say the least. I seldom fish the octi at night and usually leave by 6pm for dinner with the family anyway. So on a week vacation I would only lose fishing the octi for maybe 2 hours on 2 days. The novelty will wear off with the spectators who will get bored, hot, sleepy or hungry and they will go home long before daylight and leave the draw fishable those 2 mornings. I would even try to snag a few Spanish and offer up a couple for the sharkers to use for bait. Maybe that might even condition a throw back to think eating mackerel is hazardous to its health.

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Originally Posted by Haywire

Mr. Cleland---you get stars, points or whatever for your first post. Great!!!!

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I agree, Haywire! Great poetry!

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Originally Posted by chillinfish

It seems that there are a few dozen sharks that tend to make the pier "home" and I will reserve judgment until a couple of dozen have been harvested and many more have been hooked, harassed, worn down and released with the bigger equipment being allowed. The fact that the decision makers are making adjustments to make it more successful is encouraging to say the least. I seldom fish the octi at night and usually leave by 6pm for dinner with the family anyway. So on a week vacation I would only lose fishing the octi for maybe 2 hours on 2 days. The novelty will wear off with the spectators who will get bored, hot, sleepy or hungry and they will go home long before daylight and leave the draw fishable those 2 mornings. I would even try to snag a few Spanish and offer up a couple for the sharkers to use for bait. Maybe that might even condition a throw back to think eating mackerel is hazardous to its health.

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Bingo! The casual observer is not getting up at 5 or 6 in the morning to go watch. The other areas of the pier will be fishable. Hell if you've paid any attention at all this week there's been success on kings north of the octagon. It's progress! Let's embrace it. I will lose a couple hours on my vacation too if this continues through September but if it results in better fishing on the hours I'm out I think it's a huge win.

Some one needs to find out if you hook a jack or king if you will be allowed to follow it if it goes to the end , if they say no and I loose a good fish I will not be a happy camper and will voice my displeasure

There are methods to turn a hooked fish...

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Originally Posted by Nimakdm

Yah as I mentioned in the other thread that amount of time sucks lol. With the crowds/closed octi there's no reason for me to buy a week pass now at the pier as 2 days will be unusable when I normally can get there. Why can't they just do like any other pier and let people fish around shark fishermen...

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My thought is that could very well be the next step, or the end result, providing things go well. There is a lot to consider and determine whether the Pier and folks that run it want to take the issues on. Since it has never been done, I think leadership is wise with their approach. Find out for ourselves rather than just jump in because other piers do it. Far more issues. So lets all contribute by being positive and helping. Some of the rhetoric going off on the live stream chats is interesting. Some folks are NOT shedding a positive light on the fisherman or fish community. So what if someone is trolling and trying to cause trouble. Just ignore them. The stronger will rise above that garbage and simply ignore it. Then we ALL look good! Progress is happening ,,,,,,,,,,,,

^ GREAT first post there!

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

There are methods to turn a hooked fish...

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Big king or jack will do what he wants to do when first hooked , some time. Just have to go with them

I understand the frustration for a pre-planned vacation; however, you'd probably be a lot more upset about losing a nice king and tons of tackle than you will be by missing a little fishing time on the octi. So you've planned an entire week of fishing at daybreak, but it tends to pop up showers and storms all the time, you likely can't get every single day in anyway. The bite comes and goes throughout the day anyway. I'm glad they have listened to everyone's concerns and are working to try and figure out the best way to deal with it. If I'm able to save only 1 x-rap, that's more money saved than an entire day of pier admission...or pretty much anyway.

To me closing part of pier not a option, some people say it wouldn't bother them , well wait till it happens to you , I've spent lot of money drive 660 miles , condo , food ect , open shark fishing all the time , only way it will work , you can catch shark any where on the pier , do it like Florida

I have personally lobbied for assistance in matters concerning the pier. The decision-makers are attempting to do right by everyone involved, while maintaining safety for everyone. This is what we asked for. If it's not happening according to your preferences, perhaps at this time the Gulf Shores Pier is not the best choice for you. No one can make that decision but you.

All one has to do is to look at the HUGE crowd that gathers just to get a glimpse at a big shark from 150 feet away, to know that there are definite safety concerns for the public that decision-makers are accountable for. There are also safety concerns for the teams of anglers harvesting the sharks. At this time, it is important to slow-walk shark harvest. If the current procedures do not match up with your needs at the present time, perhaps there will be opportunities in the future once BEST PRACTICES are established for the pier to everyone's satisfaction.

Personally, I appreciate the fact that the voices of recreational fishermen have been heard. The present shark harvest (such as it is) is the result of good people doing the right thing for the right reasons. That effort should be supported, not criticized, in my opinion.

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Originally Posted by Johntr21

To me closing part of pier not a option, some people say it wouldn't bother them , well wait till it happens to you , I've spent lot of money drive 660 miles , condo , food ect , open shark fishing all the time , only way it will work , you can catch shark any where on the pier , do it like Florida

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I hear ya brother, I'm in the same boat - will be down in 2 weeks for vacation myself. Not trying to argue, but I thought of this as a good excuse to go fish the skinny water and try for some trout, pompano or flounder, because I always want to, but never do until I'm worn out and heading to the truck. I always head straight for the end and can't pull myself away usually...I'm a "one last cast-er"... my poor wife has learned to add at least 2 hours to when I say I will be back from fishing.

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Originally Posted by MBoger

I hear ya brother, I'm in the same boat - will be down in 2 weeks for vacation myself. Not trying to argue, but I thought of this as a good excuse to go fish the skinny water and try for some trout, pompano or flounder, because I always want to, but never do until I'm worn out and heading to the truck. I always head straight for the end and can't pull myself away usually...I'm a "one last cast-er"... my poor wife has learned to add at least 2 hours to when I say I will be back from fishing.

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Just frustrating

I,m an old man and don,t even go to the Octi any more but still catch a lot of fish in the shallows and the T. Give it a try for a little while instead of complaining.

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Originally Posted by oldfisherman

I,m an old man and don,t even go to the Octi any more but still catch a lot of fish in the shallows and the T. Give it a try for a little while instead of complaining.

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I will complain if I choose to:congratulatory:

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Originally Posted by Johntr21

I will complain if I choose to:congratulatory:

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making a career of it?

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

making a career of it?

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Well put, David.

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

making a career of it?

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Easy to say when it's not your time and money and you can go anytime u want

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Originally Posted by Johntr21

Easy to say when it's not your time and money and you can go anytime u want

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You sound like your going to spend my entire week on the Pier so the few hours you can't get to the Octi is really going to kill your vacation
As for the few extra people that will come to see it don't for a minute think that they'll spend any serious time waiting for a Shark hookup
They'll hang out and then go ,
This being done to better the fishing experience for all that come to fish so think BIG PICTURE
I'm pretty sure if you lost 30 to 40 dollars in x-raps and associated tackle and lose fish to Sharks you'd cry about how unfair it is and something has to be done but not on MY VACATION TIME .