Tips for an out of towner

I will be staying in Gulf Shores this week 8/27-9/4. I plan to fish some solo and some with my 5 year old son. I am bringing a 6.5' med-light rid and an 11' surf rod. I freshwater fish at home in Missouri a lot but really know very little about surf fishing. I plan to surf fish in front of where I am staying in gulf shores and plan to possibly go to the pier. Any suggestions would be very much appreciated. Rigs, bait, where to cast, etc. Any pier fishing tips would be appreciated as well. Thanks very much for your help. Eric

Eric - Spend as much time as you can searching the archives for what you need. Put those search terms into the search box and also look up the FISHING REPORTS (by date) from last year to see what people were using to hook their fish during that week. Everything that you need is in previous discussions. Enjoy!

Your 11 will be awkward on the pier but fine in the surf. Your light rod will be fine on the pier except for the largest fish and ok on the beach if the surf is light. The fish are often right at your feet in the first trough.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...fishing-12850/

#1 circle hook and a thumb nail piece of fresh dead shrimp will work in the surf for Whiting and others.

You have already received some good feedback. When I first got into surfing ten years ago or so, the local tackle stores helped me with everything I needed--hooks, lead, leader, lures. Good folks willing to help you catch fish. I can't prove this but we seem to have better luck with fresh shrimp purchased at a fish market or grocery vs. the frozen stuff in a cup. If time permits I drive out to Bon Secour and buy my shrimp there. A quarter pound of small shrimp cut into thumbnail sized pieces will last you for hours. Good luck and thanks for vacationing in Alabama.

Thanks everyone! I appreciate the help.

Find the Haywire flag, and do what he is doing......there are others to copy too......the ones catching