First time visitor to the pier

Hey guys, new member and new to saltwater fishing in general. I've spent a significant amount of my life fishing in freshwater for all species including the larger stripe and catfish. Long story short the gf and i are taking a vacation to gulf shores in the middle of july and simply put I just want to put us both on a few enjoyable fish. Quite frankly from a few of the other posts I've read the gear I'm intending to bring might be a little overkill. Any tips or clue anyone would like to offer up to help me out? Current plan is to bring 1 10 ft surfcast rod with 50 series spinning reel spooled with braid. Another 8 ft biggame rod with spinning reel also with braid, and another smaller 7'6 rod with a 5500 series ambassador that i'm not very partial to.

I AM NOT SO SURE Why EVERYBODY WANTS BRAID THESE DAYS BUT TO Each His own.Good ol 17 pound mono for me because much easier to work with and will catch any King out there.The other thing i dont like about it is that it rips through other lines so easily, so not so good for multiple hook ups.I go by field experience and not what i read.WHEN fishing the pier where ever it may be i always listen to locals and have a good attitude!

from what i have learned in my short time on this forum, the first thing the locals will say is get rid of the braid.

[size=12pt]First of all, welcome aboard dstacks and thanks for siging up!

Please don’t take this wrong, although I know someone probably will.
Braid is OK in the hands of people who are highly skilled at using braid and fishing from a pier. There are only a few that I will fish next to. Braid in the hands of less than highly skilled pier fisherman is actually dangerous to the users and those around them.
This week has been a real braid nightmare; a lot of good fish lost because of braid. Why would a person want heavy/expensive braid when 15# mono works great?
This morning a Cobia was burned off by some nut fighting a dang ray on braid.

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dstacks, The ten foot rod is good for the surf but you may find it a bit cumbersome on the pier, especially if the pier is crowded. Moast King rods are 8’ and some 9’.
The 7.5’ w/Ambassador would be good for Spanish and could also be a good bait rod.
Hope this helps.
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Thanks Finchaser. I'll snatch the braid off the two before I come. They typically double as carp and stripe rods around here hence the heavier braided line. I intend to be fishing in the mids along the walkway. I have no intention of getting in the way of the more experienced bunch at the octi.

[size=12pt]Come on out and play, just spend a little time observing and ask questions for advice before you get in the game.
If you really want to learn from the master, get up with Pier#r for a one-on-one of how to catch fish, best money you’ll ever spend on fishing!
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...fishing-guide/

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Well gents, the day has finally arrived. As of Wednesday morning i will be Gulf Shores bound with all available rods packed in the car. So if you see a blame fool walking down the pier tomorrow in blue jeans and boots, it's probably me. I look forward to sharing the pier with you gents for a day or two.

[quote author=dstacks link=topic=1370.msg14700#msg14700 date=1341963338]
So if you see a blame fool walking down the pier tomorrow in blue jeans and boots, it's probably me.[/quote]
You need to be a bit more specific with your description. Blue jeans and boots aren't uncommon on the pier. It's still in Alabama after all. A lot of us just come to fish and could care less about getting sun on our legs. Have a safe trip down and good luck fishing once you get here.

haha touche. I'll be the guy in the little bitty red Chevy Cobalt with the 8 foot black rod with a 6500 cs mated to it. I intend to show up on Wednesday and just poke my head around for a bit and try to get a feel of things.