Looking for Info

My family and I will be in Gulf Shores this Saturday for a little fishing. My 71 year old Dad will be along. He has never caught a salt water fish before, and I am wanting to get him one. I was on the pier last October for the first time and had a blast. I want my Dad and son to have the same experience. Reading other reports on this site, it sounds like sheepshead and spanish macs would be a good target, but I have a few questions about fishing for them. For the Spanish Macs, it sounds like Gotcha plugs are a good bet. Are we talking about the 2 1/2 -3 inch floaters that you twitch on top? Do you use a leader of heavier mono to avoid cutoffs? Our reels are spooled with 12 lb mono. I am thinking live shrimp for the sheepsheads, but what is the best way to rig one, Carolina rig, under a float or just a small split shot to get them down? Any and all info is welcomed and appreciated and Thanks!

Thanks to the people responsible for this website and all who contribute. It is a great way for newbies to learn where to start. If you see someone with a salt and pepper goatee in a faded out NY Yankees hat with a 71 year old and a 15 year old in tow, say hi. I would love to me some of the people who I regularly read on here.

Hang tight. Won't be long before you have all the info you need.

I doubt the sheepshead bite will last another two weeks, but there should be other fish ready to eat live shrimp anyway.

For the spanish mackerel a Gotcha lure is 'standard' but not necessary at all and can be downright dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced angler.

A newcomer fisher might find it much more pleasant an experience (and catch just as many fish) by using a simple 1/2 ounce lead head jig commonly called a "Looney Jig"
plus they are only a buck and change ;-)

Hope this helps! :headbang:

Looks like the weather might be a factor this weekend. Possible thunderstorms on Sat. Sundsy is looking good though. On the Gothcha's, usually don't use the floating kind. The gold ones that sink sometimes work best. It just depends on the mood the fish are in. Sometimes they tear them up and other times they won't touch them. As you see this past week white jigs seemed to be working better than anything. Might bring a small variety with you so you have yourself covered. Don't want to have to buy anything from up front unless you absolutely have to. As for the leader material, again it depends. Usually like using a small wire leader to save on breakoffs but again sometimes the fish won't bite that. A larger mono leader works great but tends to have a few more breakoffs. Only problem with a mono leader, if you happen to get a king to bite on the Gothcha, which happened several times last year, then you can pretty much kiss that one goodbye. Not saying it's impossible, but your chances narrow quite a bit. On fishing for sheephead, you want to use the smallest weight you can get by with. Depends on the current as to how small you can go. Want to be able to hug the pylons and not have your bait drifting out. Live shrimp usually does the trick but when the "bite" is on sometimes it don't matter what you drop down. Hope the weather holds out for you guys and that the fish are chewing this weekend!

Small cigar minnows or Ly work good also for the Spanish just make a stop at J&M before heading to the pier and the staff will send you away with the tackle and bait you need for a day of fishing.

Thanks for all the info.