Snagging on the pier?

There is a chance that I'm ill informed but I heard that snagging was no longer allowed on our pier? If I'm wrong there's no sense reading any further.... The reason cited was "safety concerns". Snagging fish isn't what I care to do but I think it has a history on the pier and I appreciate gathering food and if that's how it's done (and legal) more power to you.

What bothers me, if true, is that the "safety concern" has nothing to do with safety but some people think it's not fair and is unsportsman like. No fishing method employed on the pier could be more dangerous than slinging a Gotcha. Second only to a bubble rig but there's no problem with that.

I removed a LOT of hooks from folks over the past couple of years. None of them had anything remotely to do with snagging. Again-if I'm wrong I apologize but if it's been dis-allowed let's state the real reason.

I totally agree with you it looks like to me that a few of the rules have been singled out to go against the fishermen. Yesterday there was one boat tied up to the Octi under one of the down lights and another just right off the east side. The one rod rule that everyone said needed to be enforced even if there was only one guy fishing was totally ignored on Saturday and when I left people were swimming all under the pier.

Yes. Certainly not our duty (job) to enforce, but they should be pointed out to violators and reported (if necessary)...

https://www.alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park/fishing-and-education-pier

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2. One fishing rod in use at a time

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PROHIBITED list posted at the pier (3rd down, middle row)...
https://scontent-dfw5-2.xx.fbcdn.net...f2&oe=6074E077

Damn,...and I was working on a plan to slingshot my firework tipped spear from a hoverboard.
Oh well,...guess it’ll have to just be regular ole’ fishing from now on.

I've seen a bunch of guys snag mullet on the pier in the limited time I've spent there in previous years. They never caused any kind of a dangerous situation, and as David Lea pointed out, certainly much safer than some of the gotcha slingers or sabiki swingers I've seen. Snagging mullet and some other species is 100% legal. I fail to understand why its now outlawed on the pier.

Perhaps I am unclear on "snatch hook", but I understand that to be a weighted treble. East coasters cast those into bunker (a.k.a. pogie) schools to snag and drop baits to waiting predators below. As such they can be cast quite far and have heft behind them. If this rule is about this particular bit of tackle and not the act of snagging, an unweighted treble dropped on mullet schools would still be permitted since it is a safer bit of kit. I hope someone on site can politely clarify if this bans the whole technique or just a particular tool.

Other changes I see on quick perusal include Sabiki limit of 6 hooks. I think it was 5 before, which made no real sense since many come pre-tied with 6.

Older copies of the rules listed "beach umbrellas" (presumably free-standing) but now only "umbrellas". I have chair-attached umbrellas I hope are still ok for a bit of shade.

Wire minnow traps join wire crab traps as illicit. I have seen single metal crab traps with no bigger footprint than a crab ring (sides fold up to trap the crab), but knowing that some recreational crab traps around are as big as an ottoman, I can see why it is easier to ban them all.

It was discussed in the rules meeting and it was decided to not make rules for things that weren't a problem. The truth is that there's never been a documented incident involving an injury associated with snagging on the Gulf Shores Pier.

My other recollection about the conversation was that ANY person acting in an unsafe manner can be reported and that the legal harvest of certain fish by snagging would continue. That being the case it's unclear as to why snagging was added to the list.

#13- feeding birds

This is bad- I've seen what lazy pelicans can do when they're hungry. :)

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Originally Posted by david lea

There is a chance that I'm ill informed but I heard that snagging was no longer allowed on our pier?

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Maybe we can get a clarification from the ranger-guys when we see them on the pier. My understanding from the meeting was that they wouldn't "outlaw" snagging. My question is - "Who put the rule in place or came away with a different understanding - and why".

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Originally Posted by eym_sirius

Maybe we can get a clarification from the ranger-guys when we see them on the pier. My understanding from the meeting was that they wouldn't "outlaw" snagging. My question is - "Who put the rule in place or came away with a different understanding - and why".

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Exactly. I remember it being discussed at the last meeting and the take away was that snagging was not a problem. It was brought up and suggested the rule be changed. Perhaps it will be one of the rules that are posted but not enforced-I understand this is a transitional time for the pier and staff. I was there Saturday and there were MANY people fishing multiple rods. With limited space that will be an even greater problem.

Not to open a whole 'nother can of red wigglers but I can't see a problem with boats fishing what's left of the octi until repairs begin. It makes a lot more sense to focus on what's happening on the pier.

Right when I was starting to get the hang of it!

I walked off Saturday afternoon and asked if it was ok to swim under the Pier now and the girl in the office grabbed the Megaphone and headed out to tell them to move.

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Originally Posted by 00706

Right when I was starting to get the hang of it!

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You've probably "had the hang of it" since you were a kid! You're most proficient!

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Originally Posted by 00706

Right when I was starting to get the hang of it!

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I wondered if you had something to do with it again..... pissing people off that weren't catching with bait, and had to go whine to the office ..... not the first time folks ..... it is legal for non-regulated game fish..... from what i knew of it..... case closed

Ha Ha Not me I haven’t fished the pier in over a year !

Tater showed me the finer arts of snagging mullet (among a few other things) a few years ago. Never was so appreciative of a tip. And he even gifted me my first snatch hook. I had a ball.
Those buggers sure give you a jolt when the treble hits their side.
I hope it’s not gone now. It’s gonna be hard to pass em up when there’s a school so thick it blackens the bottom.

I agree .... snagging mullet was so much fun, I had a ball..... like a kid with a new toy, so many years ago , gifting to Lou and Leroy

I would like to know WHO put forth the idea that "snatch hooks" would no longer be allowed on the pier. Then I would like to know how and why the idea was accepted by the powers that be.

If it truly was a safety issue then Gotcha's would surely be the first place to start.

Snatch hooks are a simple tool for harvesting mullet, a fish that generally does not bite.
Using a snatch hook is very much an art and a traditional, legal way to get some groceries.

We cannot allow the powers to screw around with long standing tradition without a real good reason, and without our opportunity for input on the matter.

Aren't gaff hooks nothing but big snatch hooks????

I guess I will continue to use my small gaff hooks.

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Originally Posted by sandflea

Aren't gaff hooks nothing but big snatch hooks????

I guess I will continue to use my small gaff hooks.

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:) :) :) :)

looks like I may have to retire Frankenstein. He may not take the news well....

Up north (IL, WI) snagging is legal certain times each year and in certain places for salmon when they are coming in
to the rivers and harbors to spawn.
Those folks that try to cheat the rules tie a couple pieces of yarn on their snag hook and fray it out thus saying it is their lure and they are just casting....

People are going to snatch whether or not its legal.

#17 concealed carry only...with permit... OK.... what's this park permit thing?

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Darn!
I so much wanted to launch few torpedoes on my next trip.

Doesn't say anything about tossing grenades though ;-) LOL!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwsZq7_LN9I

Ha Ha! Whatever it takes! Just wondering what else was discussed at “ the meeting” besides snagging? Multi rod use-chairs and carts against the rail to prevent access for others-shark fishing at the t-set rods-sling shots ! Is there even a pier manager?? I feel like all those d-bags that never fish the pier but have a million posts and questions This is awesome!

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Originally Posted by 00706

Ha Ha! Whatever it takes! Just wondering what else was discussed at “ the meeting” besides snagging? Multi rod use-chairs and carts against the rail to prevent access for others-shark fishing at the t-set rods-sling shots ! Is there even a pier manager?? I feel like all those d-bags that never fish the pier but have a million posts and questions This is awesome!

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I was at the last meeting it was suggested that snagging would be prohibited but that was nixed. The one rod at the rail was put in place which by default makes trolley fishing against the rules. Nothing about people blocking the rail with carts and chairs though.
I have no idea what happened about the snagging rule since the people they asked to attend the meeting for their input were largely in favor of not changing the rule.

I don't think we have a pier manager and the one rod rule was followed for maybe one day. There was a guy sheephead fishing the east rail recently with seven rods. Go figure.

I was at that meeting too.
The premise by which snatch hooks are prohibited ("too dangerous to have hooks flying") should apply to Gotcha plugs, and sabikis, and Bubble Rigs even more. Because in 50 years of pier fishing I have NEVER seen an injury from snatch hooks!

Making rules is one thing, enforcing them (equally and unequivocally) is another.
Yes, the pier needs a manager. And we would have one by now, unfortunately that decision is made in Montgomery...

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Originally Posted by Pier#r

I was at that meeting too.
The premise by which snatch hooks are prohibited ("too dangerous to have hooks flying") should apply to Gotcha plugs, and sabikis, and Bubble Rigs even more. Because in 50 years of pier fishing I have NEVER seen an injury from snatch hooks

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I've often found it necessary to cast a Gotcha underhanded with the crowds out past the bathrooms lately. (Unfortunately this may have caused my old hernia repair to fail, but that's another story). Not only because of the people, but carts behind me with rods standing up.