'Speculative' pier upgrades for improved fishing!

Just running off a couple of brain storms here. I of course want everyone's' ideas in this matter as; I think it would be awesome to see what people can come up with to make our tourists attractions not only more exciting but more productive for the fisherman who fish them! My main thoughts are that of adding powerful lights tied near the bottom of the of the sea floor to keep predators in throughout the night; as well as adding more structures near the pier that will attract more fish to visit the are. I would love to see yalls suggestions!!

p.s. I didnt look into regulations for this post. Hopefully they are lenient as I think it would be awesome to add to these already wonderful fishing attractions!!!!!

Not sure attracting more sharks (predators) would be well-received.

The rubble piles (artificial reefs) are far enough out not to snag tackle from average casters, but it is therefore hard to fish them. More sounds better unless it attracts skin divers who would hamper fishing.

I agree with that, however there is always solutions to problems; maybe setting powerful shark deterrent magnets in the water or on the structures themselves could help get rid of most the pesky shark???

I'm thinking of all the tales from the "good old days" when there was only the pier---no added attractants needed. From the number of boats that anchor on the little rubble piles off the end of the octi, I'm afraid that more rubblel would definitely attract more boats. Does anyone have any reports on how the fishing is on those structures that were placed close in to the east?

If only they could just make the pier a protected zone. I guess my ideas are just too far out there:(

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haywire

I'm thinking of all the tales from the "good old days" when there was only the pier---no added attractants needed.

---

I think that there are already enough tourists who are already thrilled at the experience. I listen to them marvel at the massive schools of mullet, at the size of huge black drum, at the sight of a turtle, crabs, or a dolphin. Extra electronic enhancements would be expensive, making the costs to everyone else go up. Lights on the bottom would be corroded with time, covered with sand during storms and maintenance would be impossible. As it is, the existing down lights are poorly maintained.

There is one enhancement that I've suggested in the past. There is a company that makes artificial fish reefs out of concrete, mixed with a person's cremated remains. A plaque is attached for identification and memorialization purposes. It would cost nothing to the pier and might serve as a perpetual contribution from present-day pier lovers to future generations of them.

I actually think your ideas are great , if you could have them off limits to watercraft and scuba divers .

Well, if we are wishing...one thing to copy off I think is Okaloosa Island Pier....bathrooms on the octi....they are soooooo nice, and the vending machines don't hurt...

I think that enforcing the no swimming and no watercraft within 100 yards of the pier with citations and fines would be an enhancement... Yeah, I'd be willing to start with that.

Revisiting and enforcing the rules and regulations would be a good step.
Having more of the 'Ranger' presence on the pier aids greatly in enforcement of rules!

Yes these our things that would require resources and funding. I think with proper planning and cooperation anything is possible. Once I get more established and move back to the states we can start a petition or crowd funding for the community and the fisherman to back. I agree with you Fordguy maybe even bump up the limit to 300 yards; One can only dream. ideas about the lights you mention they would get covered in with sand. my solution would be to let them float slightly above the floor as well as being able to let more rope out(these could be tied to the pier and be easily accessible) possibly use a non corrosive material to cover them with?

Honestly, I think THE best improvement (already underway) would be to restore/repair/replace the overhead and under pier lighting (and parking lot driveway).
Good lighting is imperative to attracting and keeping baitfish around the pier, and makes it safer at night.

Second should be the redecking issue (also supposed to be 'in the works').
Another safety issue.

And third has also been discussed previously would be to move the fish cleaning station to shore.
And equip it with a chest freezer to store carcasses.
The GSPark Campgrounds has had one as long as I can remember.
Here is the setup at the Dauphin Island Campground (very nice! just ask #r's brother ;-)
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...campground.jpg

Lisa told a group of us on the Octi. 4-5 years ago that the state had the money set aside to replace the decking on the pier. Guess you can see where that money went with the crossovers and the goofy railing around the lake that they can't seem to keep people from running into.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pier#r

Honestly, I think THE best improvement (already underway) would be to restore/repair/replace the overhead and under pier lighting (and parking lot driveway).
Good lighting is imperative to attracting and keeping baitfish around the pier, and makes it safer at night.

Second should be the redecking issue (also supposed to be 'in the works').
Another safety issue.

And third has also been discussed previously would be to move the fish cleaning station to shore.
And equip it with a chest freezer to store carcasses.
The GSPark Campgrounds has had one as long as I can remember.
Here is the setup at the Dauphin Island Campground (very nice! just ask #r's brother ;-)
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...campground.jpg

---

Watching fishermen clean fish and toss the carcasses down to the sharks for entertainment does nothing but train the sharks that the pier is a food source. I carry my fish back to the condo whole and clean them there.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pier#r

Honestly, I think THE best improvement (already underway) would be to restore/repair/replace the overhead and under pier lighting (and parking lot driveway).
Good lighting is imperative to attracting and keeping baitfish around the pier, and makes it safer at night.

Second should be the redecking issue (also supposed to be 'in the works').
Another safety issue.

And third has also been discussed previously would be to move the fish cleaning station to shore.
And equip it with a chest freezer to store carcasses.
The GSPark Campgrounds has had one as long as I can remember.
Here is the setup at the Dauphin Island Campground (very nice! just ask #r's brother ;-)
https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/me...campground.jpg

---

As long as the cleaning station is in the shade, I'm all for it, but I can't help thinking about how much hotter it is in the parking lot than on the pier.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haywire

As long as the cleaning station is in the shade, I'm all for it, but I can't help thinking about how much hotter it is in the parking lot than on the pier.

---

+1 on that.

Just put freezers on the pier. With the money they save by not building one on shore they can afford to buy a new freezer every year.

I haven't seen a high-volume in-the-parking-lot fish cleaning station, so my frame of reference for an area serving lots of fishermen is the present one. Frankly, a lot of fish-cleaners are slobs. With the present configuration, a pressure hose just washes remnants/pieces/parts into the water to be consumed by legions of little pinfish and other aquatic creatures. It's hosed down regularly (nowadays, thankfully) and a bleach solution is applied to reduce bacteria growth at the station. The larger pieces are consumed by sharks, catfish, crabs and those previously-noted pinfish and miscellaneous scavengers. From a biological standpoint, little is wasted and everything is naturally recycled.

I can only imagine the mess that slob-fishermen, not invested in any long-range health of the facility, would make. Where would the pier staff wash the remnants TO? Wouldn't there be a potential problem with rats/cats/birds? Or is that the "solution" to the remnants? And then, wouldn't an off-the-pier cleaning station incur some expense in its operation? The carcasses have to be taken somewhere and that's assuming that slob fishermen would even put the carcasses in a freezer, which would have to be childproof and slob-proof. That said, isn't it likely that the pier would have to go up even further on the rates?

As for sharks, most of them congregate around the Octi, where they pick off hooked mackerel. That is not going to change. As well, it's likely that many folks will at least try to opt to clean their catch wherever there's a water hose and a flat surface, still discarding their catch and not using a parking lot cleaning station. Looking forward, I can see a day when they'd close the parking lot cleaning station and everyone would HAVE to take their catch back to their hotel rooms, condos or homes to process - or, again, just fillet them on the rail (unsanitary, to be sure). I think that we should be happy with what we have!

I'm for putting in a grinder to chop up the carcusses to feed the little fish.

I would be happy if the existing features on the pier were maintained, i.e. the decking, power outlets and the down lights in the shallows. I've given up on the lights. Not coming back until I can confirm they are working.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by eym_sirius

I haven't seen a high-volume in-the-parking-lot fish cleaning station, so my frame of reference for an area serving lots of fishermen is the present one. Frankly, a lot of fish-cleaners are slobs. With the present configuration, a pressure hose just washes remnants/pieces/parts into the water to be consumed by legions of little pinfish and other aquatic creatures. It's hosed down regularly (nowadays, thankfully) and a bleach solution is applied to reduce bacteria growth at the station. The larger pieces are consumed by sharks, catfish, crabs and those previously-noted pinfish and miscellaneous scavengers. From a biological standpoint, little is wasted and everything is naturally recycled.

I can only imagine the mess that slob-fishermen, not invested in any long-range health of the facility, would make. Where would the pier staff wash the remnants TO? Wouldn't there be a potential problem with rats/cats/birds? Or is that the "solution" to the remnants? And then, wouldn't an off-the-pier cleaning station incur some expense in its operation? The carcasses have to be taken somewhere and that's assuming that slob fishermen would even put the carcasses in a freezer, which would have to be childproof and slob-proof. That said, isn't it likely that the pier would have to go up even further on the rates?

As for sharks, most of them congregate around the Octi, where they pick off hooked mackerel. That is not going to change. As well, it's likely that many folks will at least try to opt to clean their catch wherever there's a water hose and a flat surface, still discarding their catch and not using a parking lot cleaning station. Looking forward, I can see a day when they'd close the parking lot cleaning station and everyone would HAVE to take their catch back to their hotel rooms, condos or homes to process - or, again, just fillet them on the rail (unsanitary, to be sure). I think that we should be happy with what we have!

---

Give this man a whole bunch of attaboys for perceptive thinking. Tom, you make a whole bunch of great points, even about the sharks which haven't been as bad this year. I'm glad you are on our side.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Robert(Tato)Piteo

I'm for putting in a grinder to chop up the carcusses to feed the little fish.

---

The issue of fish carcass disposal, and even a possible grinder solution were brought to the attention of the Conservation Advisory Board by several concerned pier fishermen in Feb 2012.
(see pages 37 through 60)... https://www.outdooralabama.com/sites...AB-Minutes.pdf

That may finally be addressed (hopefully) with the upcoming renovations.

I think a "no net fishing within two miles of the pier" law would increase the fishing exponentially.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by haywire

i think a "no net fishing within two miles of the pier" law would increase the fishing exponentially.

---

this!!!!!!!!!

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Haywire

I think a "no net fishing within two miles of the pier" law would increase the fishing exponentially.

---

I addressed that very subject to the CAB at the May 2012 meeting (pages 23-27)...
https://www.outdooralabama.com/sites...AB-Minutes.pdf

Again, no action was taken :-(

I am a regular at the Four Seasons pier and we have a problem with surfers regularly and divers occasionally. I have seen many surfers caught and personally have caught one. The guards will warn them and usually they are just ignored. The net boats are a problem for the entire Alabama coast and it needs to be shut down.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by oldfisherman

I am a regular at the Four Seasons pier and we have a problem with surfers regularly and divers occasionally. I have seen many surfers caught and personally have caught one. The guards will warn them and usually they are just ignored. The net boats are a problem for the entire Alabama coast and it needs to be shut down.

---

Is there a limit on surfers, and how do you cook them?

;-) lol

I bet they fight like hell. I'm guessing cobia/tarpon tackle would be the preferred method for fighting them.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Pier#r

Is there a limit on surfers, and how do you cook them?

;-) lol

---

You ever try to clean one of them things?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by frednic

You ever try to clean one of them things?

---

It's amazing what a little soap & water can do ;-) lol

Cook over a beach fire on the surfboard using driftwood turning every 15 minutes until done, discard surfer and eat the surfboard.