Thanksgiving weekend, crowds/fishing?

Is Thanksgiving weekend a busy time down there? Thinking the fishing will depend on weather, but I'm one that hates the crowds, so thinking this might be a good time. Everyone goes to grandma's house right? Not the beach?

there's grandma's down there too....kinda the end of the season from what I know....that is the start of our gun season for deer.....any Holiday would be busier ....better time would be when school starts and vacation time is over for most....but NOT us retirees ....I think my bride might be home this fall and a needed vacation might be in order too....might slip away and head south for the great fall bite there, but NOT that late....October would be my choice....middle to middle of Nov.

Quite a few families have get-togethers at the beach then. It's been a busy time for me in the past, but I don't know how that would translate into people at the pier. I shouldn't think there'd be too many folks fishing then.

Hope you make Bill . I'll be there October and November . My favorite times to be there .

Those migratory birds are making their way down to the coast at that time.

I wouldn't think it would be very crowded at all. Certainly not like a summer crowd. Its the 2nd weekend of gun deer season, opener weekend of duck season, plus college football and normally, the fishing has slowed a little by then.
Well, not sure how it could much slower than it is right now.........

Thanks ironman, we are coming down after the kids go back to school for a week, mid September, but already planning another escape. Since we like to avoid family drama, a trip to the beach sounded like a good way to do that, if it's not a really busy time down there.

As I recall, the pier was not crowded and the fishing was not very good during Thanksgiving week last year:

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...1-2012-a-5045/
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/f28/sunday-nov-25-2012-a-5062/


However, the fishing so far this year has not been as good overall as it was last year, so Thanksgiving fishing may also be entirely different and perhaps much better than it was last year. I think you’re right about it being less crowded that week. If it’s not too cold, I may try some Thanksgiving pier fishing too.