Thread: 14 days till showtime!!

What could a guy expect to catch on top water plugs (poppers and walk the dog baits) from the pier or surf this time of year

Originally Posted by Sharpbeads

What kind of cart? Thinking of building or buying one!

Get ya an old wheel chair, I used this one for 3 or 4 years. Folds up easily.

Originally Posted by Grandpa Kirk

I have the exact same cart and have used it for a few years now. My wife bought it for me so she didn't have to ride in my pickup every time we went down there. I really like it and it fits in her car perfectly, it also stands up and doesn't hardly take up any room in our closet off the balcony of our condo. What I was worried about was with all the salt air and the numerous hinge joints on the cart that they would rust or get stiff or freeze up, but it works perfectly with no stiffness at all. The thing I like best is what I never thought about when I first got it, is that it sits quite a bit higher than the other ones and when the cooler is in it's the perfect height and you don't have to bend over. But the extra height will make your 8 foot rods hit the top rail of the pier entrance, both of them actually, put the longer rods in the rear rod holders and they just clear. I usually just bungee cord my tackle box to the top of my cooler but it does fit perfectly on the rails under the cart. The only problem I forsee is the fabric might mildew and not hold up, and it does stain easily, but a few blood stains don't bother me, unless it's my blood. It will hold a five gallon bucket, a 3 gallon bubbler bait bucket a fairly big cooler and still have room to put a few bags with your rain gear and towels etc. Overall I like it for my needs so far, but if I lived down there and had my truck I would build my own and have all the bells and whistles. I really enjoy looking at all the different types of carts especially the home made ones.

Thanks for the heads-up on the pier entrance. I had not thought about that, but I have realized that I might be breaking down the longer rods to get on the elevator at my condo.

Much like you, if I were "allowed" to drive one of my pickups on these adventures, I'd definitely go custom.

I am also slightly concerned about the long-term durability of the frame and hardware. If the liner goes bad, it would seem to be possible to "skin" the frame with sheet aluminum or stainless. I bet the added rigidity might be just what the doctor ordered anyway. That should be possible without losing the folding ability.

I intend to put together an "adventure van" of sorts within the next 12 months. At that point, I will consider external rack solutions for a custom cart. Getting to add a rod tube to the top so that I can join the "one piece" nation will be a big step up in my opinion as well.

Originally Posted by Kdavis

What could a guy expect to catch on top water plugs (poppers and walk the dog baits) from the pier or surf this time of year

Take what I say with a grain of salt, as you are aware of my limited experience, but given how near that you said that you are to Ft. Morgan, I'd be slinging Badonk-a-Donks, Unfair Rip-n-Slash's, or similar topwater or jerk plugs at dusk and dawn. I also think that either bullreds or at least decent sharks are a no brainer on the West end with live bait. I can't even legally shark where I am.

If I were down where you were going to be, I'd be on the point near Dixey Bar, wading Little Lagoon, or even West Pass, if I got bored with the previous options. You can surely catch better fish in front of where you are staying than I can in Orange Beach without me going to the big pass or the pier. I seem to have a personal thing for redfish, which should be better in your direction. My inlaws like sashimi, so I have read that putting them on Spanish isn't a terrible thing to do, back East.

Trust me, if it were an option, I'd be down where you are, and I wouldn't be worried about the pier. Also, take that with a grain of salt, as I don't really like crowds (like the pier or big pass would have). I am uncomfortable enough when I land a nice fish in the surf and have the morning joggers and assorted surf scavengers show up in the peanut gallery. I'm stuck in a situation with kids and women that like splash pads, lazy rivers, waterslides and other such trivial contrivances. I'd rather be lagoonside with beach access, but with a large party, "Daddy" is outvoted.

To put it into context, I'm all the way on the other end of things and I'm still considering driving to your end just to fish, when I get some "me" time.

This post brought to you by Rebel Rouser IPA. When it's your birthday and you spend all day doing yardwork, think Rebel Rouser IPA. Besides, it one of the strongest beers you can get in backwoods MS.