Thread: 1st Timer with questions.

Hello to all...

Living on the Western shore, not exactly new to the area but definitely new to this type of saltwater fishing and the local species.
No boat so I've been trying to pound ground with very little success on this side of the bay.
Ran across this pier's website, been reading ya'lls reports with envy and I'm ready to invade ya'lls turf and try to finally put fish in the cooler.
I'm definitely not what you call a Googan, but definitely a Rookie.
When I was much younger I used to frequent the SoCal kelp beds on the sportfleet's dayboats, but that was two decades ago.
Would very much like to have a go at the local mainstays, Kings, Spanish, Reds, Specks & Flounder.

I have inherited a few rods/reels and would like to jump into some SW fishing.
Some of this is old gear and haven't seen any water in a long time and may need new drag washers or tuneups.
Is any of the gear listed below suitable for pier fishing, and/or beach/jetty etc?
Who in the Mobile can tune-up and/or redo drags for a decent price? Or is the gear below even worth keeping?
Can such as the Penn 7500 have the drag upgraded, e.g. replace teflon with fiber and lube?

Rod, Seeker 7' medium action with Penn 7500SS reel
I'm thinking this is my best bet for getting started?

Rod, Penn Fierce 6'6" with Penn Fierce 2000 reel.
This is brand new, I bought it for some FW bass & cats. Can it do UL SW?

Rod, Silstar-Big Water 6'6" with Penn 155 reel.

Rod, Daiwa VIP Saltwater 7' with Penn 505HS Jig Master reel.

Rod, Master-Custom Striker 6'6" with front/rear rollers, and a Penn Senator 114H reel.

I would like info on line weights, terminal tackle, bait and maybe a few decent areas I can try my luck at.
More than ready to drop a Franklin or two on a new box-n-tackle.
I would gather that for pier fishing I'll need some sort of gaff or net to hoist fish up?
I will definitely be reading through the threads here trying to find information, but nothing like a few good thread links.

I look forward to coming out soon, trying not to make fool of myself, perhaps make some friends and get some protips from the locals.

Welcome Chile :headbang:

Your best bet on this side would be Ross Hutchisson @ 344-9984 (off Ziegler Blvd in west Mobile)
You may even be able to drop your reels off @ Southern Bama on DIP.

Your assessment of the tackle you have sounds pretty good.
You should be able to use the 7' / 7500 combo for kings (put 15#-20# line on it)
And the 6'6" / 200 combo as a bait/light tackle rig (put 6# to 8# line on it)

The other three combos sound more like 'boat tackle' to me though the 155 on the 7' rod might be 'doable' drifting live baits from the pier.
The Senator is big enough to shark fish with from the beach if you get into that.

So you see there are plenty of options and Ross can drop you some advise when he sees the rigs and can tell you what it will take to make them work for you.

Hope this helps!
And tell him I said "Hi" :headbang:

I'm hoping to come out Saturday, either to the pier if its not going to be too windy/rough out, as I understand such can make the fishing suck.
Or possibly, if its cool with ya'll, to watch or participate in ya'lls Shark Night.

ETA: I now think it may be too rough to burn the gas on either trip.

Through summer, July & August, do the Spanish & Kings hang around en masse?
Through out the next 2-3 months what can I expect to target off the pier?

Should I buy shrimp/squid, cut bait/ frozen cigs, expect to catch live LYs & etc at the pier, or both?

What can I expect to drop $$$ at J&M, for basic tackle suitable for Spanish & Kings?
Leader material, 7strand, swivels, #'s 6, 4 & 2 trebles and Sabiki rigs for bait and Spades?
How much wire should I buy to last at least 3-5 trips? How many leaders should I expect to go through on an average day?

J and M is a great place to start. Kings and Spanish does not require much tackle so don't be worried of cost. I've shopped many places for tackle and j and m is very reasonable. All the guy on the pier are cool just ask and they usually will do their best with advice. Remember to be cool and respectful to our playground and everything else will fall into place.