Thread: Assistance please

I am new to the forum and the idea of fishing from GSP. I am from south mississippi and our pier fishing is obviously ALOT different. I am planning on coming to fish the pier sometime next month and just had a few questions. The first being what type of rod, reel and tackle should I bring? All of my stuff is typical inshore red/speck stuff with a couple bigger setups for surf/pier fishing. The other big question is just general etiquette on the pier. Thanks in advance for any help.

we just got back from a week on the pier. the locals are great and will go out of their way to help you. i'm sure they will be here soon with plenty of advice.

[size=12pt][font=comic sans ms]REPOST FROM JUNE 2012 regarding Kings
Here’s my two cents worth, hope it is helpful:
If you are fishing on bottom the likelihood of a King is reduced but not out of the question.
For Kings, most people use a 7’ or 8’ medium or med/hvy weight rod and spinning reel with a smooth strong drag that will hold 300 to 350 yds of MONO line. 15# and 16# mono are the most popular line weights. Use the smallest 35# to 50# black swivel you can find; J & M in OB can fix you up with anything you can’t find at home. Get some 27# to 30# wire leader, some use single strand and some sevenstrand or surfstrand. Hooks are #2 or #4 bronze 4X treble hooks. Snobbled frozen cigs and free lining live bait caught at the pier both work for Kings.

Here are a few earlier posts from General Fishing that may be of help.

[quote author=TopPop link=topic=1164.msg11447#msg11447 date=1337540776]
You can catch Reds on same rig as for Kings. But there is also bottom fishing for Reds, just add a weight, maybe use 40 or 60 # mono leader instead of wire.
For Kings 15 20# test mono line then a wire leader and #2 or 4 treble hook. Use tiny black swivels to connect leader and hook, at least 20# seven strand wire leader or about 30# single wire, brown or bronze also bronze hook. ( I add a float about 3 to 5 feet up from hook with live lys. Use LYs for bait or dead cigar minnows. I've seen those wal-mart specials catch king (sometimes) the green float black leader beads and hook.
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[quote author=CarlF link=topic=1092.msg10596#msg10596 date=1336657769]
For kings, I like single strand Malin wire in 25-40# test, #4 4xx strong treble hooks and black swivels. I normally use a float, which some guys dont like, but I do. You'll need a little stouter rod, ~7-8', with a spinning reel that can hold 250yards+ of 15-20# line. You can get cheap ones at Wally-world or buy great ones at J&M that will cost a little more but hold up a lot better over the long run.
Get some sabiki rigs and a ribbon rig to catch baitfish.

Once again, when you go out there, observe and ask questions before jumping in. Heck, if the bite is hot, some guys will even hand off a rod to let you learn how to fight a fish..
This is the friendliest pier on the Gulf, almost everyone is willing to help you out, especially if you ask first and cast second!
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[size=12pt]http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/general-discussion/king-leader/

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...cussion/kings/[/size]

[quote author=CarlF link=topic=1092.msg10596#msg10596 date=1336657769]
[size=12pt]Once again, when you go out there, observe and ask questions before jumping in. Heck, if the bite is hot, some guys will even hand off a rod to let you learn how to fight a fish..
This is the friendliest pier on the Gulf, almost everyone is willing to help you out, especially if you ask first and cast second![/size]
[/quote]

Welcome PButtersMS

IMHO even your "typical inshore red/speck stuff " has fish catching applications on the pier and the surf/pier combos should adapt to king fishing as long as they fall within the basic parameters outlined above.

General etiquette is just like anywhere else new we go to: observe how the locals do it, ask some questions and jump on in when you feel ready to 'fit in'.

If you want to really jumpstart your coastal fishing experience, get hold of this guy.
Best money you will ever spend on fishing!

http://www.fishingorangebeach.com/Su...hing-Guide.htm

what about the big jack cravelle's do they need 20# test?
what about cobia how many yards of spool capacity is best?

IMO line capacity for cobia isn't usually a problem although most cobia anglers use reels that hold 300 yards or so. It can be for jacks. 25 or 30 lb. mono for cobia and 15 to 20 for jacks is usually ok.

Wow, I've been quoted!
Already have advice on kings.
Your medium action inshore stuff will be fine for spanish macs & whiting/pompano. For spanish, get some gotcha's, looney jigs and bubble rigs.
For whiting, a carolina rig and fresh shrimp on bottom.
A cart to get your gear out there is important (its a long, long walk out to the end) as well as a 48 quart with ice to cool your catch.