Thread: The clampetts go to the beach!!!

Hey everyone, Iv been lurking in the shadows for a week or so, finally Decided to join in. A little about myself I was born and raised in the hills of Missouri float fishing the small Ozark streams around Branson, Mo. We are headed to gulf shores the first week of October. A buddy of mine filled me in on pier fishing so I need the scoop. How do I do this would love to catch some monster fish but mainly want to be able to take home some decent groceries. I have never been to the beach so saltwater fishing is a foreign language to me, so don't talk over my head. Lol. I appreciate any help given and maybe at some point I can point someone in the right direction for fishing if they come up here for vacation.

Welcome to the board. You've asked a pretty broad question so I'd suggest a trip through the archives with the search function using words like "newbie" and "beginner." Here's a freebie

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/f39/your-best-tip-newbies-8373/

pay particular attention to any posts by pier#r

Thanks for the welcome!!! I have started looking through the archives and have found some great info there so let me ask this what is a good fish to target for ease of catching,I have read about pompano and flounder which seem like a good place to start. However I know certain fish are better at certain times of the year. Is there a retain species that is best the first week of october?

I wouldn't call pomp and flounder easy targets. Spanish mackerel, if they are present, are a good eating fish and a "fairly" easy target.

Welcome aboard! Here is a link to a thread with a lot of info, but use the Search function to find specific topics.
http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com...-members-3182/

Here is one of Pier#r's helpful posts.

Beat me to it - just found the chart in my archives

Fishing the pier for any species is fantastic. I usually catch more there for a lot less cashola then I do on more expensive charters and you'll meet some great people.
One thing to keep in mind if you are unfamiliar with salt water fishing is to make sure you rinse down all your gear when done. The saltwater sure reeks havoc on the equiptment. Everything else you should be able. To find on this forum and good luck,
you'll get hooked!

Here s a post I made to another inquiring about October Follow what s outlined and if the fish are there as they shuold be you will catch them I'll be out there also so if I can help you just stop me and ask Pull a large pier cart with grey sand tires Hope to have an ID flag I'm having made by then Will be blue with a picture of a Siberian Husky which I raise on it as well as ID DSinMS Kings should still be around in October as will Reds Spanish and Blues One of the best fishing months of the year. You are right on on your reel and line Penn Fierce would be a good choice as is your 15-17 lb mono with braid backing J&M has an excellent 16lb mono that sometimes seems as tough as 30lbs I have caught 5 ft sharks with it and had to cut the line to release the fish. What you need is yardage Whatever you use try to get at least 300 yds on your reel The fish will make long runs at times Yardage and a good drag is the key. Get you some ready made King wire leaders at J&M and a sabiki rig to catch your bait and you're in business for the Kings Reds etc As for the other fish for the life of me I find that it s very hard to get one rod and reel to fish for both types of fish If you can I'd get a light to medium heavy spinning reel filled with 8-10 or 12lb test line on a 7ft medium action rod to fish for spanish blues slot reds trout etc Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive but with enhance your fishing experience so much that it would be well worth the investment. Then get you a bubble rig a couple of gotchas and a loney jig or two and you'll be loaded for bear. Get you some 3/4 - a 1 oz egg sinkers and some 12-20 lb Florocarbon to make you some carolina rigs and you should tear up the whiting and other fish in the shallows in October Hope this helps Good Luck I'll probably be fishing right beside you in October One of my favorite months to fish. You picked a good oneS

Originally Posted by divedeep

I wouldn't call pomp and flounder easy targets. Spanish mackerel, if they are present, are a good eating fish and a "fairly" easy target.

I second that.

Ah, there's the famous chart. Anyone wanting to know what to catch and when should print that out.