Thread: Fairhoppe Pier Questions

Anybody familiar with a similar forum for Fairhope? I have a week there in early April and would like some fishing tips. Thanks.

Some guys that fish there have a facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/FairhopePierFishing/?fref=ts

I've been away from the forum for a while now, but I'm hoping to be allowed back if I can provide something of slight interest.

I fished Fairhope 3 times over the past month, always at night and only when the weather wasn't so cold. I caught 15 Freckled Trout the first night, 32 the next, and 16 the final trip for a total of 63. Missed or lost may more, including one that may have been 17".

HOWEVER, only 11 of the fish were legal size, so I spent a lot of time tossing babies back in the water. Every fish was caught on small (1/8oz) crappie jigs/tubes/minnows, some on white, but many more (by far) on gray/silver with black trim. White jig heads did NOT work well, no idea why. Plain gray and black were best. Despite the dirty water, they found the lure frequently.

I fished v-e-r-y slowly, jigging and bumping and even dragging the bottom in the shallow water, in and around the (under) pier lights. The bite was lethargic and lazy, which is typical, but seeing dozens and dozens of 8-12" Sparklers was very encouraging. The largest keeper was 16", and the others were 14-15". Clean and worm free btw.

I did not talk to anyone who had caught a Red, saw no "scales on the rails", but I did have a good-size slot cut me off on 8# line. (no leader of course)

By the time you get there, all of this will be old news, but I can say that this is my normal pattern for Speckin' at Fairhope. You might consider increasing the bait size to 1/4oz, and using 1.5 Fin-S type plastics etc. Color patterns will change. The fish will move from light to light, and they will come off the bottom and become more aggressive as the water warms up. Live shrimp should work, but the Croaker and Pins and Catfish like them just as much as the Specks do. Popping corks may bring in some bigger targets but it seemed to be a waste of time for now.

The larger fish move farther out, but they will come through some nights looking for easy pickings, and the one's that hang around are usually in that 15-18" sweet spot I prefer. These are nothing more than my personal impressions and observations, and certainly not scientific. I never fish during the day so I have nothing to offer there.

Good luck, hope this information helps, and thank you GSP for welcoming me back to the greatest fishing forum in the world... provided you actually do.

Would I have better luck at a different pier? Last year the Gulf Shores pier was covered up in sharks. Is that still a problem?

allen, I go to Fairhope at night to relax and catch a few fish if I'm lucky. If I want to load up for a day, it's GSP all the way. February usually sucks no matter where I fish. April is a new ballgame, and GSP attracts a lot more fish than Fairhope.

All things being equal, I'll take a day at GSP over a night at Fairhope anytime, but a 1-hour drive with 3 lightweight combos and a small box of jigs is easier than a 2.5 hour drive with a loaded cart and a lot of gear.

I'm old and cheap, what can I say.

Originally Posted by Pop Jiggity

allen, I go to Fairhope at night to relax and catch a few fish if I'm lucky. If I want to load up for a day, it's GSP all the way. February usually sucks no matter where I fish. April is a new ballgame, and GSP attracts a lot more fish than Fairhope.

All things being equal, I'll take a day at GSP over a night at Fairhope anytime, but a 1-hour drive with 3 lightweight combos and a small box of jigs is easier than a 2.5 hour drive with a loaded cart and a lot of gear.

I'm old and cheap, what can I say.

I appreciate that info. I certainly don't mind making the drive to GSP. I just got really discouraged by the shark situation, last summer.

Originally Posted by allenclan

I appreciate that info. I certainly don't mind making the drive to GSP. I just got really discouraged by the shark situation, last summer.

We all did, but, whatchagonnado? I caught kings and spanish in spite of have a bunch eaten.

You shouldn't have that much of a shark problem in early April As the water warms it gets worse

In the spirit of fairness, I fished Fairhope again tonight and only caught two 8" Specks.

bah

We can start the shark controversy all over again, but the simpl fact is as the water warms and bait returns, so will the Sharks!