Thread: First Time Fishing on the Gulf State Pier- Need Advice

Hey everyone,
I am new to the forum and have been browsing. I've learned a lot about fishing on the gulf just from reading your posts. I thought I would register and ask a few questions from some of you experts. I leave tomorrow for Gulf Shores and my brother wants to fish off the pier and the beach. I have done this a time or two but it has been years ago. And, I had no idea what I was doing then. So, if you don't mind could you answer some questions from a beginner:

Fishing from the pier-
1) What type of rod & reel do I need? I have medium sized rods and reels and was going to buy some better line when I got down there. It may be too light for fishing off the pier and beach. It is your typical bell casters and bait casters we use in North AL for bass/catfish/ etc. I could buy a medium priced rig if need be. What would you recommend?
2) What about bait? I used to fish in the intercoastal water way some. We used live shrimp for this. Are there other suggestions/places where I can get bait for a good price around Gulf Shores?
3) What about tackle and other things I may have not considered? Do you just mostly fish on the bottom? What works best?

Fishing from the beach-
1) I assume night or early morning would be the best time for this. What should I expect to catch off the beach?
2) What type of bait works best for fishing off the beach?

I know for most of you this is elementary type stuff. But, I really don't know where to start. If there is other advice you would give a beginner that would be helpful please let me know. I'm buying my 7 day saltwater license now. It is getting me excited at trying this.

Thanks again for the help.

First thing you do when you get down is go to J&M Tackle in Orange Beach and ask these same questions---give them an idea of what you want to fish for and how much you want to spend---and they will fix you right up. All their salesmen are fishermen and know what's going on. Their prices are competitive with anybody's and they will not load you down with stuff you don't need.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck with the fishing.

+1

Originally Posted by Haywire

they will fix you right up. All their salesmen are fishermen and know what's going on. Their prices are competitive with anybody's and they will not load you down with stuff you don't need.

Welcome to the forum and best of luck with the fishing.

Mr. Wire is right on target. J&M has friendly, knowedgable staff.
To give you an idea of what you need to just have some fun: a 30-40 size spinning reel with 10/12lb mono & a 60+ish size spinning reel with 17/20 mono(200yds +).
J&M has it all bait, tackle, etc. No need to go anywhere else.
Early am and late evening has been most productive times for me.
Fresh dead skrimps and live ones can be productive, live ly are also very productive. Good luck, maybe i'll see you there this weekend.

i spent the first day just watching and asking questions and staying out of the way.

Originally Posted by Mr. Cleland

+1

Mr. Wire is right on target. J&M has friendly, knowedgable staff.
To give you an idea of what you need to just have some fun: a 30-40 size spinning reel with 10/12lb mono & a 60+ish size spinning reel with 17/20 mono(200yds +).
J&M has it all bait, tackle, etc. No need to go anywhere else.
Early am and late evening has been most productive times for me.
Fresh dead skrimps and live ones can be productive, live ly are also very productive. Good luck, maybe i'll see you there this weekend.

I appreciate the advice. I had Googled their website before logging on here. I'll definitely check them out. Hopefully it will work out for us to fish an evening or two.