Thread: Hoosier trying his luck at surf fishing

Hello all - my family and I will be visiting the Gulf Shores area for the 2nd time in two weeks and was hoping to get some pointers about surf fishing and pier fishing.

We are staying just west of the Pier at the Lighthouse resort. Do you recommend surf fishing in that location or another location along Gulf Shores? How does it compare to Pier fishing? Lastly - what type of bait do you recommend for surf fishing?

Greatly appreciate the help! Love the area!!

Welcome to the forums dutch!

That area gets pretty crowded rather quickly in the mornings.
You would probably do better (from the beach) by walking about 1/4 mile eastward (past the pink condo) into the edges of the state park property.
Not as many swimmers there, and some good troughs that should hold whiting and maybe pompano or redfish.
Try fresh dead shrimp or orange Fishbites on a light line rig in that area...

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.2490.../data=!3m1!1e3

A world of information is on the search bar. If you are out on the Pier most of the guys are good about helping people. Also, might fish off the walkway at the pass. fish with Live for fresh shrimp or bull minnows or pogies Good Luck

Hello, Dutch, and welcome to the Forum. Not an experienced pier fisher, but do surf fish. You can increase your chances of catching fish in the surf if there are no swimmers around, so either fish early or late. Fresh bait, like fresh, not frozen, shrimp. A 1/2" piece of fresh shrimp, peeled, with a #2 or #4 size hook on a Carolina rig, with the least amount of weight you can get away with is all it really takes. And small pieces of FishBites, and artificial bait in orange or pink, rigged the same way. Lotsa luck, and post some pics on how you did.

Thank you all very much!