Thread: << Local Tourist???

So early this morning, before the sun came up, I went fishing out on the pier for the first time. I usually fish around Dauphin Island, and the Mobile bay/rivers. As more people were coming out as the sun was coming up, I quickly learned or realized that I was way out of place. I started fishing at 9:30pm the night before down on the point, then later moved to the pier; and I looked like I was out all night fishing lol. So here I am on the pier, fishing with some squid, and not really catching anything that great, then all these guys come around casting artificial tackle, which I later had to Google to learn that most of them were using bubble rigs; and these guys were pulling out Spanish left and right, along with snagging my line like 50 times, and no apologetic pleasantries lol, and not only that, everyone was dressed up in all their fancy fishing clothes. I felt like I was the red headed step child or something. Right then I told myself, wow, I definitely don't belong here, so I just went home. I am seriously not trying to hate on these people. I know that this is probably the norm here and all that, and that is cool, I'm just not used to, I don't know how to describe it, stuck up fisherman? I was told by other people before going to the pier that everyone is usually pretty nice and will help you if you need it. Anyways I just told my wife 30 min ago, that I need to go and spend all this money cause I need these kind of clothes, this kind of rod and reel, you know ect...So I can be "apart" of the "group". Then in an instant I was like wait, what am I thinking, no I don't think so lol. I hope what I have expressed here is understandable. I'm not sure as this was my first time there if it is always like this, or maybe I came on a really bad day? I'm sure there are some pretty nice people that fish there, I mean I've heard of them lol. So help me out please! Am I thinking straight? Was this really a bad day? Should I have just stayed away from that place? I still want that rod/reel/tackle setup; looked like a lot of fun!!!

Being your first trip to the pier, with a weekend summer crowd.....I really can't comment on those crowds.....to bad you had a bad experience, the end can be intimidating at times......the pier is loooong with plenty of other good fishing space......I wish you better luck on your next trip......sometimes it is best to watch who is catching, and duplicate there skills......if you weren't fishing straight out in front of you, that might have been some of the problem......with a current you need to follow your bait, casting lures or anything should be thrown straight out......good luck next time

Sorry to hear that man. By the sound of things,time of day,and day of the week,you were dealing with tourist,not locals or the people that are out of town regulars. Please don't let this experince leave a sour taste in your mouth and give it another shot once school starts back because it is much less crowded.

Hopefully after a good night's sleep you may be able to answer most of your own questions.

BTW, were you fishing in the "Red Zone" (i.e. No Bottom Fishing) at the end of the pier?
What were you thinking during the first 49 times these "stuck up fishermen" snagged your line?
There is a BIG difference between being "apart" from a group and being "a part" of it ;-)
Apparently these other fishermen knew what it took to catch fish today.
A conversation can begin from either party...

IMHO you come across like a guy with 'a chip on his shoulder' (hopefully just from a bit of sleep deprivation),
who had a "bad day" fishing experience and just signed up on the forum to stir the pot.
Well that won't help you make new friends here either...

Sweet dreams!

Honestly I have over 25+ years on the pier and yes I do have days when I get ticked off at others during the hot summer days and will leave, but those rare days do not make up for all of the great days of fishing that I have had there. Remember summer months is tourist season and it will die down soon. I usually only fish the beginning of the week during the summer and early am's just to avoid crowds. If you would like to give it another chance I could show you the ropes on a less crowded day and show you how to rig a bubble which also works great at the point.

Having good gear and knowing what to do makes you stuck up? I don't understand what these people did wrong.

they are more than willing to help those who want help. if you were snagged that many times, it sounds like you were the problem hence the not-so-friendly reception.

Welcome to the Forum, T.o.g. You are now a member of group that prefers to see everyone succeed at fishing. All those folks you were with today do not represent all fishers. If there is still some interest on your part to pier fish after your experience today, make use of this resource, the forum, and become a part of the solution. Can not hurt, and you can be assured of learning how to improve your skill set; maybe make a trip to the pier more rewarding for you. Good luck to you, and smooth drags. And btw, leave the squid at the store. There are many better baits.

Welcome to the forum Thatone!
You fished the friendliest pier on the Gulf Coast with people catching fish while you weren't. If you were bottom fishing with your squid along south rail between the yellow lines, that would explain your feeling that you were in the wrong place.
Don't waste your time fishing with squid in the future; live shrimp, minnows, LY's or even fresh dead shrimp will greatly increase your odds of success.
If you need help/tips on catching fish on the pier, all you have to do is ask and be willing to listen and try new techniques.

Hope you have better luck in the future.

I haven't (nor probably will not in the near future) had time to fish the pier like I did growing up. But from what I read here (as you probably do) on a constant basis tells me there's still plenty of helpful folks around. I get a kick helping folks enjoy their experience down there as much as ripping lips off of a spanish. AND you'll see all kinds of things/people that'll get ya annoyed, I understand. Now, "gear envy" is just a sickness we all catch at some point. Growing up before the internet, my only exposure to saltwater/pier gear was, well, at the pier. That's how I thought you could only catch macks on a custom rod (those old fenwick blanks were popular) and a 706. That was, until I watched Otis using those little Mitchell's and Gus using a Penn Silver Series. All I knew during those early years is that I liked it there. Talk about not fitting in. My & my dad's arsenal consisted of zebco 33's. I worked my way up to pier house Foster Grant fishing glasses & a John G custom rod. Over time, I learned what I wanted in gear and how/what I wanted to fish for. Now, it is a public place and you have to share it with whomever shows up with their money, but it has been my experience there were more good folk than the less desirables. Heck, I just learned the other day that it is an "education pier." Times change. There were days Mr. Pierce seemed more offensive than he actually was back then. Most times he was actually teaching us something - in his personal style. lol. The point of this long ramble is this...if you felt the kind of child-like excitement so many of us did/do walking out there, you'll enjoy the journey that is learning about fishing that place and making memories almost as much as catching the fish. Tight lines to ya.