Thread: newbie question

Hello from Mississippi! Coming down there for vacation next week, and am gonna do some fishing at GSP. I've been reading numerous threads here about the fishing on and around the pier, and I just have a couple questions.

If I do happen to get lucky and catch a fish from the pier (smaller fish not going after kings or tarpon) how do I get them up to where I am? just real it up out of the water all the way to me, or is some sort of long net needed?

Also, is there anywhere to fish near the pier from the bank?

thanks for any replies. I've already learned a ton just by reading older posts. Thanks!

Smaller fish can be reeled up. If you happen to hook into something you cannot reel up, someone will have a pier net or gaff and can net/gaff it for you.

There are miles and miles of beach on both sides of the pier where you can fish...except for 100 yards on each side of the pier. Fishing, boating, swimming, etc isn't allowed within 100 yards of the pier, though people either don't read or can't read the signs, and do so anyway.

also, does the bait shop on the pier sell live shrimp or live minnows?

Welcome to the Forum, anob89. We surf fish, so I can not answer your question about bait at the pier. For surf fishing off the beach, a location with few or no swimmers is best. Mobile St. may the place for surf fishing, or out at no name rd. at Ft. Morgan. Use Google maps. The satellite image can help you see what is there. Good luck, and smooth drags. Btw, post some pics for us that wish we were there.

bought minnows there but didn't have live shrimp the last time I was down.

I get my live shrimp from J & M Tackle. It's not that far away from the pier! You can google-search the directions prior to your trip, if you've never been there.

Regarding fishing near the pier from the beach or in the surf - that'd be a bad idea for a number of reasons, even if you get a couple of hundred yards away! There are just too many people in the surf!

If I'm on the pier anyone is welcome to borrow my net - It's why I bring it to the pier! And it's the same with most fishermen. If you ask, most folks will let you borrow it. Just remember to thank the person and to get it back to him in the same condition that you took it ( in other words, if he has something to wind the rope onto, then wind the rope back like it was before giving it back to him.)