Thread: Non Locals/Tourists

I grew up in Mobile and lived on the island in the 80's so even though I now live in WV, I still consider myself a local when I'm down there. After fishing the old pier untold hours and the new pier a few, I think behavior dictates how you're treated. If you're respectful of others and the pier in general you will usually find everyone very friendly regardless of where you live. Of course, there are always exceptions!

Many hands make for light work.

This is my 3rd trip to Gulf Shores, 3rd time fishing off this pier this week. I have to say, I've met nothing but nice friendly folk here. I read some of the posts about ppl leaving trash or a fishy mess, I agree that it would be a pain to have to deal with that, and I guess the regulars would be the ones to see a mess left by some ppl. I'm 60 yrs old and I DO think it's important for ppl to clean up their mess, and I've cleaned up my share of other's mess. What I'm getting at here is, I've seen a lot of good folks doing more than their share, and while they should only have to clean up their own mess, it really shows some good character taking it upon themselves to make this pier like it's their own, and that's something to be proud of. I had the opportunity to speak with a couple friendly locals here and it made my experience that much nicer. I plan on going out on the pier once more, tomorrow I head back to Hamilton, Ohio. Also, thanks to the pier office for refunding money back to me as I only had a $10 Bill to pay in the honor system the other day. Thanks for a nice place to go fishing !

Welcome aboard the board Scudderd!

Thanks for the kind comments, and I wish I'd been one of the nice locals to meet you, but I haven't been on the pier to fish for several days. Glad to hear you've had as good an experience as I usually have on the pier. There are a whole bunch of real nice people who are regulars. As a matter of fact, I met a man today who was telling me how much Elaina helped him with fishing techniques. "That lady really knows what she's doing," he said. "I though I knew a lot, but she showed me some new things that helped me catch fish." Yep, I've seen Elaina doing that for a lot of people---she pays it forward and sets a good example, and she's by no means the only one. Keep coming back, scudderd, and become one of the pier family.

Me, I try to leave the pier better than I found it, even if it only means getting rid of Haywire at the end of the day. There are lots of other folks who do the same---some take trash, some leave knowledge.

When I finally get to come back,,I am gonna reel my old 302 backwards on top of the rod! If anybody offers help or suggestions gonna act like I have done it this way all my life,,,,Till a bull hits then the bs must end,,,kidding aside,my only visit so far several people were very helpful,,right down to how and where to sidehook an LY. nice buncha folks,,

Originally Posted by mandmalabama

Well, all I can say is I liked the people and the place so much... I live here now. And without tourist types, John is right. There would be no pier.

Not only would there be not a pier ,but there would be few condos ,restaurants,bait and tackle shops ,charters ,libraries,souvenir shops , construction , roadwork and repair and the list goes on ,because the fact is that there are not enough just locals in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach for a tax base to support the businesses its economy it now enjoys . The two towns are literally build from the wallets of tourist . No offense meant . Just saying .

the locals sure do have a lot of patients with all the visitors, very much appreciated by me and most of the other tourist that frequent the pier....sharing your paradise with strangers in the beginning, is a blessing for me....I just love it....sure would get crowded if we all lived down that way, so for now stuck in central Ohio

As my wife and I come down throughout the year, and for a longer stay during the summer, I have never felt unwelcome at the pier. I fish mostly near the mid bathrooms for drum, some reds and flounder, and I always meet helpful people and have a great time. The forum has been a great place for me to learn new stuff as well. Thanks to all the locals at the pier for being willing to let us invade your turf.

My wife and I have been to the pier several times over the last couple of years and have never felt unwelcome. I can't remember names but I've had several of the local folks help me out with info on gear, rigging and baits that allowed may wife an I to land some of the biggest fish we've ever caught. Some of the best times I've ever had fishing. Even had a couple of guys give me some hooks and swivels after my bass fishing gear failed. I really appreciated that. Hope I can pay it back someday.