Thread: It Pays to Ask Before You Cast!

[size=12pt]I met this gent Monday, he hung out on the Octi observing how things work and asking a few questions. As I was leaving, he was near the office and said he just got his license and wanted to know what he should buy to fish the Octi. I told him the best advice I could give him was for him to go to J & M and tell them he wants to fish for Kings and Spanish at the pier.
Well he showed up Tuesday with a bright blue, brand new, Fin Chaser combo! :yippee:
He had bought it Monday PM after our conversation and caught a couple Spanish Monday evening to break it in. Tuesday he came to the Octi and fished the west side for a while and then joined the fun on the south rail; after he spent a little time observing and asking a few questions, he blended right in. Some of his questions on Monday were about what not to do. :bow:
BTW, I never mentioned my handle or recommended anything specific in regards to brands. Gotta say the dude has good taste. His new combo is the same as my “Ol Yella” if you remember that. Ol Yella has been refurbished by Pier Pest Custom Rods and is making a comeback btw.
If you see Dave (I think) from Michigan (I think) on the Octi, say howdy!

Studdly Spanish he caught on Ol Blue, 5-8-2012
[img width=720 height=960]http://i1102.photobucket.com/albums/g446/finchaser1/Forum%20Only/5-8-2012024.jpg[/img]
[/size]

Congrats to the new pier angler on his fine catch.

Sweet! Local businesses get a boost, the State gets a boost and a fisherman gets a boost thanks to Fin!

after he spent a little time observing and asking a few questions, he blended right in.

:headbang:
"Dave" was a cool dude.
Soft-spoken, yet confident in his newfound environs.
Thanks Fin for helping this guy (and those around him) have a pleasant fishing experience.

On a related note, there was a couple from Michigan fishing the SW Octi in the late afternoon that I noticed were struggling.
A chat with them uncovered this was their first trip to "fish the ocean" and all they had was rental rods from the pier.
I told them the first thing to do was get rid of the 1 ounce lead that was taking the bait to the bottom. :
I know the pier house employees who rent the tackle are busy and not well versed in pierfishing (or any fishing?) but it seems a shame these folks who pay that much money still can't catch fish .

Anyway, that little tip seemed to help these folks and the man soon caught a remora, then a spanish.
A little later the woman hooked a mackerel though it got off at the pier.
But they were estatic! Mission accomplished.

Love seeing people catch fjsh!! Especially someone who has never fished in the green pond before!! Fin you and #r awesome job!!!

Kudos to both of you for helping us tourist....it is very much appreciated :bow: .....and you have sent all them home with found memories of this pier!!!! ....I am sure.. you are true ambassadors for the Gulf Shores fishing pier :fishing: :headbang:

.
I did..... my share of helping the tourist too oke1:....several first timers I gaffed for and instructed the best I could....we got them all in on the deck, and a few regulars around were questionable whether they would be landed or not

The southern hospitality I found here in the last few days, really reflects what we hear from the commercials. What we heard help us decide to come here instead of central Florida. These are going to be the memories that I will cherish after we return back to the daily grind of ...work. After Fin had left, I caught two more fish, one being a King.
Thank you to everyone on the pier, your kindness and help will always be appreciated.
:yay:

I gaffed a few 1st-2nd time kings for some people yesterday :headbang: yall been bitten my the King Bug :yippee:

Great story, great job Fin!

I think one of the best ways to help the tourists out right now is to keep a supply of bubbles, 50# mono, straws & treble hooks in the tackle box. Those rental rods are not the best rigs in the world but they will chunk a bubble rig a ways and can handle even big spanish macs.
A couple of tourists got helped out Satuday by myself and others, and they got in on the spanish mac action. And it doesnt hurt that most of them dont want to keep the fish and are willing to help fill our coolers in return for the help!!!!

Cool story Fin! It really is rewarding to help people. Love seeing people get fired up and excited catching fish down here for the first time.