Thread: Pier fishing on saturday

I am going to be making my first trip down to gulf Shores this saturday and plan to do a little fishing out on the pier. trying to hook up with Pier#r and do a guided trip but on short notice not sure how that is gonna go.

Anyone going to be out that wouldnt mind a newbie tagging along a bit nad talkign their ear off asking questions? Could probably talk me out of lunch or something afterwards.

Sorry my previous commitments wouldn't allow us to fish together this time (I gotta work :-(

Since I was able to fish yesterday and now have an idea of the forecast thru Saturday I can respond.
In a word it's gonna be 'tough'.

SATURDAY
SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 18 KNOTS. SEAS 3 TO 5 FEET.
SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY.

In those conditions I would concentrate on (slot) redfish and flounder.
Live bull minnows (or better yet finger mullet or small LYs) should work (for both) on a Carolina Rig on the bottom, or sandfleas (if you can get them) for redfish.
You will need a good bit of weight (2 to 3 ounces at least) to keep the bait on bottom and even then it will drift slowly.
Hopefully the June Grass that has been a plague all this week will at least get swept away by the current turbulence...

There MAY be some spanish caught, probably early on Bubble Rigs from the end octi. But the water will likely be a bit dingy for jigs or Gotcha plugs.

Hope this helps!

Yeah i dont think conditions are going to be ideal but having to plan a trip like this so far in advance it is tought to get good weather. Never done any saltwater fishing do catching anything will be anew experience and be worthwhile.

How do you go about gettign sand fleas? I assume the finger mullet and LY's could be caught on a sabiki?

get you a sand flea rake and get them off the beach. they leave a small v shaped split in the water as the surf receeds.
have never caught a finger mullet so your guess is as good as mine,
but small LY's on sabikis for sure for sure

A 3/8" mesh LY catcher (Ribbon Rig) is what you want for the LYs (from the pier).
Finger mullet and perhaps small LYs or pogies can be caught with a castnet at any number of inland locations that afford public access to the water (Little Lagoon Pass is the closest to the pier).
Other than that live bull minnows (bought) will be your best bet.

I am limited on what I have and what I can bring so I will probably shoot for the LY since buying a rake to use once doesnt sound like a great investment. Will LY stay alive in a minnow bucket like you had a previous post? Assume put a rope on it and drop it down for fresh water once in awhile?


Thanks for all the info.

Originally Posted by bajacoop

I am limited on what I have and what I can bring so I will probably shoot for the LY since buying a rake to use once doesnt sound like a great investment. Will LY stay alive in a minnow bucket like you had a previous post? Assume put a rope on it and drop it down for fresh water once in awhile?


Thanks for all the info.

If you try it once, you WILL be addicted!!!!! It's almost as fun as watching the TIDE beat A&M!!! The people at the GSSP are way nicer and go out of their way to help if you need it.

I am sure i will like fishing on the pier, but it is a 10 hour drive......

An aerated minnow bucket will keep a few LY or finger mullet alive. Bull minnows will last a lot longer. Fish the minnow on the bottom real slow on a Carolina rig around the pilings for flounder. Sand fleas can be dug with half of a minnow trap as an alternate to a sand flea rake. If you sit in the sand about three feet above where the waves are receding you can catch them one at a time by running you hands down in the sand a few inches and feel them crawling around. Keep them in a cooler in moist sand. Good luck!