Thread: Rules for courteous newbie

Number 1 pet peeve, someone who walks up in the middle of a group of snobblers or freeliners and starts slinging a plug for spanish. if you want to fish artificials, dont do it around everyone's wind loop if its busy. just man up and fish it straight into the wind. i was borderline freaking out on somebody today.

Number 2. if someone gives you advice, LISTEN. dont get mad, were trying to help.

Saw this on another pier website.
VERY helpful info IMHO & indicative of the nature of most local pier fishers you will encounter... :headbang:
[quote author=DEVNDEB link=topic=1261.msg8925#msg8925 date=1333940078]
Alot of peeps come down here and are used to freshwater fishing. While that's OK, here's a few things ya need to know before fishing the salt...
1) Alot of you will be bringing your normal freshwater gear...while most fish you can catch from the pier or bay can be handled with "Bass Gear", there are ones that CAN NOT. Big, springtime smoker kings will generally rip a baitcaster apart...I've actually seen it when I was a kid on the old wooden P-Cola pier. Line capacity is your biggest problem, but the line screaming runs are the death nell to your drag system...it is a FAST and POWERFUL initial run...one that alot of bait casters can't come close to handling...
2) Be SURE to wash your gear off with FRESH water AS SOON AS POSSIBLE after use...corrosion will set in almost immediately if you don't...while it might take a bit for it to be noticed, by the time you do see it, it could be too late...that goes for hooks, etc as well...
3) ASK QUESTIONS...fishermen are the same everywhere...a new spot and they want to ask the locals where to go, etc...don't be afraid to watch first and then ask a few questions BEFORE throwing your line in...it will save you a little bit on the learning curve AND keep you out of trouble with your neighbors...
4) ICE, ICE, ICE...especially if you are catching Mackerel...a good cooler with at least a bag of ice is a REQUIREMENT, especially if you are going to the pier / beach all day...it doesn't take long at ALL for macks to go bad in the heat...
5) If you aren't going to keep it, either release it or give it away...
6) KNOW the rules and regs of the state of [s]Florida[/s]Alabama...at the very least, get a free rules and regs book from any tackle shop (or online)...it will save you much angst and possibly a ticket from THE MAN

We have the best fishing along the gulf...and THE BEST piers anywhere...enjoy them as we do...and tight lines...
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Why dont we shoot a video of what to do and what not to do and put it on the forum youtube page? We can even do it with humor.

[quote author=Bubba link=topic=899.msg8507#msg8507 date=1333979789]
Why dont we shoot a video of what to do and what not to do and put it on the forum youtube page? We can even do it with humor.
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There's an idea oke:

[size=12pt]I would be perfect for the "WHAT NOT TO DO" part! No script needed [/size]

Yeah, some of the 'what NOT to do' would definitely be humorous! :

hmmm, don't cut bait on the rail and don't leave your freeking mess everywhere... if you do that ignorant mack slap wash all the slim that you scattered all over the place... :wall:

Number one is be careful. Mind your surroundings. The best way to learn is watch....Most of the regulars are awesome to talk to. Its an incredible experience and like Bubba said there's always something to learn.....

[quote author=stvtackett link=topic=899.msg8514#msg8514 date=1333985100]
hmmm, don't cut bait on the rail or, especially, on the handicap access spots and don't leave your freeking mess everywhere... if you do that ignorant mack slap wash all the slim that you scattered all over the place... :wall:
[/quote]

FIFY

[quote author=FinChaser link=topic=899.msg8482#msg8482 date=1333932638]
[size=12pt]First of all, thanks for posting and welcome aboard.
The replies are on the money, observe those who know what they are doing and ask questions. Most are happy to help ya out, and it is easy to determine who knows what’s going on from those who are clueless.
Don’t know if these are the top three, but here are three don’ts:
1. Don’t leave your rod leaning or strapped on the rail unattended.
2. Don’t fish for Kings with braid line unless you are really good.
3. Don’t just stand there like a statue when someone is fighting a big fish.
Like I said, may not be the top three, but probably high on the list if there was a list.
Come on out, we’d be glad to have you. Common sense and common courtesy will get you all the help you want.
As for the nets and gaffs, there are a lot of them on the pier during the day and plenty of folks ready to help you get your fish on the deck for a photo op and a oneway trip to the dinner table! At night not so much, may want to get a net.
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That is about the only thing that irritates me with newbs-I lost a 25+lb red on light tackle because of that, but I didn't lose my cool about it...its just a fish. Many more out there just waiting to be caught. :fishing: