Thread: Shark Fishing Expanding

According to WKRG:

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) - Anglers can rejoice. The limited shark fishing season at Gulf State Park Pier is expanding.The previous two Tuesdays were part of a testing phase. Now we're hearing additional dates are set for July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31. The hours for those dates will be from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
Also expanding is the number of fishermen allowed on each night. During the testing phase, only 10 were allowed. On the newly announced dates, 15 fishermen will be allowed each night.

https://www.wkrg.com/news/baldwin-co...=facebook_WKRG

Glad to hear that!!!

Originally Posted by eym_sirius

According to WKRG:

GULF SHORES, Ala. (WKRG) - Anglers can rejoice. The limited shark fishing season at Gulf State Park Pier is expanding.The previous two Tuesdays were part of a testing phase. Now we're hearing additional dates are set for July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31. The hours for those dates will be from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. the following morning.
Also expanding is the number of fishermen allowed on each night. During the testing phase, only 10 were allowed. On the newly announced dates, 15 fishermen will be allowed each night.

https://www.wkrg.com/news/baldwin-co...=facebook_WKRG

Keeping the octi closed until 7 a.m. is going to get some kick-back.

File this under 'be careful what you wish for' ;-) lol
It will be 7:30 actually...

In response to the angling community’s interest, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is expanding its pilot program for permitted managed shark-fishing at the Gulf State Park Saltwater Fishing Pier in July. The next shark-fishing events will take place on the south end of the pier – called the octagon – from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. the next morning for the following Sundays and Tuesdays: July 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24, 29 and 31.
The octagon will close to routine use 30 minutes prior to these events, and reopen to routine use 30 minutes following them. During the events, the octagon area of the pier will be designated for the exclusive use of participating anglers and their designated assistants.The remainder of the pier will be open to anglers and other pier guests as normal.

Actually, it will only affect a few days this July and (hopefully) will render a LOT more sharks caught and removed from the theater around the pier.
And at least it is publicized well in advance to give folks warning to plan around.
But IF that isn't working out, they will tweak the process some more.
Main thing is they are progressing and making adjustments toward 'normalization' of shark fishing on the pier.
We just need to remain supportive and patient ;-)

Managed Shark Fishing Events at the Gulf State Park Pier | Alapark

Yah as I mentioned in the other thread that amount of time sucks lol. With the crowds/closed octi there's no reason for me to buy a week pass now at the pier as 2 days will be unusable when I normally can get there. Why can't they just do like any other pier and let people fish around shark fishermen...

Originally Posted by Pier#r

File this under 'be careful what you wish for' ;-) lol

Funny, because that was going to be my analysis. But it's all good as far as I'm concerned. I'm fine with fishing in skinny-water on Monday and Wednesday early mornings. I'm hoping that the net effect will be better King/Spanish Mackerel fishing in the long run. I'm not interested in shark fishing, myself, though. If I ever DO participate, I'll need to share my catch with other fishermen who want some blacktip/spinner shark steaks!

Kings and Smacks get sharked- People fuss...
Shark fishing allowed after months of pushing the topic, but with a slow, safe introduction- People fuss...
Shark fishing times increased- People fuss...
Win 5 million on a powerball, have to pay 35% in taxes- People fuss...
Forget to take the trash to the road on trash day- Wife fuss...

Sounds like I hear alot of fussing, when in all honesty we should be Fishing, talking about Fishing, or praying to God- maybe about fishing also...

Like #'r said, it's very limited, well posted, and it not set in stone. Lets enjoy the opportunity presented before us.

Maybe they should keep a standby list so when 1 gets caught they have a replacement contestant on the pier waiting to fill that opening(sign up on day of event). Be a way of cycling fisherman into the PIT for an opportunity.

On a safety note, I think this will continue until an injury occurs.

Just for the record, I was not fussing, I was making an observation/prognostication. The pier is an hour's drive for me and the day is rare, indeed, that I get there before 7:00 am (or 7:30). Getting down to the coast that early is mostly for boat fishing.

My ox has not been gored.