Sooner
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Pier etiquette for all piers?Hello...I'm new to this thread and I've recently moved to the Gulf. Can someone advise me on proper pier etiquette.....all the do's and don't do's, etc?
I don't want to be a nuisance to fellow fishermen on the pier. You guys know the unwritten rules I'm talking bout. (ie..like leaving a space between you and the next guy in the restroom when its empty....)
How do you handle a big battling fish when its running to-n-fro without tangling others on the pier? What do I do if the guy next to me tags a big fish?
Somebody please share the "unwritten" rules with me. Thanks!
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docatadock
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My advice would be to go out and sit and watch for a week. Now is a good time of year as we transition over the next month or so from Kings to Redfish. Obvious signs of breaking unwritten rules is someone being tossed over to swim back to shore or a head slam with a rod. There are lots of new folks on this pier and a number of non-English speaking folks so many are on a learning curve. Also keep an eye out for those that catch the most fish and those best with a gaff. Those are the pier pros; often former Pier Rats or Pier Pests who grew up on the old pier. Best of luck.
Doc
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stvtackett
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i'm sure some will add to this thread however you can not put enough do's and don'ts on a single thread. go to the pier on a weekend and see whats happening and if the action is fast just watch. you will see whats makes the experienced frustrated. don't be afraid to ask questions as it would be better to ask without a rod in your hand. read this forum. learning to guide your fish comes with experince but at least communicate when you are hooked up. if your fish is carring you around say fish coming around and follow your fish. if the wind is blowing throw into the wind and let your bait drift back across, don't throw staight and then your bait will no time in the water. you will see how others are doing it. and KNOW YOUR LIMITATIONS. YOU MUST WALK BEFORE YOU RUN.don't go throw a piece of shrimp off the end your first trip. all help you would have got would not be avalible if you do this...btw, welcome to the forum...
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plotalot
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1. Use common sense and common courtesy.
2. Don't leave your rod unattended leaning on the rail. Doing so may hinder others and puts your gear in a position to be damaged.
3. Cast straight out and don't throw over somebody else (even if the are casting at an angle, ask them politely if they would cast straight).
3a. Fish the same way as those around you. For example, don't fish a artificial lure among others who are drifting live bait which almost always drift in the wind and current.
4. Give anyone who is hooked up with a fish the "right of way" so to speak. This doesn't mean stop fishing, but don't let your bait, lure, line or rod interfere with them fighting a fish. If you hear "coming down" look to where you heard it to see what direction the fisherman is moving and at what rate to determine if you need to get out of the way. If you are uncertain if you should move always default to getting out of the way.
4a. If you are hooked up with a fish and it is running down the pier follow it and don't be bashful and shouting out your own "coming down". I have to also mention that I have yet to see a newbie (who hasn't been a jerk to this point) hook into a good fish and not have an experienced pier angler volunteer to help clear the rail and to coach the newb. Listen to their advice, we really want you to land your fish. Be sure to thank them afterwards even if the fish is lost.
5. Use common sense and common courtesy.
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outlawsr <0)))>{
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did they mention that a newbe has to catch bait the first day out for everyone? its like beeing hazed in college you have to catch bait all day right guys
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plotalot
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| outlawsr <0)))>{ wrote: | | did they mention that a newbe has to catch bait the first day out for everyone? its like beeing hazed in college you have to catch bait all day right guys |
I forgot that one, but you forgot to mention they need to bring enough snacks and drinks for everyone too.
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Jigslinger
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Welcome to the forum Sooner. Just the fact that you asked tells me you'll do alright out there. It's all about the golden rule. It's the people who have no home training that cause problems. Be respecful of the people around you and you'll do fine.
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FishAddict
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Plotalot, on number 3, with a strong wind/current rigt to left/ or left to right, you will want to go up wind/current a little, and let the bait settle into the "drift".
-Also clear your line out of the way when someone is bringing a large fish in unless you are clearly out of the way. It will save you a leader and possibly a cussing if you cost somene a good fish.
-Don't pitch gold hook rigs in the middle of people king fishing.
-Don't hit other people's rods. Some are susceptible to nicking and then snapping off.
-Keep extra rods, tackle, and coolers out of the way, not on/near the rail.
-Be aware of where other people's baits are and try not to bomb them.
-Plotalot said it, but coming down does not mean "watch this". It means I'm coming that way with a fish, so let me by and watch your line too, and give me the right of way.
-Don't bottom fish on the end. If you have to fish this way go to the draw.
-Sometimes it is hard, but when there are kids around, watch the language. I know it is not sunday school, but it is not a brothel either.
-Help the tourists out. They are putting a lot of $ into the local economy. Plus when they understand how to fish they get in your way less.
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Kingfshr
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Always be aware of where your line and bait are in the water.If you don't reel in and start over.
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T-Boy
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Been out everyday for a week. 95% of the people are very nice and courteous.
Main thing is do not go into a group of king fishermen drifting livebait and start throwing botton rigs and gotchas and tangling up everything.
Give way to people with fish on. If you are not fishing do not stand on a crowded rail where the people that are fishing can't even cast.
Do not cut bait on the fence rails and leave guts everywhere. How dumb can someone be.
Pick up your trash, there are garbage cans everywhere.
Ask questions as most will help.
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plotalot
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| FishAddict wrote: | | Plotalot, on number 3, with a strong wind/current rigt to left/ or left to right, you will want to go up wind/current a little, and let the bait settle into the "drift". |
I was referring to casting an artificial lure and brought up your point in my 3a as an example. Your point is correct, but more about technique than etiquette and is more than likely difficult for a newb to understand from a description alone. Essentially what I was getting at is observe of how the majority of people around you are fishing and try to fish the same way. Find a spot on the pier where people are fishing in a way that you feel comfortable mimicking them and above all, enjoy yourself.
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plotalot
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Doc and Steve brought up a good point about observing before jumping into the fray ASAP. Since you have moved down here and not just down for a vacation time is your ally. BTW welcome to the area and to the forum.
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T-wagon
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Please always check behind yourself when you cast. I am sometimes a total idiot, and may be standing there, even though walking close behind the casters is a bad thing to do.
If someone's hat or gear has blown into the water and is drifting away, it is good to catch the item with a jig or bait and reel it in to return it to the grateful angler. This is a good way to show what a deadly caster you are. I have never been able to do this, but my efforts were appreciated.
If you catch a bird, ask a sightseer if they would like to have it. Explain that you don't know the best way to cook it. The local pros will help you release the bird unharmed, so it can fly right back into your line. If you don't have help, a small towel over the bird's head as a blindfold will keep it calm so you can untangle and release it. Then give the cloth back to its owner, so the bird lice will get on someone else, not you.
During a slow fishing time, it is considered cruel to suddenly and violently pull line from your reel, causing the drag to sing out. This may cause older pier anglers to go into cardiac arrest.
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plotalot
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| T-wagon wrote: | | Please always check behind yourself when you cast. I am sometimes a total idiot, and may be standing there, even though walking close behind the casters is a bad thing to do. |
Even better learn to cast properly. I have read all the Gotcha lure hate posts here and every one of them suggests that people need to look behind themselves before casting, when they should be suggesting to look before lobbing. Frankly I'm tired of reading this advice. To me it reads like "if you want to shoot at somebody's face with a BB gun make sure they have safety glasses on", instead of "don't shot at anyone with a BB gun". Learn to make a proper nine o'clock to one o'clock to ten o'clock cast as opposed to a three o'clock to ten o'clock lob. It's faster, you get better distance and there is no need to look behind yourself every stinking cast.
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stvtackett
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.[/quote]
Learn to make a proper nine o'clock to one o'clock to ten o'clock cast as opposed to a three o'clock to ten o'clock lob. It's faster, you get better distance and there is no need to look behind yourself every stinking cast.[/quote]
we called that the navaree fling when we were growing up. we were taught to look behind us when we would cast. but when we would go to navaree and check out the action, first we were amazed at the rail walkers and then to watch one cast without taking his eyes off the fish was the shizz. the old dudes at gulf shores would know when we had been to navaree..
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T-wagon
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| plotalot wrote: | | T-wagon wrote: | | Please always check behind yourself when you cast. I am sometimes a total idiot, and may be standing there, even though walking close behind the casters is a bad thing to do. |
Even better learn to cast properly. I have read all the Gotcha lure hate posts here and every one of them suggests that people need to look behind themselves before casting, when they should be suggesting to look before lobbing. Frankly I'm tired of reading this advice. To me it reads like "if you want to shoot at somebody's face with a BB gun make sure they have safety glasses on", instead of "don't shot at anyone with a BB gun". Learn to make a proper nine o'clock to one o'clock to ten o'clock cast as opposed to a three o'clock to ten o'clock lob. It's faster, you get better distance and there is no need to look behind yourself every stinking cast. |
Correction: Until you learn how to cast properly, look behind you before you cast. Especially if you're using your bubble rig.  Also, if a majority of people around you are speaking a language you don't speak and throwing sabiki rigs, don't fish the way they do unless you have a sabiki rig and you're trying to fill a cooler with hardtails. Go stand somewhere else, but watch out for the bubble rigs. 
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jewfish
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| T-wagon wrote: |
If you catch a bird, ask a sightseer if they would like to have it. Explain that you don't know the best way to cook it. The local pros will help you release the bird unharmed, so it can fly right back into your line. If you don't have help, a small towel over the bird's head as a blindfold will keep it calm so you can untangle and release it. Then give the cloth back to its owner, so the bird lice will get on someone else, not you.
During a slow fishing time, it is considered cruel to suddenly and violently pull line from your reel, causing the drag to sing out. This may cause older pier anglers to go into cardiac arrest. |
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Kingfshr
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In the the spring don't holler first shot too loud if you see a Cobia. If your to loud every googan on the pier with a ling jig will come running blindly to your location. It reminds me of a herd of spooked cattle.
If you hear someone call first shot always call next shot.
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Sooner
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I appreciate everyone's advice (and the jokes! lol).
I always try to get advice from the more experienced among us verses just running out and trying things on my own. It saves me time, money and frustration. It also spares others the frustration of having to endure a newbie that's making a total nuisance of himself.
I like to say, " my momma taught me right".
Thanks again.
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RollTideTofer
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Welcome Sooner. Don't worry your not the only one learning. Never hurts to just watch and talk to the "old timers." I'm pretty new too but with the forums and all the knowledge out there you'll be hooking up with some nice fish in no time. I go down to the beach quite a bit too so I can can practice casting (away from others of course), and get the hang of different techniques and you can catch some fish too. Really helped me before getting on the pier, so at least I had sort of knew what I'm doing. I also like to go mid week and in the evenings when its less crowded. Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Most are nice enough to give it and let you when your doing something wrong. Good luck! Cya on the pier.
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Big Mack
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| docatadock wrote: | | My advice would be to go out and sit and watch for a week. |
A week dude? Its more like a day. I remember the first day I was on the pier, I just kept casting a gotch every where and watched. Then the secon day I tried going for kings and succeeded
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jewfish
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Buy a gaff and learn to use it, well. You will become very popular during a hot bite.
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FishinDon
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Sooner, welcome to the forum. I agree with Jigslinger. The fact that you are asking and concerned also tells me you will do fine. I hope I get to fish with you sometime. Just watch, use common sense, listen to all of the above, and always remember the golden rule. You will catch fish and be a pleasure to fish with.
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eagleprez
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| Kingfshr wrote: | In the the spring don't holler first shot too loud if you see a Cobia. If your to loud every googan on the pier with a ling jig will come running blindly to your location. It reminds me of a herd of spooked cattle.
If you hear someone call first shot always call next shot. |
Most of those ain't Googans !!!
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Kingfshr
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| eagleprez wrote: | | Kingfshr wrote: | In the the spring don't holler first shot too loud if you see a Cobia. If your to loud every googan on the pier with a ling jig will come running blindly to your location. It reminds me of a herd of spooked cattle.
If you hear someone call first shot always call next shot. |
Most of those ain't Googans !!! |
Hummm, then what would you call people running all over the pier to bomb a fish?
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eagleprez
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| Kingfshr wrote: | | eagleprez wrote: | | Kingfshr wrote: | In the the spring don't holler first shot too loud if you see a Cobia. If your to loud every googan on the pier with a ling jig will come running blindly to your location. It reminds me of a herd of spooked cattle.
If you hear someone call first shot always call next shot. |
Most of those ain't Googans !!! |
Hummm, then what would you call people running all over the pier to bomb a fish? |
LOCALS !!!!!!!!!!! They, as a rule, " do not " look where they're going. They run " WILDLY " with their rods held high, to the rail, just hoping to get a glimps of the fish they so dearly crave. That sickening sound you hear is the sound of the bones of young children, women, and very old men being trampled and crushed, as they have no concept of the meaning of the words " FIRST SHOT "
Carl.
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Nite Legend
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There still ot of googans and garbs mixed in with us locals, hate to break it to you....
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REEFDUP
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Just watch the guys that look like theyknow what there doin ask questions some of the answers might be BS but thats part ofit most locals will go out of there way to help you, if your not a jerk.
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outlawsr <0)))>{
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well to be honest i dont know how much salt water fishing you have done but I suggest that you start at the beach and work your way to the end there are alot of different ways and technics to fishing on the pier so might as well to try to learn from the pros most of them dont battle the big macks anymore there are at the pier-house working baits in the surf these people can teach you alot, and they love to talk your ears off so be a sponge and take in all there info as they are very good teachers. I have learned alot from the older crowd I love them all for there time they showed us younger fellows years ago. besides did you know its grandparents day this weekend? i belive its sunday call your grand parents up and tell them how much you love them for me .
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Kingfshr
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Cool I am a grandparent.
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Nite Legend
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| Kingfshr wrote: | | Cool I am a grandparent. |
 
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