kalvinc

Thanks captainblack, my biggest problem right now (9 hours before I embark on what hopefully is a trip of a lifetime), is #1 I cant go asleep because I'm so excited, and more importantly I don't know what I am after! Lol...I think it would be incredible to catch a shark and if it is possible to catch one and maybe even likely then I can spool up a real with at least 300 yards of 80# braid and steel leaders heavy hooks and what not. What are the main species targeted off that pier? Not sure what free lining is but I am definitely gonna hit up a bait shop I saw in Gulf Breeze last time I was there for some info.

kalvinc

Wow somehow I have completely missed that post for the last 3 days! That's awesome that we joined the same day and thank you! Hopefully I can handle basic, I get more and more nervous as it gets closer though ;s

captainblack

well i think one of the most commonly targeted would be the king mackerel, and the big reds might be moving through there by now not really sure though i never fish out there

have you checked the website The Pensacola Beach Fishing Pier & Observation Post they have some info on there in the "catching fish" section, the bait shop there on the pier should be able to help you with info, and they should have anything you dont already have with you, they also rent rods and reels if needed and pier drop nets if you dont have it. i dont know for sure but i think ive heard they have a thing against targeting sharks from the pier (which is odd because the things are all over the place there regardless) but if youre fishing for kings you may end up catching one anyways

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cheers drinktank

kalvinc

Yup I have read all over that site, still cant sleep... so if I did HAPPEN to hook a shark, and even get it in (or to the top of the water I guess?), what would I do then? Also...how crowded do you think it will be, being labor day weekend and all?

captainblack

if i hooked up on one out there id probably fight it in as close as possible to the pier and cut the line getting as much back as possible

it can get pretty damn crowded out there especially if the weathers nice and its a weekend, expect it to be packed lol. but there should still be room to get a line wet, just be respectful, dont cast over anyone else, if you are around other guys and you are sight casting at a fish you see, if you see it first you get first cast, if it doesnt take or its a bad cast and you reel in, then someone else gets to cast at least thats how it was last time i went out there, but really just be respectful but at the same time hold your ground if youre fishing in your spot and someone comes up next to you tell em politely to move down a couple feet at least if theyre bumping shoulders, but this wont always be happening unless you try to squeeze out at the end when its packed

but usually theres plenty of area to squeeze in a decent spot

oh and freelining means not using weight

if you got some thin wire leader connected to a swivel then to your main line with no weight, thats also freelining

if you get some bait before you get there you should also pick up a couple sabiki rigs to catch more bait while youre there, ask about em at the bait shop if you dont know what they are, put an ounce sinker on the bottom of it and toss it into a school of baitfish and let it sink then bounce it gently along the bottom and the bait fish will grab onto and get hooked on the multiple little hooks on the rig, they can explain more at the shop when you buy a couple if you ask (sometimes spanish macs will attack sabikis too, or will go after the bait that gets hooked, so you may even catch a spanish on one... or have it completely destroyed by their teeth, which is why i said buy a couple)

if you are out there and hook onto a nice king or redfish (if youre lucky maybe a cobia) and all the sudden find yourself unable to keep it under control while also lowering the drop net to pull them up, usually someone around you will likely lend a helping hand, almost every fisherman i personally know and many i dont, and myself love seeing a nice fish caught almost as much as catching it ourselves

hope all the info helps, no matter what just have fun! youre out at the beach on the gulf coast of florida fishing the day away, no beter way to be spending it

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cheers drinktank

kalvinc

Alright thanks cptn a ton you have helped me alot. Will be leaving in 2 hours, fishing for some giant cats in the Arkansas river tonight, then head down to the gulf Can't get any better than that, especially if I catch a few

captainblack

make sure to get some pics if you catch anything and hop back on here and share it!

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hirotamus

You can hook a shark but you can't bring him up at Pensacola pier. I caught one last week, nurse shark about 4' long and got him close to the pier and cut him loose. I was using my 15' catfish pole with 30# line and was not using a wire leader. Fought him for 25 mins. Other species I caught were ladyfish, pinned fish, spanish macks, & remora.

I already miss fishing at the Pensacola pier after coming back from my 1 week vacation. Once you fish salt water it's never the same fishing at river/lake.

kalvinc

Finally got here and gave it a shot! Used sabiki rigs to catch some baitfish, some man told me they were called "hot-tail"? Put those on and my brother hooked up with a small shark after a while, someone tell me what kind? Kyle and Chase left to get the ice chest I got a fish, gave it to some Chinese man and I don't think he spoke english cause he wouldn't tell me what kind lol. They left again to get the phones out of the car and I got two small sharks. Really wasn't much going on, Chase got a catfish and some other fish didn't take any pictures though So a total of six fish in like ten hours, we must have been doing something wrong. We got more bites on heads than anything, although we did use the middles/tails but not much action. Kyle got a couple of skinny fish with spots all over them so Chase got the bright idea hey lets put a whole 13 inch fish on a 13/0 circle hook! Well after a while the rod bent double and I grabbed it but nobody had adjusted the drag. He nearly pulled me in but the 50# line snapped before I even had a chance to get to play with him. It was a good one whatever it was. It just picked up the bait and ran with it....didn't play around like the smaller fish do.







We were fishing with a 36" steel leader and a 1/0 Kahle at the end with a 3oz pyramid on 16" of line out of the top of the leader swivel. Just casted as far as we could (about 3/5 through 3/4 down the pier) and let it hit bottom then tightlined it. Some people down the pier about fity feet were catching a TON of remora nonstop for about 3 hours. Had some kind of rig with 3 hooks and some green stuff on it. Should I try to use a bobber or a different rigging to get my bait off the bottom or what? Thanks in advance!

kalvinc

Oh yeah we saw a sea turtle when we got there, it was pretty awesome. Also got to see this HUGE like 6 foot leopard ray, which is what somebody called it. It was cool.