Gulf State Park Pier update...

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Pier#r
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Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

http://www.wkrg.com/news/article/gulf_s ... ate/11512/
"We're making progress out on the water and that's the big thing we're off land and we're actually off land about 100 feet," says project superintendent Greg Thacker.
That's prompted a "No Boat Zone" around the pier says Thacker. "Currently it's 300 yards west of the old pier, 300 yards east of the new pier and 300 beyond the 1510 feet that the new pier will go out. The main reason keep people from getting in around the barges and keep someone from getting hurt. It's not that we don't want people fishing cause that's what this is all about fishing."
Construction of the pier is on schedule maybe even ahead of schedule. But, be patient. Building a pier is like building a bridge, it's just a bridge to no where.
Here are some excerpts from the video. (Thank you WKRG TV 5 for the update 8)
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WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
Image
Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Got an email from Terry Boyd (Chief Engineer for the AL DCNR)
We have applied to US Army Corps of Engineers for a permit to reef the old pier around the new, this will probably take 45 to 60 days, but our plans are still to do this. The Corp will be advertising this permit application. We are planning on putting the old pier on the south and west of new pier; however, we will be permitting future reefs for the east side and west side from the pyramids and piling stack concrete artificial reefs. The new pier was damaged from the Hurricane Gustav which will lengthen the possible finish time. I still believe pier will be finished before the March 1, 2009 date unless we have other storm delays.
That's less than 6 months from now :cheers:
WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
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Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

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fishnfool73
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by fishnfool73 »

Congradulations looks like everyones hard work will finally pay off.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

firewhatfire
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by firewhatfire »

any update on the pier?

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Kudos to Barrett on the PFF for posting these pics (and more) he took of the pier Sunday May 31 8)

http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/fi ... x#bm351893

Image

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A recent news release by the Alabama Dept of Conservation stated it should be open in about 45 after the last pilings were put down.
Right now that looks like a (tentative) mid July opening :cheers:
WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
Image
Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

Harpmanr
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Harpmanr »

Looks good, thanks for all the updates.
"Life is a gift from God. Fish it as much as possible." "The happier you are, the happier you become."

BigBoiFishing
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by BigBoiFishing »

Man that octagon is huge.....nice pier.

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Yeah, the octagon on the new pier is almost TWICE as wide as the old pier.

Here's what they would look like side by side :shock:
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fishnfool73
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by fishnfool73 »

This has been a long uphill battle for the pier supporters glad to see it has come around for you all.
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Thanks for the sentiment fishnfool73 8)
Hopefully, it won't be too much longer...

This was in the Sunday June 14 Mobile Register

http://www.al.com/outdoors/mobileregist ... xml&coll=3
The new Gulf State Park Pier likely will not be open for the Fourth of July, assistant park director Trey Myers said on Friday.

"Structurally, the pier is complete," Myers said, "but even if they (contractor LCI Inc.) were to turn it over to us in two weeks, there's no way we'd be ready for July 4. Once they turn it over to us, we still have to stock it and do some things that weren't included in the contract.

"We put in requisitions for signage just this week, and we still haven't gotten approval on rates (to fish the pier)."
The substantial-completion inspection is scheduled to take place June 23, Myers said.

"We expect to find everything done to our satisfaction," Myers said, "but there can always be something unforeseen. We're hoping to have it open within 30 days, but we haven't even set a date yet."
:roll:
WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
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Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

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fishnfool73
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by fishnfool73 »

Sounds like mumbo jumbo to me PIER... :roll:
Dreaming the dream that one day I can be as good as some of the boatless pros and catch some 12 inch mangrove snapper.

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Yeah, I'm figure'n about a month... :reeling: :happyfisherman:


Still ya'd think after more than 4 1/2 years they would already have the signs made :roll:
WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
Image
Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by Pier#r »

Here's the announcement many have been waiting for... :toast:

http://www.al.com/outdoors/mobileregist ... xml&coll=3
Pier into the future: After five years, new Gulf State Park Pier set for July 23 opening
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
By JEFF DUTE
Outdoors Editor
Shortly after Hurricane Ivan destroyed the Gulf State Park Pier in September 2004, many fishermen began counting down the time until a new pier would be built.
On Tuesday, Alabama conservation department officials announced that the clock would officially reach 00:00 at 9 a.m. on July 23. That's when Gov. Bob Riley is expected to cut the ribbon to open the 1,520-foot-long pier after more than 18 months of construction and a bid cost of $16.2 million.

"As you know, good things come to those who wait. We had hoped to open the new Gulf State Park Pier this spring, but Mother Nature decided otherwise," state conservation commissioner Barnett Lawley said. "That said, the new pier will be the longest on the Gulf Coast and will reach more than 1,500 feet into the Gulf of Mexico.

"This facility will provide unparalleled educational opportunities for students and teachers alike to view and experience first-hand the intricate ecosystem that thrives on Alabama's coast. It will also give Ala bamians and visitors unequaled access to great sightseeing along our beautiful beaches and shore line. The wait will be well worth it."

That also appears to be the sentiment among fishermen who regularly fished the old pier, said David Thornton, who spent 35 years learning to catch fish along its weathered rails. Thornton said he has kept in touch with many of the people who shared those rails with him.

"I think the consensus is that it's been worth the wait," Thornton said. "But it sure has been a long time — more than four years — and that time hasn't gone by quickly.

"The pier will be a very consistent, accessible place to fish and there's a lot of camaraderie that developed over time on the old pier, and it's that social aspect of fishing on the pier that we've been missing, too."

Thornton predicts the pier will open up opportunities to catch fish species that were out of reach for the old pier, which had an end octagon in about 12 feet of water. The new pier's end will be in 26 to 28 feet of water.

"There are a bunch of us who are eager to give a shot and get a taste of what we knew we were missing. The old pier was always a good inshore pier because of the shallow water and there were good pelagic (migratory) opportunities at certain times of the year," he said. "Now, it's like there are two piers out there. We'll still have the good inshore fishing, but we'll also have a whole new pier outside that second (sand) bar."

A "soft opening" is planned a few days before July 23, said the conservation department's chief engineer, Terry Boyd.

"We don't want the governor and a thousand people to be out there and the drink maker doesn't work," Boyd said.

Boyd said parks personnel will begin the process of stocking the concession areas, putting up signs and doing anything else necessary to get the pier ready for fishermen. He added that the state transportation department also must install a stoplight at the intersection of State Park Road and East Beach Boulevard.

"The contractor may still be on site after Friday tying up a few loose odds and ends, but the contractor is not going to be a problem with opening the pier," Boyd said.

Prices to fish the pier have increased across the board, but Gulf State Park assist ant superintendent Trey Myers said it is still a great value.

"The cost of living has had an impact, but the facility is triple what we had with the size of the pier and the amenities out there now," he said. "The cost has gone up on everything, but the pier is still a great value."

Based on the new daily rate of $8, Myers pointed out that the weekly rate of $40 gives the angler two days of free fishing, the monthly rate of $80 results in two weeks free, the $160 semi-annual rate gives four months free and the annual rate of $320 affords a full eight months of free fishing.

Myers said the pier will almost certainly have an impact on the demand for the park's campsites.

"The cabins and cottages stay booked through most of the year, but I'm sure it'll increase the demand on our 496 campsites," Myers said. "With the camp store, new nature center, boat docks and pool and pool house under construction all in the campground, the pier will help re-establish the park as a vacation destination place for people from all over the country."
Kudos to JD for staying on top of this, and giving an old salt his "15 minutes" ;-)

See y'all out there on the 23rd :thumleft:

Some other things he talked about (to me, but were not covered in the article):
4 rods per angler ($3.50 each for any additional rods)
ONE ROD in use per angler at a time so...
NO TROLLEY FISHING (Trey told him)
Shark Fishing? (He was going to ask Trey, so I don't know yet)
WOOO HOOO the Gulf State Park pier is OPEN!
Image
Gulf State Park Pier 6am Tuesday July 21, 2009

regulator70
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by regulator70 »

i like the 4 rod, but only 1 rod use rule. that allows you to bring different rod setups. the only tweak to that rule i would like is if they allowed a sabiki rod while you have your fishing rod setup soaking.

Pier#r
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Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

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http://www.al.com/outdoors/mobileregist ... xml&coll=3
New rules to greet Gulf State Park Pier anglers
Sunday, July 05, 2009
By JEFF DUTE
Outdoors Editor

Along with the grand opening of the 1,520-foot Gulf State Park Pier on July 23 there will come some new rules for fishing off of it, said assistant park superintendent Trey Myers.

All of the changes are intended to give pier fishermen a better experience while allowing them the freedom to catch as many different kind of fish as they care to target, he said.

-- One of the biggest changes, Myers said, is the prohibition against trolley rigging.

The trolley rig involves the use of one rod — the anchor rod — on which a heavy weight is cast out as far as possible. Then a clip device from which hangs a leader, hook and usually live finfish bait from a fighting rod is used to attach it to the anchor-rod line. The bait is slid down the anchor line until it can easily swim on the water's surface.

Trolley rigging can be very effective for king mackerel fishing. When the fish strikes the bait, the clip attached to the anchor rod line releases the fighting-rod line and the fish can then be fought on the fighting rod.

The problem, Myers said, is that trolley rigging makes it too easy for the fisherman to leave that rod and begin fishing another rod.

"A lot of the time, they'd be off fishing another rod when they'd get a fish on the trolley rig and somebody else would have to pick up their rod," he said. "If someone isn't standing right there and that fish is running up and down the pier, it can really get tangled in everyone else's lines and create a mess."

In conjunction with this rule change, Myers said anglers will be allowed to fish only one rod at a time no matter what type of fishing they're doing.

-- A second major change is the attempt to limit the number of rods each angler can bring onto the pier.

Myers recommends that anglers bring no more than four rods onto the pier — one for catching bait, one light-tackle for inshore fish, one medium rod for bonito-size fish and one big rod for kings or cobia.

"There's no need for anyone to bring 15 or 20 rods onto this pier," he said. "They'll be able to reach fish they never thought possible on the old pier with just that many rods.

"It should also keep down the size of the pier carts. I've seen guys with carts big enough to hold 30 rods."

Myers said if a fisherman insists on bringing more than the recommended number of four, they will be charged an additional $3.50 per rod.

A few standing rules that existed on the old pier will be in effect on the new one, Myers said.

-- There will be no alcohol allowed.

-- There will be no shark fishing allowed.

If a shark is hooked, it must be broke off as quickly as possible or if it's small enough, it can be brought to the rail — not over — so the hook can be removed.

-- The 300-foot no boating zone will be enforced around the new pier.

Myers has said previously that this zone is intended to eliminate any user conflicts between boaters and pier fishermen.

Myers added that the manmade reefs to be placed at four locations around the end of the pier would be about 250 feet from it. That should allow pier fishermen to fish the structures without continually getting hung up and boaters to drift baits over them from outside the no-boating zone, he said.

-- Similar rules for float fishing and bottom fishing off the extreme south rail that existed on the old pier will be enforced on the new pier.

-- Anglers will be able to bring food onto the pier, but no cooking of food on the pier will be allowed.

The pier does include a concession area where hot dogs, burgers and drinks can be purchased. There is also a fully stocked tackle store next to the concession area.

Myers added that, as of now, there would be no charge to park in one of the 250 spots in the pier parking lot. Also as of now, the spots are open to pier fishermen and/or beachgoers on an equal, first-come, first-served basis.

He added there might be a time that a parking fee is instituted.

While there is an effort to include an angler's saltwater fishing license in the cost of fishing on the pier, Myers said it is very likely that when the pier opens officially anglers will have to have purchased an Alabama saltwater fishing license to be legal.

Alabama's marine resources director Vernon Minton said Friday that to fold the state saltwater fishing license into the pier fishing cost would be a change in law that could only happen through an act of the state legislature.

Minton said he would not be in favor of changing current saltwater license requirements for pier fishermen because his department would lose too much income.

LFH220

Re: Gulf State Park Pier update...

Post by LFH220 »

Everything sounds great about new pier, I plan to fish on it month of Oct. Did not see any rates for seniors. I guess we will have to pay same as rest. O-well, that's not a bad deal. Sure cheaper than golf!!

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