Salmon, I've done plenty of offshore, and offshore tournaments, but actually prefer to fish the piers. The pier thing can be quite fun and fishy, the degree of difficulty is higher than boat fishing. I also love Gulf Shores as well as the Panhandle piers too. It is probably where I will be getting a place in a few years.

Buy you one of the condos at Four Seasons and you will be set. You'll have your own pier.

http://www.gulfshorespierfishing.com/forum.php

Just in case you didn't have the link.

Yes, visit regularly. Just got back from a quick hit on PCB City pier. Pomps, spanish, and a few kings were caught.

Here are a few other sites/blogs you can check out:

http://okaloosaislandpier.blogspot.com/
http://www.baycountyoutdoors.com/Pier_Beach_Fishing.php
http://www.pensacolafishingforum.com/

Quick update: in two words: "TOUGH CONDITIONS."

SE winds gusting to 35mph each day kept us "inside" the bay and ICW. We did manage about 6 hours on the ocean side, but caught very few. Trolled the beach and half-way out to the rigs . . . zippo.

Caught trout up in the rivers of the bon secour reserve (high winds DID keep the bugs controlled).

The rest of the fishing was . . . feline. LOTS of cats.

I did talk to one neighbor who ran offshore 65 miles one night. They limited on Tuna, wahoo. Sounds like they had a riot.

Reports of reds on the Dixie Bar . . . We caught zero and saw zero action from other boats.