I'll be back on the state park pier July 18-25 during family vacation. Pier fishing is (in my opinion) a pretty easy craft to learn compared to other types. You may have to invest in a larger spinning reel and a 7-8' rod, if you don't already have one.
I've been out on the Fish Trap before as well, and had fun. It's hard to beat saving 500+ bucks and doing it yourself, but of course expectations can go either way.
Do some searches on this forum from last year about surf / pier fishing, or search for the "gulf shores pier fishing" forum and read old posts from there. In general, folks ask the same questions year after year, so the library of old posts with the search feature can be very helpful.
Good luck! I spend a little money each year adding an extra piece of gear to my arsenal - it can be a real hoot, and you stand a good chance of catching a tasty dinner or two (or five).