Pier Fishing

Pier fishing is a natural draw for both new and
veteran salt water fishermen. Fishing piers extend
like fingers into the coastal waters and are found
everywhere. But fishing piers are a world of their own,
where camaraderie counts more heavily than a stringer full
of fish; and the name of the game is having a good time.

I had to laugh at Frank’s conversion from reluctant fisherman to avid pier fishing angler.

We were surf fishing off our hotel’s beach when we first met him. Frank and his wife were staying at the same hotel, and, it turns out, were actually from our home county---although we’d never met before.

Frank had never fished in his life, but was intrigued with what we were doing. He wanted to try fishing, and wondered if he could buy some tackle locally.

“A better bet,” I advised, “would be to try pier fishing on the nearby fishing pier.” For Frank, this made the most sense, because he could rent tackle right there, buy whatever natural or artificial bait he needed, and learn all about fishing from the regulars who hung out there.

He wasn’t quite convinced. “Why would they even talk to me?” he asked. “Not only a stranger, but a raw beginner.”

“Trust me,” I responded, “they’ll be more than willing to help.”

We didn’t see Frank for a couple of days. But when we did run into him again he could barely contain his enthusiasm. “I couldn’t believe it,” he stressed. “Those guys immediately took me under their wings, showed me how to use the rod & reel, and how to rig the bait, and where to cast.

“And when I caught my first fish it was like the whole pier shared my success. What a great time!” By the time Frank and his wife left for home he was near obsesses with pier fishing – and owned three outfits and a box full of tackle.

The thing is, there was nothing special about Frank’s experience. The public fishing piers of America are all more or less like that. Sure, folks are there to catch fish. But at least as important is the camaraderie that develops when pier fishing.

Let’s face it; there isn’t always a lot of action. So it stands to reason that people on the piers stop being strangers real quick. They chat with each other, and share fishing tips, and make comments about the kids trying to surf in the nonexistent waves, and talk about last night’s game.

When somebody’s rod finally bends to a fish, everyone nearby gets their own line out of the water while they cheer the angler on, and yell advice (much of it contradictory, of course), and help land the fish. Didn’t bring a pier net? No problem. Somebody will have one lowered into the water as soon as it’s needed.

If you show up with the wrong hooks, don’t be in a rush to buy some, because somebody is sure to offer you a few. Or share some of the hot bait. Or make room on the one pier section where all the action seems concentrated.

That’s just how it is when pier fishing. It’s often more about the fishing and less about the catching.

Don’t get me wrong. People are there to catch fish. But if they don’t, or if the action is slow, they still have a great time.

There are no strangers on a fishing pier; just fellow fishermen you hadn’t met before. Show up one day, and you’re immediately part of the crowd. Show up a few days in a row and you’re a regular. Spend the season on and off, and you’re an old timer.

You don’t even need your own tackle, because it’s available to rent on most piers. Rental gear is ok for the one-time fisherman. But if you’re going to get into pier fishing you really want your own. There are ample rod and reel choices. I would start with a general purpose outfit, though, because one thing about pier fishing is that what you fish for, and how you rig, can change day to day.

My preference, as a starter rig, would be a medium action rod, about seven feet long. I’d opt for a spinning outfit, although you see more than their share of casting rods as well.

If you really get into pier fishing, or are set on one particular species, you can then rig for that. For instance, the boys at the end of the pier with what appear to be surf rods are likely after King mackerel, which requires heavy rods and specialized tackle. But you’ll also see fishermen lining the rails on the way out there with tackle similar to yours.

Initially, in addition to rods and reels, all you’ll need is a tackle box and a five-gallon bucket. But as your interest grows, so, too, will your equipment. Some sort of pier caddy makes sense. These range from simple shopping carts to fancy wagons with built-in rod holders and bait stations.

If you’re unused to salt-water fishing, best bet is to keep your eyes open and ask lots of questions. That’s the best way to learn what’s running, and how to fish for it. And you’ll pick up tips and techniques you’d otherwise never hear about; such as ways of catching your own bait.

There’s an unspoken etiquette on the fishing piers. Nobody posts a list of rules, but everybody obeys them. For instance, fishermen space themselves in a natural manner. And you do not crowd somebody who’s doing well. Similarly, if a good fish is on, you get out of the person’s way.

I don’t want to make a big deal about this, because what’s correct behavior can change, pier to pier. But the “rules” are pretty much self evident. What’s more, given the nature of pier fishermen, if you break one of the rules they’ll let you know about it. But only if it’s a serious infraction, because they know that many of the folks out there are new to pier fishing.

Mostly, on the piers, you’ll have fun. And maybe catch a fish or three as well.