Piers

Timing is probably the most important aspect in pier fishing. Anglers need to know beforehand the best tide conditions for catching fish as well as what fish are "running" or migrating at that particular time. Watch the side that everyone else is fishing on. They know which way the fish are migrating. Dont be the one guy fishing on the wrong side. Talking with pier regulars, bait shop owners and reading fishing reports will give you better insight into this.

The best tide phases are usually when the tide is moving in or moving out. Wind speed/direction play an important role too. Tide phase and wind affect the clarity of the water. Water clarity plays a huge role in the type of fish caught from a pier as well as their location and what they will bite on. Weather is just as important with a lot of action occuring just before or just after large storms.

Dont always go to the end of the pier. Try fishing where the water breaks. When waves break, it stirs up the bottom exposing shrimp, crabs etc... Fish wait and will ambush the food.

As always, look at the water. If you notice a line of cloudy water, find where the water clears and fish it. The cloudy water means there is something going on on the bottom..a hole, trench, rip current etc... Fish love to hang around those areas.

Dont always assume that you have to cast a country mile to get the fish. Drop a line straight down next to a pillar. Fish love shade and structure. You might even catch a sheepie.

Watch for birds attacking the surface. When birds are around, it usually means baitfish are present. Cast to the perimeter of the birds (baitfish). A fish will often hit a bait on the perimeter of the school because usually they are the slower/injured bait fish and that makes for an easy meal. Do not bomb a 3 ounce weight in the middle of the action. All you will do is spook everything.

Large ocean side piers tend to see the most action from anglers, but bay piers create great fishing opportunities too. Anything from snook to flounder to sheepshead can be caught from such piers. Bay piers and marine docks can be really good at night too when many species of fish are on the hunt for a late night snack. They are drawn to light, so set up next to a light post and cast out.

Equipment for Pier Fishing

A lot of regular pier fisherman will tote all of their equipment in a special type of wagon since it is usually a long walk down the pier. These can be found at many bait houses. The wagon can hold a bait bucket, tackle box, multiple rods and even a cooler. Another item needed for pier fishing is a hoop net or pier gaff which is used to lift large fish from the water to the pier. Even smaller fish can break line when hauled up 50-100 feet.

Varied tackle, bait and lures are used for different fish and different fishing conditions from piers. Most all types of tackle can be used from a pier. Heavy, revolving-spool outfits to smaller spinning gear are used. The heavy stuff is generally used for sharks and other fighting fish, while the mid-sized tackle is usually reserved for kingfish, jacks, tarpon and cobia. Light-action spinners can be used to catch bluefish, sheepshead, pompano, whiting and spots.

Most fishing piers have their own bait and tackle shops on them. Most of the bait needed to catch the particular fish that are running at that time can be purchased at the baitshop.

Pier Fishing Etiquette

*Dont litter

*Dont try and take up more space than you need

*If someone is having good luck catching fish, dont try to squeeze in next to them

*Your area is straight down and directly in front of you. Dont cast to your sides because eventually you will cross someones line

*Use enough weight that your bait holds bottom. If not, your bait will drift again crossing others

*Look behind you when you cast. Dont hook someone walking down the pier

*If you see that someone has a large fish that is running, reel in. You would want someone to do that for you..right?

*If you should cross anothers line, apologize and ask for help while getting untangled. Crossovers will happen. It is just part of fishing the pier. If you handle it politely there will be no problems