Let North Carolina Aquarium Teach You The Fine Art Of Pier Fishing

By Rudy Socha

Atlantic Beach, NC - For generations, coastal pier fishing has been providing fishermen without boats access beyond the surf line. It also provides a low cost platform for senior citizens, vacationers, and those with disabilities to enjoy an outside sport. For fixed income senior fishermen, one good day of pier fishing catches enough fish to cover their costs for the entire season.

Pier fishing however is quickly sliding into a bygone era. The cost to repair or replace piers after severe storm damage has made insurance expensive. Because of their extreme exposure to the weather, piers have high maintenance costs. On the revenue side, piers do not generate high dollar amounts, and with beachfront development comes a lack of parking and access for the general public. Many piers have other attractions located on the land end of the pier such as restaurants, bars, and amusement rides. Generally these land end attractions generate some profit in good weather during the three month tourist season. To compound the cash flow problem for pier owners, many states such as North Carolina have a four dollar per foot fishing tax on piers.

As a result of the economics, some piers operate with a negative cash flow, and the owners supplement the cost of the piers with cash from their other businesses. Most pier owners operate for nostalgia’s sake and not for profit; for many it’s a generational heritage. The economics of owning piers has forced many to sell the real estate and leave the business. Ten years ago there were 32 fishing piers in North Carolina and today there are only 20.

The State of North Carolina realizes the heritage and cultural value of fishing piers, and wishes to preserve them. As a result, the North Carolina Aquarium is planning to build three educational fishing piers. Each pier will be associated with a nearby aquarium facility.

 The new piers are planned for:

Nags Head

The North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island is in the design phase
for a pier at the old Jennette’s Pier site. Opening is targeted for 2010.

Emerald Isle

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores has partnered with
the town of Emerald Isle for a sea-to-sound pier complex where Emerald Isle
Pier once stood, to be completed in 2012.

Carolina Beach

The North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher is working with the town of
Carolina Beach to select a site for a pier at the town’s boardwalk. The Carolina Beach boardwalk is the keystone of the town's recent Master Development Plan. Town Manager Tim Owens calls the return of the pier to the boardwalk area exciting. More info on the pier can be found at New N.C. Pier.

The North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores currently teaches pier fishing to beginners and veteran fishing folks. The classes cover all of the basics including gear, technique, regulations, and conservation. The three hour class starts with an hour of indoor instruction taught by one of North Carolina Aquarium’s Marine Educators. This is followed by two hours of hands on experience at Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier located a few miles from the facility.

Classes are usually held once a week weather permitting with gear and bait provided. The cost is only $20.00, making it an affordable night out for most people. Class capacity is 15-30 depending on the season.

I recently had the opportunity to attend one of the Thursday evening classes at the Pine Knoll Shores facility. Jess Hawkins and Curt Hendrix were the Aquarium Educators leading the class.

Jess is a marine biologist who has extensive experience in marine law enforcement, and regulatory boards and education. Jess started the class by giving an overview of North Carolina’s marine system, and the fish that inhabit the estuaries and open ocean based on the season. North Carolina has a great diversity of marine life. Sharks alone have 73 subspecies inhabiting its waters.

For each fish species, feeding patterns, hook size, and type of bait needed was reviewed with a quick overview of equipment and technique. The class then headed off to the Bogue Inlet Fishing Pier. Jess also covered the safe handling of large fish including walking them to shore and keeping them horizontal to avoid any internal injuries to the fish.

Once on the pier, the instructors tutor the students on safe hook baiting, and casting. The instructors work hard to make sure that everyone has a positive experience. This includes switching baits and rigs as necessary to insure their students are at least experiencing the fish biting the bait.

It was a fun time with a great diversity of students. There were novices, young adults, and older men and women including one sight impaired student. A shark toy was the prize of the evening for the largest fish caught. The prize was won by F.W. “B” Townes. His fishing buddies were overheard saying they may have to make him eat it, otherwise they wouldn’t get a moment of peace for the rest of the trip.

During migration some species avoid the pier structure and swim around it while other species visit and explore the pier looking for food. This time of the year, many species are migrating south from colder Northern waters. This means positions along the north side of the pier are the preferred fishing platforms.

Pier fishing offers many advantages over other fishing venues. The biggest advantage is access. The pier provides access to the fish swimming beyond the surf as well as those in it. It provides people who experience motion sickness, have a fear of the water, or people with disabilities the opportunity to fish.

I would highly recommend this class for a fun evening for couples, small groups, or anyone else with an available evening.

P.S. I found very clean, inexpensive lodging in Atlantic Beach that I would recommend to anyone participating in the Pine Knoll Shores fishing classes. The motel is Caribbe Inn and their web site is: http://www.caribbe-inn.com.

Photo #1: F.W. “B” Townes receiving his plush shark prize for catching the class’ largest fish presented by North Carolina Educator Jess Hawkins.

Photo #2: Classroom instruction before leaving for the pier.

Photo Credits: Jennie Socha