One advantage pier fishing has over boat fishing is that you can still be productive even when there are big waves and high winds.<\/p>\n
Pier fishing can be done in various ways, and there is a wide variety of fish to catch. But to make great catches, you need to have the right bait for pier fishing.<\/p>\n
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Species of Fish You May Come Across when Pier Fishing<\/span><\/h2>\n
Piers host anglers of all ages hoping to make a catch.<\/p>\n
Some may be seasoned anglers, while others may be amateurs.<\/p>\n
Anglers typically catch these fish and others when pier fishing:<\/p>\n
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- Flounder<\/li>\n
- Mullet<\/li>\n
- King mackerel<\/li>\n
- Queenfish<\/li>\n
- Skates<\/li>\n
- Mahi-mahi<\/li>\n
- Black drum<\/li>\n
- Striped bass<\/li>\n
- Redfish<\/li>\n
- Kingfish<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/p>\nWhere to Fish on a Pier<\/span><\/h2>\n
Knowing when to expect fish and where to fish for them is important.<\/p>\n
If you’re new to pier fishing, you may want to keep an eye on other anglers to know what places are best, as they vary from one pier to another pier.<\/p>\n
Many anglers are usually found fishing at the pier’s end because this is where the water is deepest. And deeper waters host bigger fish.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, the side of the pier may be the best position to fish from. But this depends on the direction of the tide.<\/p>\n
If you’re on one side of the pier and the tide is moving away from you, that side is the best place for you to fish.<\/p>\n
When the direction of the tide changes, you may have to move to the other side of the pier.<\/p>\n
The best time to fish from a pier is when there’s a moving tide. Low tides result in some piers having considerably less water, making it a bad time to fish from the pier.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, fish may choose to move nearer to the shore, but this depends on how the pier is structured.<\/p>\n
While pier fishing, keep an eye out for rock formations, drop-offs, and other underwater structures.<\/p>\n
These are where you’ll find fish hiding or feeding.<\/p>\n
Some predator fish move up higher in the water when chasing prey.<\/p>\n
Although you may not see these predators hunting, birds will.<\/p>\n
Birds are known to be natural fish-finders, and they have no problem spotting fish you may have a difficult time seeing.<\/p>\n
So, when you see birds flying in circles around a spot, you know it’s showtime.<\/p>\n
What Bait to Use<\/span><\/h2>\n
Anglers are usually faced with the decision to choose bait<\/a>.<\/p>\n
But this decision ultimately depends on the target species and the fishing location.<\/p>\n
Before spending money on expensive bait, take your time to find out the fish species usually caught at the pier.<\/p>\n
Most commercial piers have a bait and tackle shop.<\/p>\n
The bait shop will provide you with the bait you may need for fishing off the pier.<\/p>\n
Live bait is ideal, so try to find it in a bait shop. Some great baits for pier fishing include:<\/p>\n
Shrimp<\/span><\/h3>\n
Many anglers consider shrimp their go-to bait.<\/p>\n
They work well as bait for pier fishing because they are found in saltwater environments.<\/p>\n
The fish in these waters are attracted to the movement and scent of shrimp.<\/p>\n
Shrimp can attract all sizes of fish, so you’re as likely to catch a large fish as a small one.<\/p>\n
Handling a shrimp is relatively less messy.<\/p>\n
You can easily cut it into tiny pieces and twist it onto your hook.<\/p>\n
Shrimp can be expensive, but they are usually worth every penny.<\/p>\n
Examples of fish that love shrimp are redfish and snapper.<\/p>\n
Shellfish<\/span><\/h3>\n
Many fish species feed on shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels. Shellfish are versatile when used as bait.<\/p>\n
Crabs are great as bait when fishing for cobia.<\/p>\n
Although you need to specially handle them to prevent a claw clamping down while putting the bait on a hook, the stress is worth it.<\/p>\n
Some shellfish are slippery, and anglers leave them out in the sun to harden.<\/p>\n
Before catching any shellfish you intend to use as bait, ensure you’re allowed to do so.<\/p>\n
Some shellfish have fishing regulations regarding them.<\/p>\n
Blood worms<\/span><\/h3>\n
Blood worms are so named because they ooze “blood.”<\/p>\n
They are messy to deal with and leave your hands looking nasty and dirty, especially under the nails.<\/p>\n
Using blood worms as bait will change that narrative when you’ve been out fishing for a while without a catch.<\/p>\n
Blood worms are more expensive than shrimp, but they’re also worth every dime.<\/p>\n
Cut Bait<\/span><\/h3>\n
Aroma is an important way of getting saltwater fish, and the aroma of cut bait is as strong as they come.<\/p>\n
Prepare bait by cutting up the smaller fish you caught while saltwater fishing and deem them too small to be put in the cooler.<\/p>\n
You can attract a wide of fish using cut bait. Some of the fish include bluefish, sea bass, and mahi-mahi.<\/p>\n
Baitfish<\/span><\/h3>\n
Fish are usually attracted to the scent and motion of their prey.<\/p>\n
Potential prey like pilchards, eels, and ballyhoos are caught and used as baitfish.<\/p>\n
Baitfish are caught using a cast net, and they’re stored with frozen packs, which you can get at a bait shop.<\/p>\n
Other bait you can use are squids and sand fleas.<\/p>\n
You can also check the bait shop for different lures for pier fishing.<\/p>\n
Best Time to Go Pier Fishing<\/span><\/h2>\n
The best time for pier fishing usually depends on the tide.<\/p>\n
Most times, it’s best if you pier fish two hours before or after high tide.<\/p>\n
If your target fish feeds on baitfish, dusk and dawn is a great time to go pier fishing.<\/p>\n
The moment before dawn and the first hour after sunset are particularly excellent for pier fishing.<\/p>\n
Another important factor is light. Pier fishing under low light conditions is good because that is the period fish let their guard down.<\/p>\n
When light conditions are low, fish tend to move into shallower water, making them easy for an angler to reach.<\/p>\n
Useful Pier Fishing Tips<\/span><\/h2>\n
Here are some useful tips to have an enjoyable pier fishing experience:<\/p>\n
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- When choosing a pier fishing location, consider the time of the year and your target species.<\/li>\n
- Find out if you need a fishing license to use the pier. Many commercial fishing piers will allow you to fish without a license, but not all. If you need a license, get it beforehand.<\/li>\n
- When using a public pier, give other anglers enough room to cast comfortably. And don’t cast over another angler.<\/li>\n
- Never leave your gear or catch unattended. You don’t want someone slipping and getting injured.<\/li>\n
- Pier fish at dawn and dusk, as these are the best periods for pier fishing.<\/li>\n
- Never handle your bait when you have sunscreen or insect repellent on your hands. The chemicals will repel fish from taking your bait.<\/li>\n
- Use a pair of polarized sunglasses. They can make the difference between an empty bucket and a full one. The glasses will eliminate the glare off the water’s surface, allowing you to spot fish more easily.<\/li>\n
- Have a picnic chair with you. You may need it to relax and enjoy the view.<\/li>\n
- When you’re done fishing, clean the spot you used.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Final Thoughts<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pier fishing is fun, affordable, and convenient. There are many fishing piers, and each one is different.<\/p>\n