All About Pier Fishing
By Syahrul Azlan Idris
Not every saltwater angler owns a boat. Now, that would be
seen by most people as an apparent limitation to their ability
and opportunity for fishing. How would you go saltwater
fishing without a boat? Adding to this misconception is the
fact that most fishing magazines feature pictures and articles
about fishing that usually involves having a boat. And not
just any boat. Take a look at some of those articles and
you'll find expensive boats with all the bells and whistles.
This has disheartened many a potential fisherman, making him
feel like he can only share in the joys of these great fishing
adventures by reading about them.
But if you've been keeping your eyes open, chances are you've
also observed a growing community of shore-bound anglers that
doesn't let the lack of a boat stop them from enjoying the
pleasures of fishing. They come in all sizes, ages, and
gender. The lack of a boat has even led them to develop their
own, unique, and effective style of fishing. Ladies and
gentlemen, I give you the pier fishermen.
They are seen in fishing piers everywhere, some with expensive
tackle, some well-worn and taped together. Their tackle boxes
also come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, as long as it
can be carried or wheeled easily to the pier. Perhaps the lack
of a boat has led them to develop an uncanny sense for
creativity and innovation, because you'll be amazed at the
things you'll find in most tackle boxes used by these pier
anglers. In fact, lots of so-called "original" products that
are marketed for pier fishermen were inspired by the original
designs that are regularly used by these people everyday.
Before some non-believers begin to scoff at the skills of pier
fishermen, let me say that pier fishing is an art all its own.
Nobody can just plunk a chair down at a pier and start hauling
in fish every minute, without the skills born by experience.
Pier fishermen develop an innate sense about where the action
is. Since most of the fish generally come in waves, it's going
to be very difficult getting even one bite if you don't know
where and when to cast. You can usually find them bottom
fishing, hauling in two or three catches at a time. How they
do that is beyond me. Pier rats just have a way of knowing
when to reel in their line after hooking more than one fish.
And if you start thinking that bigger catch like mackerel and
king mackerel are unreachable for pier fishermen, think again.
Have you ever seen those people at the end of the pier using all
sorts of weird-looking contraptions specially designed to float
live bait just under the surface? They use kite rigs, too, so
that they can fish as far off the pier as possible. I've seen
perhaps a dozen contraptions that deserve a patent on the spot.
Mostly these folks use a technique called the "two rod
approach". This is where they use a heavy fishing rod with the
bail open and another lighter rod where the bait is attached to.
They cast out, the line is placed several yards off the pier,
and when a fish bites, the bait rod is pulled back, leaving the
fisherman with the heavier one to fight the fish with.
However, don't expect to see pier fishermen release their fish
after catching them. Most of these folks go fishing for
dinner, not for getting the big one to show off on a
mantelpiece. They come to enjoy fishing, talk and socialize
with each other, and even to help a few beginners that appear
to need it. They are a special breed and possibly have more
patience, inventiveness, and endurance than any other fishing
group.
About The Author: Azlan Irda is the co-founder of
http://www.bellfishing.com, which provides valuable fishing
books and videos. Visit us anytime you want fishing books and
videos.
