Fishing from Piers

The UK has an abundance of piers, all around our coast. Indeed Southend's Pier was once the longest in the world and still today holds the title of longest pier in Europe. Unfortunately many of these piers have fallen into disrepair, however thanks to money injected from the lottery and Councils realising that tradition can attract tourists we now are seeing many refurbished to their former glory's.

Don't' just head for the end of the pier. You may be walking past some excellent potential

These piers can offer both the novice and the hardened fisherman excellent venues for some good days fishing. Many piers now have their own Fishing Clubs and are regularly hold fishing competitions.

On the downside some local authorities have restored their piers and then banned fishing, under the excuse that  they are "Concerned" about safety. This type of action by Councils must be fought against as the history of Pier Fishing probably goes back as long as the End of Pier - Punch & Judy show, something else that has become a victim of our Politically correct councils. If you hear rumors of councils banning our sport from a pier near you, make sure you fight and don't lose such valuable venues. 

Anyway, let me get off my Soap box and on with feature.

The structure of pier will form a gutter in the Sea bed, this will be safe haven for the majority of the food species. Crabs, Mussels, Shrimps and Sand eels will all congregate around the supports. Added to this rag and lug will set up their home in the shelter of the pier. What does this make ? A wonderful restaurant with an excellent menu for both the passing and resident fish.

Usually this restaurant is directly below and around the pier, so our first lesson to learn is not to go to the end of the pier and wind up a nice pendulum cast send your bait 150 meters from where most of the fish will be feeding. Of course if you know of a feature, like a mussel bed or a wreck which is away from the pier, then by all means target it, but normally you will be sitting directly above the feeding area.

The second lesson to learn is that the structure of a pier will result in the water swirling around all the support pillars, this action will expose rocks and create natural swathes in the Sea bed. These areas will form feeding grounds and so attract the fish. These feeding grounds will be all along the length of the pier, so don't think you must head straight to the end of the pier as you may well be walking straight pass some excellent "Hot Spots".

As advised in other features on this site, surveillance can be the key to success. When the tide is out take a walk along the pier, ideally at beach level if the gutter is drained at low tide. Look for exposed rocks, banks of weed, gully's, swathes and mussel bed's. If you don't think you can remember their locations make some notes. These areas should be your target spots once the tide is back in.

Piers can offer an amazing variety species. Depending on location you should find, Conger, Codling, Bass, Pout, Rockling, Whiting, Dogfish, All the flatties and coalfish, all feeding in the gutter directly below the pier. Nearer the surface of the water should be Mackerel, Garfish, Bass & Mullet. The mullet will be feeding around the weed and pier supports.

Often sandbanks will form near to the structure, these will become feeding grounds for plaice, dabs and the occasional Sole.

I don't know why it is, but pier fishing always seems to be the breeding grounds for mistakes. Look along any pier and you will see most fisherman fishing on the downtide side of the pier. Why ? Because they are worried about the tackle being washed under the pier and snagged. So there they are merrily fishing on the downtide, their tackle is washed away from the pier and all those nasty snags.   Where did we say those fish were ? That's right UNDER THE PIER, so instead of the scent trail drifting towards them, it's drifting away from them !

Remember "He who dares, wins !", be brave and fish on the uptide not only will the scent flow from your bait drift under the pier, it will mix in with all the natural food that is being washed under the pier, like dead crabs, fish bits and washed out worms. All of which should stir up the appetite of the fish in the area and be directly in the path of fish hunting for food.

The technique to adopt is to use a lead, just heavy enough to keep your trace just outside the gutter. If your really brave, use a lighter lead and allow the bait to be washed into the gutter along with all the natural bait. The risk is worthwhile the results will be tenfold of that when fishing on the downtide side. The use of "Rotten Bottom Rigs" or the introduction of a weak link between your main sinker and your lead, will help reduce the risk of tackle lost.

Night fishing on piers always  produces the better results as the fish are not distracted by the noise and vibration of visitors trundling up and down the pier.

So when it comes to tackle, what do you need to know. Look in a tackle catalogue and you will see "Pier Rods". OK so you've looked, now close them and forget you ever heard of such a thing. Good quality 5 - 6 oz beach casters will offer far superior bite indication in the tip, in addition the added length (12ft+) allows you to keep fish away from the structure of the pier, when winding them in.

What is important is your reel. Multiplier or Fixed spool, the choice is yours. But whatever your choice make sure it has plenty of strength in the gears. Load the reel with 20 - 25lb line and 30 - 40lb Leader. Remember the leader may be rubbing against the structure or against exposed rocks, so regularly check it for damage.

Any of the Paternoster or Flapper Rigs will produce results although a flowing trace will help carry the bait into the gutter and in front of that passing fish. Ensure you use strong hooks as they may be taking the full weight of the fish as you lift it from the water up on to the pier deck.

Because of the variety of species a variety of baits can be tried. Visit our bait section for more information

If you are going to fish piers often invest in a drop net. Many a fish can be lost as you lift it out of the water and start puling it up to the level of the pier. Add plenty of lead to its base so it sinks fast and is not washed under the pier by the flowing tides.

And Finally ......

DON'T TAKE RISKS !

NEVER TRY CLIMBING DOWN A PIER TO RESCUE LOST TACKLE OR LAND A FISH.