Lost Art of Pier Fishing Could Make Comeback

Anglers looking for ways to save some money and still do something that resembles fishing have few options.

They can close their eyes, watch one of the multitudes of cable TV shows, and pretend they’re sinking a bait; idle a mile away from the boat ramp and fish a familiar spot; or, worst case, tap at their household fish tank with the goal of spooking an angelfish into a castle.

Then there’s the lost art of pier fishing.

As escalating gas prices and boating restrictions pinch fishing possibilities, pier fishing could become a contemporary practice.

Manatee County anglers have access to many piers, including the Rod & Reel Pier, Anna Maria City Pier and the historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach.

The Sunshine Skyway south fishing pier still is reportedly the longest fishing pier in the world.

Many local children spent their youth on piers – live shrimp have become cousins; feet dangling off docks a baby’s high chair; a fillet station the dining room table.

And the camaraderie is well known to those circles who regularly gather at Rod & Reel Pier every seventh afternoon for plastic-cup beers, those $1.50, 12-ounce drafts of Budweiser, Bud Light and Amberbach available from 10 a.m. until about 9 p.m.

After those empty plastic cups start forming an ever-growing tower, that’s when the fish tales begin. All lies, and still, all truth in imagination.

For a sure dose of reality, anglers can find some possible monster snook and redfish action at the piers. (At least, they could before snook were wiped out by this year’s freeze.)

An angler can head to either of the island piers and fish the up-tide side of the pier with a large live bait (ladyfish, snakefish, mullet or needlefish) on a 5/0 or 6/0 hook with 200-pound test line. Add a weight to get the bait down in the tide, and set the rod in its holder.

Add another empty cup to the tower.

Then, with the rod still in the holder, take line from the first guide and make a figure 8 so there’s some slack in the line. Crank the drag tight and wait for a possible thunderous bite.

But the best chance at getting a decent pier bite is to put a small piece of shrimp on an equally small hook, and lower a 10-pound test line with a 20-pound fluorocarbon leader for possible sheepshead.

An angler also can get to an accessible piling and use a hoe to scrape barnacles off pilings, which can be used to chum sheepies.

No boat needed.

No gas required.

The lost art is making a comeback.