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