You
have to use a lot of weight. Sinkers of 8 to 10 ounces are not uncommon,
but...you don't have to cast that far. Some of the biggest striped bass are
caught in close to the pilings. Most anglers cast out as far as they can and pass
most of the fish. The end of the pier is just off the ledge to the channel.
Cast one rod out to the drop off and drop one straight down. All baits work well
here. Cut bunker, sandworms and eels are probably what I would use. You need a
"Pier Net" or something similar. It is a long way down to the water
to lift up a big fish. You have to be prepared in case you hook that large fish.
Glenn Blank of the HRFA makes his own pier nets out of an old bicycle rim and a rope.
Loosing a big fish because you can't lift him up the pier is something I don't even want
to think about.
Try fishing the north side of the
pier out at the end by the Restaurant on an incoming tide.
Be careful slinging bait
on the north side. The north side of the pier is very close to patrons dining
at this place. I can't imagine a bunker being slung over my plate but the north side
fishing area is that close to some of the restaurant tables.
Sandworms with a sinker equal to the speed of the current, fished on the bottom
will produce plenty of excitement for you and the customers of the restaurant.
Plenty of parking is available in the shopping center. If you
are fishing, do not take the parking spaces that are on the pier. They are for
the restaurant customers.
Coves, north and south
of the pier are completely silted so there is no need to bother fishing there. At
low tide there is no water. The pier extends out far enough into the river
beyond the silt.
Keep this area clean!
Dont ruin a good thing. This is a place of business. Crabbing is popular on the
south side of the pier. Be aware of the shellfish advisories.
See you on the Pier!
Chas
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