- 1). Find a pier known for the quality of its fishing. The Virginia Beach pier, for example, sits on the boardwalk of Virginia Beach and is a popular fishing spot for saltwater fish, including croakers, perch, bluefish and flounder.
- 2). Decide where on the pier you want to fish; this will make a big difference in the tactics you'll use. For example, if you fish close to shore, use lighter tackle because smaller fish tend to gather there. If you fish on the middle or far end of the pier, heavier tackle will be needed because the current is much stronger the farther out you move. When casting, look for areas where fast water meets stagnant water.
- 3). Select the proper tackle. A quality fishing rod and reel is critical when fishing from a pier. Use a spinner-casting rod that's more than 10 feet long, and is flexible and strong.
- 4). Configure a two-hook bait rig. A bait rig uses one or several hooks, in conjunction with a heavy weight, to catch fish. This style of rig is popular for pier-fishing, especially when bloodworms are used as bait. The rig sinks to the bottom with the bait, which tosses and turns with the tide. When a fish swims along and sees the bait moving with the current, it'll strike. What makes this rig popular is it allows anglers to use different types of bait at once because of the multiple hooks.
- 5). Cast into areas where the tide is strong and allow your rig to sink to the bottom. Leave the line sitting for as long as 15 minutes before reeling it in. After reeling it in, check to see if the bait is still on the hook. If it is, remove it from the hook and add fresh bait; then recast the line.
- 6). Watch the line. Once you receive a solid strike, your fishing rod will begin to bob up-and-down. Grab hold of the fishing rod, lift it upward and pull back hard as you reel in the line. This will wedge the hook in the fish's mouth.
- 7). Fight with a large fish; with a small fish, reel it in quickly and hoist it out of the water. With a large fish, try to tire it out. Use the drag on your reel before attempting to pull the large fish out of the water. A tired fish is less likely to struggle when you try to land it.
- 8). Move the caught fish several feet away from the edge of the pier. Place a towel over its body, which will allow you to get a firm hold as you remove the hook.
- 9). Decide if you want to keep the fish or throw it back. If you choose to throw it back, place the fish in a bucket. Underneath the pier, gently place the fish into the water while holding it in your hands. Let the fish catch its breath before letting it go.
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