Outer Banks Fishing Piers

Since before recorded history, Indians traveled from their inland towns with their families to their summer fishing grounds on the mainland and barrier islands of northern North Carolina. Things haven’t changed much. People still travel to the Outer Banks and it is still known as a summer destination and a year round family fishing ground.

Now, when you think about family fishing on the Outer Banks, you automatically think ocean about fishing piers. Jennette’s Pier was the first ocean pier in the Outer Banks, built in 1939, and created a new, easy and affordable way to fish. There are three wooden piers in operation now and one modern cement pier in the northern Outer Banks. Water depths at each pier ranges from 10ft to 25ft (depending on tide and weather conditions) and offers access to this large variety of fish that travel the Gulf Stream past the Outer Banks:

• Atlantic Croaker
• Atlantic spadefish
• Bluefish
• Blacktip Shark
• Cobia
• Crevalle Jack
• Florida Pompano
• Gray Triggerfish
• Gray Trout (weakfish)
• Northern Puffer
• Red Drum
• Black Drum
• Sea Mullet (kingfish or whiting)
• Sheepshead
• Smooth Dogfish
• Spanish Mackrel
• Speckled Trout
• Spot
• Summer Flounder
• Tarpon
• Atlantic Stingray
• Clearnose Skate

All pier owners here agree that each pier community is made up of people in the neighborhoods near each of their piers. This holds true to locals and visitors alike with the exceptions to the rule being fishermen who come down for the day. One pier owner tells about the 96-year-old preacher who has come from Camden, NC to fish the same pier several times a week since the 70’s. And then there is the family from Virginia who are 30 year, loyal customers at one pier. Now, their daughter now plans to be married on that nostalgic, wooden pier. But the best story fish story ever is about the one about the man who bought one of these piers just to guarantee he would always have his favorite soda in stock when he fished there!

You do not need a fishing license on the ocean piers and all welcome those who just want to take a stroll on the pier. Each pier In the Outer Banks is unique and they all are a definitive part of the Outer Banks lifestyle! Visit all the piers and remember that the fish aren’t picky and it is all the same big ocean! Following are brief descriptions of our piers and here are a few rules, regulations and suggestions for fishing or sightseeing on the Outer Banks Piers:

• No pets allowed
• No crabbing
• No shark baiting
• No jumping from the pier
• Recycle your fishing line, paper goods and cans
• Watch carefully for those who are casting!

Visit all of the Outer Banks Fishing Piers!

• Outer Banks Fishing Piers
• Avalon Fishing Pier
• Garry Oliver's Outer Banks Fishing Pier
• Nags Head Fishing Pier
• Jennette's Pier
• Kitty Hawk Pier