THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 24, 1996 TAG: 9609240435
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LEE TOLLIVER, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 200 lines
A huge sea gull, fat from plenty, landed silently on the railing of the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier.
After scanning its fishy surroundings, it let out an ear-piercing squawk, as if to announce that it wanted to make dessert of the bait fermenting in the sun.
No problem. It wasn't doing the angler much good.
With effortless grace, the bird dove toward the water some 20 feet below and snatched up the tossed piece of squid before other scavengers around knew what was going on.
Such a laissez faire attitude is part of the appeal of life on fishing piers.
The soft sounds of the waves gently lapping at the pier's pilings, providing a worry-free, no-sense-of-urgency feeling. Just peace and quiet.
And, quite often, some pretty darned good fishing.
Now is the time for some of the best action local piers have to offer, as several species make their way out of the Chesapeake Bay to head south.
But even when the catching isn't so good, the fishing is fine.
Just ask anybody. Portsmouth's Billy Outten will tell you. The 52-year-old has been hitting the area's fishing piers since he was 10.
There is something about the peacefulness and the camaraderie with other piersters he appreciates.
``The people are usually so nice out here,'' he said. ``The crabbing and fishing can be pretty good, too.
``It's just a good place to spend quality time.''
Outten often spends such time with his daughter Samantha, 19, of Norfolk. Like her father, she's been hitting the piers since she was a youngster.
While spending time with dad is the biggest reason for her visits, like many anglers she has several reasons for going to the piers.
``I live in the city and it's noisy and smelly,'' she said. ``It's so quiet out here. I don't get much of that at home. Sometimes we're out here all day and others just a few hours.''
Some pier fishermen are considerably more serious about their craft.
You'll see them with their wheelbarrows and hand trucks, elaborately rigged with umbrellas, coolers, half a dozen fishing rods, $50 worth of bait.
New faces beware: Some of these anglers see certain locations on piers as their turf, having staked their claim by fishing there every day for the last century.
And it's not the best idea to get in their way, these fishermen with kites or big balloons designed to take their baits farther out to sea.
These folks mean business. Just watch for a while and you'll see. While a couple of them are trying to catch something, the others are standing around with a cup of coffee or an afternoon cocktail, telling some of the best fishing stories you'll ever hear.
No, it's best to stay clear and set up shop elsewhere on the pier. There's usually plenty of room.
On this particular day at Lynnhaven, the catching was slow and the pier unusually devoid of anglers.
So the Outtens stowed the fishing tackle and turned to crabbing - lowering their pyramid and bucket traps, baited with frozen fish they had caught on another day, into the waters below.
Evidently, the crabs weren't that hungry either. After an hour, the two had only seven.
``Maybe it'll pick up in a little while,'' Samantha Outten said. ``We usually do pretty good here.''
Her dad added crabbing to his pier repertoire several years ago, as much for financial reasons as anything else. The tasty crustaceans can be rather expensive.
``I love crabs,'' Billy Outten said. ``But they want $50 (a bushel) nowadays. It's almost like making money when I catch my own.''
Crabs and ultimate solitude.
Navy man Bill Buckson, 36, had what some consider the best spot on the pier, the very end, all to himself - a rarity.
No other anglers elbow-to-elbow, pestering him and tangling his lines, no sea gulls hovering, trying to steal his bait. But, unfortunately, no fish to bother him, either.
He didn't seem to care. The occasional small spot or croaker were enough to keep him happy.
And there was that peace and quiet.
And for the South Carolina native, the economy of pier fishing was another important factor. Most piers charge only about $5 for a full day of angling.
``It costs so much to fish around here any other way,'' Buckson said. ``Boats are expensive, and renting one is, too. And you can't get to the fish as good sometimes from the shore.
``And, hey, what's the worst thing that could happen to you out here? I lose a piece of bait. I'll just get some more if I have to.''
And that couldn't be easier. At most piers, you don't have to bring a thing if you don't want to. Most have snack bars and some have full-blown restaurants. Most have rod-and-reel rentals and sell all kinds of bait and tackle, as well.
Just show up and fish. That's what a lot of people do.
``And we have all walks of life coming here,'' said Lynnhaven Fishing Pier general manager Bobbie Duff. ``We have locals and tourists, construction workers and businessmen.
``Most of them just come to relax, and if they catch fish, fine.''
It's not uncommon to see entire families setting up shop on one of the area's piers. It's entertaining and highly affordable.
``A family can go to a pier for an entire day on less than it costs to take them to a movie,'' Duff said. ``And how long does a movie last?''
Speaking of family, the Duff clan has run the Lynnhaven Pier for 40 years. The facility was built in 1956 and renovated in '79. The entire family has, at one time or another, worked on the pier.
Bobbie Duff has been the general manager for the last two years.
``But I worked here all my life,'' she said. ``That's about the only way to make it work. Most piers are the same way.''
No matter what the reasoning, pier fishing is many things to many people - a cheap way to get out with Mother Nature, a productive way to catch fish, a good way to meet people with similar interests.
And a great lunch counter for sea gulls. MEMO: [See related story on places to pier fish on page C5 for this
date.] ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
The Virginian-Pilot
James Jenkins of Chesapeake brings bait, tackle the comforts of home
to his favorite fishing hole. Lynnhaven Pier in Virginia Beach,
which he visits several times a month.
D. KEVIN ELLIOTT
The Virginian-Pilot
The lights on the Lynnhaven Fishing Pier are a convenience in more
ways than one. Not only do they make it possible to bait a hook at
night, but they also help attract fish.
GRAPHIC
[Appeared on page C5]
PIER PRIMER
So you've decided to hit the closest fishing pier and try to get in
a little angling action.
Now what do you do?
Just go to the pier. Most have rod-and-reel rentals, as well as bait
for sale. Or you can take your own gear if you have it.
And some pier fishermen take enough equipment and food to stock and
feed the masses.
Whatever the case, there you are, dangling your cut bait in the
water.
What's going to bite?
For the most part, pier fishermen catch a variety of small,
bottom-dwelling fish - spot, mullet, croaker, trout and even
flounder. Others prefer to go after crabs.
But there can be bigger fish to fry - especially on the Outer Banks
of North Carolina. There, pier fishermen often catch cobia, skate
and king mackerel. Small sharks can be caught, and even a pair of
baby sailfish were landed on an Outer Banks fishing pier several
weeks ago. Not the big kind caught while trolling behind a
million-dollar yacht, but sailfish just the same.
And late fall and winter on the Outer Banks bring a tremendous
opportunity to catch striped bass as they migrate south. It's also a
good time for speckled trout.
Most anglers, however, simply are happy to catch whatever is biting.
And right now, that means mostly spot, croaker and, sometimes,
flounder.
So how do you go about catching these fish?
The folks at the bait and tackle shop will be more than helpful.
They want you to catch fish so you'll enjoy yourself and come back
again.
If you don't want to go that route, any simple bottom rig with a
pair of hooks will do. The rods you rent from the pier will already
be rigged and ready to go.
Put a piece of cut bloodworm on one hook and a piece of cut squid on
the other. After a few bites, switch both to the same bait to
increase your catch. Then, when you get a bite on one, set the hook,
but lower the bait for a second and chances are you'll pull up two
fish at once.
When should you go?
Any time you can go fishing is a good time to go. As far as the time
when your chances are best, that would be at night. The lights on
the piers - and many have floodlights pointed at the water - attract
insects, which attract bait fish, which attract . . . well, you
know, the next one on the food chain.
And no matter when or where you go, remember the most important
thing: Relax and have a good time.
- Lee Tolliver by CNB