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Which side of the pier???

1.3K views 7 replies 7 participants last post by  1mocast  
#1 ·
This is in re: RPOV's Lynnhaven report.

I've fished Lynnhaven Pier for 40 years and never had a "favorite side". I was taught to fish the down tide side where the water is going away from you. Over the years I have fished the up-tide side, many times, and didn't have any luck at all. I'm curious if I'm missing something?:(
 
#3 ·
Hey, that is what I all ways did when GV pier was still here- but I was strictly fishing for flounder, most of the time they'll lay againts- so thats how i fish, Do what ever it takes to catch the fish that is what i all ways say.:D
 
#4 ·
Many "schooling" panfish, will not swim under a pier, as they migrate along the beach.

So, in the Spring, when the schools are moving North, the South side will get all the action.

And of course, in the Fall, the reverse is true.

This is particularly noticable with schools of Spot.

The school will move along the beach until it encounters the pier, at which time they will stop dead.

Every rod on one side will be bent, while the other side never gets a nibble.
 
#5 ·
I guess everyone has their favorite method or idea. I've been told that fish face the current. I have observed that schooling fish will come to a pier or some other object and will swim toward deep water to get around it. I recon whatever theory suits each of us best is the one we should use. I believe in staying flexable. I fish wherever they're biting. THAT usually works best!:D :D :D
 
#6 ·
Follow the Migration

I agree with Smoothbore54

I fished Piers from NY to Fla and points west and following the migration seems to work best.
Justt like the tides there are always exceptions but the idea from Smoothbore54 seems to work best for me.
 
#7 ·
What Smoothbore speaks follows true on the Ocean piers (Lynnhaven is a bay pier so the rule is diluted a little but it should hold true in most cases). At the very least the fish slow up when reaching the pier and may feed under pier so they are running fast when they leave the other side.