April can't get here fast enough to suit saltwater anglers along the Atlantic coast. As spring gradually replaces winter, rising water temperatures cause anglers' spirits to do the same in anticipation of their favorite species migrating to inshore springtime haunts. Hungry and willing, these sporting nomads offer a multitude of nearshore fishing opportunities for those in position to intercept them.

In the spring, good-sized flounder are accessible to pier-anglers, as the fish feed in the shallows before moving to deeper waters later in the summer. Photo by Charlie Coates.

Veteran coastal anglers know, however, that the one fly in this otherwise fine springtime ointment is the weather, well known for its tendency to turn sour whenever fishing trips are scheduled. Cold fronts, rain and diabolical winds can team up to ruin the best-laid plans, even in protected inshore waters.

Fortunately, anglers in need have a friend in deed for such times, one that will provide a refuge from rough seas and unsteady footing right smack in the middle of some of the best springtime action. Anglers need look no farther than the nearest pier in the path of migrating fish along the oceanfront or adjoining bays, rivers and inlets.

Admittedly, there's far more practicality than glamour in fishing from a pier, but even when it's not the only game in town, pier-fishing can often be a wise choice, especially in the spring. While boaters fight angry seas in search of willing fish, pier-anglers enjoy a solid fishing platform with the built-in structure that bait and their predators are looking for.

GETTING READY
Pier-fishing can be as simple and laid back as you want to make it, but those who do a little pre-trip planning can be handsomely rewarded for their effort. Tackle selection is determined largely by matching gear with water conditions and the quarry being targeted. While anglers fishing for panfish off a pier in an inlet or bay can get by with light tackle, those targeting larger game fish along the oceanfront will need to think bigger.

Regardless of where they fish, most anglers would be well-advised to carry along at least two general-purpose outfits -- one rod and matching reel light enough for casting and retrieving lures or detecting bites of panfish, and a medium- to heavy-action combo that can handle bigger fish and rougher water. Even the lighter rig should have a rod tip that's stiff enough to handle a few ounces of sinker along with a thrashing fish. Additional rods and reels can be added to the arsenal for targeting specific species.

The standard rig for pier-fishing employs a three-way swivel with a leadered hook and a snap holding a pyramid sinker to keep bait in position on the bottom. Double-hook rigs can be used for croaker and other relatively small bottom dwellers. Some species, notably flounder, prefer a bait that moves across the bottom, requiring the use of bank or egg sinkers. To cover various conditions, an assortment of weights from 1 to 6 ounces should be carried. Hook sizes depend on the size and species of fish being targeted, but Nos. 4 to 1/0 should handle most situations.