Spending the Thanksgiving weekend at Jennettes pier in Nags Head is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to catch your very first saltwater fish.  While the pier is closed on holidays, it is open both Friday through Sunday. And the advantage is your daily pass covers your fishing license while fishing on the pier.

First time anglers do not need heavy, expensive surf gear to catch late fall favorites like puppy drum, sea mullet, speckled trout, and puffers. A simple 7-to-8-foot medium spinning rod paired with a medium 2500 size reel spooled with 15-to-20-pound line will handle everything you will catch from the pier. Throw in a pair of needle-nose pliers, a small paring knife and a small hand rag and use a 5-gallon plastic bucket to carry everything.

If you do not own a rod, you can easily rent a ready-to-fish combo at the pier house counter.

You then want to tie on a pre-made double-drop bottom rig with size 2 or size 4 circle hooks, and clip a 2-to-3-ounce pyramid sinker to hold the bottom. Although you are set if it comes with the rental.

Make sure you pick up some fresh or frozen shrimp or bloodworm type Fishbites at the pier tackle counter too, and cut your shrimp into thumbnail-sized pieces just big enough to cover the hook point.

To find your spot, walk about halfway out onto the pier deck, just past the breaking waves. And instead of casting far out, you want to just drop your baited rig straight down beside the pilings. This is where you will find most fish.

When you are ready to fish, open your bail, let your line and sinker fall out until the sinker hits the sandy bottom, close the bail, and turn the handle twice until the line feels snug between your rod tip and the water.

When you feel a sharp tap-tap on your line, lift the rod tip smoothly upward rather than yanking hard. Circle hooks do the work for you as the fish swims away self hooked.

If you don’t get a bite within several minutes, move either further out or flip to the other side. Pier staff will be glad to help point you where the fish are biting that day. Or another option, just watch the other anglers.

You may be lucky to hook up with a big drum, small shark or a cownose ray. There is always someone who can help de-hook them and release them safely. Most anglers monitor each other’s activities, so it won’t be long before you have help.

Don’t forget to dress in layers and a windproof outer jacket. There is nothing worse than planning your day on the pier, only to discover you weren’t dressed for the conditions. Remember, It’s best to fish during the warmest midday hours for the best action.

So to have an enjoyable day, call ahead, prepare for conditions, pick the right time and listen to the pier staff. Their goal is to help you catch fish. Know the bag & creel limits. Release all unwanted fish carefully.

With simple tackle, a little patience, and these straightforward steps, you have everything you need to turn a great holiday afternoon on Jennette’s Pier into a memorable catch.

Until next time – Tightlines – Capt Tony