North Pier Today

Was planning to fish the Imperial again today till i got a call from a pal of mine asking if i fancied the Pier, never fished the pier and with me being new to this sea fishing malarky i thought it was well worth a bash.
I was pleasantly suprised 7 good sized whiting 4 decent Dabs and a good few doggies. Took a few Doggies home to give them a try and learned a really quick way to fillet and skin them (had "Rock Salmon" a few yrs back and liked it) the skinning thing has always put me off keeping them so now i know an easy way i may well take the odd 1 or 2 every now n then.
Some really nice old fellas on there and had a good craic, all in all it was a nice day out
Look forward to Fishing the Mersey in a week or so when Tims back and hoefully get a Cod or 2 fingers crossed

Hi Jim good report on North pier, just thought i better let you know (and all other members) North pier is private fishing club I know cause i.ve just cancelled my registration after 7 years. Some of those boys are really kean to catch none members on the pier and won,t hesitate to turf you off I cancelled this year as the wall fished as well as the pier last year and it cost about £90 for the year. If anybody wants to ask any questions re the pier i,ll be glad to respond. Mike

Cheers Mikey will bear that in mind

i would love to fish off a pier as i have done it always boat or shore

Brought back memories there redjim ..... as a kid I spent many many happy hours on North Pier, the jetty actually! ( AND YES, THEY HAD STOPPED RUNNING PADDLE STEAMERS FROM IT!)

Let's hope you can get onto it more often and let us know what we're all missing
Steve

Hi if any of you wish to join North pier fishing club you can ring Jack lomas on 01253 762781, might be a bit of a waiting list. Mike

Cheers Mikey made a note of name and number

Regards
Clive

Hello Clive. I have just got into sea fishing after pike and fly fishing for some years. I wanted to fish of the North Pier as my mobility is a bit rubbish but was told that membership to Springfields Sea Anglers had a 2 year waiting list. I was then told that if I called Jack Lomas ASAP I would be in with a very good chance of membership. I called him and have now got membership, but the free spaces are going VERY fast. I have been told that fishing off the pier is one of the best places to catch in Blackpool so I am very please to get membership. I am off for my first session this Tuesday. Fingers crossed.....

Any tips for a beginner would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

to the site Chris
i have never fish from a pier but if i was too i would be taking my boat gear.
i would go with what you have and am sure the guys on there will help you out.
regards chris

Big welcome to the site Chris

I used to fish the North Pier as a kid and have always wanted to get back on, so I'm going to give Jack Lomas a call as well.
Whilst I used to use a 6ft. boat rod, simple multiplier (Penn Sea Boy) and 3 hook paternosters fished fairly close in, I think today I'd go for a longer rod (maybe a 10 ft. up-tider or pier rod) to keep the rig further away from the stanchions as I reel in.
My suggestion would be to use a mid sized multiplier rather than a fixed spool as cranking decent fish up the pier can put a heck of a strain on the reel. For the same reason you need to use a heavier line, maybe 50lb, and stronger stainless steel hooks in preference to the fine wire Aberdeens we use on the beach.
Paternosters are essential for spreading multiple baits from the main line, and hook snoods are usually looped on for easy changing. I'd tie up several snoods from size 2s to 2/0s.
Many good sized fish are lost between the water and the deck so depending on where you're fishing, a drop net might be a good investment.

Nodding rods and tight lines Chris!...... and keep us posted

Best
Steve

Chris, I have fished the pier for many years and hope to join springfield angling club again in the future. Most anglers use standard beach gear i'd use 30lb line straight through as casting distance is not a necessity obviously change tackle as to seasons, a stiffer tipped rod in winter etc. there are drop nets provided by the club so no need to buy one. Can get busy and room is pretty limited so get on early or pick unsociable hours! Hope this helps. Mike

Thanks for you advice. I will take it all on board. What bait would you recomend for this time of year

lug and macky

going with Chris on this with bait, black lug and macky are fetching them in on this coast this winter so far

Just been sea fishing for the first time, and thanks to your help I have had 8 Whiting & 9 flat fish. No keepers but never the less, FISH. I used lug and mackerel. I met three chaps on the end of the pier who told me the best place to fish and what rigs to use so thanks to them.

Looking forward to my next session.

Well done on your first trip Chris, I agree with what others have told you about bait you can also try tipping your lug with squid I have had some decent codling on lug tipped with a nice squid head Don't be frightened of using a bigger hook 3/0 to 6/0 with big baits especially at this time of year as you never know what might hit you I have had some big smoothound and seen conger eel caught off the pier. Mike

Can you mix and mach hook sizes on say a two or three hook rig?

Yes no problem if fishing two hook rig put larger hook at top and smaller hook on bottom for flatties, have often pulled in a double (codling or whiting on top hook and flattie on bottom hook) although you can still catch something decent on bottom hook, as I said you never know what might take your bait

What does the hook size mean. U have seen size 3 and size 3.0

have a look at this chris
http://www.uk-sea-fishing.org/how-to-s-f41/hook-sizes-t679.htm

and well done on your 1st trip wish i was there to see your face

Good on ya on the trip to the Pier!
I hear some decent size codling were being caught off there today?
All the best pal and look forward to fishing with you soon

Thanks for this hook size picture, now it all makes sense.

Redjim. Thanks, I had a great time. Perfect for someone who cant get around to well. No stopping me now mate.

A chap on the pier today had a nice Cod around 3.5Lbs plus three whiting which were keepers. Cant wait to catch a keeper sized fish and see what it tastes like.

No worries mate, that's what we are here for, glad you had a good session on the pier hope to hear more good posts from you in the future

trust me chris the first fish you keep and cook you will never forget it