Virginia Fishing Piers

Anglers considering a trip to a Virginia fishing pier need only a few essentials for basic fishing. A call to a local pier is often a good idea in order to learn about regulations, pier admission fees and which services are available.

For catching most smaller fish, anglers can use a medium spinning or baitcasting outfit, top and bottom rigs and cut bait. Baits can vary depending on location, species targeted and season.

The most popular baits for fishing on Virginia piers include squid, bloodworms, peeler crabs, soft crabs, fiddler crabs, mole crabs, surf clams, silversides, live minnows and other baits.

A wide range of species are caught on Virginia fishing piers, but in most areas, croaker, spot, flounder, sea trout, bluefish and striped bass are the commonly caught saltwater fish.

Other useful gear includes a bucket to store equipment in, a bait knife and small cutting board, pliers, rags, sunblock, sunglasses, camera, small cooler, ice, drinks and snacks.

Spot and croaker are among the most sought after fish on Virginia piers. As summer heats up, spot and croaker school up and are caught in ever increasing numbers on most of Virginia's piers.

This fishing is easy and new comers will find spot and croaker to be rewarding fish to go after. Anglers need only a sensitive rod and reel in good condition, bottom rigs and baits such as bloodworms, squid strips, pieces of shrimp, cut peeler crab or any of the bait products such as fish bites.

By late July and early August, piers such as the Virginia Beach pier and the Seagull pier sometimes experience unbelievable catches of both species. As the season goes on, a larger class of spot arrive, known for their bronze or yellow coloring. Mixed in with the spot-croaker runs are Spanish mackeral, bluefish, pompano, pigfish and other species.

Spot and croaker fishing often gets better and better thru September. Many anglers prefer the fall as the summer crowds have left and the temperatures are cooler. During the fall runs, spot and croaker are joined by bluefish, sea trout, rockfish and others.

15th Street & Oceanfront
Virginia Beach Virginia
(757) 428-2333

The Virginia Beach fishing pier is a very popular and productive fishing spot. Anglers of all ages, sexes and skill levels congregate to enjoy a fun day on the pier. The pier is located on the boardwalk in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

This pier is famous for its summer and fall runs of spot, croaker, pompano, bluefish, flounder, kingfish and other species.






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Sea Gull Fishing Pier
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, Virginia

This is a good local pier to fish from. It lies on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel and extends into the bay. Trout, croakers, spot, bluefish, tautog, striped bass, spanish mackerel, cobia, small sharks and even black drum are sometimes caught here. Daytime fishing can be productive and at night, bait congregates under the lights, attracting predators.

Check with local tackle shops or VMRC for fishing regulations.

Ocean View Fishing Pier
400 W. Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 25303
757-583-6000
www.oceanviewfishingpier.com

The new Ocean View Fishing Pier offers anglers excellent fishing opportunities. The 1690' long by 16' wide pier was constructed after Hurricane Isabel destroyed the original Harrison's Fishing Pier. The structure features a 48' wide T section at it's end and extends into the Chesapeake Bay between the Chesapeake Bay bridge Tunnel and the Hampton Roads Tunnel. The pier is located at 400 W. Ocean View Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 25303. For more information, call 757-583-6000 or visit www.oceanviewfishingpier.com

The popular Buckroe Beach fishing pier was destroyed during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. The pier was rebuilt by the city of Hampton and re-opened in 2009. The pier is renowned for its excellent fishing for cobia, croakers, spot and other fish.

The 706-foot pier is located at 330 S. Resort Boulevard, near Point Comfort Road.

The new pier, supported by concrete pilings with wooden decks and railings, is 16 feet wide and is equipped with rest rooms, a snack bar and bait shop.

The "T" section at the end of the pier is 70 feet wide and 26 feet long. The pier has lights that face into the water, to attract fish. It has been designed for handicapped accessibility. The structure features, parking, two fish-cleaning stations and shelters in case of severe weather.

At certain times the pier is open 24/7 during the fishing season (April through October). All required licensing for the general public to fish off the pier has been purchased. Individual fishing licenses are not required.

The Sandbridge Pier, also known as the Little Island Fishing Pier is a popular Virginia fishing pier. The structure is located approximately 15 miles from the Virginia Beach Oceanfront/Resort Area.

Species that are commonly caught from the pier include Spot, Croaker, Red and Black Drum, Cobia, Spanish and King Mackerel, Pompano, Flounder, Whiting, Bluefish, Speckled and Grey Trout, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Skate and Stingrays.

For more information, visit http://www.sandbridgepier.com/

On November 13th, 2009, the pier was threatened by the 572-foot barge LaPrincesa which broke free from a tug offshore at approximately midnight Thursday on its way from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to New Jersey.

The barge ran aground against the beach off Little Island Park in Sandbridge, Va., and for several days, crews were unable to recover the barge due to continued severe weather.

During the storm, the Hampton Roads area experienced severe weather from the remnants of a hurricane in the gulf including 70 m.p.h. wind gusts, high tides and flooding.

Titan Salvage crews successfully pulled the barge La Princesa off Sandbridge beach on the morning of Wednesday, November 18, 2009.

James River Bridge Fishing Pier
6701 River Road
Newport News, VA 23602
757-247-0364

This pier is open from April through November. Fishing for croaker and spot are available throughout the season. In addition, striped bass, flounder, gray trout, and red drum also visit the pier. A bait shop is on site.

Monitor-Merrimac Overlook Park, a one-acre tract, provides a public fishing pier and several benches. The pier overlooks the scene of the famous March 9, 1862 Battle of the Ironclads between the C.S.S. Virginia and the U.S.S. Monitor. The facility is a popular local pier for fishing and crabbing.

Lynnhaven Fishing Pier
2350 Starfish Rd
Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1299
(757) 481-7071

The Lynnhaven Fishing Pier extends roughly 1500 feet into the Chesapeake Bay, offering fishing for spot, croaker, bluefish, striped bass, flounder, cobia, drum and other species.

Note: In November of 2009 a powerful Noreaster storm hit Hampton Roads Virginia, damaging several hundred feet of the Lynnhaven Pier. The pier has been rebuilt and fishing continues on the structure.

Croakers with Herb Mayonnaise

1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon chopped lemon zest
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
dash of Tabasco sauce
1 -1 1/5 pounds Virginia croaker fillets

Directions
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, chives, parsley, lemon juice, zest, salt and Tabasco sauce. Transfer half of the mixture into a separate bowl, cover, refrigerate and set aside.

Heat a large nonstick pan or griddle over medium-high heat. Brush croaker fillets with remaining herb mayonnaise. Place each piece (coated side down) into the preheated pan, and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden. Turn and brown on remaining side for another 1-2 minutes.

Transfer cooked fillets onto serving plate and top each portion with approximately 1 1/2 tablespoons of reserved herb mayonnaise. Serves 4.

Broiled Bluefish Parmesan

2 pounds bluefish fillets
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, room temperature
3 green onions, chopped
thinly sliced lemon and parsley for garnish, optional

Place fillets in a single layer on a greased baking dish or broiler
pan; brush with lemon juice.

Combine Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, salt, butter, and green onions in
a small bowl; set aside.

Broil flounder fillets 4 to 6 minutes, or until fish flakes easily
with a fork. Remove from oven; spread with cheese
mixture.

Broil about 30 seconds longer, or until cheese is lightly browned and bubbly.

Garnish with sliced lemon and parsley if desired.

Serves 6 to 8.

Basic Oven Baked Pompano

pompano fillets, about 1/2 pound each
1 tbsp butter or olive oil
lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 F. Rub the fish with oil and season with salt and pepper.

Bake in a shallow pan 25 minutes or until flakey.

Squeeze lemon over fillets.

This is an excellent local pier to fish from. It lies on the eastern shore of Virginia a few miles off the highway. Finding Saxis Island is a bit of an adventure if you are not familiar with the area but a good map should get you there. Good bait is available locally....... peeler crab or soft crab bait is essential. Check with local tackle shops or VMRC for fishing regulations.

The VMRC website describes this pier as

"The pier extends 200 feet into Saxis Harbor and terminates with a 100-foot t-head. The pier is handicapped accessible and ADA compliant. The pier is lit and is open 24 hours a day. There is no fee to use the pier, However a valid saltwater fishing license is required. Fish such as gray trout, croaker, spot , whiting, red drum, and striped bass can be caught at this site."

Check with local tackle shops or VMRC for fishing regulations.

This pier lies on the lower eastern shore of Virginia on Occohannock Creek. The Morley's wharf Fishing pier was completed in 1999. The pier extends 150-feet into Occohannock Creek and has a 50-foot l-head. The facility is totally handicapped accessible and meets current ADA standards. There is also a Boat Ramp at this facility. There is no fee to use the pier. The pier is open 24 hours and is covered by a blanket saltwater license.

The structure provides fishing opportunities for spot, croaker, red drum, spotted trout, gray trout, flounder, black drum, cobia, striped bass, tautog and other Chesapeake Bay fish. The Morley's Wharf Facility is Located on Occohannock Creek. From US 13 in Exmore take Rt. 183 (Occohannock Neck Road) towards Franktown. In Wardtown turn right on Rt. 606 (Morley's Wharf Road). Ramp is located at the end of Morley's Wharf Road.

This family oriented park has a fishing pier that overlooks Hampton Roads.

Several area fishing clubs and other organizations sponsor special events such as kids days on Virginia fishing piers. In some cases participants are given t-shirts, hats, rod/reel, tackle, lunch and instruction by experienced anglers. Financial sponsors for these events include the VMRC Saltwater Recreational License Fund, Virginia fishing clubs, tackle shops and corporate donors.