The Carolina Beach Fishing Pier, technically known as the "Carolina Beach Fishing Pier Northern Extension" is a fantastic destination for sightseers and anglers alike at the northern edge of Carolina Beach. Bordering miles of undeveloped beaches to the north and small clusters of vacation accommodations to the south, the pier feels deceivingly isolated, which makes it an ideal spot for a peaceful ocean sunrise, or a full, dedicated day of reeling in the saltwater species that can be found in abundance along the North Carolina coastline.
The Carolina Beach Fishing Pier is a longstanding attraction in this coastal community, and has been owned and operated by the local Phelps family for several generations. The pier extends a modest but scenic 700' feet into the Atlantic Ocean, and is a classic Carolina wooden pier with long columns of wood pilings, a wide plank walkway that dips here and there due to years of storms, and an assortment of benches allowing anglers and sightseers to sit back and relax.
The pier is actually one of the few remaining piers along the historically named "Pleasure Island," which is located just east of Wilmington, and features a small restaurant for beachfront grub with a gem of a view, a bait and tackle store, and local experts on hand to field questions and direct newcomers as to what's biting.
When the fishing is good on the pier, it's exceptional, with a wide range of salty catches reeled in from the wooden pier railings on a daily basis. Summertime catches include flounder, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, mullets, and lots of sheapshead - a smaller but exceptionally tasty fish that is especially popular in the months of June, July and August. The spring and fall months, however, are arguably the best time to cast off and stay a while, as the region attracts a wide range of larger fish, like king mackerels and North Carolina's famous red and black drum. Visitors who are curious about what's hot can always check out the pier's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Carolina-Beach-Fishing-Pier-Northern-Extension/161960357158961 or call the pier directly at 910-458-5518 for more information.
Ocean fans who may not want to necessarily spend the day fishing, but still want to check out the pier, will be impressed with the on-site game room, the small lounge with a full ABC permit, and the stunning vistas that span from the heart of Carolina Beach all the way to Freeman Park and the Carolina Beach Inlet. Especially gorgeous around dawn and dusk, sightseers will want to take along a camera and a fresh memory to capture and remember the unparalleled Pleasure Island views.
Rates to fish the pier vary, depending on the type of fishing and the length of the pier pass, and the pier is generally open year-round, and until the wee hours of the night and early morning, as the wooden structure is lighted for ambitious night fishermen. A gorgeous destination that's a must for anyone with a love of ocean views and long hours of great fishing, the Carolina Beach Fishing Pier is a local institution that has been wowing both anglers and everyday strollers alike for generations. Be sure to bring along the rods and reels, and plenty of bait and tackle, (or just pick some up at the local pier house), and pay a visit to this almost-secluded and regionally famous landmark along the Carolina Beach shoreline.
