Among all the many activities that people enjoy around Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, fishing is definitely high on the list. Johnnie Mercer's Pier, located at 23 E. Salisbury St., is the main fishing pier in this beach town near the city of Wilmington. Originally built in the 1930s, the pier was destroyed by Hurricane Fran in 1996, then rebuilt and reopened in the early 2000s. There are smaller piers in the nearby coastal towns of Kure Beach and Carolina Beach.
Johnnie Mercer's Pier
Before being destroyed by Hurricane Fran, Johnnie Mercer's Pier was made of wood. Its replacement is concrete, making it the first concrete pier in North Carolina. Concrete construction is intended to be more resilient in the face of storms --- this pier was designed to stand against wind as strong as 200 mph. The pier stretches to a length of 945 feet and is 25 feet high. The land end of the pier has a restaurant and arcade with indoor and outdoor seating.
Smaller Piers
A couple of the hotels and resorts in Wrightsville Beach have piers where people can fish, but these are much smaller than Johnnie Mercer's Pier.
Carolina Beach
If you travel about 15 minutes south of Wrightsville Beach, you will discover the Carolina Beach Pier at 1810 Canal Drive in the town of Carolina Beach. It is 700 feet long and features a cleaning station equipped with a sink. There is also a tackle shop that provides bait and rentals.The pier has a snack bar, grill, lounge and game room.
Kure Beach
About 20 miles south of Wrightsville Beach, on Avenue K in the town of Kure Beach, stands the Kure Beach Pier. As one of the oldest piers along the North Carolina coast, it stretches 712 feet. It was rebuilt in 1997 after falling victim to 1996 hurricanes, The fishing pier is open 24 hours a day from April 1 to Nov.30. The pier offers a grill, shop, game area and pool tables. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on the pier.
Fish
Blue mackerel, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, flounder, grouper, snapper, bass, crab, pompano, spadefish and dogfish are likely catches from the area's piers. Types and availability of fish vary based on weather and the seasons.
Cost
Neither fishing nor walking Johnnie Mercer's pier is free. As of October 2010, the fee to fish is $8 per rod if you have your own equipment. Pedestrians are charged $1; children 12 and under are $0.50 and babies -- even in strollers -- are free. At Kure Beach Pier, costs per person, per day range from $5 to $12, although pedestrians can travel the pier for free. Check with the Carolina Beach Pier or the other piers that you plan to visit to get information on current fees.
Regulations
Inquire with the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and follow any guidelines and rules regarding fishing.
References
- Wrightsville Beach Chamber of Commerce: Johnny Mercer's Pier Opens
- NC Beaches: Wrightsville Beach, NC
- Fishing-NC: All Coastal NC Fishing Piers
- North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources: 2010 NC Recreational Coastal Waters Guide for Sports Fishermen
- North Carolina Travels: Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
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