Area piers popular pick for vacation

Editors note: This is a weekly series geared for readers who find themselves staying close to home this summer. Each week, The Daily News will focus on an area of interest, within about an hour of Jacksonville, perfect for a stay at home vacation. Visit jdnews.com for more ideas.

As part of their summer holiday plans, more families are packing up their poles and heading to the few remaining ocean piers around the area.

The Guignard family from Four Oaks said they enjoy spending the day fishing at Jolly Roger Pier in Topsail Beach.

"It's something we all do and have fun doing," said Donovan Guignard, the father of two boys and two girls. "It's good relaxing fun - I don't have to run around a lot, and the kids still have quick access to other activities from here, like going down on the beach and swimming for a while. It's cheap, the time goes by quickly, and you're out in the sun and fresh air and enjoying the whole day with the family."

Cassidy Guignard, 14, also enjoys the time the family spends on the pier.

"It's not as stressful as other activities, and it's so spacious out here - and not nearly as overcrowded as it is at other places," Cassidy said.

For Kim Guignard it is a little bit about reliving her childhood, and giving her kids childhood memories to treasure.

"I came to all the piers that used to be on the island -like Barnacle Bill's - with my family when I was growing up," she said. "I have so many good memories of the fun we had, so we bring the kids because we want to pass these great memories on to them."

Jolly Roger Owner Rob Orr said the pier is a place to bring the family even if everyone isn't into fishing.

"Parking is free and you can literally park the car, walk a couple of blocks and find many things to do," Orr said. "So, those family members that don't want to fish, can go to the beach from here, or walk to town and shop and enjoy the different things Topsail Beach offers. We're convenient to everything, and they don't have to burn extra gas to get there. We also have affordable food and an eating area to get out of the sun, and serve breakfast and sandwiches."

Burns Smith from Hampstead said one of his favorite things to do with his grandson, Jaycob, 9, is to bring him to Surf City Pier for the day.

"Nobody loves fishing like he does, so we come to the pier and fish often," Smith said. "I can spend $20 for gas and a pass and still have money for a sandwich. It's just enjoyable, and what could be better than being out here in the salt air and just sitting, even without fishing. We always say we're fishing and not catching, because nine times out of 10, you don't catch anything."

Today, however, Smith's options are more limited.

"I remember the Sound Pier, and all the piers up and down the island - I used to fish all those piers," Smith said.

Jaycob says, in addition to fishing, he enjoys the view from the pier.

"I've seen lots of porpoises, and huge schools of mullet swim by - it's fun watching the surfers," Jaycob said. "It's just fun being out here."

Surf City Pier Manager Vinita Gass said the great thing about fishing on the piers is that the individual anglers don't need to have a fishing license.

"Now folks have to buy a saltwater license to fish on the beach and in the ocean - that costs $15 - but we all have a blanket license, so they are covered when they fish on the pier, and don't need a license," Gass said.

Surf City Pier prohibits alcohol.

"We strive to make this a family oriented pier, no alcohol is allowed on the premises," Gass said.

Carla Shuman and her extended family were about to enter the world of pier fishing for the first time. She said they were all excited about fishing off of Seaview Fishing Pier in North Topsail Beach.

"The families, 12 members in all, get together once a year and come to the beach, and now that the kids are learning to fish, we have decided it would be a great thing to come to the pier and give it a try," Shuman said. "We all throw in money, and this is something affordable we can all do together - and those that don't fish can still enjoy taking a walk out there with us just to watch."

Contact Topsail area reporter Suzanne Ulbrich at sulbrich@freedomenc.com or 910-219-8466. Visit www.jdnews.com to comment on this report.