The ocean piers on Topsail Island are more than fishing spots. They are gathering places where visitors and locals line up along the rail at dawn, where kids catch their first fish, and where the view of the Atlantic stretches from horizon to horizon. Whether you are dropping a line or just walking out for the sunset, the piers are essential to the Topsail experience.
Surf City Ocean Pier
Surf City Ocean Pier - 4.7 stars
Surf City Ocean Pier is the centerpiece of the island. Stretching over 900 feet into the Atlantic from the heart of downtown Surf City, it has been a landmark since 1939 when it was originally built as an observation tower during World War II. Today it is the most popular fishing pier on Topsail Island and the place where locals go to check on what is running.
The pier is open seasonally, typically from April through November, with hours adjusted for the fishing schedule. King mackerel start hitting in late May and run through September, drawing serious pier anglers who stake out spots before sunrise. The fall spot run in October fills the pier rail with families and first-timers pulling in buckets of fish. In between, expect flounder, bluefish, Spanish mackerel, whiting, and the occasional cobia cruising past the pilings.
Pier Restaurant
The pier house grill serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the kind of view you cannot get anywhere else on the island. Grab a burger or a plate of fried shrimp and eat at the picnic tables while watching the lines go tight. It is casual, no-frills beach food, and the fish tacos are worth the trip even if you are not fishing.
Tackle and Bait
You do not need to bring anything to fish from Surf City Ocean Pier. The pier house rents rods and reels and sells live and frozen bait including shrimp, mullet, sand fleas, and bloodworms. They also carry terminal tackle — hooks, sinkers, leaders, and pre-rigged bottom rigs — so you can be fishing within minutes of walking through the door.
Jolly Roger Pier
Jolly Roger Inn & Pier - 4.2 stars
At the southern end of the island in Topsail Beach, Jolly Roger Pier offers a quieter alternative. The crowds are smaller, especially on weekday mornings, and the fishing is consistently productive. Flounder, whiting, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel all show up here during the season, and the pier's position near Topsail Inlet means fish moving in and out of the sound pass within casting range.
The pier is part of the Jolly Roger Oceanfront Inn, which makes it a convenient base if you want to fish every morning of your trip without driving anywhere. Walk out your door, grab bait from the pier house, and you are fishing before most visitors are awake.
Pier Fishing Tips
Pier fishing on Topsail Island does not require expensive gear or years of experience. A basic bottom rig with a two-ounce pyramid sinker and a couple of size 1/0 circle hooks covers most situations. Bait up with fresh shrimp or cut mullet, cast out past the breakers, and let the rod sit in a holder while you wait for the tip to bounce.
Pro tip: For king mackerel, you need a heavier setup with a wire leader and live bait — bluefish, menhaden, or mullet. Ask the pier staff what kings are hitting and they will point you to the right rig.
Both piers on Topsail Island hold blanket fishing licenses, which means you do not need your own license to fish from the pier. This is one of the main reasons pier fishing is the easiest way for visitors to get on the water without worrying about permits. If you plan to surf fish or fish from a boat, you will need a North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License, which you can buy online.
Pier Cam and Fishing Reports
Want to check conditions before heading out? Surf City Ocean Pier typically posts fishing reports and updates on their social media pages. These reports are the most reliable source for what is biting, how the water looks, and whether the pier is open.
Live pier cam feeds from Topsail Island appear occasionally through third-party weather and surf camera services. Search for Surf City Pier cam or Topsail Beach webcam to find current streams. The cameras give you a sense of crowd levels, wave height, and weather conditions, which helps you decide whether it is worth making the drive.
For more on fishing the Topsail area beyond the piers, including surf casting, inshore charters, and offshore trips, check out our Complete Fishing Guide.