08/29/2026
Fishing pier updates in post.
It’s been about three years, but apparently the Swansboro dock thieves are back at it again.
I was going to take Orli fishing last night, so before dinner I set rods and a cast net on the boat at the docks. Life happened, we didn’t end up going, and I forgot to take everything back off the boat. This morning, five rods and the cast net were gone. They weren’t in view of the cameras, so I guess that part is on me too.
A few nights ago, we also had some buckets disappear from the cleaning table. At the time, I chalked it up to staff misplacing them or something along those lines. Now I’m not so sure.
In the past, when we’ve had fishing gear and even kayaks stolen, we’ve been fortunate enough to track down and recover almost all of it. We fully intend to do some digging this time as well, and hopefully we’ll be able to locate this gear and get it back.
With all of that being said, we’re tightening things back up at the pier.
Fishing from the pier is CLOSED Monday through Thursday. We aren’t open for walk-in activities on those days again until May anyway.
Friday through Sunday, if you are fishing from the pier, you MUST have a fishing pass. If you don’t have one, the first time you’ll be warned. The second time, you’ll be trespassed from the property.
The store is open until 6:00 p.m. Friday through Sunday, so please get there before 6 to pick up your pass, or come by the day before.
Also, absolutely NO ALCOHOL is allowed on the pier. We’re tired of coming in in the mornings and picking up Twisted Tea cans, Bootlegger bottles, and other alcohol containers.
I’m sorry to the people who have enjoyed fishing from the pier for free all summer and have been respectful of the property. Overall, we really haven’t had many problems, and the overwhelming majority of people have treated the place well.

Unfortunately, I just don’t have the patience to go through another spell like we dealt with a few years ago. We’ve tried to keep the pier accessible and enjoyable for the community, but that only works when people respect the property and the rules.
Thanks to everyone who has done exactly that, I know who you are, and have some special passes just for yall.
