Written by Jason Montoya on April 08, 2026. Posted in My Life.

How To Enjoy FISHING Without Any GEAR // Cast & Shoot #5

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Ever wondered how to experience the thrill of the ocean's mystery catches without ever picking up a rod? Join us on the Oak Island pier in North Carolina for a look at why pier-watching is the ultimate zero-stress family vacation activity. I’ll show you why visiting the pier at sunset is like visiting a live, outdoor aquarium where you can see everything from local favorites to six-foot sharks.

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Links from Episode

Pier Fishing Watching

What if you could experience the joy of fishing without having to fish yourself?

My father-in-law lives by the beach at Oak Island, North Carolina. Over the years, we've developed a habit of visiting the pier in the evenings to watch people fish!

If you're near the ocean on a vacation, this is a fun activity you can do with your kiddos. What's nice about pier fishing is that the pier is usually lined up with people fishing, so people will likely be catching all types of fish as the evening progresses.

We'll walk up and down the pier looking for the next catch, watching as people pull in their fish. Sometimes the fishermen and women will let our kids touch them or throw them back into the ocean.

We've seen a lot of cool fish, sharks, and rays. One time, we saw a six-foot hammerhead someone caught, although they were not able to bring that up to the pier.

The last time we were at Oak Island was in 2025, and this is the year I got serious about YouTube, so I shot a lot of video, including our pier visits. Conveniently, there was a lot of catching of fish on that trip.

Next time you're near a local pier, check it out in the evening to see the ocean fish.

Enjoy more fishing footage from our trips.

Cast & Shoot YouTube Series

This is a series I'm producing for YouTube, where I'm tracking my journey towards an upcoming Canadian fishing trip. The series dives into my fishing history, preparing to fish for Muskie and Pike in Canada, mastering shore fishing on Lake Lanier, and learning to make great fishing videos for YouTube. Click here to view all episodes of Cast & Shoot.