I get asked from time to time about this topic and have posted this little “starter primer” a few times on other boards.  This is just the basic info and just one way to do it.  Feel free to jump in and add your own ideas and experiences on the subject as well as ask any questions you may have.

From a pier, you will need two rods and reels for live bait king fishing. One rod is used to cast your anchor line. The anchor rod is typically a 10-15 foot surf type rod, using 20 pound test to sling a 4-8 ounce anchor.

The bait is attached to the end of the fighting rod which is a medium to heavy action, 6-7’ foot with a 4/0-9/0 size reel and using on average 30 pound test. Generally you will want a reel that holds at least 500 yards of 30 pound mono, you can’t chase the fish with the pier

Make the leader for the fighting/bait rod out of 6-foot of 100 pound mono attached to two feet of 90 pound seven strand wire and two #4 treble. There are several variation/preferences to this rigging but the idea is to protect against sharp teeth (wire) and getting broke off by rubbing against the pier pilings (100# mono).

Take your anchor rod and sling the anchor out and secure it to the bottom. Then you will attach your baited fighting line to the anchor line. This rig consists of a loop clip, a weight and clothes pen. The loop clip, usually something like a shower curtain clip with weight goes on your anchor line and the clothes pen attaches to the bait line. An alternative is store bought release clip.

Now lower your bait down to the water on the anchor line. You can adjust the depth of your bait in the water by how far up the bait line you attach the clothes pen. Most fishermen keep the baits down about 3-4 feet, but it’s not uncommon to see baits on top or as far deep as 6 feet.

The force of a strike will release the bait line from the clothes pen. Take multiple clothespin/release clips – that way you don’t need to pull up the anchor line every time the fighting line releases from the clip.

Live baits of choice vary-but almost always consist of what is available from the pier at the time. Bluefish, pogies, spots, pinfish and even lizard fish are used as baits.

You will need a grapnel type gaff that is lowered by rope to gaff the fish and then hauled on deck.

Here’s the type of release I make.  Works very well

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/highclimber4300/Release20Rig20003.jpg

Here,  it’s attached to the Anchor Line

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/highclimber4300/Release20Rig20001.jpg

And finally,  the Steel Leader,  and Fighting Line attached.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/highclimber4300/Release20Rig20002.jpg

Good stuff PD, thanks!

mike great info ya got there seems like ya got it all covered,i did it for years even though ive never caught a king from the pier lol never the less it never stopped me from trying

Having grown up in North Carolina, I am familiar with the two-rod method described in this thread. But, I was down in Ft. Myers, FL, last week and I saw some people hooking a baitfish (like what I have seen people use for Kings) to a pole with a 5.0 hook, some mono leader and a large sliding sinker and casting from the end of the pier. I don’t think they were targeting Kings, but, would a set up like that do any good in NC?

I realize that is fishing the bottom instead of suspending the bait at or near the surface.

The rig reminded me of a flounder rig but a lot bigger…

Thanks

Might have been targeting red drum but to be honest never fished down there (other than spear fishing) so I’m not sure.