Fish the Pier. Watch the Sunrise. Feel the Salt Air.
Topsail Island's historic fishing pier — day passes, rod rentals, bait & tackle, and seasonal tournaments. Open daily.
Everything You Need for a Day on the Pier
Day passes, rod rentals, live bait, tackle, and tournament entries — all at the pier.
Day Pass — Pier Access
Full-day access to the pier from open to close. Fish from any open rail, watch dolphins at sunset, or just take in the panoramic views of Topsail Island.
$12
Rod & Reel Rental
Don't bring a rod? No problem. Rent a full saltwater setup — rod, reel, line, and terminal tackle — and start fishing in minutes.
$15/day
Family Day Pass (4-Pack)
The best deal for families — four all-day pier access passes at a flat rate. Kids 6 and under are always free.
$40
Tournament Entry — Seasonal Events
Join one of our seasonal fishing tournaments — King Mackerel Classic, Flounder Frenzy, and ReelKidsFish. Cash prizes and bragging rights on the line.
$25
900 Feet Over the Atlantic
Surf City's landmark pier — fishing, sunsets, and the open ocean since 1952
Surf City Ocean Pier has been the heartbeat of Topsail Island fishing for generations. Stretching 900 feet into the Atlantic, it's the best spot on the island to catch king mackerel, flounder, red drum, and Spanish mackerel — without a boat.
What Anglers Are Saying
Real reviews from families and anglers who made Topsail their fishing home
“We've fished a lot of piers up and down the NC coast, and Surf City Ocean Pier is our favorite. Friendly staff, the bait is always fresh, and the king mackerel action in July was unreal. We'll be back every summer.”
Mike T.
Angler, Raleigh, NC
“Took my kids for the first time this summer. They caught their first fish ever — small spot, but they were screaming with excitement. The staff was so helpful and patient. Kids under 6 being free is a great deal.”
The Henderson Family
Vacationers, Charlotte, NC
“Entered the Flounder Frenzy tournament and had an amazing day even though I didn't place. Best sunrise I've seen anywhere. The pier is a Topsail Island institution — keep it going.”
Dana R.
Tournament angler, Wilmington, NC
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you fish
Life on the Pier
Fish catches, sunrises, tournaments, and dolphin sightings — all in a day's work.
Ready to Fish Topsail Island?
Buy your day pass online and walk straight to the rails. Rods, bait, and tackle available at the pier shop.
Buy Day Pass