Sunset Beach Fishing Pier — Attraction in North Carolina

This is our go to fishing pier in the area. We prefer this fishing pier over any of the ones within 50 miles. We always go fishing here and have been for over a decade. We are somewhat locals and have piers throughout the area in NC and SC, but this one is the best. It has a great little tackle shop, selection of bait, restrooms, a pool table and a grill/snack bar. The staff are great, always friendly and very helpful. Our family are just casual fishers and come there just to see if we can catch anything (even though we catch and release) and to spend time with the family. There are some people who are more of sport fishers and we've seen some large catches at this pier. There is a small charge, like $1 (I think) to walk on the pier and not fish. Sunset Beach is one of the best and most beautiful beaches around, so it's a nice place to spend time. It's more of a family friendly type of beach, compared to others, so it's a great place to bring kids. My children are grown now, but I was bringing them fishing here since they were kids and it's a safe place for them/us to come and the people who fish here are always friendly and laid back. I've never seen anyone drunk or acting foolishly at this pier. There's usually no problem finding a parking place in the parking lot. If you have to park in the lot that is a pay to park, just bring your parking stub to the desk when you check in and they'll reimburse you for your parking if you are paying to fish here. There's a charge to fish for the day, but that's common for any fishing pier at the Beach. We own our own poles, but if you don't they offer rentals. So, if you're here on vacation and would like to fish but don't have/didn't bring fishing poles, you can rent them here for the day. Also, per NC laws, you do not need a NC fishing license to fish on these pay to fish piers but you'll need a fishing license to surf fish, just an fyi. I highly recommend coming to this pier for a pleasant day of fishing at...

TLDRl; supposed to park in a specific private parking space, was not directed to it when entering the lot, car was booted and asked for cash to remove the boot instead of asking us to move the car two parking spaces down to where it was supposed to be.

Long Version: I was visiting a local homeowner who has private parking by the beach that is operated by this pier. We were given exact directions to this exact lot, and were given a key pass from the homeowner. We parked at the pier at a ripe and late 10am with no employees in sight, even though it says they open 6am per google search. Our car got booted by the pier, after trying to explain our situation, I was informed that I was not at the right parking lot and that I was taking someone's spot who lives there. The gentleman than asked me if I was going to pay him or not and when I informed him I didn't have any money with me, he said "What are you going to do about it?" After calling the person I was staying with, I was told I am in fact in the right lot, contrary to the guy who talked to me. We asked the girl watching the lot where we needed to park, to make sure what the rude guy said is correct, and she said we needed to park over a little rope line right behind the car. Confirming that we were in the correct lot, but booted and asked for cash to remove the boot instead of asking us to move the car two parking spaces down to where it was supposed to be. She also said, "This happens all the time." If this happens all the time, then it sounds like they are doing this on purpose.

If you are not a regular there, make sure you have the homeowner with you, or bring cash for when they scam you. They will not direct you where to park your car, and you will be booted, they will not let you leave until you give them cash. This is by all definitions a scam. I'm sure the wonderful and well kept pier brings in enough money for them to not vulture...

Would rate 0 stars if possible. I’ve literally been to almost every major pier on the east coast(Florida’s have been my fav) and out of them all this has been the worst. Had to call DNR first day I went out on another group for illegal wildlife activity and when I went to tell the owners/ladies at the front before I made the call, they were rude, impolite, and inconsiderate acting like there was nothing they could do and refused to call marine wildlife and fisheries themselves forcing me to. They have no signs to stay away from the pier and i watched multiple children and adults swimming next to it as anglers threw there lines out in ankle to knee deep water. This hurts the fishermen and families trying to swim alike. The ladies working the pier are just flat out rude, there’s no other way to put it. However sunset beach itself is quite nice for being in NC/SC area and isn’t as crowded as some of the other beaches. I do not recommend this pier, it’s worth the drive to head to the one next to it or down to pier 14 in myrtle but as far as the actual beach it’s a fun place to spend with the family and is well...