Fishing enthusiasts on Staten Island's North Shore once again have a place to drop their lines, with the reopening of a pier on New York Harbor. NY1's Roger Clark filed this report:

Most people catch the ferry in St. George. But that's not all you can catch here.

“All these pilings and rocks around, this is all striped bass habitat, blackfish, blue fish, but mostly striped bass,” said Pat Scaglione of Scag's Bait and Tackle.

Scaglione has been casting his line into the waters off the North Shore since he was a kid. But fishing is also the way he puts food on the table, and he hopes business picks up now that Pier One has reopened. The popular fishing spot has been closed for a year and a half.

Friday, officials cut the ribbon for a nearly $$2.5 million renovation.

“What we've established here is more than a fishing pier,” said Borough President James Molinaro. “We'd like this to be a recreational pier, for families to come down in the summer, use it for picnics.”

But don't pack those picnic baskets too soon. Although it has new lighting and safety railings, the pier still lacks some amenities like bathrooms and parking.

With the reopening of the pier, Staten Island now has two fishing piers. The other one is at Lemon Creek on the South Shore. A third one is expected to open in September at South Beach.

Island sportsmen said the more waterfront access the better.

“It's strange being on an island and not having access to the waterfront,” said Kerry Sullivan of the Natural Resources Protective Association.
Kerry Sullivan didn't just show up to show his support for the project; he also couldn't help but cast a line into the harbor.

“I caught probably around a four pound bluefish,” Sullivan said.

Don't worry: the fish did not wind up in a frying pan. Kerry returned it to the bay, which is what you should probably do if you fish here.

Officials say the fish aren’t safe to eat for children or women of child-bearing age. And as for everyone else, they shouldn’t eat more than half a pound a week.

--Roger Clark