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Shelter Island Pier is a bridge to good times for local anglers
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 19, 2003
Shelter Island Pier has something for every fisherman. ED ZIERALSKI / Union-Tribune
A fishing pier's personality often is determined by the fishermen and the fish they catch, but that's not totally the case at Shelter Island Pier.
Energetic John Hakes and his creative brother, Bill, set the tone here. John, 51, is the whirlwind operator of the pier's concession. Laid-back Bill, 53, takes photographs of fishermen with fish, promising "memories in 15 minutes." John also is assisted by his twin sister, Jennifer Doherty, and John's girlfriend, Lisa Bauman.
The pier's motto is "Where The Locals Go," but John would like to add, "Where the locals go to fish, eat and have fun."
"We want to make Shelter Island Pier the happening spot on Shelter Island," John Hakes said. "Shelter Island needs a focal point where people can come and have fun, and this is a happening place. We have fishing, good food, music on Sundays, a view of the city and all kinds of boats going by all the time."
The Hakes family has been operating the pier since 1983. John's and Bill's parents, Bud and Joanne Hakes, ran the pier for nearly 20 years before taking on a new concession at the foot of Broadway to service cruise lines. The Hakes turned the Shelter Island operation over to John a year and a half ago. John was working as a finish carpenter in Florida before returning.
Spend a couple of hours around John Hakes and he'll tell you about his plans for the pier. He has many. He offered sushi last summer, and even brought out an Elvis impersonator. This year he offers live music, "mellow stuff," every Sunday from 2-6 p.m.
But John Hakes' most impressive contribution has been the transformation of the pier's old gift shop to the Golden Pelican Restaurant. It still features his father's "World Famous Buddy Dog," but now it has "the best fish tacos in the universe," too.
And then there's the decor, which features a ceiling net that has captured an antique shop full of trinkets.
"I'd say it's a little bit 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' a bit of 'Adventures of Robinson Crusoe,' " Hakes said. "I was trying to recreate a shack at the bottom of the ocean. The treasures in the net are all the things gathered from the sea."
Richard James of the James Gang in Ocean Beach painted the ceiling, and the highlight is the fluorescent paint that lights up to a black light at night.
"If you look up, it's like you're looking up at the surface from the bottom of the ocean," John Hakes said.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, Hakes has other additions that make the pier more customer-friendly.
A new dock installed by the Port of San Diego three months ago allows boaters and passengers with disabilities access to the pier.
The new International Game Fish Association-certified scale is another addition. Hakes worked with IGFA trustee Michael Farrior of Rancho Santa Fe to get the scale. It can weigh fish up to 500 pounds.
The pier has always been a magnet for kids, but Hakes would like to see it host more fishing tournaments and youth events.
Today's free Young Anglers Fishing Tournament, open to kids 6 to 15 and starting at 10 a.m., is a good example of Hakes' new approach. He teamed with Farrior to create a tournament that will feature a catch-and-release element. Hakes and Farrior have assembled food, prizes and volunteers to make it work.
Hakes said the plan is to eventually invite organizations such as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, as well as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to use the pier for their fishing outings.
"The pier is a good baby-sitter," said Chris Phelps, 47, who landed a corvina on Thursday. "The regulars here don't think twice about helping kids out. It's just the way it is here."
Andrew Lowery, 13, of Baton Rouge, was the first to sign up for today's Young Anglers Tournament.
"I'm here every day," Lowery said. "I come out to fish, have fun and meet new people. I make new friends every day and help people out when I can."
Down the pier's rail, Christina Bruns, with her son, Raymond Richard, 15, was fishing along with her sister, Sandra Bruns, and her son, David Rodriguez, 9.
"We love coming here because everyone is so helpful and friendly," Christina said. "It's just a great place for families to come and have fun."
John Hakes said a letter he received recently from a regular made him realize he and his family are doing things right at the Shelter Island Pier.
In part, the letter from Brice Michaels said: "Thanks so very much for working so hard at the pier. Also thank you for keeping the environment of the pier as clean as you have been keeping it. Also it's wonderful how you guys have a great relationship with all the other fishermen."
The pier is open to fishing 24 hours, but the concession is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, until 9 p.m. or so during the summer. There are rental rods available, bait and tackle, food and drinks. For information about the pier or today's tournament, call John Hakes at (619) 222-7635.
By Ed Zieralski, San Diego UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 19, 2003
Shelter Island Pier has something for every fisherman. ED ZIERALSKI / Union-Tribune
A fishing pier's personality often is determined by the fishermen and the fish they catch, but that's not totally the case at Shelter Island Pier.
Energetic John Hakes and his creative brother, Bill, set the tone here. John, 51, is the whirlwind operator of the pier's concession. Laid-back Bill, 53, takes photographs of fishermen with fish, promising "memories in 15 minutes." John also is assisted by his twin sister, Jennifer Doherty, and John's girlfriend, Lisa Bauman.
The pier's motto is "Where The Locals Go," but John would like to add, "Where the locals go to fish, eat and have fun."
"We want to make Shelter Island Pier the happening spot on Shelter Island," John Hakes said. "Shelter Island needs a focal point where people can come and have fun, and this is a happening place. We have fishing, good food, music on Sundays, a view of the city and all kinds of boats going by all the time."
The Hakes family has been operating the pier since 1983. John's and Bill's parents, Bud and Joanne Hakes, ran the pier for nearly 20 years before taking on a new concession at the foot of Broadway to service cruise lines. The Hakes turned the Shelter Island operation over to John a year and a half ago. John was working as a finish carpenter in Florida before returning.
Spend a couple of hours around John Hakes and he'll tell you about his plans for the pier. He has many. He offered sushi last summer, and even brought out an Elvis impersonator. This year he offers live music, "mellow stuff," every Sunday from 2-6 p.m.
But John Hakes' most impressive contribution has been the transformation of the pier's old gift shop to the Golden Pelican Restaurant. It still features his father's "World Famous Buddy Dog," but now it has "the best fish tacos in the universe," too.
And then there's the decor, which features a ceiling net that has captured an antique shop full of trinkets.
"I'd say it's a little bit 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' a bit of 'Adventures of Robinson Crusoe,' " Hakes said. "I was trying to recreate a shack at the bottom of the ocean. The treasures in the net are all the things gathered from the sea."
Richard James of the James Gang in Ocean Beach painted the ceiling, and the highlight is the fluorescent paint that lights up to a black light at night.
"If you look up, it's like you're looking up at the surface from the bottom of the ocean," John Hakes said.
In addition to the cosmetic changes, Hakes has other additions that make the pier more customer-friendly.
A new dock installed by the Port of San Diego three months ago allows boaters and passengers with disabilities access to the pier.
The new International Game Fish Association-certified scale is another addition. Hakes worked with IGFA trustee Michael Farrior of Rancho Santa Fe to get the scale. It can weigh fish up to 500 pounds.
The pier has always been a magnet for kids, but Hakes would like to see it host more fishing tournaments and youth events.
Today's free Young Anglers Fishing Tournament, open to kids 6 to 15 and starting at 10 a.m., is a good example of Hakes' new approach. He teamed with Farrior to create a tournament that will feature a catch-and-release element. Hakes and Farrior have assembled food, prizes and volunteers to make it work.
Hakes said the plan is to eventually invite organizations such as the Big Brothers and Big Sisters, as well as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to use the pier for their fishing outings.
"The pier is a good baby-sitter," said Chris Phelps, 47, who landed a corvina on Thursday. "The regulars here don't think twice about helping kids out. It's just the way it is here."
Andrew Lowery, 13, of Baton Rouge, was the first to sign up for today's Young Anglers Tournament.
"I'm here every day," Lowery said. "I come out to fish, have fun and meet new people. I make new friends every day and help people out when I can."
Down the pier's rail, Christina Bruns, with her son, Raymond Richard, 15, was fishing along with her sister, Sandra Bruns, and her son, David Rodriguez, 9.
"We love coming here because everyone is so helpful and friendly," Christina said. "It's just a great place for families to come and have fun."
John Hakes said a letter he received recently from a regular made him realize he and his family are doing things right at the Shelter Island Pier.
In part, the letter from Brice Michaels said: "Thanks so very much for working so hard at the pier. Also thank you for keeping the environment of the pier as clean as you have been keeping it. Also it's wonderful how you guys have a great relationship with all the other fishermen."
The pier is open to fishing 24 hours, but the concession is open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, until 9 p.m. or so during the summer. There are rental rods available, bait and tackle, food and drinks. For information about the pier or today's tournament, call John Hakes at (619) 222-7635.
