Charleston County Parks' pier fishing tournament season kicks off on May 8 with the Summer Pier Kickoff Tournament at the Folly Beach Fishing Pier.

The tournaments continue throughout the summer at Folly Beach. On June 19, July 31, and on August. 14, the Folly Beach Fishing Pier hosts the annual Big Kahuna Tournament. The end-of-the-season tournament will be Sept. 11.

Not just your typical wooden pier, this landmark stretches out 1045' into the Atlantic Ocean and offers spectacular views, fishing, dining, tournaments, special events, and more throughout the year.

'While the Lowcountry's mild temperatures allow for year-around fishing, we see more fish being caught during the warmer months,' said Folly Beach Fishing Pier Manager Kerry Hanson. 'The Florida Pompano is the most prized catch on the pier among our locals. Other common catches include sea trout, sheepshead, blackdrum, mackerel and more.'

New to the fishing scene are the Mount Pleasant Pier fishing tournaments known as the Cooper River Challenge. The challenge kicks off its inaugural season June 5, followed by its next tournament on August 21. This pier facility offers fishing right in Charleston Harbor under the shade of the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, with swings, benches and other seating available.

 It doesn't matter if you are visiting the pier for the first time, or have never fished before. Both piers offer everything a novice would need for a fun day of fishing, including equipment rentals, tackle and frozen bait, plus staff is available to offer tips.

The Folly Beach Fishing Pier is home to Locklear's Beach City Grill, and at the Mount Pleasant Pier, the River Watch Cafe is the place to grab lunch. Both piers also include gift shops and restrooms. Visitors can access the beach from the Folly Beach Fishing Pier, and the Mount Pleasant Pier is adjacent to the Memorial Waterfront Park. Registration fees for either pier's tournaments are $12 for ages 13 and up, $7 for ages 3-12, and $14 for King Mackerel. Registration for all tournaments begins at 6 a.m. and takes place on-site only. Tournaments end at 4 p.m. and prizes are awarded at 4:15 p.m. Parking fees are a separate charge from tournament registration fee. For additional information call the Folly Beach Fishing Pier at (843) 588-FISH (3474), the Mount Pleasant Pier at (843) 762-9946 or visit www.ccprc.com.

CCPRC 2010 Fishing Tournament Schedule:

May 8 – Summer Pier Kickoff Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier

June 5 – Cooper River Challenge, Mount Pleasant Pier

June 19 – Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier

July 31 – Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier

August 14 – Big Kahuna Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier

August 21 – Cooper River Challenge, Mount Pleasant Pier

September 11 – Pier Fishing Tournament, Folly Beach Fishing Pier

Events at Memorial Waterfront Park

May 8 – Shaggin' on the Pier (Ocean Drive Party Band)

May 22 – Shaggin' on the Pier (Palmetto Soul)

June 5 – Sweetgrass Cultural Arts Festival

June 19 – Shaggin' on the Pier (Permanent Vacation)

June 26 – Movies at the Park

July 10 – Shaggin' on the Pier (Coastrunner)

July 24– Movies at the Park

July 31- Bluegrass under the Bridge

August 14 – Bluegrass under the Bridge

August 28 – Shaggin' on the Pier (Shem Creek Boogie Band)

September 11 – Shaggin' on the Pier

September 18- Movies at the Park

October 2 – Movies at the Park

October 9 – Shaggin' on the Pier

October 30– Costumes on the Cooper