Rodanthe Pier to Honor Season Fishing Passes For Five Hatteras Island Piers Damaged by Hurricane Isabelle; Fishing Activity Picking Up After Damaging Storm.

Sports Editors/Business Editors

RODANTHE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 2003

Officials of Rodanthe Pier in the Outer Banks today announced that they will honor season passes from five other local area piers recently damaged by Hurricane Isabelle, including Nags Head Pier, Outer Banks Pier, Jeanette's Pier, Frisco Pier and Kitty Hawk Pier.

"This was one of the most damaging storms to fishing piers in Outer Banks history," said T. J. Caray, Rodanthe Pier manager. "Rodanthe Pier has been severely damaged several times in the past, and our fellow piers have been kind enough to extend this same courtesy to us while we rebuilt. Now it is our time to repay the kindness."

Caray said that because there was so much damage to the Outer Banks, many regional fishermen believed that there were no fishing piers left. "There certainly was a lot of damage to the area. Our adjacent motel and cabins were destroyed, but the pier remains in great shape. There are several motels and a number of rental homes open within a short distance of the pier for fishing enthusiasts who want to take advantage of arguably the best fishing during the year. We have extended our season through January 2, 2004 to give striper fishing fans a full month to catch one of the Outer Banks most challenging adversaries."

He noted that blue fish, flounder, trout and red drum just are beginning to run, and sea mullet, spot and croaker still are in season with striper bass season to open in early December. "Overall, the fishing has been running pretty much on a par with past years," he noted. "Now, with so many other piers out of service, we believe the catch should improve."

Located at 24251 Atlantic Drive on Hatteras Island in Rodanthe, the 850-foot Rodanthe Pier includes a pier house, small game room and snack bar. Daily passes are $6 or $30 per week. Passes are good until 7 a.m. the day following purchase. Children under 12 cost $3 and sightseeing passes are $1. The pier house is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Rodanthe Pier is operated by Marshall Management, Inc., a leading mid-sized hospitality management company. Marshall Management, founded in 1980, has special expertise in operating three- and four-star branded hotels and resorts, averaging 100 to 400 rooms in urban and central business districts, suburban and resort locations. Located in Salisbury, Md., the company has managed a wide array of hotels and resorts under the Hilton, Sheraton, Six Continents, Choice, Cendant and other leading brands, as well as independent properties.