Heading to Presque Isle 7/21-24 Tips?

Hi there, I haven't been on here in a while and forgot my old user info. Doubt anyone remembers me, I was Deadbolt401, I did a Fantasy Hockey league a few times on here.
 
Anyways, next week, I'll be hitting Erie/Presque isle for a few days with my girlfriend.
First off, if anyone has any tips on anywhere to get a nice dinner, that'd be greatly appreciated. Considering I'll be making her fish with me for a few days, I figure I'll take her somewhere nice.
 
So, we usually fish around Pittsburgh, and I've got her into some small LM and a crappie bass (thats all North Park is now). I'm looking for any tips or info on places I could get her into some fish with some size to them. It doesn't matter what they are, I just know she'll enjoy catching fish that aren't small.
 
We'll be fishing from shore, and preferably somewhere we can toss down some folding chairs. I was thinking the coast guard pier on Presque Isle, but I haven't been there in years, not sure if you can still fish there.
 
I have a minnow bucket, and I'm talking her into wet wading.
 
Thanks in advance folks.
 
 

Throw some rubber frogs in the weed beds around the monument area, Either pier north/south, perch boats are a good idea also but then you will have to do something with your catch.
Mike

Welcome back Deadbolt... 

fish with gobies off the NP. Bass love them.

Avonia Tavern
http://www.avoniatavern.com/?pid=1
 
The Plymouth
http://plymouthtavern.com/
 
Apparently I favor the Taverns............
 
 

Thanks for the tips guys!
 
I'll be hitting the NP for sure, (Just to be clear, that IS the one with the lighthouse, and where barges go in and out, maybe by the Coast Guard?)
 
Hopefully gobys are still there, I'd love to use those bastards as bait.
 
The Avonia Tavern will be hit one night. Love that place, forgot about it.
 
Are there any places on the water up there? Maybe with a deck or something?
 
Thanks again
 
 

theres a bar on the water on the other side of the bay where all the marinas are. the perch boats go past them leave dock. im not sure the name of it. i think it would be at the end of state street.

As others have said the Avonia and Plymouth are among the better pubs in town and they have excellent food. I also like Jekyll and Hydes (very unique food) and the Taphouse (Pizzas are very good here).
http://www.jekyllandhydeserie.com/
http://www.upick6.com/
 
In terms of waterfront dining, most of the places are not very good. The restaurant at the Sheraton is pretty good, but it is very pricey. Also, Rum Runners is the waterfront bar Akita was talking about and it is not bad, but you are there mainly for the view, not excellent food or even atmosphere since they have terrible bathrooms and old broken down tables. If you are really look for good, affordable waterfront dining here are a few:
 
1) The Sloppy Duck is the only decent one I can recommend in the city and it is literally right on the water with a nice outdoor deck seating area that has a view of the bay. The food is average, but the views and prices make it worthwhile.
http://www.sloppyducksaloon.com/
 
2) The Freeport is not waterfront, but it is very close to the beach and 16 mile creek in North East. The food is awesome and by far my favorite breakfast spot in the area. The owner smokes the breakfast meats daily and they are some of the best I have ever had.
http://www.freeportne.com/
 
3) Jack's Barcelona Drive In is a little further away from Erie in Westfield NY, but it is worth the trip and all of the concord grape items are awesome.
http://www.jacksbarcelonadrivein.com/
 
Overall the waterfront dining options in Erie are pretty sad and I am not sure why.
 

william h

Maybe pick up a pizza and head down to the lighthouse area, pick a picnic table and enjoy the sunset.
It never disappoints and no tip expected...

Said no happy wife ever.

Mr.Slickfish

william h

Maybe pick up a pizza and head down to the lighthouse area, pick a picnic table and enjoy the sunset.
It never disappoints and no tip expected...

Said no happy wife ever.

hahahhahahahhaaaa! But remember, he's only dating...it might be "romantic" yet.  Lol!
 

Thanks for the tip guys. It's good to see some familiar names pop up on here, still some good people around.
 
I'm thinking of taking her somewhere on the water to eat, and maybe hit a tavern one night. I'll be hitting the NP for sure, I have a lot of great memories fishing there as a kid. I hate gobys, but if it's illegal to use em as bait, then I'll just feed em to the gulls, which is probably also illegal.
 
 
I hope to get her into a big old sheephead. That'll get her excited.
 
 
And the pizza on the picnic table, is a fantastic idea. Thanks guys!
 

killdeer19

fish with gobies off the NP. Bass love them.

Everything lovezem lmao...  Caught a perch on the head boat with 34 goby in it's gut...  Thing was about to pop...     Both the North Pier and the West Pier are pretty good, I don't know how much you'll get off the West/East Peir areas aside from piles of weeds, normally in the end of May my girlfriend and I do fairly well with Smallies, Largemouth and other assorted fish there.   But currently I'd say the North Pier,  I have yet to wade the bay or anything so I can't help much there...
 
And for places to eat... 
 
I would recommend The Pittsburgh Inn, (http://www.thepittsburghinn.com/) that's my new favorite place since Cliffton Manor closed.  Hector's in downtown (forget what street) has some pretty good Italian from what I've herd...   Been a few years since I ate there though.
 
 

cbeagler

Just got back from North Pier.  Caught a bluegill, a sheephead, and a nice sized largemouth with a messed up mouth.

 
2 Mouths?
 
 

There used to be a restaurant named The Home Restaurant, on State street near the hospital. Haven't been near there in many years, but it had good food at a good price. Anybody know it it is still there?