It's open unless the waves are coming over. At this time of year the gates shut at around 16:30 but this gets later as you go into summer. There's loads of marks to fish off the pier and a good chuck will normally see you into cleanish ground. Don't make the same mistake as I did once though, I pulled up at Essys. got out of the car to see if the gate was open as it was canny windy and I'd been hoyed off previously in not much worse conditions, saw it was open and got the gear out and fished it. When I got back I had a £25 parking ticket. I always make sure I get a £2.40 for the day ticket but this time mind was preoccupied with fishing. Big mistake.