California Pier Report — March 2024 Fishing Report, Southern California (#292)
To be updated upon receipt of additional information so check back.
Lobster season is now open: “The 2023-2024 recreational season started at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2023 and will run through Wednesday, March 20, 2024.” — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – No report, need a reporter. How To Get There: From I-5 take the Palm Ave. (Hwy. 75) exit and follow it to where Palm Ave. and Hwy. 75 divide. Follow Palm Ave. to Seacoast Dr., turn left and it will take you right to the pier.
Ocean Beach Pier — The pier is closed and will remain closed until at least the end of spring and possibly later. How To Get There: From the north, take I-5 to the Sea World Dr. exit and follow it until it turns off to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. From the south, take I- 5 to the Nimitz Blvd. exit, then follow that road to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Follow Sunset Cliffs Blvd. to Newport Ave., turn right and follow the road to the pier parking lot.
Crystal Pier – The pier is closed and no opening date has been announced. How To get There: Take I-5 to Garnet Ave. then take Garnet west to the foot of the pier.
Pepper Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter! How To Get There: From I-5 take the 24th Street off-ramp west to Tidelands Avenue and go left (south) on Tidelands to the end.
Bayside Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From I-5 take the J Street off ramp and go west. Take J Street to Tidelands Ave.; turn right. Take Tidelands to Sandpiper Way; turn right. Take Sandpiper to Bayside Parkway, turn left and follow the road to the park.
Embarcadero Marina Pier — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From the I-5 south, take the Front Street exit south to Market (just stay on Front Street, it runs into Market), take Market west to Harbor Dr. Turn left on Harbor Dr. and take it to 8th Ave., turn right onto Convention Way (formerly Harbor St.). Follow it a short block to 5th Ave. and the pier. It seems that with the new Convention Center the city is constantly working on these streets near the pier and renaming them; if you get confused remember that the park and pier are immediately to the southwest of the Convention Center. From I-5 North, approaching from the south, take the J Street exit, then go straight, three blocks up to Market, turn left and take it from there.
Ferry Landing Pier (Coronado) — Need a reporter although bass (kelp, sand and spotted) generally seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays and bat rays). How To Get There: From San Diego, take the Coronado Bay Bridge (Highway 75) to Coronado. Once over the bridge you are on Third Street. Simply follow it to B Avenue, turn right, and follow it to the front of The Old Ferry Landing — the intersection of First Street and B Avenue. The pier sits behind the shops in the complex.
Shelter Island Pier — Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take I-5 or I-8 to Rosecrans (Hwy. 209) and go west, turn left at Shelter Island Dr. and follow the road until you see the pier and the entrance to the parking lot.
Oceanside Pier —Bill Litchfield at the Oceanside Pier says the weather has been lousy—both wind and rain and the water is rough and dirty. So, not a great many fishermen. Nevertheless, the regulars who show up are still getting some LARGE spotfin croaker (but they know what they are doing). Some smelt are also being caught and some surfperch but not much else, no mackerel or sardines. The sharkers at the end are not getting any sharks. Hopefully the weather will begin to cooperate soon. How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — No report this month. How To Get There: From I-5 take the Harbor Dr. exit off the freeway, follow it and it will wind down to the harbor; where the road splits stay to the right on North Harbor Dr., and follow it to the pier.
Orange County Piers
San Clemente Pier — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said there’s not much to report. The weather (rain) has seen fewer anglers out so less reports. The lobster season has been good but the season will be closing soon. Inshore some surfperch are showing up but croaker action is a little slower. She hasn’t gotten any reports of top water action, i.e., mackerel but their fingers are crossed. The usual bottom species should be out at the end. How to Get There: From I-5 take any of several exit streets west to El Camino Real, follow it to the center of town, and from there take Del Mar down to the pier.
Dana Harbor Pier — Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. Stephanie said there aren’t many reports but the guys at the shop who fish the harbor after work have seen some small halibut and quite a few bass—kelp, sand and bay bass. How To Get There: The pier is located in the Dana Cove Park area of Dana Point Harbor. From the Pacific Coast Highway take Green Lantern Road south to the harbor, turn left on Cove Road, and follow it to the pier.
Balboa Pier — Our reporter Snookie said, “Today things picked up a little. The report isn't great, but we did get a few fish. I got a 21-inch halibut on a sardine, and someone caught a 25-incher, but that has been all the halibut so far. That's a start. There have been a lot of mackerel caught on the end of pier. We had lots of bait both sardines and smelt of all sizes; I also got a 3-foot leopard shark and one loon. Did you know that a fish that size (a leopard shark) is about 10 years old. A friend has been getting some nice spofin croakers in the surf area, he caught two big spotfin croakers yesterday on lures. Today we saw a white sea bass about 60 pounds swim by us. That's a big fish. The weather was nice both Tuesday and Thursday. There are whales coming through now, but not close to shore yet. The people have been very pleasant to talk to which is nice. There was a bus of kids (high school age) that were here from Salt Lake City, Utah today. That was the nicest bunch of kids we had seen in a long time. They were polite and spoke well without having to use 4 letter words. What a pleasure. There are not many fishermen lately and there is now a crane set up between the surf and middle tees to fix some pilings. We need a good spring condition but there is more rain coming Friday and Saturday then next Thursday. Hopefully we get some good fishing in between storms.” How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take Newport Blvd. which will turn into Balboa Blvd., follow it west to Palm Street. Turn right and follow it to the pier and the adjacent parking lot.
Newport Pier — No report this month but the action is usually similar to Balboa. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — We need a reporter. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.”
Seal Beach Pier — Rada, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy., says it’s been cold, wet and windy and and the pier was closed for a few days but fishing should be back to normal. Most of the action is on barred surfperch inshore and mackerel mid-pier to the end. Not much else. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway simply take Main St. west and follow it to the pier.
Los Angeles County Piers
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier — We got a report from Fishman Fishman on 3/5 that said “morning session at the pier yielded a mixed bag. Caught and released 4 White Croaker, 3 Short Sandbass, 2 Jacksmelt, 1 Lizardfish, and 1 Thornback Ray. Caught all the fish on cut anchovy using a high/low rig. Weather was sunny, warm, and no wind.” How To Get There: From the north take I-405 to the Lakewood Boulevard turnoff, and then go south to 7th Street, turn west (right) until you come to Ximeno Ave. and then turn left. Follow it to Livingston Dr. and go west. You will see signs by Ocean Ave. and Termino Ave. indicating the pier. From the south take the Pacific Coast Highway to 2nd. Street (Westminister becomes 2nd. Street when it crosses PCH), go west, follow to Livingston Dr. Follow it to signs by Ocean Ave. and Termino Ave. indicating the pier and parking lot.
Shoreline Aquatic Park Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker casting out from the pier, sargo and perch when fishing the inshore waters. Expect some very dirty water conditions and possibly a lot of debris in the water. How to Get There: From downtown Long Beach, take Pine Avenue south to Shoreline Drive. For the northernmost pier #1 follow Shoreline Avenue west and follow it around the lagoon to where the street ends. For the southernmost piers #2-#5 follow Shoreline Drive east to the markings for Shoreline Village, continue past the shopping complex, and follow the road out to near the end of the peninsula. You will see the piers.
Pier J Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish, perch and perhaps some mackerel. How To Get There: From I-710 follow the signs saying S. Harbor Scenic Drive. From downtown Long Beach follow Queens Way past the Catalina Landing and on to the Queens Way Bridge over the water and take the S. Harbor Scenic Drive.
Cabrillo Beach Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook, 245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro, is on vacation. Will get a report and update this report when he returns. How To Get There: Take the Harbor Freeway (I-110) south; it will turn into Gaffey St. Follow it to 22nd Street and turn left. Follow 22nd St. to Pacific Ave. and turn right. Follow Pacific Ave. to 36th Street and the entrance to Cabrillo Park.
Green Pleasure Pier (Avalon, Catalina Island) – Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, and sheephead. How To Get There: The trick here is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. Information is available on all of these by calling the Avalon Chamber of Commerce on the Pleasure Pier (213) 510-1520 or the Visitor's Information & Service Center (213) 510-2500. Once in Avalon there should be no problem in finding the pier, which is located at the foot of Catalina Avenue.
Cabrillo Mole (Avalon, Catalina Island) — Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, sheephead and ocean whitefish. Some bonito and barracuda may also show up. A report from fish-ninja on 11/23 said, “It’s been a long while since I ventured into one of the piers. I am off duty this week and saw stars aligned with my old Japanese friend of mine available. I convinced him to join me at Avalon this Tuesday. Great weather, it was. Actually I felt too hot mid day. Winds were there but still in normal range. None of regulars were present giving us a lot of space to fish with. My friend wanted to catch bonito so I suggested him to cast right away while I prep our station. He caught one in his first cast. There was a nice young man who is local in SoCal but now attends UCB fishing along side us. He was catching in succession until he broke his only rod! No problem we rent one of our many to him so he could keep fishing. In the mid-day things got slower with more gusts. A local fishing guide whose name I forgot showed up with his father-boy clients. The boy fished on bottom with bait catching assortment of Catalina fares. Had a huge grin. After his session is over he came to us and kept suggesting what to do based on all he just learned plus Hashem’s legal rule board. I listened him telling him yes yes thinking some day he may become a professor of sort. My fishing was good as well while I attended my friend. A limit of bonito and some great size good looking Pacific chub Mack’s were caught on jigs. Plus some short calico basses. How To Get There: The trick here is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. Information is available on all of these by calling the Avalon Chamber of Commerce on the Pleasure Pier (213) 510-1520 or the Visitor's Information & Service Center (213) 510-2500. Once in Avalon when you walk off the ferry onto the landing you are at the Mole.
Redondo Beach Pier — No report this month although mackerel were being caught. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Manhattan Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How to Get There: From I-405 take Santa Monica Blvd. west to Ocean Ave. Turn left, go to Colorado Ave., and turn right onto the pier.
Malibu Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu) says with the rain and wind, especially the wind, not too many people are fishing so she hasn’t gotten many reports. About the only report for Malibu is that quite a few sargo and small walleye surfperch are showing up. No reports of top-water action, i.e., mackerel or sardines and no reports of sharks. Hopefully the weather will improve but it was pouring down rain when I called. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu). Ditto the above with few reports but Ginny did see a picture of a nice legal-size halibut taken from the pier recently. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. Parking is very expensive unless you buy an expensive meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — Ludia at Hyun’s Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said not too many people are fishing due to the weather—wind and rain, but she said the perch fishing has been good, especially barred surfperch and walleye surfperch (use lug worms). How To Get There: From Highway 1 take Hueneme Rd. west until it turns into Port. At Ventura Rd turn left and follow it to Surfside Dr. Turn left again and follow it to the park.
Ventura Pier — Ludia at Hyun's Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura said the pier is still closed due to damage from last winter’s storms. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Seaward Drive exit west to Harbor Drive, turn right and follow it to the pier.
Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara) — Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said there aren’t too many reports due to a lack of fishermen. It was raining when I called and apparently the wind and rain has seen people staying home. She did say that she is still getting reports on decent crab action at the pier. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take Castillo St. or State St. west to the beach and follow signs to the pier.
Goleta Pier — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said the pier is closed and she’s not sure when it will be reopened. It’s a combination of damage to the pier from winter storms and a sewage spill in the inlet. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Hwy. 217/Airport exit. Follow it to Sandspit Rd. and the Goleta Beach Park turnoff. Follow this to the park and the pier.
Gaviota Pier — Ongoing report—The pier has now been closed for somewhere around eight years and the rumors of repair and reopening continue. Don’t know if there is any additional damage from the recent high tides. There are all kind of reports on the Internet regarding projected work but don’t hold your breath. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
To be updated upon receipt of additional information so check back.
Lobster season is now open: “The 2023-2024 recreational season started at 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2023 and will run through Wednesday, March 20, 2024.” — California Department of Fish and Wildlife
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – No report, need a reporter. How To Get There: From I-5 take the Palm Ave. (Hwy. 75) exit and follow it to where Palm Ave. and Hwy. 75 divide. Follow Palm Ave. to Seacoast Dr., turn left and it will take you right to the pier.
Ocean Beach Pier — The pier is closed and will remain closed until at least the end of spring and possibly later. How To Get There: From the north, take I-5 to the Sea World Dr. exit and follow it until it turns off to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. From the south, take I- 5 to the Nimitz Blvd. exit, then follow that road to Sunset Cliffs Blvd. Follow Sunset Cliffs Blvd. to Newport Ave., turn right and follow the road to the pier parking lot.
Crystal Pier – The pier is closed and no opening date has been announced. How To get There: Take I-5 to Garnet Ave. then take Garnet west to the foot of the pier.
Pepper Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter! How To Get There: From I-5 take the 24th Street off-ramp west to Tidelands Avenue and go left (south) on Tidelands to the end.
Bayside Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From I-5 take the J Street off ramp and go west. Take J Street to Tidelands Ave.; turn right. Take Tidelands to Sandpiper Way; turn right. Take Sandpiper to Bayside Parkway, turn left and follow the road to the park.
Embarcadero Marina Pier — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From the I-5 south, take the Front Street exit south to Market (just stay on Front Street, it runs into Market), take Market west to Harbor Dr. Turn left on Harbor Dr. and take it to 8th Ave., turn right onto Convention Way (formerly Harbor St.). Follow it a short block to 5th Ave. and the pier. It seems that with the new Convention Center the city is constantly working on these streets near the pier and renaming them; if you get confused remember that the park and pier are immediately to the southwest of the Convention Center. From I-5 North, approaching from the south, take the J Street exit, then go straight, three blocks up to Market, turn left and take it from there.
Ferry Landing Pier (Coronado) — Need a reporter although bass (kelp, sand and spotted) generally seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays and bat rays). How To Get There: From San Diego, take the Coronado Bay Bridge (Highway 75) to Coronado. Once over the bridge you are on Third Street. Simply follow it to B Avenue, turn right, and follow it to the front of The Old Ferry Landing — the intersection of First Street and B Avenue. The pier sits behind the shops in the complex.
Shelter Island Pier — Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take I-5 or I-8 to Rosecrans (Hwy. 209) and go west, turn left at Shelter Island Dr. and follow the road until you see the pier and the entrance to the parking lot.
Oceanside Pier —Bill Litchfield at the Oceanside Pier says the weather has been lousy—both wind and rain and the water is rough and dirty. So, not a great many fishermen. Nevertheless, the regulars who show up are still getting some LARGE spotfin croaker (but they know what they are doing). Some smelt are also being caught and some surfperch but not much else, no mackerel or sardines. The sharkers at the end are not getting any sharks. Hopefully the weather will begin to cooperate soon. How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — No report this month. How To Get There: From I-5 take the Harbor Dr. exit off the freeway, follow it and it will wind down to the harbor; where the road splits stay to the right on North Harbor Dr., and follow it to the pier.
Orange County Piers
San Clemente Pier — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said there’s not much to report. The weather (rain) has seen fewer anglers out so less reports. The lobster season has been good but the season will be closing soon. Inshore some surfperch are showing up but croaker action is a little slower. She hasn’t gotten any reports of top water action, i.e., mackerel but their fingers are crossed. The usual bottom species should be out at the end. How to Get There: From I-5 take any of several exit streets west to El Camino Real, follow it to the center of town, and from there take Del Mar down to the pier.
Dana Harbor Pier — Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. Stephanie said there aren’t many reports but the guys at the shop who fish the harbor after work have seen some small halibut and quite a few bass—kelp, sand and bay bass. How To Get There: The pier is located in the Dana Cove Park area of Dana Point Harbor. From the Pacific Coast Highway take Green Lantern Road south to the harbor, turn left on Cove Road, and follow it to the pier.
Balboa Pier — Our reporter Snookie said, “Today things picked up a little. The report isn't great, but we did get a few fish. I got a 21-inch halibut on a sardine, and someone caught a 25-incher, but that has been all the halibut so far. That's a start. There have been a lot of mackerel caught on the end of pier. We had lots of bait both sardines and smelt of all sizes; I also got a 3-foot leopard shark and one loon. Did you know that a fish that size (a leopard shark) is about 10 years old. A friend has been getting some nice spofin croakers in the surf area, he caught two big spotfin croakers yesterday on lures. Today we saw a white sea bass about 60 pounds swim by us. That's a big fish. The weather was nice both Tuesday and Thursday. There are whales coming through now, but not close to shore yet. The people have been very pleasant to talk to which is nice. There was a bus of kids (high school age) that were here from Salt Lake City, Utah today. That was the nicest bunch of kids we had seen in a long time. They were polite and spoke well without having to use 4 letter words. What a pleasure. There are not many fishermen lately and there is now a crane set up between the surf and middle tees to fix some pilings. We need a good spring condition but there is more rain coming Friday and Saturday then next Thursday. Hopefully we get some good fishing in between storms.” How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take Newport Blvd. which will turn into Balboa Blvd., follow it west to Palm Street. Turn right and follow it to the pier and the adjacent parking lot.
Newport Pier — No report this month but the action is usually similar to Balboa. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — We need a reporter. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.”
Seal Beach Pier — Rada, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy., says it’s been cold, wet and windy and and the pier was closed for a few days but fishing should be back to normal. Most of the action is on barred surfperch inshore and mackerel mid-pier to the end. Not much else. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway simply take Main St. west and follow it to the pier.
Los Angeles County Piers
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier — We got a report from Fishman Fishman on 3/5 that said “morning session at the pier yielded a mixed bag. Caught and released 4 White Croaker, 3 Short Sandbass, 2 Jacksmelt, 1 Lizardfish, and 1 Thornback Ray. Caught all the fish on cut anchovy using a high/low rig. Weather was sunny, warm, and no wind.” How To Get There: From the north take I-405 to the Lakewood Boulevard turnoff, and then go south to 7th Street, turn west (right) until you come to Ximeno Ave. and then turn left. Follow it to Livingston Dr. and go west. You will see signs by Ocean Ave. and Termino Ave. indicating the pier. From the south take the Pacific Coast Highway to 2nd. Street (Westminister becomes 2nd. Street when it crosses PCH), go west, follow to Livingston Dr. Follow it to signs by Ocean Ave. and Termino Ave. indicating the pier and parking lot.
Shoreline Aquatic Park Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker casting out from the pier, sargo and perch when fishing the inshore waters. Expect some very dirty water conditions and possibly a lot of debris in the water. How to Get There: From downtown Long Beach, take Pine Avenue south to Shoreline Drive. For the northernmost pier #1 follow Shoreline Avenue west and follow it around the lagoon to where the street ends. For the southernmost piers #2-#5 follow Shoreline Drive east to the markings for Shoreline Village, continue past the shopping complex, and follow the road out to near the end of the peninsula. You will see the piers.
Pier J Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish, perch and perhaps some mackerel. How To Get There: From I-710 follow the signs saying S. Harbor Scenic Drive. From downtown Long Beach follow Queens Way past the Catalina Landing and on to the Queens Way Bridge over the water and take the S. Harbor Scenic Drive.
Cabrillo Beach Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook, 245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro, is on vacation. Will get a report and update this report when he returns. How To Get There: Take the Harbor Freeway (I-110) south; it will turn into Gaffey St. Follow it to 22nd Street and turn left. Follow 22nd St. to Pacific Ave. and turn right. Follow Pacific Ave. to 36th Street and the entrance to Cabrillo Park.
Green Pleasure Pier (Avalon, Catalina Island) – Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, and sheephead. How To Get There: The trick here is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. Information is available on all of these by calling the Avalon Chamber of Commerce on the Pleasure Pier (213) 510-1520 or the Visitor's Information & Service Center (213) 510-2500. Once in Avalon there should be no problem in finding the pier, which is located at the foot of Catalina Avenue.
Cabrillo Mole (Avalon, Catalina Island) — Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, sheephead and ocean whitefish. Some bonito and barracuda may also show up. A report from fish-ninja on 11/23 said, “It’s been a long while since I ventured into one of the piers. I am off duty this week and saw stars aligned with my old Japanese friend of mine available. I convinced him to join me at Avalon this Tuesday. Great weather, it was. Actually I felt too hot mid day. Winds were there but still in normal range. None of regulars were present giving us a lot of space to fish with. My friend wanted to catch bonito so I suggested him to cast right away while I prep our station. He caught one in his first cast. There was a nice young man who is local in SoCal but now attends UCB fishing along side us. He was catching in succession until he broke his only rod! No problem we rent one of our many to him so he could keep fishing. In the mid-day things got slower with more gusts. A local fishing guide whose name I forgot showed up with his father-boy clients. The boy fished on bottom with bait catching assortment of Catalina fares. Had a huge grin. After his session is over he came to us and kept suggesting what to do based on all he just learned plus Hashem’s legal rule board. I listened him telling him yes yes thinking some day he may become a professor of sort. My fishing was good as well while I attended my friend. A limit of bonito and some great size good looking Pacific chub Mack’s were caught on jigs. Plus some short calico basses. How To Get There: The trick here is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. Information is available on all of these by calling the Avalon Chamber of Commerce on the Pleasure Pier (213) 510-1520 or the Visitor's Information & Service Center (213) 510-2500. Once in Avalon when you walk off the ferry onto the landing you are at the Mole.
Redondo Beach Pier — No report this month although mackerel were being caught. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Manhattan Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How to Get There: From I-405 take Santa Monica Blvd. west to Ocean Ave. Turn left, go to Colorado Ave., and turn right onto the pier.
Malibu Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu) says with the rain and wind, especially the wind, not too many people are fishing so she hasn’t gotten many reports. About the only report for Malibu is that quite a few sargo and small walleye surfperch are showing up. No reports of top-water action, i.e., mackerel or sardines and no reports of sharks. Hopefully the weather will improve but it was pouring down rain when I called. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu). Ditto the above with few reports but Ginny did see a picture of a nice legal-size halibut taken from the pier recently. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. Parking is very expensive unless you buy an expensive meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — Ludia at Hyun’s Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said not too many people are fishing due to the weather—wind and rain, but she said the perch fishing has been good, especially barred surfperch and walleye surfperch (use lug worms). How To Get There: From Highway 1 take Hueneme Rd. west until it turns into Port. At Ventura Rd turn left and follow it to Surfside Dr. Turn left again and follow it to the park.
Ventura Pier — Ludia at Hyun's Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura said the pier is still closed due to damage from last winter’s storms. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Seaward Drive exit west to Harbor Drive, turn right and follow it to the pier.
Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara) — Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said there aren’t too many reports due to a lack of fishermen. It was raining when I called and apparently the wind and rain has seen people staying home. She did say that she is still getting reports on decent crab action at the pier. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take Castillo St. or State St. west to the beach and follow signs to the pier.
Goleta Pier — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said the pier is closed and she’s not sure when it will be reopened. It’s a combination of damage to the pier from winter storms and a sewage spill in the inlet. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Hwy. 217/Airport exit. Follow it to Sandspit Rd. and the Goleta Beach Park turnoff. Follow this to the park and the pier.
Gaviota Pier — Ongoing report—The pier has now been closed for somewhere around eight years and the rumors of repair and reopening continue. Don’t know if there is any additional damage from the recent high tides. There are all kind of reports on the Internet regarding projected work but don’t hold your breath. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
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