Sorry this is so short. Still trying to get more info.
California Pier Report
December 2023 Fishing Report, Southern California (#290)
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 – An early November report from Ray619 said, Not much of a report. Tried for 2 hours for nothing. Just brought one outfit rigged for Bonita. It was Bonita or Bust. Saw a few croakers caught along with smelt. No sardines or chovies. Talked to a few regulars and most mentioned Mackerel bite and queenfish. Noticed they place rod holders along the pier. ”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 probably remain closed until next spring. 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 – No report from the new tackle shop; never seems to answer her phone. Will call again. 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. I thought I had a new reporter but he hasn’t answered my calls. I’ll keep trying. 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 — No report, 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 anglers are getting some barred surfperch inshore along with a few croaker. A few halibut also continue to be caught including a 29-inch fish. Most of the action occurs when the sardines or mackerel move in, that’s when the halibut hit, the bass, and the sharks. One guy got a thresher estimated at 70 pounds. Not too many lobsters being taken since they closed the pier at night. Unfortunately the fence is still closing off the south side of the pier and now the bathrooms are closed (redoing the pipes); Bill said it’s frustrating. A report on 11/16 from bassfanactic said, “Water is somewhat clear, after sunset everything came alive, Mackerel schooling up and dolphins were chasing them close to the pier, Pacific Mackerel, Jack Mackerel and Sardines can be found, plus a few Barred Sand Bass.” An early November report from bassfanatick said, “Water is super clear, small Sardines plentiful, Sculpin and Bass can be found, Mackerel everywhere after sunset.” 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 —Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says the main catches have been inshore on surfperch (mainly barred surfperch) and on croakers, both yellowfins and spotfins. Natural baits such as lugworms and mussels are taking most of the fish. Apparently top action has been slow with few mackerel showing up although there are occasional flurries and the larger jacksmelt should be showing up at this time of the year. Surprisingly a smallish-sized thresher shark was taken out at the end on a plastic lure. Lobsters continue to be caught at night although it’s slowed somewhat. 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 — Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said most of the action has been on bass, all three varieties on both bait (worms and anchovies) and artificial lures. 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 says, “Well this year is not like last year. It has been slower and my group has just gotten one keeper halibut apiece so far. Yes there are lots of small ones. This week we lost several big ones and the bait situation was great. They, the bait, were all in the surf. They couldn't wait to get on your snagline. Maybe that is what is wrong with the other fish. It is the fact that they are full. I heard that there were big mackerel at the end yesterday and that will make some people happy. Have seen some big corbina landed by a snagger. Yesterday was the first cold day we have had for a while plus it rained. We all went home early as we were quite wet. We got a report on December 4 from Rusty that said, “Got here about 11:30, beautiful day, minimal wind, calm seas, tons of various types of birds everywhere. Not many anglers Wide open sardines and wide open lizards on the floor. Got a dozen dines in a matter of minutes, super healthy lively fish, the birds were stealing them faster than I could catch them! I put a lid on top but they’re still trying. Deployed a live sardine to see if I could get a non-bird strike and everything stopped promptly at 1pm. Totally shut off! Got a few dozen aggressive sardines for bait for future trips, and probably lost 3 times as many to the birds! The mean little sardines tore apart my Sabiki and only 2 hooks left out of 6. They are only 4-5” but were fighting like little mackerels, of which I saw none being caught. Showed a guy how to catch the sardines, gave him some smaller lead and he was catching a bunch of sardines also. 6”-10” smelt off the end of the pier, all you could catch sardines in the mid pier section on the shaded side. No takers on my live bait, not even a scratch. Tons of tiny 3” lizards all over the floor. One guy at the surf line not catching or snagging anything. These birds were persistent and just hung around like my buddies, literally everyone that walked by asked or made a comment about them stealing fish. I really don’t mind them taking the fish, but the pointy beak guys are impatient and let out a startling roar. One is a pro at moving the lid over just enough every time i turn around, and that lid is probably 2-3 lbs. full of tackle. Perfect relaxing day even though there’s not a lot of fishing action, probably a good mack attack later towards evening as usual I’m guessing. Still awaiting some Bonito to arrive, they have been pretty much MIA this year in this area, though I’ve heard there is tiny guys in MDR and Redondo area.” 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 pretty slow and not too many people are fishing. Most of the action continues to be inshore on croakers and a few corbina while perch action is slow. Further out on the pier anglers are still picking up some mackerel and an occasional halibut. He hasn’t heard of much sharay action lately. We got a report from Fishman Fishman on November 30 that said, “Morning fishing trip at the pier. Cool, crisp, November morning. Caught a short Halibut, a short Sandbass, a small Yellowfin croaker and several Jacksmelt. Halibut and Sandbass caught with anchovy using a Carolina set-up. Croaker and Jacksmelt caught on hi/lo rig using shrimp. All fish released. Two fisherman nearby caught and kept several Jacksmelt and Pacific Mackerel." 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 — Rada, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. says people are getting a few lobsters along with a mix of croaker, mackerel and halibut. 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) — No reports. 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, said he just got back from being gone three weeks and didn’t have a report. I imagine it’s about the same as normal, a few halibut for the regulars who know what they are doing, a few bass and perch for those fishing the rocky areas, and an occasional visit from a school of mackerel that seem to come and go. As for lobster, this is really a daytime pier so the bugs are largely absent. 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 —Hond at the Redondo Beach Tackle on the pier says people are catching mackerel but not much else. 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 things have slowed down but a few halibut continue to show up (including a 24-inch fish) and a lot of yellowfin croaker are showing up inshore. She says the action on bass has slowed as has action on mackerel but a lot of big jacksmelt are starting to make a showing. No new on sharksEAL20 and rays. 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) says she’s actually getting better reports about this pier than the Malibu Pier. Several halibut have been caught, a white seabass, and the usual smaller species including perch and croakers on the bottom and jacksmelt and mackerel on top. 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 the fishing has been good. The usual species are showing up along with some more unusual varieties (people fishing the beach are showing up with some striped bass). She said those who know what they are doing are also catching some nice opaleye at the pier. Her nephew filled up a bucket with opaleye using fresh mussels and lugworms. 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) — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said the pier has seen some lobsters but most of them are shorts (which is common). Crabs as usual are in abundance. She said some top species are being caught but not too many are fishing for them (just too crowded from tourists). Some people continue to target threshers and a few are being taken but it’s a FEW, nothing steady. There should be some small bass around the pilings but few fish for them. 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 action on halibut has died off but there are still surfperch too be had in the inshore areas. She said smelt are showing up in the morning and then they are replaced by mackerel and sardines in the afternoon to evening hours. She said there are quite a few guitarfish being taken as well as the usual smaller sharays. Lobsters are few and far between (better at Stearns) and only a few crabs show up. 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. There are all kind of reports on the Internet 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.
California Pier Report
December 2023 Fishing Report, Southern California (#290)
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 – An early November report from Ray619 said, Not much of a report. Tried for 2 hours for nothing. Just brought one outfit rigged for Bonita. It was Bonita or Bust. Saw a few croakers caught along with smelt. No sardines or chovies. Talked to a few regulars and most mentioned Mackerel bite and queenfish. Noticed they place rod holders along the pier. ”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 probably remain closed until next spring. 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 – No report from the new tackle shop; never seems to answer her phone. Will call again. 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. I thought I had a new reporter but he hasn’t answered my calls. I’ll keep trying. 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 — No report, 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 anglers are getting some barred surfperch inshore along with a few croaker. A few halibut also continue to be caught including a 29-inch fish. Most of the action occurs when the sardines or mackerel move in, that’s when the halibut hit, the bass, and the sharks. One guy got a thresher estimated at 70 pounds. Not too many lobsters being taken since they closed the pier at night. Unfortunately the fence is still closing off the south side of the pier and now the bathrooms are closed (redoing the pipes); Bill said it’s frustrating. A report on 11/16 from bassfanactic said, “Water is somewhat clear, after sunset everything came alive, Mackerel schooling up and dolphins were chasing them close to the pier, Pacific Mackerel, Jack Mackerel and Sardines can be found, plus a few Barred Sand Bass.” An early November report from bassfanatick said, “Water is super clear, small Sardines plentiful, Sculpin and Bass can be found, Mackerel everywhere after sunset.” 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 —Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says the main catches have been inshore on surfperch (mainly barred surfperch) and on croakers, both yellowfins and spotfins. Natural baits such as lugworms and mussels are taking most of the fish. Apparently top action has been slow with few mackerel showing up although there are occasional flurries and the larger jacksmelt should be showing up at this time of the year. Surprisingly a smallish-sized thresher shark was taken out at the end on a plastic lure. Lobsters continue to be caught at night although it’s slowed somewhat. 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 — Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said most of the action has been on bass, all three varieties on both bait (worms and anchovies) and artificial lures. 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 says, “Well this year is not like last year. It has been slower and my group has just gotten one keeper halibut apiece so far. Yes there are lots of small ones. This week we lost several big ones and the bait situation was great. They, the bait, were all in the surf. They couldn't wait to get on your snagline. Maybe that is what is wrong with the other fish. It is the fact that they are full. I heard that there were big mackerel at the end yesterday and that will make some people happy. Have seen some big corbina landed by a snagger. Yesterday was the first cold day we have had for a while plus it rained. We all went home early as we were quite wet. We got a report on December 4 from Rusty that said, “Got here about 11:30, beautiful day, minimal wind, calm seas, tons of various types of birds everywhere. Not many anglers Wide open sardines and wide open lizards on the floor. Got a dozen dines in a matter of minutes, super healthy lively fish, the birds were stealing them faster than I could catch them! I put a lid on top but they’re still trying. Deployed a live sardine to see if I could get a non-bird strike and everything stopped promptly at 1pm. Totally shut off! Got a few dozen aggressive sardines for bait for future trips, and probably lost 3 times as many to the birds! The mean little sardines tore apart my Sabiki and only 2 hooks left out of 6. They are only 4-5” but were fighting like little mackerels, of which I saw none being caught. Showed a guy how to catch the sardines, gave him some smaller lead and he was catching a bunch of sardines also. 6”-10” smelt off the end of the pier, all you could catch sardines in the mid pier section on the shaded side. No takers on my live bait, not even a scratch. Tons of tiny 3” lizards all over the floor. One guy at the surf line not catching or snagging anything. These birds were persistent and just hung around like my buddies, literally everyone that walked by asked or made a comment about them stealing fish. I really don’t mind them taking the fish, but the pointy beak guys are impatient and let out a startling roar. One is a pro at moving the lid over just enough every time i turn around, and that lid is probably 2-3 lbs. full of tackle. Perfect relaxing day even though there’s not a lot of fishing action, probably a good mack attack later towards evening as usual I’m guessing. Still awaiting some Bonito to arrive, they have been pretty much MIA this year in this area, though I’ve heard there is tiny guys in MDR and Redondo area.” 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 pretty slow and not too many people are fishing. Most of the action continues to be inshore on croakers and a few corbina while perch action is slow. Further out on the pier anglers are still picking up some mackerel and an occasional halibut. He hasn’t heard of much sharay action lately. We got a report from Fishman Fishman on November 30 that said, “Morning fishing trip at the pier. Cool, crisp, November morning. Caught a short Halibut, a short Sandbass, a small Yellowfin croaker and several Jacksmelt. Halibut and Sandbass caught with anchovy using a Carolina set-up. Croaker and Jacksmelt caught on hi/lo rig using shrimp. All fish released. Two fisherman nearby caught and kept several Jacksmelt and Pacific Mackerel." 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 — Rada, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. says people are getting a few lobsters along with a mix of croaker, mackerel and halibut. 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) — No reports. 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, said he just got back from being gone three weeks and didn’t have a report. I imagine it’s about the same as normal, a few halibut for the regulars who know what they are doing, a few bass and perch for those fishing the rocky areas, and an occasional visit from a school of mackerel that seem to come and go. As for lobster, this is really a daytime pier so the bugs are largely absent. 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 —Hond at the Redondo Beach Tackle on the pier says people are catching mackerel but not much else. 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 things have slowed down but a few halibut continue to show up (including a 24-inch fish) and a lot of yellowfin croaker are showing up inshore. She says the action on bass has slowed as has action on mackerel but a lot of big jacksmelt are starting to make a showing. No new on sharksEAL20 and rays. 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) says she’s actually getting better reports about this pier than the Malibu Pier. Several halibut have been caught, a white seabass, and the usual smaller species including perch and croakers on the bottom and jacksmelt and mackerel on top. 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 the fishing has been good. The usual species are showing up along with some more unusual varieties (people fishing the beach are showing up with some striped bass). She said those who know what they are doing are also catching some nice opaleye at the pier. Her nephew filled up a bucket with opaleye using fresh mussels and lugworms. 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) — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said the pier has seen some lobsters but most of them are shorts (which is common). Crabs as usual are in abundance. She said some top species are being caught but not too many are fishing for them (just too crowded from tourists). Some people continue to target threshers and a few are being taken but it’s a FEW, nothing steady. There should be some small bass around the pilings but few fish for them. 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 action on halibut has died off but there are still surfperch too be had in the inshore areas. She said smelt are showing up in the morning and then they are replaced by mackerel and sardines in the afternoon to evening hours. She said there are quite a few guitarfish being taken as well as the usual smaller sharays. Lobsters are few and far between (better at Stearns) and only a few crabs show up. 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. There are all kind of reports on the Internet 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.