[Ken Jones]

California Pier Report — October 2010 Northern California Piers

Lawson's Landing — Ditto last month—jacksmelt, a few perch, and good action on rock crabs is what keeps most people busy. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to the middle of the town of Tomales. Turn west onto the road that goes to Dillon Beach. At Dillon Beach you will see a road marked Lawson's Landing; simply follow it down to the entrance, pay your money, and stay on the road to its end at the foot of the pier.

Spud Point Marina Pier (Bodega Bay) — Jacksmelt and perch are about the only thing to be seen although a few sharks and rays surprise anglers. How To Get There: Take East Shore Rd. off of Hwy. 1 to Bay Flat Rd. Turn right and follow until the road turns into West Shore Rd. Continue on past the marina until you see the breakwater.

Point Arena Pier – Avoid the wind and some striped seaperch, kelp greenling, cabezon and occasional lingcod should be available. How To Get There: From the south, turn left from Hwy. 1 onto Iverson Ave., which will turn into Port Rd. Simply, follow the road to the pier. From the north, turn right onto Port Rd. and follow it to the pier.

Del Norte Street Fishing Pier (Eureka) — Greg, at Bucksport, says the piers and wharves have primarily been kicking out perch, walleyes and pileperch, and some leopard sharks. As always, there are also rock crabs in abundance. How To Get There: Take Highway 101 to the south end of Eureka, turn west on Del Norte Street and follow it to the pier.

Commercial Street Dock (Eureka) — It’s mainly walleye surfperch and an occasional marauding school of jacksmelt. Nighttime should produce some leopard sharks and bat rays. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to Commercial Street. Turn north toward the bay and follow the street to the pier parking lot.

Trinidad Pier — Ruby at the bait shop says no one is on the wharf, it’s been too windy and just plain nasty. If you do decide to brave the conditions expect a few small greenling, cabezon or rockfish along with rock crabs. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Trinidad exit and follow the road all the way to the harbor-it will change from Main Street to Trinity to Edwards Street. (A license is required from this pier.

Citizen's Dock (Crescent City) — Jim at England Marine reports that it’s really been windy and not too many people are out fishing. Expect a few perch, cabezon and rockfish inshore by the (surprise, surprise) rocks and a few perch and rockfish down around the pilings. How To Get there: From Highway 101 turn west on Citizens Dock Road and follow it to the dock. "B" Street Pier (Crescent City) — Sounds like it’s been slow. Expect an occasional school of jacksmelt and the possibility of a small flatfish or two. How To Get there: Take Highway 101 to Front Street, go west on Front Street to B Street, go south (left) on B Street to the pier.