[Ken Jones]

California Pier Report — June 2012
Central California

San Luis Obispo County Piers

Pismo Beach Pier — No report. How To Get There: From the north, take Hwy. 101 to the Five Cities Dr. exit; follow Dolliver into the middle of town, then turn west on Pomeroy and follow it to the pier and parking lot. From the south, take the Pismo Beach Exit (Price St.), follow it to Pomeroy; turn west and follow it to the pier.

Avila Pier – Louis at the Avila Pier Bait and Tackle said there haven’t been many anglers so it’s hard to give a good report but so far it’s mainly jacksmelt and kingfish (white croaker) along with a few small halibut. When the mackerel and sardines show up that should also stimulate the other fish. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to Avila Rd. and go west; turn left off of Avila Rd. on to Front St. and follow it to the pier.

Port San Luis (Harford) Pier — Zack, at Patriot Sportfishing on the pier, said he hasn’t seen any fish taken from the pier other than a few smelt. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to the Avila Rd. turnoff and head west; follow the road to the end and the pier.

Morro Bay T-Piers – It sounds like some perch and rockfish continue to be available for those who know what they are doing. How To Get There: From Highway 1 turn south onto Main Street, follow it to Morro Bay Boulevard, turn left toward the bay and follow it to Embarcadero, turn right and follow Embarcadero to the end of the public parking which adjoins the piers.

Cayucos Pier — No report although the bite on surfperch should be decent. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to either Ocean Boulevard, which is the main street and will take you past the pier, or take the Cayucos Drive exit which will take you straight to the pier.

San Simeon Pier — No report although the bite on surfperch should be decent. How To Get There: Highway 1 to the entrance to the park.

Monterey-Santa Cruz-San Mateo County Piers

Monterey Coast Guard Pier — PFIC reports sound like it’s the usual mix, with a variety of small rockfish and perch being the primary species (although there were some hints of lingcod being taken). How To Get There: From Hwy 1 going north: Take the Aguajito Road exit, turn left at the first traffic signal intersection, which is Aguajito Road, and continue under Highway 1 and cross Fremont Street. At the next traffic signal intersection, which is Del Monte Avenue, turn left. Continue down Del Monte Avenue and under the tunnel where the street turns into Lighthouse Avenue. Get into the right-hand lane. As the street veers to the right it turns into Foam Street. Continue on Foam Street to the first right and turn into the parking lot. From Hwy 1 going south: Take the Del Monte Avenue exit, continue down Del Monte Avenue for several blocks and go under the tunnel where the street turns into Lighthouse Avenue. Get into the right-hand lane. As the street veers to the right it turns into Foam Street. Continue on Foam Street to the first right and turn into the parking lot.

Monterey Wharf #2 — No report; hot or cold depending upon pelagics being in the area. How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the central Monterey exit and follow Del Monte Avenue to Figueroa Street, turn right and follow to the wharf.

Seacliff State Beach Pier — Matt at the Capitola Boat & Bait says he has heard reports of a few stripers being taken off the pier although most of the action continues to be on surfperch (a variety of species). How To Get There: How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the State Park Drive exit; follow the road west to the park entrance.

Capitola Wharf — Matt at Capitola Boat & Bait on the wharf reported the first halibut of the summer, a six pounder caught on June 2 that fell to a live shiner. The same day saw two shovelnose guitarfish caught from the wharf along with some thornback rays. Other than that it’s been mainly perch and a few sand sole. Anchovies (small ones) are now hanging by the pier, and that usually means an influx of striped bass, but to date only one small striper has been reported. How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the Bay Avenue exit west until it hits Capitola Avenue where you turn right; stay on this to Cliff Drive, turn right and park wherever you can find a spot.

Santa Cruz Wharf — PFIC reports say the action has been dead. You might expect a few small kingfish or sanddabs but nothing else has really been hitting. How to Get There: There are many ways to get to the wharf, the way I usually go is to take Ocean Street south from Highway 1; when you get to Laurel Street turn right and follow it to Pacific Street, turn left and follow Pacific to the wharf.

Pillar Point Pier — No report this month. How To Get There: From Highway 1 simply take the Pillar Point Harbor turnoff and follow the road down to the main parking lot. This pier is to the far right of the parking lot

Pacifica Pier – It’s mainly perch and kingfish at this time. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Pacifica, take the Paloma Avenue-Francisco Boulevard exit, take Paloma west to Beach Road, turn left and proceed a short way until you see markers indicating the way to Fort Point, turn left on Long Avenue and it will take you down to the pier.