Imperial Beach Pier - -- No report this month. 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 - No report this month. 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 this month. 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 this month. 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.

Bayshore Park Pier - No report this month. 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 -- Miguel, at the Harbor Bait and Tackle and Deli. Shop, at the foot of the pier, says that fishing has been slow lately with the exception of numerous sand bass and small stingrays. There hasn't been any action of top (mackerel), nor has there been much variety. However, some of the sand bass are decent size; he picked up a 17" sandie on live smelt the day I called. He also reports fairly good fishing for shovelnose guitarfish and a couple of leopard sharks. How To Get There: Take I-5 to the Market St. exit, 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.

Ferry Landing Pier (Coronado) - No report this month. 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 - John, at the Shelter Island Pier Bait & Tackle Shop (on the pier), says that things have started to pick up (finally). Lots of halibut have been showing lately as have bass (both sand bass and calicos - kelp bass). Mixed in are quite a few corbina, bat rays and round stingrays. Although many of the halibut are sub-legal size, several 23-24" fish have been landed on live bait. Ghost shrimp and anchovies have been the bait for most of the corbina with squid beings tops for the bat rays. Most unusual catch recently was a wayward 17" sheephead that made the mistake of visiting the pier; its picture is now on the wall for all to see. 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 -- Carl, at the Oceanside Pier Bait & Tackle (on the pier), reports that things are looking up. For the last couple of weeks a good school of bait has been around the pier and, as usual, the fishing has improved. He reports good action on halibut and bass for anglers who take the time to jig up some live bait - small herring (queenfish) or smelt. Inshore, there's also improved action with barred surfperch and spotfin croaker showing up. Most are falling to fresh mussels or bloodworms. Although he's seen a couple of leopard sharks and shovelnose guitarfish, the action is still slow on those creatures. Ditto mackerel on the top - they're still infrequent. 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.

San Clemente Pier - Carl Kepner, the new owner of the Pier Tackle Shop (on the pier), said that he's seen some yellowfin croaker, bat rays and mackerel at the pier but since he just took over he didn't a full report. He says once things settle down he plans to be open on Thursday-Sunday from about 8 a.m. to 4/5 p.m. From June 15-September 15 he plans to be open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 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 - No report this month. 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 -- Snookie reports that "We are still having trouble getting this season started. The halibut are there when you can get live bait. The live bait are being elusive most of the time this month, but if you work real hard up by the telephone, it is possible to get some. Don't throw back the very large ones because the BIG halibut will try for them. I know as I had the use of some 10-inch smelt under the pier close to the surf, and both were hit quite hard. It was a lazy fish, and she didn't finish her meal. I pulled up shredded smelt. I have had some undersized halibut though. The surfperch especially walleyes (that are very tasty) are now available. The baits for them are mussel, ghost shrimp, and bloodworms. The yellowfin are there too with the same menu. So far even though the corbina are around and easy to spot, they are not cooperating. I am seeing some baby leopard sharks being caught on the surf rigs, and the large leopards have made their appearances in the surf. Did you know that those 5-foot leopards chase and probably eat corbinas? Interesting to watch. This past week we had numerous jellyfish come by in all sizes. Sounds as though we are going to have cold water for a while longer which by the way is staying around 57 to 59 degrees. Yes, we are still seeing a few Grey whales heading north. The mackerel catching still seems to be on the slow side, but I am not there at night to see if it is better then. Also if one is inclined to catch thornbacks, they are available with either smaller smelt or dead anchovies preferably. Let's hope for better fishing this next month." Also See the Message Board. 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 an adjacent parking lot.

Newport Pier - No report this month. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turnoff and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.

Huntington Beach - No report this month. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.

Seal Beach Pier - Ken, at Norm's Big Fish Sportfishing Shop (on the pier), says that the halibut fishing is pretty decent now for anglers jigging up live smelt and herring (queenfish). Halibut are ranging up to 25." Inshore, anglers are getting a few sargo and walleye surfperch while out at the end quite a few cabezon have been landed. He's also seen a lot of stickleback rays - thornback rays. Nothing on top though - no mackerel or sardines. See the Message Board. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway simply take Main St. west and follow it to the pier.

Belmont Pier - Jimmy, at the Belmont Pier Sportfishing shop (on the pier), reports that fishing has improved. Inshore, fishermen are getting some corbina and yellowfin croaker together with good numbers of (diamond) turbot. The surf fish are being caught on shrimp and fresh mussels. Out at the end jiggers are catching lots of herring (queenfish) and big jacksmelt while anglers on the bottom are getting a mix of sand bass, calico bass, halibut (with an 18-pound fish landed last week), sand sharks and shovelnose sharks (guitarfish). The keeper halibut are normally landed on live smelt. He also reports that the mackerel action is dead at this time. How To Get There: From the north take I-405 to the Lakewood Boulevard turnoff, 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.

Cabrillo Pier - No report this month. 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) -- No report this month. 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 and Newport Beach. 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.

Redondo Beach Pier - No report this month. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.

Redondo Sportfishing Pier -- Andy, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports that things are slow - a few mackerel in the morning and small perch under the pier during the day. He's also seeing a few short calicos (kelp bass). How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take Beryl St. west to Harbor Dr. and follow it to the entrance of the sportfishing parking lot.

Hermosa Beach Pier - Pete, at Just Fishing By Pete, near the entrance to the pier, reports that the pier is still closed. Some city officials say a June opening, others say August. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.

Manhattan Beach Pier - No report this month. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.

Burton Chace Fishing Platform (Marina Del Rey) -- No report this month. How To Get There: From Lincoln Boulevard turn west on Mindanao Drive and follow it to the park. To reach the dock you must go through the park.

Venice Pier - No report this month. How To Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.

Santa Monica Pier -- John, at the Santa Monica Pier Bait & Tackle Company, reports that fishing is starting to improve. Quite a few halibut are beginning to be seen with the largest recently being a 33," 11 1/2 pound fish. He says there have been quite a few 6-7 pound fish. The halibut are being landed on live herring (queenfish) that are schooling around the pier in the morning hours. He's also seen quite a few sargo and opaleye being landed. The key for both is to use the right bait -- small sidewinder crabs that can be taken from the pilings under the pier during low tide. Most of the sargo are in the 1 1/2- 2 pound size range. Mackerel are sparse as are the leopard sharks but he's seeing a lot of bat rays. Water temperature was 59 degrees the day I called. 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 -- The pier remains closed.

Port Hueneme Pier - Michelle at the Hueneme Bait and Tackle Shop (near the foot of the pier) report fairly good fishing. Sounds like a mix of jacksmelt and sardines on top, a few sand sharks and rays on the bottom, and a few perch inshore. The perch are hitting on clams; the smelt and sardines are falling to bait rigs. Very few halibut and mackerel lately. 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 - No report this month. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Seaward Drive exit west to Harbor Drive, turn right and follow it to the pier.

Santa Barbara Wharf - Open to fishing? 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 - No report this month. See the Message Board. 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 - No report this month. See the Message Board. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff.

I would like to thank the following people who have bought books and help keep this site alive:

Kevin Atwell (Loxley, Alabama), Richard Kenway (Flint, Michigan), David Thornton (Mobile, Alabama), Daniel Franks (Sparks, Nevada), Gordon Holland (Vinita, Oklahoma), Patrick Whalen (Canoga Park, California), David Goings (Las Vegas, Nevada), Joyce Evans (Suisun City, California), Robert Galvin Jr. (Boulder Creek, California), Bud Raridon (Dana Point, California), Ariel Blason (Walnut Creek, California), Scott Strickland (San Jose, California), Henry Chi (Los Angeles, California), Jeff Green (Oakland, California), Gil Sperry (San Clemente, California), Joe Malat ( Nags Head, North Carolina), Elizabeth Shockney (Montara, California), Janet Fram (Rupert, Vermont), Richard Brewer Jr. (Santa Maria, California), Cal Mock (Vacaville, California), Mark Spangler (Quartz Hill, California), Barb Storms (Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), Mary Silver (Santa Cruz, California), Cristina Pelina (San Francisco, California), David Cottrell (Pacifica, California), Tsutomu Kagiyama (Westminister, Colorado), Mark Von Seggern (Grass Valley, California), John Siembieda (Santa Cruz, California), Anastacio Herrera (Cathedral City, California), Fred Goorjian (Sunland, California), Craig Grim (Sunnyvale, California), Takahiro Hirai (Placentia, California), Jacob Lee (Walnut Creek, California), Garry Hofer (Long Beach, California), Andy Butler (San Francisco, California), Edward Martin (Twin Falls, Idaho), Alfred Kuo (San Francisco, California), Lynne Yirchot (San Carlos, California), Nick Gladdis (Kihei, Hawaii), Fred Green (Joshua Tree, California), Mark Denton (Alameda, California), Arnold Elizalde (Whittier, California), Richard Insidioso (South Haven, Michigan), Arthur So (Monterey Park, California), Whedy Wang (Belmont, California), Mark Jackson (Balboa, California), Wilhelmus Vuist (Palo Alto, California), William McDonald (Los Angeles, California), Frank Sweeney (San Jose, California), Joan Biren (Takoma Park, Maryland), Robert Wilcenski (Daly City, California), Mel Maeda (Daly City, California), Yoshitoki Takagawa (Northridge, California), Mike Goodwin (Huntington Beach, California), Ben Moore (Carpintera, California), Rob Lash (Milpitas, California), Scott Davis (Bakersfield, California), David Strong (Santa Barbara, California), Noah Booker (Oakland, California), Chris Wakeman (Carlsbad, California), Debra De Carmo (West Covina, California), Howard Weinberg (Davis, California), Craig Lassen (Los Angeles, California), Jerry Feng (Milpitas, California), Laddie Kosmal (3) (Highland, California), Armijo (LaHabra, California), Scott Anderson (Walnut Creek, California), Jeff Comer (Long Beach, California), George Sanders (Soledad, California), Reynaldo Pasion (San Jose, California), Yong-min Cho (Cupertino, California), Kyu Sung Hwang (Newark, California), Terry Hackett (La Habra, California). Ray Owyang (Oakland, California), Daniel Sheffield (Hayward, California), Angelo Pinon (Panorama City, California) Johnny Camacho (Chula Vista, California) and Richard Clausen (Lodi, California).

Thanks for your support and hope you liked the books!

I still need reporters for the following piers: Oceanside Small Craft Harbor Pier, Dana Point Harbor Pier, Green Pleasure Pier at Avalon, Burton Chace Park Pier, Venice Pier, Paradise Cove Pier, Fort Point Pier, San Francisco Municipal Pier, Brisbane Pier, Oyster Point Pier, Dumbarton Pier, San Leandro Marina Pier, Fruitvale Bridge Pier, Port View Park Pier, Angel Island Pier, Sausalito Public Pier, Lawson's Landing Pier and the piers in Eureka and Crescent City. If you're a "pier rat," a regular who fishes on one of these piers, knows the ins-and-outs of the pier, and knows what is being caught, send me a message and I'll make you a monthly reporter. You may not make any money, and you may not get much glory, but at least you'll help make this the best pier fishing site in the universe.