Pier Fishing in California - The Complete Coast and Bay Guide to Shore-Based Fishing

Marin Rod & Gun Club Pier aka Camiccia Family Memorial Pier — San Rafael

Private Pier — Fishing License Required There was a time, and it seems more and more like an ancient time, when hunting and fishing was practiced by a majority of the population. Every family seemed to have a fishing rod sitting in the closet or…

Bat Ray

Eagle Rays: Family Myliobatididae Species: Myliobatis californica (Gill, 1865); from the Greek words myl (a tooth or molar), io (an arrow or poison), batis (a skate or ray) and the Latin word Californica (referring to location). Apparently called aetobatus californica at one time in California:…

Redwood City Marina Fishing Pier

Late in 2021, I received word that the Redwood City Marina Pier was undergoing a total rebuild. Given that the original pier had been constructed way back in 1959, it made sense. I began to follow news about the pier and decided I would attend…

Nick’s Cove Pier — Marshall, Tomales Bay

Public Access Area — Private Pier — Fishing License Required Although many small piers dot the shoreline of Tomales Bay, only two allow the public to fish from them. One is the private pier at Lawson’s Landing, just south of Sand Point and the mouth…

Judge John Sutter Pier — Oakland

Public Pier — No License Required The Judge John Sutter Pier, part of the larger Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline Park and Pier, is one of the newest piers in the state opening in October 2020. I’ve only fished it once so these are preliminary…

Chevys Pier — Emeryville

Public Access Area but Private Pier — Fishing License Required There are many small piers scattered along the shoreline of the East Bay, many not technically built for fishing but offering platforms for those who chose the piscatorial arts. This is one such pier. It…

Pier J Fishing Pier(s) — Long Beach

Public Piers — No Fishing License Required I first heard about the Pier J piers at the end of 2020. Given that I’ve been to the opening of a couple of piers, I was hoping to be one of the first anglers to fish on…

Huntington Beach Wave Motor Pier — Gone But Not Forgotten

Another Wave Motor Another wave motor has appeared, this time at Huntington Beach and only on paper, at that. But it is said to involve an entirely new principle and some glittering hopes are entertained by its inventors, Alva L. Reynolds and his brother. They…

Peck’s Pier & Bruces’ Beach — Manhattan Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

When anglers think of Manhattan Beach they think of the Manhattan Beach Pier, a pier first built in 1920 and one that has survived storm damage, multiple repairs, and renovations. It’s an icon in the city and has been declared a state historic landmark. …

Pine Avenue Pier #2 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten

As the first Pine Avenue Pier neared its end, it was clear that Long Beach, a now popular seaside resort and quickly growing town, would need a new pier. A committee was formed to look at the latest methods of construction. It proposed a structure…