I didn’t matter if I didn’t catch a single bullhead! Well, I eventually caught something, a 15″ jacksmelt instead of the shiners I wanted…The fish were just not cooperating today, just like the many other times I have been there, hmm, my view of fishing has changed quite a bit since I first began. Ten years ago when I was 7, I just had to catch something, now a catch is just a small part of fishing. I now fish to be surrounded by nature and to relax and forget all my troubles, and at times for dinner ’cause I just cannot say no to a seafood dish. I love pretty much all seafood’s, including mackerel sashimi, carp, and croaker. Though I eat very little of the latter two.
Parting note—Many of the boaters out there were really ticking me off today. While some were courteous and steered away from the pier when they saw me—may the Gods of the sea grant them safe voyages wherever they go—there were a few inconsiderate ones who would pass by really close. One guy in one of those one-person sailboats actually caught my line!! I could have let it go as a mistake, we all make them, but when he looked at me in the face and didn’t even say a simple I’M SORRY I felt completely ticked off! I felt the urge to unload an array of R-rated words and hand signals, but like a true pier rat, I was calm and reserved. After all, what would I gain from cussing him out, nothing. Peace Love Unity & Respect Mr. Burns…. excellent!!!!!!!
Date: May 21, 2009; To: PFIC Message Board; From: fresnofishfan; Subject: Estuary Park Pier
Fished the pier about two weeks ago with my buddy from Oakland. We started at 10am with grass shrimp and squid. Before I bait up he gets a run and it snaps his line as he was tightening the drag too fast. About 30mins later I get a run and make the same rookie mistake. We do this once more each getting a run and breaking off. I decide I need 40lb instead of this 17-lb Trilene that I had on for the stripers. After returning with heavy line I proceed to hook and land two bat rays within a half hour of each other. It is about 5pm at this point.
I cant believe these things fight so hard!! I was using a 10ft Steelhead rod and a spinning reel rated for 20lb. I didn’t have much 40lb left after the first run , but was able to turn him with about 30 ft of line left. No pics but the first one was about 40” across the wings and the small one was about 30” My buddy said this was a good day of action for the pier. Looking forward to doing more pier fishing and learning on this board.
Viva Mud Marlin!!
Date: September 4, 2009; To: PFIC Message Board; From: mandre800; Subject: Estuary Park Pier
Fishing from 9pm to 12:30am. Got tons of bites during the whole time. I hooked up twice, once on a solid run and got broke off right above the hook (80-lb mono), maybe that one was a shark, right at the pier 5 feet in front of me. About an hour later I got another bite to stick, set the hook and the run was on. This one took some amazing runs and turns. I was using a reel with 220 yards of 25-lb mono and almost got spooled. It turned and made a run straight to me and then took a hard right straight to the marina. Got under the boat docks and that was all she wrote. It was an amazing night of fishing even with no fish landed.
<*}}}}}}}}}>< — Special Bay Area Regulations:
- A perch closure exits in San Francisco and San Pablo Bay from April 1 to July 31. No perch may be kept other than shinerperch (20).
- In San Francisco and San Pablo Bay a fishing line may not contain more than three hooks.
Sturgeon Regulations:
- A sturgeon report card and tags are required for anyone fishing for or taking sturgeon. (a) The card must be in the angler’s possession; (b) a tag must be used for any sturgeon retained by the angler; (c) the angler must record information on the Sturgeon Report Card immediately after catching and keeping or releasing the sturgeon.
- White sturgeon can only be kept from 40-60 inches; larger and smaller sturgeon must be released.
- Green sturgeon may not be taken or possessed.
History Note. Prior to 1872, the channel of water to the left of the pier, the water that connects the Oakland Estuary to today’s Lake Merritt, was also a dividing line between cities. To the west was Oakland, to the east was Brooklyn and San Antonio. Lake Merritt didn’t exist, instead it was a large tidal slough which changed its size with the tides. Much of the land that today surrounds Lake Merritt was marsh and a haven for wildlife, especially birds. Eventually a dam and bridge were built (1869) and the slough was transformed into a lake. Initially called Lake Peralta, after the name of the Spanish family who had owned the land, it soon became more familiar as Lake Merritt. After all, it was Dr. Samuel Merritt, the mayor of Oakland, who had conceived the dream and then carried out the plan to create the lake. His name remains to today. He was also responsible for getting the lake declared a wildfowl refuge in 1870, the first wildlife refuge in America.
Estuary Park Pier Facts
Hours: Open 24 hours a day.
Facilities: There is free parking at the entrance to the park, next to the Jack London Aquatic Center building. Portable toilets are located near the pier. There are grassy areas, benches, picnic tables, softball and B.B.Q. facilities near the pier. There are no fish cleaning stations, bait and tackle shops, or food facilities near the pier.
Handicapped Facilities: 42” railing.
How To Get There: From Interstate 880 take Jackson west to Embarcadero; turn left and follow the street to the pier. The pier is eight blocks south of Jack London Square. Address: 5 Embarcadero.
Management: City of Oakland Parks and Recreation Department.