California Pier Report
May 2023 Fishing Report, Southern California (#284)
Lobster season has now ended.
Several piers still closed.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – No report, need a reporter. 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 — The pier is still closed. It is scheduled to be rebuilt and I thought it would reopen during the planning stage but there is a chance it will just stay closed until the rebuild. 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 – The pier is closed and may not reopen this year. 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. We need a reporter! 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.
Bayside Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter. 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 — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From the I-5 south, take the Front Street exit south to Market (just stay on Front Street, it runs into Market), 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. From I-5 North, approaching from the south, take the J Street exit, then go straight, three blocks up to Market, turn left and take it from there.
Ferry Landing Pier (Coronado) — Need a reporter although bass (kelp, sand and spotted) always seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays and bat rays). 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 — We need a reporter. 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 — Bill Litchfield at the Oceanside Pier reported that things are starting to pick up although the weather still hasn’t been great and the pier is still messed up because the entire south side of the pier is fenced off (to put in new pipes). Mid-pier a few halibut have been taken (to 26-inches), with most being taken on live herring (queenfish) that are schooling under the pier. Inshore, there are some spotfin croakers but not too many croaker fishermen are fishing given the south side being closed. Bill said that less than 25 guys can fit into the normal inshore croaker area. As for top-water action, i.e., mackerel, it’s mostly dead. Some sardines are showing up but they are in one day and out the next. The rain and river runoff (combined with the dredging taking place in the harbor) has dirtied the water and the water temperature is still a little low which has impacted the fishing. Rain is also predicted for 5/4; that shouldn’t help. We’ll see if the action improves this month. We had a report from bassfanatick on April 23 who said, “Hi everyone, the report is that this pier is alive, with fish and people, like National Geographic close to sunset the show got ongoing, a pod of dolphins, about 200 strong came in about 1 mile out, then it got dark and they chased the school of Anchovy around the pier, it was a sight I tell ya!!!! Water is clearing up, but they are dredging so it will not be clear for about 8 weeks, come out and catch anchovy.” How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — Bill Litchfield in Oceanside said he’s heard of some decent opaleye showing up at the pier. A lot of garibaldi are also around but they are illegal to take. Expect some bass, croaker, and sharays (some big bat rays have been spotted). 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.
Orange County Piers
San Clemente Pier — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says the water is still a little dirty and cool so she isn’t getting a lot of reports. Apparently some halibut are showing up in surf areas while croaker and some perch should be available on the inner section of the pier (using lug worms or frozen mussels). She hasn’t gotten any reports from out at the end, either pelagic species like mackerel or sharays. It should improve. 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 — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says about the only thing being mentioned are a few croaker and spotted bay bass. She also says right now the lugworms are by far the best bait for the croaker. 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 — Our reporter Snookie says, “It has been a terrible month of fishing because of the weather. IF we could get there to fish there wasn't any or much bait to be had. We had to go buy some at the liquor store. It didn't do much good though. We are gradually getting some bait now, but we have to really work at it. As to catching fish with the bait there hasn't been much luck there either. Thursday I did get a very good strike on a shiner perch of the right size. It ran and ran then took a right turn out to sea.Thought it might be a ray, but when I reeled the line in, I didn't have my hook. Rays don't usually do that. Another possibility is a salmon. Now that would be exciting. We have had lots of red tide for quite a while now. Expect there will be more with this weather. Let's hope things pick up soon.” 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 the adjacent parking lot.
Newport Pier — Liz, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Seal Beach said she’s heard the mackerel action is good at Newport. However, the fishing here often duplicates that at Balboa and the mackerel have been mssing there. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — We still need a reporter. PFIC received a report on April 14 from mole crabs that said, “Dead, nothing in the water, even using a crab trap with chicken legs, nothing, no signs of life, checked with other fisherman nada. This was 4/10/23, 1pm-4pm. Bait used for fishing ghost shrimp, bait were alive and unpicked each time I reeled up, fished in mid to near beginning of pier during the three hours I was there.” How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.”
Seal Beach Pier — Liz, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said the pier is open but she hasn’t gotten many reports. Sounds like mot of the action reported has been on sharks and rays although some corbina and croaker are also showing up inshore. We got a report from Fishman Fishman on April 12 that said, “Went to SB pier this morning. A sign at entrance indicates ‘Pier Rehabilitation from April 10, 2023 thru May 23, 2023.’ I fished at the end of the pier from 0500 to 0730. At 0730 construction crew arrived and told all fisherman to move back to mid-pier for fishing. Crew then taped off and closed end of pier. Crew working around the boat dock area. Morning bite was decent. Queenfish aka Herring being caught via Sabiki rig. I caught a few along with a Thornback and Round Ray. I left after the pier closure. Most fishermen gathered at mid-pier. Was a bit crowded.” How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway simply take Main St. west and follow it to the pier.
Los Angeles County Piers
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier — Liz at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. Said she hasn’t received any reports, which she said was strange. Not too many fishing? We got a report from Fishman Fishman on April 19 who said, “Fished this morning from 0500 to 1100. Beautiful sunny clear day. No wind. Consistent bite using cut anchovy on high/low rig to catch White croaker, Jacksmelt and Mackerel. About 11:00 a.m. foot and vehicle traffic increased considerably on the pier along with lots of boats in the water. Packed things up. The end of pier will be closed to fishing from April 17 thru April 24 due to the Congressional Cup Regatta. Fishing will only be allowed up to the boat dock ramp.” How To Get There: From the north take I-405 to the Lakewood Boulevard turnoff, and 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.
Shoreline Aquatic Park Piers (Long Beach) — No reports but I imagine the water is dirty with trash, which can sometimes make it hard to fish. How to Get There: From downtown Long Beach, take Pine Avenue south to Shoreline Drive. For the northernmost pier #1 follow Shoreline Avenue west and follow it around the lagoon to where the street ends. For the southernmost piers #2-#5 follow Shoreline Drive east to the markings for Shoreline Village, continue past the shopping complex, and follow the road out to near the end of the peninsula. You will see the piers.
Pier J Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish and perch depending upon the condition of the water. How To Get There: From I-710 follow the signs saying S. Harbor Scenic Drive. From downtown Long Beach follow Queens Way past the Catalina Landing and on to the Queens Way Bridge over the water and take the S. Harbor Scenic Drive.
Cabrillo Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook, 245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro, said his regulars are still fishing for halibut and getting a few but most are shorts. As for the mackerel, they are in and out so it’s hard to predict. Not too many reports on other species. A report from Fishman, Fishman on April 27 said, “Cloudy overcast morning at the pier. Very few fishermen. Fishing at midpoint of pier I caught and released a Thornback ray, Spanish mackerel, Cabezon, and some Jacksmelt. No Pacific Mackerel around. Used shrimp, anchovy and squid for bait. Interesting “almost catch” was a reddish Octopus that went after cut anchovy. It was dead weight until it reached the surface and then it jetted back into the depths.” 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) – Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, and sheephead. 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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.
Cabrillo Mole (Avalon, Catalina Island) — Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, sheephead and ocean whitefish. Some mackerel, bonito and even barracuda may also show up. PFIC received a report from fish-ninja on April 16 that said, “I spent a day at Avalon this Friday. Weather was mostly good but with occasional winds and overcasts. A large tide with the low at 12:14pm with -0.6’. Mahigeer was there from the day before. I joined him at 7am and then fished till 5:30pm. The mole was not crazy crowded. Two others were casting for pelagic and a couple more fishing with swim baits and cut-squids ... (Picture of large macs) These Mac looked really nice. I had some last night in a simplest form of grilling it with salt. Was wonderful. After I saw the mac school gone, I switched my jig to target bonito while swapping three month worth life stories with Mahigeer. I had a couple of them. Then wind started to pick up. First southern then next northern winds. Others on the mole switched to bait fishing for whitefish. I decided to continue casting my metal jigs to see what I can do with them. I managed to land some Spanish mackerel. On another jig, I had a small kelp bass after loosing a few larger specimens in kelp tangles ... Towards the end of the day, I hooked on a large piece of free kelp in mid range mid depth, or so I thought. I listened my rod but felt no bonito dance at all. It was just heavy still weight on my rod I felt. A neighbor angler kept telling me it’s fish but I did not believe him until I saw a nice bonito surface with a band of 20 or so similar sized ones. I figured I did not feel it on my rod tip as that fish I hooked on was just coasting by with his friends like nothing happened even though I applied constant pressure. Got some help for landing and I managed to land a nice 25” one ... Another nice surprise was to find a 14” female sheephead on my metal jig. This is my second time I hooked on sheephead with metal jig here. I think the trick may be the jig’s color. I want to explore more on this in future ... It’s a Japanese pier fishing thing called “gomoku zuri,” which means that you land five plus species of fish in an outing. I felt it was a nice gomoku success especially only using lures. Those who entertained me were Spanish mackerel, Pacific chub mackerel, Pacific bonito, kelp bass and California sheephead.” 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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 when you walk off the ferry onto the landing you are at the Mole.
Redondo Beach Pier —Hond at the Redondo Beach Tackle on the pier says people are catching mackerel but not much else. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Manhattan Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. 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 — I have been unable to reach Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu). I am assuming the shop is closed and just hoping Ginny is OK. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — No report. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. It’s very expensive unless you buy a meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — Ludia at Hyuns Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said she had some reports that the perch fishing is good and that a few nice-sized corbina have also been caught. 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 — — Ludia at Hyun's Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said the pier is still closed due to damage from the winter storms. No date yet for reopening. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Seaward Drive exit west to Harbor Drive, turn right and follow it to the pier.
Stearns Wharf — Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said it’s the same as last month—crabs, crabs, crabs, and more crabs—tons of crabs. It’s mostly rock crabs and red crabs but some big spider crabs also enter the catch. He says everyone is catching crabs and it doesn’t take long, 10-15 minutes and you’ll be bringing up crabs. As for the fish, they are few and far between. About all he’s heard about are some shovenose sharks (guitarfish). No mackerel on top although some jacksmelt should be around. 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 —Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, reports that the pier is open and producing fish. Perch action has been good inshore along with some croaker. The end had been producing some sand bass while mid-pier to the end seems to be decent right now for a variety of sharks and rays including a recent 4-foot-long leopard shark and a large angel shark. However, it was raining when I called and the amount of fishermen is still a little low. 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 — The pier has now been closed for somewhere around eight years and the rumors of repair and reopening continue. Don’t hold your breath. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
May 2023 Fishing Report, Southern California (#284)
Lobster season has now ended.
Several piers still closed.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – No report, need a reporter. 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 — The pier is still closed. It is scheduled to be rebuilt and I thought it would reopen during the planning stage but there is a chance it will just stay closed until the rebuild. 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 – The pier is closed and may not reopen this year. 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. We need a reporter! 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.
Bayside Park Pier — No report. We need a reporter. 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 — No report. We need a reporter. How To Get There: From the I-5 south, take the Front Street exit south to Market (just stay on Front Street, it runs into Market), 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. From I-5 North, approaching from the south, take the J Street exit, then go straight, three blocks up to Market, turn left and take it from there.
Ferry Landing Pier (Coronado) — Need a reporter although bass (kelp, sand and spotted) always seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays and bat rays). 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 — We need a reporter. 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 — Bill Litchfield at the Oceanside Pier reported that things are starting to pick up although the weather still hasn’t been great and the pier is still messed up because the entire south side of the pier is fenced off (to put in new pipes). Mid-pier a few halibut have been taken (to 26-inches), with most being taken on live herring (queenfish) that are schooling under the pier. Inshore, there are some spotfin croakers but not too many croaker fishermen are fishing given the south side being closed. Bill said that less than 25 guys can fit into the normal inshore croaker area. As for top-water action, i.e., mackerel, it’s mostly dead. Some sardines are showing up but they are in one day and out the next. The rain and river runoff (combined with the dredging taking place in the harbor) has dirtied the water and the water temperature is still a little low which has impacted the fishing. Rain is also predicted for 5/4; that shouldn’t help. We’ll see if the action improves this month. We had a report from bassfanatick on April 23 who said, “Hi everyone, the report is that this pier is alive, with fish and people, like National Geographic close to sunset the show got ongoing, a pod of dolphins, about 200 strong came in about 1 mile out, then it got dark and they chased the school of Anchovy around the pier, it was a sight I tell ya!!!! Water is clearing up, but they are dredging so it will not be clear for about 8 weeks, come out and catch anchovy.” How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — Bill Litchfield in Oceanside said he’s heard of some decent opaleye showing up at the pier. A lot of garibaldi are also around but they are illegal to take. Expect some bass, croaker, and sharays (some big bat rays have been spotted). 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.
Orange County Piers
San Clemente Pier — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says the water is still a little dirty and cool so she isn’t getting a lot of reports. Apparently some halibut are showing up in surf areas while croaker and some perch should be available on the inner section of the pier (using lug worms or frozen mussels). She hasn’t gotten any reports from out at the end, either pelagic species like mackerel or sharays. It should improve. 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 — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. says about the only thing being mentioned are a few croaker and spotted bay bass. She also says right now the lugworms are by far the best bait for the croaker. 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 — Our reporter Snookie says, “It has been a terrible month of fishing because of the weather. IF we could get there to fish there wasn't any or much bait to be had. We had to go buy some at the liquor store. It didn't do much good though. We are gradually getting some bait now, but we have to really work at it. As to catching fish with the bait there hasn't been much luck there either. Thursday I did get a very good strike on a shiner perch of the right size. It ran and ran then took a right turn out to sea.Thought it might be a ray, but when I reeled the line in, I didn't have my hook. Rays don't usually do that. Another possibility is a salmon. Now that would be exciting. We have had lots of red tide for quite a while now. Expect there will be more with this weather. Let's hope things pick up soon.” 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 the adjacent parking lot.
Newport Pier — Liz, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. in Seal Beach said she’s heard the mackerel action is good at Newport. However, the fishing here often duplicates that at Balboa and the mackerel have been mssing there. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — We still need a reporter. PFIC received a report on April 14 from mole crabs that said, “Dead, nothing in the water, even using a crab trap with chicken legs, nothing, no signs of life, checked with other fisherman nada. This was 4/10/23, 1pm-4pm. Bait used for fishing ghost shrimp, bait were alive and unpicked each time I reeled up, fished in mid to near beginning of pier during the three hours I was there.” How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.”
Seal Beach Pier — Liz, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said the pier is open but she hasn’t gotten many reports. Sounds like mot of the action reported has been on sharks and rays although some corbina and croaker are also showing up inshore. We got a report from Fishman Fishman on April 12 that said, “Went to SB pier this morning. A sign at entrance indicates ‘Pier Rehabilitation from April 10, 2023 thru May 23, 2023.’ I fished at the end of the pier from 0500 to 0730. At 0730 construction crew arrived and told all fisherman to move back to mid-pier for fishing. Crew then taped off and closed end of pier. Crew working around the boat dock area. Morning bite was decent. Queenfish aka Herring being caught via Sabiki rig. I caught a few along with a Thornback and Round Ray. I left after the pier closure. Most fishermen gathered at mid-pier. Was a bit crowded.” How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway simply take Main St. west and follow it to the pier.
Los Angeles County Piers
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier — Liz at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. Said she hasn’t received any reports, which she said was strange. Not too many fishing? We got a report from Fishman Fishman on April 19 who said, “Fished this morning from 0500 to 1100. Beautiful sunny clear day. No wind. Consistent bite using cut anchovy on high/low rig to catch White croaker, Jacksmelt and Mackerel. About 11:00 a.m. foot and vehicle traffic increased considerably on the pier along with lots of boats in the water. Packed things up. The end of pier will be closed to fishing from April 17 thru April 24 due to the Congressional Cup Regatta. Fishing will only be allowed up to the boat dock ramp.” How To Get There: From the north take I-405 to the Lakewood Boulevard turnoff, and 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.
Shoreline Aquatic Park Piers (Long Beach) — No reports but I imagine the water is dirty with trash, which can sometimes make it hard to fish. How to Get There: From downtown Long Beach, take Pine Avenue south to Shoreline Drive. For the northernmost pier #1 follow Shoreline Avenue west and follow it around the lagoon to where the street ends. For the southernmost piers #2-#5 follow Shoreline Drive east to the markings for Shoreline Village, continue past the shopping complex, and follow the road out to near the end of the peninsula. You will see the piers.
Pier J Piers (Long Beach) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish and perch depending upon the condition of the water. How To Get There: From I-710 follow the signs saying S. Harbor Scenic Drive. From downtown Long Beach follow Queens Way past the Catalina Landing and on to the Queens Way Bridge over the water and take the S. Harbor Scenic Drive.
Cabrillo Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook, 245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro, said his regulars are still fishing for halibut and getting a few but most are shorts. As for the mackerel, they are in and out so it’s hard to predict. Not too many reports on other species. A report from Fishman, Fishman on April 27 said, “Cloudy overcast morning at the pier. Very few fishermen. Fishing at midpoint of pier I caught and released a Thornback ray, Spanish mackerel, Cabezon, and some Jacksmelt. No Pacific Mackerel around. Used shrimp, anchovy and squid for bait. Interesting “almost catch” was a reddish Octopus that went after cut anchovy. It was dead weight until it reached the surface and then it jetted back into the depths.” 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) – Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, and sheephead. 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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.
Cabrillo Mole (Avalon, Catalina Island) — Expect the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, sheephead and ocean whitefish. Some mackerel, bonito and even barracuda may also show up. PFIC received a report from fish-ninja on April 16 that said, “I spent a day at Avalon this Friday. Weather was mostly good but with occasional winds and overcasts. A large tide with the low at 12:14pm with -0.6’. Mahigeer was there from the day before. I joined him at 7am and then fished till 5:30pm. The mole was not crazy crowded. Two others were casting for pelagic and a couple more fishing with swim baits and cut-squids ... (Picture of large macs) These Mac looked really nice. I had some last night in a simplest form of grilling it with salt. Was wonderful. After I saw the mac school gone, I switched my jig to target bonito while swapping three month worth life stories with Mahigeer. I had a couple of them. Then wind started to pick up. First southern then next northern winds. Others on the mole switched to bait fishing for whitefish. I decided to continue casting my metal jigs to see what I can do with them. I managed to land some Spanish mackerel. On another jig, I had a small kelp bass after loosing a few larger specimens in kelp tangles ... Towards the end of the day, I hooked on a large piece of free kelp in mid range mid depth, or so I thought. I listened my rod but felt no bonito dance at all. It was just heavy still weight on my rod I felt. A neighbor angler kept telling me it’s fish but I did not believe him until I saw a nice bonito surface with a band of 20 or so similar sized ones. I figured I did not feel it on my rod tip as that fish I hooked on was just coasting by with his friends like nothing happened even though I applied constant pressure. Got some help for landing and I managed to land a nice 25” one ... Another nice surprise was to find a 14” female sheephead on my metal jig. This is my second time I hooked on sheephead with metal jig here. I think the trick may be the jig’s color. I want to explore more on this in future ... It’s a Japanese pier fishing thing called “gomoku zuri,” which means that you land five plus species of fish in an outing. I felt it was a nice gomoku success especially only using lures. Those who entertained me were Spanish mackerel, Pacific chub mackerel, Pacific bonito, kelp bass and California sheephead.” 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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 when you walk off the ferry onto the landing you are at the Mole.
Redondo Beach Pier —Hond at the Redondo Beach Tackle on the pier says people are catching mackerel but not much else. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Manhattan Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. 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 — I have been unable to reach Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu). I am assuming the shop is closed and just hoping Ginny is OK. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — No report. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. It’s very expensive unless you buy a meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — Ludia at Hyuns Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said she had some reports that the perch fishing is good and that a few nice-sized corbina have also been caught. 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 — — Ludia at Hyun's Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura, said the pier is still closed due to damage from the winter storms. No date yet for reopening. How To Get There: From Highway 101 take the Seaward Drive exit west to Harbor Drive, turn right and follow it to the pier.
Stearns Wharf — Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, said it’s the same as last month—crabs, crabs, crabs, and more crabs—tons of crabs. It’s mostly rock crabs and red crabs but some big spider crabs also enter the catch. He says everyone is catching crabs and it doesn’t take long, 10-15 minutes and you’ll be bringing up crabs. As for the fish, they are few and far between. About all he’s heard about are some shovenose sharks (guitarfish). No mackerel on top although some jacksmelt should be around. 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 —Ben at Hook Line & Sinker, 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara, reports that the pier is open and producing fish. Perch action has been good inshore along with some croaker. The end had been producing some sand bass while mid-pier to the end seems to be decent right now for a variety of sharks and rays including a recent 4-foot-long leopard shark and a large angel shark. However, it was raining when I called and the amount of fishermen is still a little low. 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 — The pier has now been closed for somewhere around eight years and the rumors of repair and reopening continue. Don’t hold your breath. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
