New to San Francisco pier fishing...need advice

Hi, I’m new to pier fishing in California (I live in SF, close to Torpedo Wharf) and I’d like to start pier fishing. I have river fished in Ireland (I’m Irish) so not a total newbie to fishing. I don’t drive so I need a setup that I can walk with using a backpack or on bicycle. I want something easy that I don’t need to worry about getting live bait with COVID etc, so I’m thinking maybe spinning with lures. Would love your expert advice on what a good setup would look like. I am starting from scratch gear wise...

Thanks!!

Not much of a lure guy, but shark and ray fishing might be picking up soon, if you’re into bait fishing with surf rods. Still, not much experience lure fishing but from what I’ve seen, it looks like guys are using kastmasters, drop shots and buck tails in the same weight for stripers and halibut. Gearwise, I’d say a new penn pursuit is a good budget choice, even though the line lay with penn spinners could be a bit better. Heard the drag is good on the 3rd gen that and it’s pretty solid. Line wise it’s your call. I have a fierce 4000 with 20lb braid and a mono leader. Rod wise I can’t say much. I just bought a cheap 8’ whuppin stick from cabelas. Very slow action, but it gets the job done well enough for me.

Thanks a million for the advice! I was searching for the wrong thing on the forum so thanks for the heads up re Fort Point.

just go to the pier and learn from the Viet and Chinese guys there. Get a small rod and reel and use the sabiki rig with a weight; and jig it up and down. don't need to hit the bottom. Catch some smelt and perch.

Definitely buy a large foam bobber or make your own. It should hold about 1 ounce depending on what weight you use. It’ll work with a baited sabiki for jacksmelt, and the big ones do put up a bit of fight. Something styrofoam about the size of your fist should work. If you are desperate, a small water bottles tied to your rig could work.

then get a bigger gear, bigger hooks and use those smelt and perch for bait. they do it a lot over on that pier. closer to the shore.

next thing you know you'll be throwing a plastic swimbait or hair raiser

There was a great season for halibut at Torpedo Wharf. For small fish use a Sabiki. For bigger fish, you could throw 1 oz white swim baits like Big Hammer. A 3 or 4000 size Shimano reel and Shimano rod will get you going with 30# PowerPro line. You can carry that on the bus with a nylon rod bag and backpack 🎒. Of course bring a knife, pliers, rag, water and lunch with your rod and lures. Bring some plastic bags if you plan to clean your fish and bring them back with you. Maybe even a small cooler bag with a shoulder strap. Good luck!🍀