Arrived around 2PM, left at ~7PM.
Nephew's first time fishing so went for simple approach and the nicest, safest, cleanest pier with the easiest parking and close restrooms. Gorgeous day out, ~80 degrees and breezy. Three people, one light spinning setup per person, hi-lo with squid from Hogan's. I also walked the pier a couple times throwing a morf grub on a standard perch rig with a sliding sinker, and a couple circuits with a gold Kastmaster.
Lures produced nothing.
Squid got a short Calico, a relatively small black perch (nephew's first fish, great choice), and a spotfin croaker. Two unknown fish wrapped them up and broke off. All these fish were at or near the pilings.
I cast into the channel and hooked a short but healthy halibut. Great fight on light gear. Broke off at the surface, but that's ok, I'm just glad to know they're still in the harbor.
Smelt were jumping from the shoreline to the yacht club. Unidentified sardine/anchovy sized baitfish were schooling around the pier and occasionally jumping, although it didn't look like a predator boil was happening. Sheriff's boat guys said their sonar was showing so many shoaling baitfish at the pier it was hard to see the big fish.
Pier was not crowded, ample room for everybody, nice friendly people coming and going. The people next to us were nailing various perch and sargo. Never seen so many sargo here. I think they were using shrimp but I failed to ask before they left.
Little dude had a lot of fun, so we did too. He said the most important words a fisherman can: "Do you want to go home yet?" "NO!"
Nephew's first time fishing so went for simple approach and the nicest, safest, cleanest pier with the easiest parking and close restrooms. Gorgeous day out, ~80 degrees and breezy. Three people, one light spinning setup per person, hi-lo with squid from Hogan's. I also walked the pier a couple times throwing a morf grub on a standard perch rig with a sliding sinker, and a couple circuits with a gold Kastmaster.
Lures produced nothing.
Squid got a short Calico, a relatively small black perch (nephew's first fish, great choice), and a spotfin croaker. Two unknown fish wrapped them up and broke off. All these fish were at or near the pilings.
I cast into the channel and hooked a short but healthy halibut. Great fight on light gear. Broke off at the surface, but that's ok, I'm just glad to know they're still in the harbor.
Smelt were jumping from the shoreline to the yacht club. Unidentified sardine/anchovy sized baitfish were schooling around the pier and occasionally jumping, although it didn't look like a predator boil was happening. Sheriff's boat guys said their sonar was showing so many shoaling baitfish at the pier it was hard to see the big fish.
Pier was not crowded, ample room for everybody, nice friendly people coming and going. The people next to us were nailing various perch and sargo. Never seen so many sargo here. I think they were using shrimp but I failed to ask before they left.
Little dude had a lot of fun, so we did too. He said the most important words a fisherman can: "Do you want to go home yet?" "NO!"
