A trip to seven SoCal piers and some notes on yellowtail from the Crystal Pier...

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#1
Headed south last week to do several short YouTube videos and to meet up with several people. Didn’t take many pictures but here’s what fishing was like.

Ocean Beach Pier, Friday, May 13—I had a few things to do, including buying some ghost shrimp and bloodworms at SquidCo for the videos, but also managed a morning visit to the Ocean Beach Pier. Fishing was only so so for me although some of the regulars were targeting herring (queenfish) and mackerel and doing better than me. Some of them were netting large batches of smelt and then filleting out strips of the smelt for bait which proved effective.

I did strike up a conversation with Dominique, a young man who came out and was fishing next to me. Turned out he was graduating in a few weeks from El Capitan High School, my old high school. Interesting discussing some changes: (1) We had our prom at the Hotel del Coronado while they are having their prom in then downtown library (a nice place), (2) We had an after prom at the University lanes bowling alley while they do not have an after prom, (3) We had our graduation at the Aztec Bowl on the San Diego State campus (now torn down and turned into the basketball arena) while they are graduating on campus. Times have changed. He, by the way, was trying to capture some mackerel to use later in the night when he was going to meet up with some buddies for 7-gill shark fishing in the bay. He showed me some impressive pictures of big sharks. Dominique started using a Sabiki but later switched to a small Jigpara lure and caught a couple of barracuda in addition to the mackerel.

2022.5.13_OB.Pier.7_Dominique_Barracuda copy.jpg

Dominique and a short barracuda

2022.5.13_OB.Pier.6_Filet.Smelt copy.jpg

Fillets of smelt used as bait for mackerel and queenfish (herring)

Ocean Beach Pier, 7:45-11:45 a.m.
7 Pacific Mackerel
1 California Grunion

Crystal Pier, Saturday, May 14—My old stomping grounds. We were filming at the pier and showed some fish being caught but unfortunately a couple of bigger fish were caught before Rich arrived. I was hoping to interview some of the anglers who have caught yellowtail but only one showed up and he showed me the rigging he used (as well as catching a small bat ray). I used a combination of a Sabiki for a while and high/low riggings. A beautiful day.

2022.5.14_Crystal.Pier.4_Yellowtail.Rig.jpeg

Yellowtail rig and bait


Crystal Pier, 7:45 a.m., fished off and on for two hours
25 Pacific Mackerel
7 Pacific Sardine
1 Shovelnose Guitarfish

Oceanside Pier, Sunday, May 15—Once again we were filming and we managed to film some fish being caught as well as interview many of the regulars. After filming on the pier we headed over to the “Top Gun House” near the front of the pier where we had some apple pie and shot another short film.


Top.Gun.House.2.jpg

Top Gun House

Oceanside Pier, 8:10-10:10 a.m.
15 Pacific Sardine
8 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jack Mackerel
1 Walleye Surfperch

Oceanside Harbor Pier, Sunday, May 15—We were able to do a short film at the pier but unfortunately hardly any fish were being caught (which tends to downgrade the film).

Oceanside Harbor Pier, 2:00-4:45 p.m.
1 Kelp Bass
1 Jacksmelt

San Clemente Pier, Monday, May 16— Got up early in Oceanside and drove to San Clemente but I found the pier basically deserted. Due, I am sure, to the slow fishing. Only a few fish but Hashem joined me later in the morning so had some good conversation on a variety of topics. Of interest was a guy using a drone to send out a bait to a distant reef where he said he caught sheephead. No sheephead this day.

San.Clemente.Pier_Restrooms.jpg

The restrooms on the San Clemente Pier

2022.5.16_San.Clemente.Pier.2 copy.jpg

San Clemente Pier, 7:20-11:20 a.m.
3 Jacksmelt
2 Yellowfin Croaker
1 Queenfish
1 Walleye Surfperch
1 Topsmelt

Newport Pier, Monday, May 16—After driving to Newport, checking into the motel, having some lunch, and trying to take a short nap, I finally headed over to the Newport Pier. The pier had few anglers as the end is closed by a fence while they tear down the old restaurant. Few fish were being caught (and no five-foot-long white seabass) and I didn’t feel like staying long.

2022.5.16_Newport.Pier_Closed copy.jpg

The end of the pier at Newport


Newport Pier, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
1 Pacific Sardine

Balboa Pier, Tuesday, May 17—Was planning to meet up with Snookie and her gang at the pier. Started at the end and moved to mid-pier when Snookie showed up. Later Hashem showed up and we all had a good time telling our various fish stories (and a hundred and one other stories). Really enjoyed seeing an old time tackle box similar to one that I once had (before it was stolen) and some old time tickets and booklets. Also enjoyed the birds—egrets and night heron that were at the pier.

Balboa.Pier_Snookie.Gang.jpg

Snookie and her gang at the pier — they meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning

Balboa.Pier_Snookie.jpg

KJ (yours truly), Snookie and Hashem
Balboa Pier, started at 7:30 a.m., fished off and on for three hours
2 Pacific Sardine
1 Jack Mackerel
1 Jacksmelt
1 Topsmelt

Headed to lunch and found out when I got out of my car that I could hardly walk, a condition that lasted throughout the rest of the day and night. I was staying in Long Beach and planned to go fishing the next morning at the J Pier pier but couldn’t sleep. Finally decided at 3:30 a.m. to just head home and made 70 mph driving the freeways of LA on my way out. Still having trouble with my back and walking so will probably have to see the doctor this week. It’s .... getting a little older.

The end.
 
Last edited:

MisterT

Well-Known Member
#2
Hi Ken. Is there a particular reason for yellowtail being caught at Crystal Pier in higher frequency than other piers?

I definitely need to check out the piers in SD.
 

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#3
Given its length, a short 872-foot-long, you wouldn't think Crystal would be good pier for yellowtail. However, it has produced more yellowtail and especially more large (40-50 pound) yellowtail than any other pier. The why is a little hard to explain; you would think the longer Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach piers would produce more yellowtail. However, it is what it is.

The piers proximity to the fish-rich waters of Mission Bay (the entrance/exit jetty is just down the beach) and the La Jolla kelp beds (just up the coast) undoubtedly influence the types and numbers of fish encountered at the pier but do not seem to answer the specific question on yellowtail. Crystal has traditionally been a good pier for the smaller species like queenfish (aka herring) and perch (barred surfperch and walleye surfperch) which to the yellowtail represent food but again, both Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach also offer up the smaller species.

A new marine reserve may answer a few questions but only a few because yellowtail were caught from the pier prior to the reserve. The South La Jolla State Marine Reserve (established in 2012) starts just six blocks north of the pier at Diamond Street. It runs along the shoreline north to Palomar Avenue and extends three miles out into the Pacific. It prohibits the take of all species.

The reserve connects, at its ocean end, to the South La Jolla State Marine Conservation Area, an area that permits the take of many species. Together they present a 7.51 square mile protected area that should provide increased numbers of resident fish. Since fish are rarely able to read boundary lines, there seems little doubt some of those fish may wander over to Crystal Pier and help improve the fishing. However, most of these yellowtail are not resident fish, they typically show up during warm water years and it is assumed most are fish that have wandered north from Mexican waters. So, once again, not much of an answer regarding the yrellowtail.

Other than the connection to the La Jolla kelp beds there just doesn't seem to be a good answer relative to the yellowtail.

Some big yellowtail —

Yellowtail_Crystal_2004.10_42lb.jpg

2004

Yellowtail_Crystal_2012.8.2_34lb_Hallman.jpg

2006 — 34 pounds — Hallman

Yellowtail_Crystal_2012.8.16_48.5LB_Tony Troncale_1b.jpg

2012.8 — 48.5 Lb — Tony Troncale

Yellowtail_Crystal_2015.8.3_46lb5oz_Thomas.Shinsato_1.jpg

2015.8 — 46 Lb 5 Oz — Thomas Shinsato

Yellowtail_Crystal_2016.8_Angel.Hernandez.1.jpg

2016.8 — Angel Hernandez

Yellowtail_Crystal_2016.8.25_1b.jpg

2016.8.25

Yellowtail_Crystal_2016.8.28_Studman_36lb_1a.jpg

2016..8.28 — 36 Lb — Studman

Yellowtail_Crystal_2017.6.14_Angel_40lb_1b.jpg

2017.6.14 — 40 Lb — Angel Fernandez

yellowtail_Crystal_2019.8.19_Big.Angel_1.jpg

2019.8 — Big Angler



 

MisterT

Well-Known Member
#4
Given its length, a short 872-foot-long, you wouldn't think it would be good for yellowtail. However, it has produced more yellowtail and especially more large (40-50 pound) yellowtail than any other pier. The why is a little hard to explain, you would think the Ocean Beach Pier or the Imperial Beach PIer would produce more. However, it is what it is. Crystal is not too far away from the La Jolla kelp beds and traditiionally has been a good pier for the smaller species like queenfish (aka herring) and perch which to the yellowtail represent food. But again, both Ocean Beach and Imperial Beach also offer up the smaller species. Other than the connection to the La Jolla kelp beds there isn't much answer to the question.
Thanks for the explanation. (y)
 

Red Fish

Senior Member
#6
Headed south last week to do several short YouTube videos and to meet up with several people. Didn’t take many pictures but here’s what fishing was like.

Ocean Beach Pier, Friday, May 13—I had a few things to do, including buying some ghost shrimp and bloodworms at SquidCo for the videos, but also managed a morning visit to the Ocean Beach Pier. Fishing was only so so for me although some of the regulars were targeting herring (queenfish) and mackerel and doing better than me. Some of them were netting large batches of smelt and then filleting out strips of the smelt for bait which proved effective.

I did strike up a conversation with Dominique, a young man who came out and was fishing next to me. Turned out he was graduating in a few weeks from El Capitan High School, my old high school. Interesting discussing some changes: (1) We had our prom at the Hotel del Coronado while they are having their prom in then downtown library (a nice place), (2) We had an after prom at the University lanes bowling alley while they do not have an after prom, (3) We had our graduation at the Aztec Bowl on the San Diego State campus (now torn down and turned into the basketball arena) while they are graduating on campus. Times have changed. He, by the way, was trying to capture some mackerel to use later in the night when he was going to meet up with some buddies for 7-gill shark fishing in the bay. He showed me some impressive pictures of big sharks. Dominique started using a Sabiki but later switched to a small Jigpara lure and caught a couple of barracuda in addition to the mackerel.

View attachment 3046

Dominique and a short barracuda

View attachment 3047

Fillets of smelt used as bait for mackerel and queenfish (herring)

Ocean Beach Pier, 7:45-11:45 a.m.
7 Pacific Mackerel
1 California Grunion

Crystal Pier, Saturday, May 14—My old stomping grounds. We were filming at the pier and showed some fish being caught but unfortunately a couple of bigger fish were caught before Rich arrived. I was hoping to interview some of the anglers who have caught yellowtail but only one showed up and he showed me the rigging he used (as well as catching a small bat ray). I used a combination of a Sabiki for a while and high/low riggings. A beautiful day.

View attachment 3048

Yellowtail rig and bait


Crystal Pier, 7:45 a.m., fished off and on for two hours
25 Pacific Mackerel
7 Pacific Sardine
1 Shovelnose Guitarfish

Oceanside Pier, Sunday, May 15—Once again we were filming and we managed to film some fish being caught as well as interview many of the regulars. After filming on the pier we headed over to the “Top Gun House” near the front of the pier where we had some apple pie and shot another short film.


View attachment 3049

Top Gun House

Oceanside Pier, 8:10-10:10 a.m.
15 Pacific Sardine
8 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jack Mackerel
1 Walleye Surfperch

Oceanside Harbor Pier, Sunday, May 15—We were able to do a short film at the pier but unfortunately hardly any fish were being caught (which tends to downgrade the film).

Oceanside Harbor Pier, 2:00-4:45 p.m.
1 Kelp Bass
1 Jacksmelt

San Clemente Pier, Monday, May 16— Got up early in Oceanside and drove to San Clemente but I found the pier basically deserted. Due, I am sure, to the slow fishing. Only a few fish but Hashem joined me later in the morning so had some good conversation on a variety of topics. Of interest was a guy using a drone to send out a bait to a distant reef where he said he caught sheephead. No sheephead this day.

View attachment 3050

The restrooms on the San Clemente Pier

View attachment 3051

San Clemente Pier, 7:20-11:20 a.m.
3 Jacksmelt
2 Yellowfin Croaker
1 Queenfish
1 Walleye Surfperch
1 Topsmelt

Newport Pier, Monday, May 16—After driving to Newport, checking into the motel, having some lunch, and trying to take a short nap, I finally headed over to the Newport Pier. The pier had few anglers as the end is closed by a fence while they tear down the old restaurant. Few fish were being caught (and no five-foot-long white seabass) and I didn’t feel like staying long.

View attachment 3052

The end of the pier at Newport


Newport Pier, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
1 Pacific Sardine

Balboa Pier, Tuesday, May 17—Was planning to meet up with Snookie and her gang at the pier. Started at the end and moved to mid-pier when Snookie showed up. Later Hashem showed up and we all had a good time telling our various fish stories (and a hundred and one other stories). Really enjoyed seeing an old time tackle box similar to one that I once had (before it was stolen) and some old time tickets and booklets. Also enjoyed the birds—egrets and night heron that were at the pier.

View attachment 3055

Snookie and her gang at the pier — they meet every Tuesday and Thursday morning

View attachment 3054

KJ (yours truly), Snookie and Hashem
Balboa Pier, started at 7:30 a.m., fished off and on for three hours
2 Pacific Sardine
1 Jack Mackerel
1 Jacksmelt
1 Topsmelt

Headed to lunch and found out when I got out of my car that I could hardly walk, a condition that lasted throughout the rest of the day and night. I was staying in Long Beach and planned to go fishing the next morning at the J Pier pier but couldn’t sleep. Finally decided at 3:30 a.m. to just head home and made 70 mph driving the freeways of LA on my way out. Still having trouble with my back and walking so will probably have to see the doctor this week. It’s .... getting a little older.

The end.
Good work Ken on the video. Sounds like a “chalk talk” by a coach right before you are going to go out and play.