Date: July 18, 2020
To: Pier Fishing In California
From: Ken Jones
Subject: A Short Trip to the SoCal Piers — 7/14-7/17/2020
Days One and Two
Headed down to SoCal to see my friend Ed at the Oceanside Pier Bait Shop before he leaves (the shop’s being sold). Naturally, any trip south should include a little fishing...right!
I left Fresno at 8 a.m. Tuesday and it was smooth sailing all the way—even in LA! I stopped in Dana Point at “Hogan’s Bait and Tackle” to pick up some live worms (only lug worms unfortunately) and then headed the final miles to Oceanside. Checked into my motel and then headed down to the small pier in Oceanside Harbor. Midday with a bright sun is not my preferred fishing time but I had a dinner arrangement with my son Mike who lives in Carlsbad so figured I would get in a little fishing before our meeting.
Oceanside Small Craft Harbor Fishing Pier — 7/14 — 3:00-4:45 p.m.
The pier had a number of people, most masked up and relatively good social distancing but no bites and no fish, in fact I didn’t see any fish caught while I was there. Other than spotting a few garibaldi cruising around the inshore rocks I didn’t see a fish. Left hoping this wasn’t a harbinger of things to come.
Oceanside Pier — 7/15 — 6:30-9:30 a.m.
27 Pacific Bonito
8 Pacific Mackerel
4 Salema
I had heard the bonito were biting at the big pier so wanted to fish a few hours before meeting with Ed. Arrived a little later than I planned and headed out to the end where I found the railings already somewhat crowded; I politely joined the crowd. Soon after, I was soon joined by Bill from the bait shop. He had supplied the information on the bonito and often gives me the pier’s monthly report.
People were catching bonito and mackerel and almost everyone was using bonito balls with a trailing feather and that’s what I rigged up. Sure enough there were bonito but they were mackerel-sized, micro-bonito. However, still fun to catch on a fairly light rod so I proceeded to join in catching the fish—mostly bonito but also some mackerel (that were mostly as big as the bonito).
I am always concerned with people going over the limit when these small bonito show up but would be surprised. One guy was using a Sabiki and I saw him pull in three bonito and I walked over and said, “looks like you’ve already almost got your limit of five” (of this sized bonito) and he said yes he knew and that he was going to switch over to a ball and feather. I listened to the anglers and watched most bonito being returned to the water and was somewhat amazed. It was the first time I can remember where anglers were catching bonito in quantity and following the no more than five bonito under twenty-four inch rule. Their conversations convinced me they knew the rule and obviously were following it. They kept the mackerel but returned the bonito. Eventually, with my shoulder and arms aching, and wanting some variety, I took a slight break and rigged up a high/low on my light rod. I dropped it to the bottom, cranked up a few feet and sure ‘nuff there were some salema. I continued catching bonito and mackerel and hated to stop at 9:30 but needed to see Ed (the main reason for the trip).
I headed down to the bait shop where we spend a couple of enjoyable hours discussing what we had done over the years (kids derbies, monthly reports, and advice on several matters). Met the new owner and gave him my opinion about the shop, “basically don’t change anything, you’ve got a money maker the way it is.” I finally left hoping I might get one more chance down before Ed picks up his motor home and heads out to enjoy retirement.
The next stop was north at the Dana Harbor Pier where I’ve had some good luck over the years (although I prefer the morning or early evening hours).
Dana Harbor Pier — 7/15 — 3:30-5:00 p.m.
5 Salema
1 Spotfin Croaker
1 Spotted Sand (Bay) Bass
The pier only had a few people and though they were fishless I figured some fish must be around. I cast out some worms on a high/low rigging and soon after had a good hit that I reeled in almost to the pier when it came off. I saw the silver and it was probably a spotfin but the fight reminded me more of the bonefish I caught there a few years ago.
However, I would catch one spotfin croaker and one spotted bass on the worms along with a few salema that were hanging under the dock adjacent to the pier.
Nothing huge but a pleasant visit giving me a chance to relax a little.
I planned to finish the evening at the San Clemente Pier although I was tempted to return to this pier later since there were reports of barracuda being taken on spoons (Kastmaster and Krocodile) at night.
San Clemente Pier — 7/15 — 6:00-7:45 p.m.
12 Salema
7 Pacific Mackerel
3 Jacksmelt
San Clemente seemed its usual self. The parking lot was basically full although I managed to find a spot, the beach was full and people were everywhere.
Surprising was the crowd at the restaurant that sits on the entrance to the pier. The restaurant was totally full of people and a line of people outside was waiting for a seat. Probably 25 people all scrunched together in the line and most without a mask — so much for masks and social distancing.
Walking out I noticed a guy bring up a small fish and I asked if I could take a look at it. He had no idea what he had caught but I am sure it was a Largemouth Blenny, a species new to SoCal and normally found at Catalina. I removed the hook from its mouth and got his permission to return it to the water and then, afterward, kicked myself for not taking a picture of it. I’m pretty sure Dr. Love at UCSB; our fishing resource whenever there’s a question on fish would have loved to see a pic.
Went out to the end where no one was catching anything when I arrived and it was slow. However, mackerel were to be had on pieces of mackerel fished mid-depth while salema were just above the bottom. They mainly hot pieces of mackerel but also were willing to accept a worm as bait. A few jacksmelt, which I didn’t want, also grabbed the worms but sometimes you just take whatever bites.
However, thee pier started to fill up and a small group started fishing next to me and they were bugging me. The guys weren’t bad but a small girl kept talking and asking if she could kill the fish when they caught one. Sure enough when they caught a mackerel she headed over with a knife and stabbed it several times. What in the heck were they teaching this girl. It put me in a sour frame of mind and then, when other knuckleheads started fishing the area and started tangling lines (because they had no clue what they were doing), it just seemed to be a depressing scene. I just decided to leave. The restrooms were closed, I needed to pee, and I was tired.
I could have returned to Dana Harbor But I decided to just head to the motel.
Day Three
Balboa Pier — 7/16 — 7-10 a.m. at the end, roughly 11 to 4 p.m. inshore.
13 Pacific Sardine
1 White Seabass
1 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jack Mackerel
I began the morning fishing out at the end and hoping for some bonito. The pier wasn’t too crowded (not a good sign), everyone was wearing masks, and most were using Sabikis. I started out with a bonito ball and feather with no hits whatsoever. Given that guys with Sabikis were pulling in some mackerel, and even an occasional bonito, I too put on a Sabiki (which I don’t like to use). However, I wouldn’t catch anything on it other than five sardines.
I would be pleasantly surprised to have a guy walk up and say, “Are you Ken Jones?” His name is Anthony and he’s a newbie to the site (screen name DiegoGarciaWahoos). He had seen my post the other day and came down to meet me. He would totally out fish me while we were fishing from the end.
I was basically catching nothing while he rigged up with a jigpara 7” micro vertical jig and proceeded to catch a few mackerel and eventually a bonito (which was his goal). We had a nice talk and it was obvious he knows fishing and certainly how to use the micro jigs he had. I tried out one with no success but I will learn!
Eventually I moved inshore to fish with Snookie since that was the reason I came but before I left two gentlemen who were fishing the corner with good success on fish—sardines, an occasional mackerel and a couple of bonito, mentioned that they too were PFIC viewers although they don’t post. Always nice to meet people on these trips that know about PFIC.
Snookie and her brother Fred and sister along with another friend Lou were fishing on the second T. They were using Carolina rigs baited with live sardines so I did the same (on one rod). On the light rod I had the usual high/low baited with worms hoping for a croaker or a perch. The corbina would require fishing farther inshore.
There was a large school of sardines that was hanging next to the pier and Snookie said the fish were acting different than usual and she mentioned earthquakes that have taken place when fish were acting this way. We’ll see. It was interesting watching a solitary pelican that would make his patented diving runs in pursuit of the sardines. So too the osprey that was sitting on a nearby light pole.
It would turn out to be a slow day although I did eventually hook a decent-sized white seabass that at 19-inches was only 9-inches short of being legal-size. A mackerel and a small jack mackerel also joined in the fun but given the hours we fished it was slow.
We did lose a number of baits to a sea lion. It would neatly chop the sardine in half and we probably lost at least a dozen baits to the pinnipeds. We also did have several bites from halibut but all were missed even though the marks from their teeth told the story. Snookie was hooking the sardines near the nose while I was hooking them under the sardine near the rear but it didn’t seem to make it any different. Perhaps a second stinger hook was have helped although I’m not too sure it wouldn’t have hooked the sea lion. Fred caught one halibut shortly after he had hooked a white seabass identical to mine. Other than that it was a day for bait fishing.
Although I didn’t get any halibut the visit with Snookie was enjoyable as always with some good conversation. Hope to make it back soon.
The plan was to check into the motel and fish the Newport Pier during the evening but it didn’t work out. After checking into the motel and taking a short break I drove down to the Newport Pier. But McFadden Place was crowded just like most summer days and after circling the parking lot three times I said screw it. I probably could have parked blocks away but was just tired to that. Given the number of times I’ve fished Newport, and the likelihood that the action would have been the same as Balboa, I returned to the motel for a good night’s sleep.
Day Four
The last morning would be spent at the Huntington Beach pier, the big, tall concrete pier that can be great one day and dead the next. This day would be relatively dead.
Huntington Beach Pier — 7/17 — 6:30 – 10:30 a.m.
21 Queenfish
5 Pacific Sardine
5 Lizardfish
4 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jacksmelt
I decided to start at the end and then move inshore with my worms to seek out some croaker. The far end was crowded although not so much with fishermen as rods. A group of “sharkers” seeking out thresher sharks were hogging one corner and had far too many rods set out. It was a loud and profane group and though possibly nice guys, I wasn’t impressed with the number of rods or language. Where is the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife? The guys said the pier has been averaging 4-5 threshers a day and eventually one was caught. It wasn’t a baby but also wasn’t a big thresher.
I moved a little closer inshore and my first few casts on a high low yielded—lizardfish. Hadn’t seen them in several years and wondered if that means the water is cold given they normally don’t show up in warmer water years.
As it turned out nothing was really hitting other than basically baitfish—mostly herring (queenfish) and Pacific sardines. A few mackerel were around and you could take your pick. The lizardfish were on the bottom, the queenfish were mid-depth, the mackerel were from the surface to mid-depth, and the sardines were near the top. For some reason the worms wouldn’t elicit a bite but all of the fish liked a small piece of mackerel.
I did move inshore for a while but the worms didn’t elicit a single strike. So much for the croakers, and this can be an excellent pier for big spotfins.
The beach was crowded, people were 50/50 on masks, and it seemed a typical SoCal day with its mid-70s temperature. I finally decided it was time to head back to Fresno and a little over four hours later I was home in the 101 temperature.
It hadn’t been a great fishing trip although I did catch a few fish (that I had to work for) but I had seen some friends and certainly enjoyed the cooler temperatures.
To: Pier Fishing In California
From: Ken Jones
Subject: A Short Trip to the SoCal Piers — 7/14-7/17/2020
Days One and Two
Headed down to SoCal to see my friend Ed at the Oceanside Pier Bait Shop before he leaves (the shop’s being sold). Naturally, any trip south should include a little fishing...right!
I left Fresno at 8 a.m. Tuesday and it was smooth sailing all the way—even in LA! I stopped in Dana Point at “Hogan’s Bait and Tackle” to pick up some live worms (only lug worms unfortunately) and then headed the final miles to Oceanside. Checked into my motel and then headed down to the small pier in Oceanside Harbor. Midday with a bright sun is not my preferred fishing time but I had a dinner arrangement with my son Mike who lives in Carlsbad so figured I would get in a little fishing before our meeting.
Oceanside Small Craft Harbor Fishing Pier — 7/14 — 3:00-4:45 p.m.
The pier had a number of people, most masked up and relatively good social distancing but no bites and no fish, in fact I didn’t see any fish caught while I was there. Other than spotting a few garibaldi cruising around the inshore rocks I didn’t see a fish. Left hoping this wasn’t a harbinger of things to come.
Oceanside Pier — 7/15 — 6:30-9:30 a.m.
27 Pacific Bonito
8 Pacific Mackerel
4 Salema
I had heard the bonito were biting at the big pier so wanted to fish a few hours before meeting with Ed. Arrived a little later than I planned and headed out to the end where I found the railings already somewhat crowded; I politely joined the crowd. Soon after, I was soon joined by Bill from the bait shop. He had supplied the information on the bonito and often gives me the pier’s monthly report.
People were catching bonito and mackerel and almost everyone was using bonito balls with a trailing feather and that’s what I rigged up. Sure enough there were bonito but they were mackerel-sized, micro-bonito. However, still fun to catch on a fairly light rod so I proceeded to join in catching the fish—mostly bonito but also some mackerel (that were mostly as big as the bonito).
I am always concerned with people going over the limit when these small bonito show up but would be surprised. One guy was using a Sabiki and I saw him pull in three bonito and I walked over and said, “looks like you’ve already almost got your limit of five” (of this sized bonito) and he said yes he knew and that he was going to switch over to a ball and feather. I listened to the anglers and watched most bonito being returned to the water and was somewhat amazed. It was the first time I can remember where anglers were catching bonito in quantity and following the no more than five bonito under twenty-four inch rule. Their conversations convinced me they knew the rule and obviously were following it. They kept the mackerel but returned the bonito. Eventually, with my shoulder and arms aching, and wanting some variety, I took a slight break and rigged up a high/low on my light rod. I dropped it to the bottom, cranked up a few feet and sure ‘nuff there were some salema. I continued catching bonito and mackerel and hated to stop at 9:30 but needed to see Ed (the main reason for the trip).
I headed down to the bait shop where we spend a couple of enjoyable hours discussing what we had done over the years (kids derbies, monthly reports, and advice on several matters). Met the new owner and gave him my opinion about the shop, “basically don’t change anything, you’ve got a money maker the way it is.” I finally left hoping I might get one more chance down before Ed picks up his motor home and heads out to enjoy retirement.
The next stop was north at the Dana Harbor Pier where I’ve had some good luck over the years (although I prefer the morning or early evening hours).
Dana Harbor Pier — 7/15 — 3:30-5:00 p.m.
5 Salema
1 Spotfin Croaker
1 Spotted Sand (Bay) Bass
The pier only had a few people and though they were fishless I figured some fish must be around. I cast out some worms on a high/low rigging and soon after had a good hit that I reeled in almost to the pier when it came off. I saw the silver and it was probably a spotfin but the fight reminded me more of the bonefish I caught there a few years ago.
However, I would catch one spotfin croaker and one spotted bass on the worms along with a few salema that were hanging under the dock adjacent to the pier.
Nothing huge but a pleasant visit giving me a chance to relax a little.
I planned to finish the evening at the San Clemente Pier although I was tempted to return to this pier later since there were reports of barracuda being taken on spoons (Kastmaster and Krocodile) at night.
San Clemente Pier — 7/15 — 6:00-7:45 p.m.
12 Salema
7 Pacific Mackerel
3 Jacksmelt
San Clemente seemed its usual self. The parking lot was basically full although I managed to find a spot, the beach was full and people were everywhere.
Surprising was the crowd at the restaurant that sits on the entrance to the pier. The restaurant was totally full of people and a line of people outside was waiting for a seat. Probably 25 people all scrunched together in the line and most without a mask — so much for masks and social distancing.
Walking out I noticed a guy bring up a small fish and I asked if I could take a look at it. He had no idea what he had caught but I am sure it was a Largemouth Blenny, a species new to SoCal and normally found at Catalina. I removed the hook from its mouth and got his permission to return it to the water and then, afterward, kicked myself for not taking a picture of it. I’m pretty sure Dr. Love at UCSB; our fishing resource whenever there’s a question on fish would have loved to see a pic.
Went out to the end where no one was catching anything when I arrived and it was slow. However, mackerel were to be had on pieces of mackerel fished mid-depth while salema were just above the bottom. They mainly hot pieces of mackerel but also were willing to accept a worm as bait. A few jacksmelt, which I didn’t want, also grabbed the worms but sometimes you just take whatever bites.
However, thee pier started to fill up and a small group started fishing next to me and they were bugging me. The guys weren’t bad but a small girl kept talking and asking if she could kill the fish when they caught one. Sure enough when they caught a mackerel she headed over with a knife and stabbed it several times. What in the heck were they teaching this girl. It put me in a sour frame of mind and then, when other knuckleheads started fishing the area and started tangling lines (because they had no clue what they were doing), it just seemed to be a depressing scene. I just decided to leave. The restrooms were closed, I needed to pee, and I was tired.
I could have returned to Dana Harbor But I decided to just head to the motel.
Day Three
Balboa Pier — 7/16 — 7-10 a.m. at the end, roughly 11 to 4 p.m. inshore.
13 Pacific Sardine
1 White Seabass
1 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jack Mackerel
I began the morning fishing out at the end and hoping for some bonito. The pier wasn’t too crowded (not a good sign), everyone was wearing masks, and most were using Sabikis. I started out with a bonito ball and feather with no hits whatsoever. Given that guys with Sabikis were pulling in some mackerel, and even an occasional bonito, I too put on a Sabiki (which I don’t like to use). However, I wouldn’t catch anything on it other than five sardines.
I would be pleasantly surprised to have a guy walk up and say, “Are you Ken Jones?” His name is Anthony and he’s a newbie to the site (screen name DiegoGarciaWahoos). He had seen my post the other day and came down to meet me. He would totally out fish me while we were fishing from the end.
I was basically catching nothing while he rigged up with a jigpara 7” micro vertical jig and proceeded to catch a few mackerel and eventually a bonito (which was his goal). We had a nice talk and it was obvious he knows fishing and certainly how to use the micro jigs he had. I tried out one with no success but I will learn!
Eventually I moved inshore to fish with Snookie since that was the reason I came but before I left two gentlemen who were fishing the corner with good success on fish—sardines, an occasional mackerel and a couple of bonito, mentioned that they too were PFIC viewers although they don’t post. Always nice to meet people on these trips that know about PFIC.
Snookie and her brother Fred and sister along with another friend Lou were fishing on the second T. They were using Carolina rigs baited with live sardines so I did the same (on one rod). On the light rod I had the usual high/low baited with worms hoping for a croaker or a perch. The corbina would require fishing farther inshore.
There was a large school of sardines that was hanging next to the pier and Snookie said the fish were acting different than usual and she mentioned earthquakes that have taken place when fish were acting this way. We’ll see. It was interesting watching a solitary pelican that would make his patented diving runs in pursuit of the sardines. So too the osprey that was sitting on a nearby light pole.
It would turn out to be a slow day although I did eventually hook a decent-sized white seabass that at 19-inches was only 9-inches short of being legal-size. A mackerel and a small jack mackerel also joined in the fun but given the hours we fished it was slow.
We did lose a number of baits to a sea lion. It would neatly chop the sardine in half and we probably lost at least a dozen baits to the pinnipeds. We also did have several bites from halibut but all were missed even though the marks from their teeth told the story. Snookie was hooking the sardines near the nose while I was hooking them under the sardine near the rear but it didn’t seem to make it any different. Perhaps a second stinger hook was have helped although I’m not too sure it wouldn’t have hooked the sea lion. Fred caught one halibut shortly after he had hooked a white seabass identical to mine. Other than that it was a day for bait fishing.
Although I didn’t get any halibut the visit with Snookie was enjoyable as always with some good conversation. Hope to make it back soon.
The plan was to check into the motel and fish the Newport Pier during the evening but it didn’t work out. After checking into the motel and taking a short break I drove down to the Newport Pier. But McFadden Place was crowded just like most summer days and after circling the parking lot three times I said screw it. I probably could have parked blocks away but was just tired to that. Given the number of times I’ve fished Newport, and the likelihood that the action would have been the same as Balboa, I returned to the motel for a good night’s sleep.
Day Four
The last morning would be spent at the Huntington Beach pier, the big, tall concrete pier that can be great one day and dead the next. This day would be relatively dead.
Huntington Beach Pier — 7/17 — 6:30 – 10:30 a.m.
21 Queenfish
5 Pacific Sardine
5 Lizardfish
4 Pacific Mackerel
1 Jacksmelt
I decided to start at the end and then move inshore with my worms to seek out some croaker. The far end was crowded although not so much with fishermen as rods. A group of “sharkers” seeking out thresher sharks were hogging one corner and had far too many rods set out. It was a loud and profane group and though possibly nice guys, I wasn’t impressed with the number of rods or language. Where is the CA Department of Fish and Wildlife? The guys said the pier has been averaging 4-5 threshers a day and eventually one was caught. It wasn’t a baby but also wasn’t a big thresher.
I moved a little closer inshore and my first few casts on a high low yielded—lizardfish. Hadn’t seen them in several years and wondered if that means the water is cold given they normally don’t show up in warmer water years.
As it turned out nothing was really hitting other than basically baitfish—mostly herring (queenfish) and Pacific sardines. A few mackerel were around and you could take your pick. The lizardfish were on the bottom, the queenfish were mid-depth, the mackerel were from the surface to mid-depth, and the sardines were near the top. For some reason the worms wouldn’t elicit a bite but all of the fish liked a small piece of mackerel.
I did move inshore for a while but the worms didn’t elicit a single strike. So much for the croakers, and this can be an excellent pier for big spotfins.
The beach was crowded, people were 50/50 on masks, and it seemed a typical SoCal day with its mid-70s temperature. I finally decided it was time to head back to Fresno and a little over four hours later I was home in the 101 temperature.
It hadn’t been a great fishing trip although I did catch a few fish (that I had to work for) but I had seen some friends and certainly enjoyed the cooler temperatures.