August 2019 Fishing Report, SoCal (#250)
Remember — Lobster season closed on March 20 and any lobster caught accidently on hook and line must be returned to the water.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – Mav gave a report on PFIC that said the anchovies have moved in but they are in the shallows waters, an unfishable area during the day. He also said the water is contaminated with sewage. 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 — David at the Ocean Beach Pier Bait Shop & Café, on the pier says the mackerel have been hitting good although they were hot the prior week with the hot weather and a little slower this week with the cooler weather. He’s also seeing quite a few bass, both sand bass and kelp bass. Some croakers are showing inshore on the bottom while a few sheephead have been reported from the end on shrimp. The sharkers out at the left corner end are also pulling in some nice sharks and rays; fish have included 7-gill sharks, shovelnose sharks (guitarfish), a horn shark and smaller rays. No reports of halibut. 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 – Pam at the Crystal Pier Bay & Tackle said a lot of sargo have been showing up along with some croakers, both yellowfin and spotfin. Mackerel are good one day and slow the next; you just never know when they’ll be there. The usual mix of sharays is also present, quite a few shovelnose sharks (guitarfish) along with the occasional smoothhound and smaller rays. Yellowtail continue to make a daily appearance but to date none have been landed. She also reported on the recent kid’s derby that had about 170 kids. A kid who caught a sargo weighing 2.2 pounds won the derby. 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 although there should be a few mackerel and bass. 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 although some croakers and sharays should be available. 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 although mackerel and bass (kelp, sand and spotted) should be hitting along with some sharays. We still 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 (a variety) always seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays). 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 — David, at Angler’s Choice (1910 Rosecrans St.), says the mackerel are still plentiful as well as the various bass—spotted bay bass, kelp bass and sand bass. He says the shark anglers are also seeing good action with a couple of big soupfin being reported recently as well as the normal mix of bat rays, shovelnose and small sharays. He’s also heard reports of a few 7-gill sharks. 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 — Jeff at the Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle shop on the pier, said action been fairly slow but seemed to pick up in the last few days. Inshore some sargo and surfperch have been showing up and anglers who have bloodworms are catching a few corbina. Mid-pier to the end sees some bass on the bottom and a few small halibut. Top-water action has been slow. Mackerel make an appearance some days but it’s not the usual mac attack type of fishing. Finally there are the sharkers and a few threshers have been taken, some small and some large, along with the usual shovelnose and bat rays. An early August report by Reel Newbie said, " Went out at around 8 am, fished until 2 pm. Not much was biting out at the end, but saw some croakers and Sargo at the surf area. Saw a guy with at least a 3 pound sargo. Most are using mussels in the surf. Mackerel bite was very slow, lot of small smelt and salema around the pilings. One guy caught a 7’ thresher at the end, not sure on what. Also saw a small halibut pulled up, on a live smelt, and a small calico on what I think was a chunk of sardine. The guys casting bonito splasher rigs said that 2 were caught at around 7am, with no more that day. The smelt around the pilings seem to like shrimp, anchovies and mackerel over squid. Ended the day with about 6 smelt, 2 salema, and 3 mackerel, all on squid, and all given to the guys next to me with the exception of one mackerel which was quickly sashimied after being caught around 11am. Doesn’t get any fresher than that." 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.
Oceanside Harbor Pier —Wally at Pacific Coast Bait & Tackle (2110 S. Coast Highway), said things are slow in the harbor. Mainly it’s an occasional halibut or spotted bay bass. Mix in some sharks and rays (mainly bat rays) and that’s about it at this time. 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 — Josh at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point) said the croaker action has picked up, especially on yellowfin croaker, along with a few corbina. Inshore also expect some surfperch; it’s not hot action but some action. Mackerel come and go and though there’s been sightings on bonito they haven’t started biting as of yet. Finally, the sharay action continues to be decent with a main mix of bat rays and leopard sharks. 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 — Josh at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said both yellowfin croaker and corbina have shown up at the pier along with the usual small bass and occasional small halibut. Not much action on top although people fishing at night with spoons (Kastmasters) will occasionally hook into a barracuda. 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 said, “Haven't been to the pier for a couple weeks as I took a fall in my house... I sure missed fishing, but now I am back. Did I catch anything? No, but it was a nice day with no sun. We are getting plenty of bait and some strikes. Saw a few mackerel off the end. The Jr. Lifeguards are just about through for the year. They have their Monster Mile tomorrow, Thursday. None of us are going to be there. The kids are okay because they are in the water, but the parents are a disgrace to have to deal with. There is one more week of training then they will be gone. I must say that this year we did not have as many problems with them. In fact I managed to catch a keeper while they were jumping. With the water warming up we should have good fishing this fall.” 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 — Generally the action mirrors, for the most part, that seen at Balboa. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turnoff and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — Mike at Let's Go Fishing (on the pier), said most of the action is on top-water fish—mackerel, sardines, and smelt; he says there are tons of each. Good action is also taking place on thresher sharks at the end. The day prior to my call they had hooked five threshers and landed three. The long-finned sharks always attract a core group of shark fishermen as well as onlookers. As for inshore, he says some spotfin croaker are showing up in the surf area but not in big numbers. Mid-pier sees a few halibut but all have been small. One fish that is being taken in huge numbers is salema, mid-pier to the end. Mix in a few bass and that’s about it. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.
Seal Beach Pier — Ron at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports that anglers are seeing some surfperch and yellowfin croakers inshore, while mid-pier to the end is producing a few, mainly small, halibut, bass, and good numbers of mackerel and sardine. 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 Pier — Ron at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports some decent fishing for halibut mid-pier for those using live smelt for bait. Inshore sees some croakers (yellowfin and spotfin), and a few corbina. Mackerel are plentiful at the end along with a few sharks (shovelnose and smoothhound) and small rays. 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 — No report this month but expect some perch, sargo and croaker while fishing the inshore shallower waters while mackerel, white croaker, sharks and rays should be available with a cast out from the pier. 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.
Cabrillo Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook (245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro) said it’s pretty much the same report. Mackerel are available most days with the majority of anglers using Sabikis for the fish. He also said the halibut continue to be taken by those who know what they are doing. That generally means lures with the Berkeley Gulp Jerk Shads (white color) and Zoom Flukes (white color) the top lures. Fish them with a drop shot rigging. He said some bass also continue to show up along with small sharks and bat rays (small and large). 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) – It’s the normal mix of fish — rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, sheephead, jacksmelt, and kelp bass. Use sea-worms, frozen peas, mussels, and market shrimp. 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 and Newport Beach. 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) — The resident population of fish are still present—kelp bass, opaleye, sheephead, halfmoon, blacksmith, kelpfish, and scorpionfish (sculpin). How To Get There: The trick is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Newport Beach. 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 mole that sits right where most boats disembark.
Redondo Beach Pier — Sunny, at the Redondo Pier Tackle (on the pier), said it’s the usual fish — mackerel. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month although the mackerel should be around as well as some croakers inshore, small sharks and rays, and some flatfish in the mid-pier area. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier —An early August visit by Arcadian reported the usual, mostly mackerel and a few small crabs. Overall, the action was slow.
How To Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — John at the bait shop towards the end of the pier reports some action on mackerel out at the end along with yellowfin croaker inshore (from the surf to about half way out on the pier). Also expect to see perch and sargo if fishing under the pier (accessible by the walkways). On the other hand, it’s slow on sharks and rays and no halibut have been seen. 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 — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said the fishing has been real good at the pier. Mackerel are running along with a lot of small perch, good numbers of bass mid-pier, and a few corbina in the shallows. When the grunion were running quite a few halibut, including some keepers, were taken. Thresher action has been good at the end along some HUGE bat rays and good-sized leopard sharks. She said it hasn’t been this good for some time. (She also mentioned a 28-pound sheephead caught from the beach!). How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said she's gotten reports of bass from the pier along with corbina showing up in the surf. She says quite a few leopard sharks have been reports and lots of bat rays. Most of the bat rays were small to medium-size fish but one was reported as HUGE with several of the restaurant workers cutting it up for the meat (much to the chagrin of some on-lookers). How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — A mid-month report from SC McCarty found people catching mackerel, sardines and jacksmelt. 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 — No report. 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 — Bretzel, at the Bait Shop on the pier, said there’s been a decent mix of fish. Mackerel have been in and out while small calico (kelp) bass and jacksmelt are fairly consistent. Many people continue to seek out rock crabs, which also are pretty consistent. She said a few thresher sharks have also made an appearance. 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 — A PFIC report by Sniksa said, "Fished Goleta Thursday 8/1. Lots and lots of mackerel, kids loved it! I caught a 13 1/2″ kelpie (arghhhh), using squid and mackerel strips in the kelp. Think there’s a grunion run tonight, lots of people fishing halibut, only saw two very short landed. Overall great day. Bait shop on Pier is open 12-7 daily through September." Another report, this time from BullBat, said he was at the pier on July 22 and fished from 7:30 AM to 6 PM. He said, "My catch was shabby for the hours fished: 3-short Calicos and 1-Ronkie. All bit on frozen anchovy although frozen squid was also in front of them. The interesting catch was by someone else around 1430 hours. I was asked to assist with a big fish caught further down the pier since I had a hoop net. I got to the fisherman who was on the east side of the pier between the bend and the crane. It looked like a large thornback or shovelnose, but neither really looked right. We got it onto the net fairly easily and I estimated it was just a little over 4 feet compared to the net ring. I started lifting it hand-over-hand while leaning over the railing and I was startled at how heavy this fish was. I never needed as much effort as this for a Tback or Snose of this size. I estimated it at 40 lbs. and minus the net and line - 35 lbs. was a safe bet. The fisherman unhooked the fish where the hook was in the corner of the mouth. This struck me odd because the mouth wasn’t under the fish, it was to the front of the face. The fisherman took pictures and I lowered it back down to a safe release. He showed me that it was caught on a 3 inch, silver swimbait. That night, I went through the Internet to identify what was caught. I am confident that it was a Pacific Angel Shark. I had never seen one up until then but it matched everything I had remembered from the day. I went back to the pier four times during the next week hoping to see the fisherman and confirm through his pictures but he was not there. Something a little different at the pier." Yes, probably an angel shark and kind of a gnarly fish that lies there like it's dead and then lunges out trying to get a good bite. Always be very careful with those sharks! BTW, way too big to be a thornback ray but shovelnose get bigger than that. 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 continues to be closed while the state moves with glacial speed and typical bureaucratic malaise in response in efforts to actually get it open. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
Remember — Lobster season closed on March 20 and any lobster caught accidently on hook and line must be returned to the water.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – Mav gave a report on PFIC that said the anchovies have moved in but they are in the shallows waters, an unfishable area during the day. He also said the water is contaminated with sewage. 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 — David at the Ocean Beach Pier Bait Shop & Café, on the pier says the mackerel have been hitting good although they were hot the prior week with the hot weather and a little slower this week with the cooler weather. He’s also seeing quite a few bass, both sand bass and kelp bass. Some croakers are showing inshore on the bottom while a few sheephead have been reported from the end on shrimp. The sharkers out at the left corner end are also pulling in some nice sharks and rays; fish have included 7-gill sharks, shovelnose sharks (guitarfish), a horn shark and smaller rays. No reports of halibut. 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 – Pam at the Crystal Pier Bay & Tackle said a lot of sargo have been showing up along with some croakers, both yellowfin and spotfin. Mackerel are good one day and slow the next; you just never know when they’ll be there. The usual mix of sharays is also present, quite a few shovelnose sharks (guitarfish) along with the occasional smoothhound and smaller rays. Yellowtail continue to make a daily appearance but to date none have been landed. She also reported on the recent kid’s derby that had about 170 kids. A kid who caught a sargo weighing 2.2 pounds won the derby. 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 although there should be a few mackerel and bass. 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 although some croakers and sharays should be available. 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 although mackerel and bass (kelp, sand and spotted) should be hitting along with some sharays. We still 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 (a variety) always seem to be around as well as a mix of sharays (mostly round stingrays). 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 — David, at Angler’s Choice (1910 Rosecrans St.), says the mackerel are still plentiful as well as the various bass—spotted bay bass, kelp bass and sand bass. He says the shark anglers are also seeing good action with a couple of big soupfin being reported recently as well as the normal mix of bat rays, shovelnose and small sharays. He’s also heard reports of a few 7-gill sharks. 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 — Jeff at the Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle shop on the pier, said action been fairly slow but seemed to pick up in the last few days. Inshore some sargo and surfperch have been showing up and anglers who have bloodworms are catching a few corbina. Mid-pier to the end sees some bass on the bottom and a few small halibut. Top-water action has been slow. Mackerel make an appearance some days but it’s not the usual mac attack type of fishing. Finally there are the sharkers and a few threshers have been taken, some small and some large, along with the usual shovelnose and bat rays. An early August report by Reel Newbie said, " Went out at around 8 am, fished until 2 pm. Not much was biting out at the end, but saw some croakers and Sargo at the surf area. Saw a guy with at least a 3 pound sargo. Most are using mussels in the surf. Mackerel bite was very slow, lot of small smelt and salema around the pilings. One guy caught a 7’ thresher at the end, not sure on what. Also saw a small halibut pulled up, on a live smelt, and a small calico on what I think was a chunk of sardine. The guys casting bonito splasher rigs said that 2 were caught at around 7am, with no more that day. The smelt around the pilings seem to like shrimp, anchovies and mackerel over squid. Ended the day with about 6 smelt, 2 salema, and 3 mackerel, all on squid, and all given to the guys next to me with the exception of one mackerel which was quickly sashimied after being caught around 11am. Doesn’t get any fresher than that." 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.
Oceanside Harbor Pier —Wally at Pacific Coast Bait & Tackle (2110 S. Coast Highway), said things are slow in the harbor. Mainly it’s an occasional halibut or spotted bay bass. Mix in some sharks and rays (mainly bat rays) and that’s about it at this time. 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 — Josh at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point) said the croaker action has picked up, especially on yellowfin croaker, along with a few corbina. Inshore also expect some surfperch; it’s not hot action but some action. Mackerel come and go and though there’s been sightings on bonito they haven’t started biting as of yet. Finally, the sharay action continues to be decent with a main mix of bat rays and leopard sharks. 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 — Josh at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said both yellowfin croaker and corbina have shown up at the pier along with the usual small bass and occasional small halibut. Not much action on top although people fishing at night with spoons (Kastmasters) will occasionally hook into a barracuda. 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 said, “Haven't been to the pier for a couple weeks as I took a fall in my house... I sure missed fishing, but now I am back. Did I catch anything? No, but it was a nice day with no sun. We are getting plenty of bait and some strikes. Saw a few mackerel off the end. The Jr. Lifeguards are just about through for the year. They have their Monster Mile tomorrow, Thursday. None of us are going to be there. The kids are okay because they are in the water, but the parents are a disgrace to have to deal with. There is one more week of training then they will be gone. I must say that this year we did not have as many problems with them. In fact I managed to catch a keeper while they were jumping. With the water warming up we should have good fishing this fall.” 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 — Generally the action mirrors, for the most part, that seen at Balboa. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turnoff and proceed west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place.
Huntington Beach Pier — Mike at Let's Go Fishing (on the pier), said most of the action is on top-water fish—mackerel, sardines, and smelt; he says there are tons of each. Good action is also taking place on thresher sharks at the end. The day prior to my call they had hooked five threshers and landed three. The long-finned sharks always attract a core group of shark fishermen as well as onlookers. As for inshore, he says some spotfin croaker are showing up in the surf area but not in big numbers. Mid-pier sees a few halibut but all have been small. One fish that is being taken in huge numbers is salema, mid-pier to the end. Mix in a few bass and that’s about it. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.
Seal Beach Pier — Ron at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports that anglers are seeing some surfperch and yellowfin croakers inshore, while mid-pier to the end is producing a few, mainly small, halibut, bass, and good numbers of mackerel and sardine. 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 Pier — Ron at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports some decent fishing for halibut mid-pier for those using live smelt for bait. Inshore sees some croakers (yellowfin and spotfin), and a few corbina. Mackerel are plentiful at the end along with a few sharks (shovelnose and smoothhound) and small rays. 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 — No report this month but expect some perch, sargo and croaker while fishing the inshore shallower waters while mackerel, white croaker, sharks and rays should be available with a cast out from the pier. 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.
Cabrillo Pier (San Pedro) — Alex at the Rusty Hook (245 N Gaffey St., San Pedro) said it’s pretty much the same report. Mackerel are available most days with the majority of anglers using Sabikis for the fish. He also said the halibut continue to be taken by those who know what they are doing. That generally means lures with the Berkeley Gulp Jerk Shads (white color) and Zoom Flukes (white color) the top lures. Fish them with a drop shot rigging. He said some bass also continue to show up along with small sharks and bat rays (small and large). 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) – It’s the normal mix of fish — rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, sheephead, jacksmelt, and kelp bass. Use sea-worms, frozen peas, mussels, and market shrimp. 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 and Newport Beach. 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) — The resident population of fish are still present—kelp bass, opaleye, sheephead, halfmoon, blacksmith, kelpfish, and scorpionfish (sculpin). How To Get There: The trick is to get to Catalina. Ships and helicopters make the journey several times a day from the Port of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Newport Beach. 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 mole that sits right where most boats disembark.
Redondo Beach Pier — Sunny, at the Redondo Pier Tackle (on the pier), said it’s the usual fish — mackerel. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report this month although the mackerel should be around as well as some croakers inshore, small sharks and rays, and some flatfish in the mid-pier area. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier —An early August visit by Arcadian reported the usual, mostly mackerel and a few small crabs. Overall, the action was slow.
How To Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — John at the bait shop towards the end of the pier reports some action on mackerel out at the end along with yellowfin croaker inshore (from the surf to about half way out on the pier). Also expect to see perch and sargo if fishing under the pier (accessible by the walkways). On the other hand, it’s slow on sharks and rays and no halibut have been seen. 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 — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said the fishing has been real good at the pier. Mackerel are running along with a lot of small perch, good numbers of bass mid-pier, and a few corbina in the shallows. When the grunion were running quite a few halibut, including some keepers, were taken. Thresher action has been good at the end along some HUGE bat rays and good-sized leopard sharks. She said it hasn’t been this good for some time. (She also mentioned a 28-pound sheephead caught from the beach!). How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said she's gotten reports of bass from the pier along with corbina showing up in the surf. She says quite a few leopard sharks have been reports and lots of bat rays. Most of the bat rays were small to medium-size fish but one was reported as HUGE with several of the restaurant workers cutting it up for the meat (much to the chagrin of some on-lookers). How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — A mid-month report from SC McCarty found people catching mackerel, sardines and jacksmelt. 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 — No report. 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 — Bretzel, at the Bait Shop on the pier, said there’s been a decent mix of fish. Mackerel have been in and out while small calico (kelp) bass and jacksmelt are fairly consistent. Many people continue to seek out rock crabs, which also are pretty consistent. She said a few thresher sharks have also made an appearance. 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 — A PFIC report by Sniksa said, "Fished Goleta Thursday 8/1. Lots and lots of mackerel, kids loved it! I caught a 13 1/2″ kelpie (arghhhh), using squid and mackerel strips in the kelp. Think there’s a grunion run tonight, lots of people fishing halibut, only saw two very short landed. Overall great day. Bait shop on Pier is open 12-7 daily through September." Another report, this time from BullBat, said he was at the pier on July 22 and fished from 7:30 AM to 6 PM. He said, "My catch was shabby for the hours fished: 3-short Calicos and 1-Ronkie. All bit on frozen anchovy although frozen squid was also in front of them. The interesting catch was by someone else around 1430 hours. I was asked to assist with a big fish caught further down the pier since I had a hoop net. I got to the fisherman who was on the east side of the pier between the bend and the crane. It looked like a large thornback or shovelnose, but neither really looked right. We got it onto the net fairly easily and I estimated it was just a little over 4 feet compared to the net ring. I started lifting it hand-over-hand while leaning over the railing and I was startled at how heavy this fish was. I never needed as much effort as this for a Tback or Snose of this size. I estimated it at 40 lbs. and minus the net and line - 35 lbs. was a safe bet. The fisherman unhooked the fish where the hook was in the corner of the mouth. This struck me odd because the mouth wasn’t under the fish, it was to the front of the face. The fisherman took pictures and I lowered it back down to a safe release. He showed me that it was caught on a 3 inch, silver swimbait. That night, I went through the Internet to identify what was caught. I am confident that it was a Pacific Angel Shark. I had never seen one up until then but it matched everything I had remembered from the day. I went back to the pier four times during the next week hoping to see the fisherman and confirm through his pictures but he was not there. Something a little different at the pier." Yes, probably an angel shark and kind of a gnarly fish that lies there like it's dead and then lunges out trying to get a good bite. Always be very careful with those sharks! BTW, way too big to be a thornback ray but shovelnose get bigger than that. 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 continues to be closed while the state moves with glacial speed and typical bureaucratic malaise in response in efforts to actually get it open. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.