California Pier Report — August 2026
August 2026 Fishing Report, Southern California (#309)
Remember that the lobster season is closed. If you catch one on your line release it.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – It sounds like the normal summertime action at the pier. Expect some croakers and perch inshore along with a possible sargo. Ditto small sharks and rays inshore to mid-pier (leopard sharks, thornback rays, stingrays, bat rays, etc.) Mid-pier or inshore may also see a few shortfin corvina show up to those using live bait or lures, especially at night. Out at the end a few mackerel are showing and some days a few bonito. Occasionally a barracuda is also hooked, usually on a lure. Regulars who know what they are doing also catch some large perch fishing around the pilings. It doesn’t sound like action is hot but the normal species are around. 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 — The bad news is that the pier is closed. The good news is that the pier, one almost annually damaged by winter storms during the past few years, will eventually be replaced with a new improved pier, one better able to withstand the winter storms (and hopefully last for 75 years). 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 – We need a reporter. It sounds like most of the action is on the normal summertime species. Inshore expect some surfperch, yellowfin croaker and possibly a larger spotfin croaker. If you’re real lucky you might catch a corbina while those using live bait or a lure may hook into a shortfin corvina. Small sharks, mainly leopard sharks and gray smoothhounds should also be present along with the usual stingrays, thornback rays and bat rays. Although they are still rare, one LARGE yellowtail was also reportedly caught (and they catch ‘em up to 40-50 pounds here, but you’ve really got to know what you’re doing). Meanwhile, top water action on jacksmelt, mackerel and bonito seems to be fairly slow. It should only get better as the water temperatures continue to rise. 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 — we need a reporter! Traditionally some kelp bass and spotted bay bass are available on the bottom. Both mackerel and bonito may make a showing. 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 — 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 — we need a reporter. However, anglers should expect a few bass, croaker and sharays (sharks and rays) on the bottom as well as possibly a halibut (most caught on soft plastic lures). In addition you might find jacksmelt visiting the pier and a few needlefish. At night you might luck into a shortfin corvina if using live bait or lures. Lastly, bonito should be showing up and it can be a good pier for them. 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) —Some fish should be available—bass (all three varieties) and a variety of sharays—shovelnose guitarfish, round stingrays, bat rays and smoothhounds. At night add in the possibility of some shortfin corvina and possibly a small barracuda. Some days may see mackerel — and bonito. 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 — Need a reporter. An assortment of bottom fish should be available (including some bass and halibut) and (perhaps) some good-sized sharays (especially at night). On top expect some jacksmelt, mackerel and possibly bonito. It’s also a pier that sometimes sees a few shortfin corvina. 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 — Bill Litchfield said that fishing has been pretty decent lately. People fishing inshore with fresh mussels, clams and ghost shrimp are pulling in some nice-sized spotfin croaker along with some yellowfins and BIG sargo. Mid-pier is seeing a few kelp bass, sand bass, and halibut although most of the hallies are shorts. No threshers have been caught by the shark fishermen but quite a few leopard sharks have been taken (including one 5 ½-feet long) together with the usual small thornbacks, stingrays, and bat rays. Anglers continue to pill in herring (queenfish) and some sardines along with some big jacksmelt. There are some mackerel and the bonito finally showed up. Most of the boneheads are 18-20 inches long and when by the pier they provide good sport. The water temperature is 74-79 degrees and rising so some good fishing and possibly some exotics should start showing up. How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — Bill said fishing is so so with continued catches of some croakers, sargo, jacksmelt and an occasional bass. Even the small bonito make a showing at the pier. 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 —Trevor at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy.), said they are getting reports of good fishing. It’s the regular croakers, both yellowfin and spotfin, inshore along with some surfperch. Midway out to the end the bonito finally showed up and decent numbers have been caught for the past two weeks. Not a lot of sharks being reported from the pier but at least one nice-sized thresher was taken. Given its history though, I imagine both sharks and bat rays are being taken at night even if not reported. 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 — Trevor at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy.), says says some good croakers and perch have been taken from the pier—and some decent size sand bass. the action in the harbor remains about the same±—mainly a few bass along with some perch and croakers. 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 — KJ — I fished the pier three times this month with Snookie. The week would see her 90th birthday and my southland visit was mainly to see her. I wasn’t alone. A birthday banner was hung from the roof of Ruby’s Restaurant and many, many people stopped by to wish her a happy birthday. I would fish with her and her halibut crew for three days. She and her crew caught halibut (all on live smelt), I did not. However I did manage three small white seabass, a mackerel, a bonito, and of course many jacksmelt for bait. Surprisingly the mackerel and bonito hit live smelt on the halibut leader. I didn’t see many mackerel but bonito were making sporadic runs at the pier, usually small runs, but those casting lures or Sabikis were getting a few. It sounded like some days the bonito would make a run at daybreak and then, after an hour or so, quit biting. Inshore, I saw some sargo and croaker caught as well as a zebra perch; the inshore species were hitting on ghost shrimp. The only problem is the ridiculous parking rates—$4.50 an hour. If you were to spend all day at the pier it could cost almost as much as a half-day boat. One more town that just figures it will sock it to the visitors (who must have a lot of money if they’re visiting Newport). Geeze. But also simple supply and demand given the paucity of parking places by the Newport Pier and other areas. 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 (which is very expensive).”
Newport Pier — KJ —I didn’t the fish the pier on my recent visit but walked the pier and saw similar action to Balboa. A few bonito and a few mackerel at the end but nothing spectacular. Not much else at the end where everyone seemed to be using Sabikis. Inshore to mid-pier saw a few croakers, mainly small yellowfin croaker, a few sargo and a couple of thornback rays. Surprisingly the lizardfish that had been so prevalent the prior month seemed to be gone. The main problem at Newport was simply the lack of parking spaces, one visit saw me give up after three drives around the parking lot and move down to Balboa. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off and precede west watching for signs directing traffic to the pier. The pier sits at the foot of McFadden Place. Metered parking is available but all the lots fill early and are full much of the day. Basically you almost have to wait until someone else leaves and there’s an empty spot.
Huntington Beach Pier — No report although locals reported some bonito showing on some days. Generally the pier is a good producer of croakers (including some large spotfins) in the inshore area (try fresh mussels). Thresher shark fishermen sometimes take over the end area but haven’t heard of too many being taken lately. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.” How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.”
Seal Beach Pier — Nan (I think), at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said croakers and perch continue to be caught inshore with some mackerel and bonito, mainly bonito, showing up at the end. 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 Veterans Memorial Pier — KJ — I visited the pier on July 21 and for the most part the fishing was very slow. A lot of anglers were casting for bonito but only an occasional fish was making a showing. I wound up joining a young couple fishing for their supper and helped them with a few fish—8 salema. The only other fish I saw were, for the most part ,small bass although I ran across an old friend Anthony who had caught a bonito and a friend of his who had a large needlefish. Reports said the bonito were showing on some days and good numbers could be caught if you were there when they showed. 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 (Long Beach) KJ — I tried to fish the piers on the 21st but an event of some type was taking place and they would not let any cars back by the piers unless you had a boat in the marine (and a pass). When open, expect the normal fish — white croaker (casting out from the piers) and some sargo and perch (when fishing the inshore waters). Jacksmelt should be showing up along with mackerel and now some bonito that seem to come and go. There’s also always a chance on a small shark or ray. 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.
Pier J Piers (Long Beach) KJ — I fished the small pier on July 22 with limited success. Three other anglers were there which made it hard to even fish from the end so most fishing was from the side of the pier. I fished from 6:15-8:45 a.m. and only managed 2 opaleye, 2 sargo, 1 black croaker, 1 white croaker, and a small rockpool blenny. All of the fish were caught on tubeworms fished with a high/low rig. Anglers casting from the end did manage a couple of white croaker and a couple of bonito on lures. How To Get There: From I-710 follow the signs saying S. Harbor Scenic Drive. From downtown Long Beach follow Queens Way past the Catalina Landing and on to the Queens Way Bridge over the water and take the S. Harbor Scenic Drive.
Cabrillo Beach Pier (San Pedro) — No report — We need a reporter. However, a couple of locals told me mackerel are showing some days along with a few bass. 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) – Expect the usual: senorita, garibaldi, sheephead, and rock wrasse while some days will also produce ocean whitefish, mackerel, jack mackerel (Spanish mackerel), bonito and perhaps even opaleye (which some years are very common). 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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) — Quite a few large bonito are being taken along with the normal resident species—kelp bass, sheephead, rock wrasse, opaleye, halfmoon, etc. 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, Newport Beach (near the Balboa Pier) and Dana Harbor. 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 when you walk off the ferry onto the landing you are at the Mole.
Redondo Beach Pier — Our reporter Raul Sarmiento's report for the Redondo Beach Pier — The first two weekends of July brought the bonito, from Friday to Sunday, sunrise till about 8am, then a slow decline in the late afternoons. Bonito were also reported to be caught from 5pm- till sunset. There have are confirmed reports of yellowtail being caught on Sabiki without bait and with bait. By the latter half of July, the bonito catch grinded to a halt from sunrise to 8am, and even till 10am when I usually leave the pier. Also, no sea lions near the pier which is odd when bonito are running. Other fish caught were sardines, mackerel, barracuda, and smelt. On the other side of the pier, sargo and halibut were being caught but not sure if the halibut were legal size. During the month of July, catch limits for bonito and overhead casting was being strictly enforced and tickets issued including fishing in the prohibited areas on the north side of the pier. Issues with tents staying for days at a time also began to be enforced by Redondo Beach police.
I visited the pier on the morning of the 24th to meet Raul and the fishing was dead. I didn’t see any fish caught with the exception of a small halibut that was caught on a lure by a youngster from Colorado. He was very disappointed when I told him he needed to put the fish back in the water (he wanted to eat it). 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 — Our reporter Raul Sarmiento's report for the Hermosa Beach Pier — I've visited Hermosa Beach (Hb) 7 times in July and was not disappointed! Typically bonito are being caught at 5:30am and tapers down till 8am. One day the bite didn’t end till noon, when I left the pier. The bonito are mostly med-large size with small ones I’ve seen caught at 12:30pm. In my experience, casting just 50-100’ is the sweet zone to catch bonito as they are feeding close to the pier. Halibut and Sargo are getting caught at mid-pier. There’s a ton of bait fish (sardines or mackerel) swimming at the end of the pier in large schools. Pier opens at 6am, but often times the gates are open by 5:15am because of power washing or trash pickup.
KJ —I visited the pier on July 23 and fished from 5:20-7:50 p.m. Soon after arrival I met an interesting lady, Clair Tu, who recognized me and we talked about her, PFIC, and fishing for nearly the entire time I was fishing. She is an expert on the Hermosa Beach Pier and I hope to have her be a reporter for the pier. During our talk I kept fishing and managed 15 kelp bass, 1 sargo, 2 yellowfin croaker, and one bonito. The pier was crowded and basically everyone was using Sabikis and getting some bonito when the boneheads would show up. Although not a lot, too many anglers would throw out a Sabiki, catch 5-6 bonito, keep them all, and keep fishing. I told several it was against the rules but to no affect. I probably should have called CalTip but given the time when most of the bonito showed up, I figured most would be gone from the pier (since they were closing it at 8 p.m.) before the wardens could arrive. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Manhattan Beach Pier — No report —need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Venice Pier — KJ — I fished the pier on the 22nd, a day when no one on the pier had a single fish other than me and all I caught was a good-sized jacksmelt. I was a little disappointed since the prior week showed big numbers of bonito being caught on the pier. They come and go and you’ve got to be there when they show up. The parking fee was $9 and evidently it’s higher on the weekend. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — KJ — I fished the pier on the 23rd and managed 3 yellowfin croaker, 2 sand bass, 1 opaleye, and 1 sargo in a four hour visit. The yellowfin were caught casting away from the pier (and fellow anglers were also catching quite a few yellowfins). The sand bass, opaleye and sargo were caught fishing near the pilings under the pier. The only problem was the $20 parking fee since the day I was there you could not get on the pier to park on the hourly parking lot. Also a little crowded as always. 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 — With the loss of long time reporter Ginny Wylie due to the Palisades fire (which burned down Wylies Bait and Tackle), we are now looking for a new reporter. Any reports from the area would be appreciated. It is however, still a little difficult to get to the pier if coming from the south. Road are blocked part of the time. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — The pier is currently closed. Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. Parking is very expensive unless you buy an expensive meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.
Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers
Port Hueneme Pier — Ludia at Hyun’s Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura said anglers inshore are getting a few perch but they are small, while inshore to mid-pier also sees some croakers. She said there’s also a lot of mackerel as well as smaller numbers of bonito (that come and go). Shark action has mainly been on small leopard sharks and a few rays. One last fish being caught is a few kelp bass. 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 — Ludia at Hyun’s Tackle, 3695 E Harbor Blvd., Ventura said a few thresher sharks have been caught by the shark fishermen although the small leopard sharks and rays are more common. She says a lot of croaker are being caught as well as a few halibut (on live bait and especially after the grunion runs). Inshore the perch action is slow. Mackerel action is good and some bonito are also beginning to show up. It’s a good year according to Ludia. 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 (Santa Barbara) —Luke at Hook Line & Sinker, 2259 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, said he hasn’t gotten many reports but thinks they are still getting good numbers of croakers, especially yellowfin croakers, as well as a decent number of mackerel. He didn’t know about bonito. Of course there are also good numbers of rock crabs and spider crabs. 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 —Luke at Hook Line & Sinker, 2259 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, said the fishing has been fairly good. Inshore, some yellowfin croakers are showing up as well as some short halibut. At night, under the lights, some white seabass show up. As usual some sharks and rays are making a showing, mainly at night and traditionally the pier has yielded up some nice-sized bat rays. He says the mackerel have been fairly steady and now, for the last couple of weeks, the bonito are making a showing. He says most of the bonito are 2-3 pounders and anglers using micro jigs are getting the best fish. Not to be forgotten is the pipe reef off to the side of the pier and he said some nice kelp bass have been taken including a couple of 20-inch fish. Sounds like a good time to go. 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 — Same report as the last few YEARS—Still counting the days— Government efficiency seems to be a true oxymoronic word in California. The pier, managed by the State Department of Parks (State Parks), has been closed since a winter storm in 2014 (yes, more than a decade ago). Reports over the years have given hope for repair but funding as well as division and disagreement between various groups including the State Parks and the Coastal Commission, have slowed down the needed repairs. Maybe some day. We can only pray. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
