Combination Report - San Clemente and Seal Beach Piers

[Fishman Fishman]

December 02, fished San Clemente pier. Pre King Tide but the surf was very high. Water ran up to base of restaurant located at pier entrance. Fished two hours at surf and managed to catch and release a small Barred surf perch. Fish hit some mussel on a high/low rig. I tried out some dried lug worms for the first time. No bites. I will try them again when I return to the pier.

I will post photo of the bait. Wondering if anyone has had any success using this bait?

Moved to middle of pier. Caught and released a Black croaker. The fish hit a piece of cut anchovy on the high/low rig. I tried the lug worms and managed to catch a few Topsmelt. Used the smelt as live bait but, no takers.

A few fishermen nearby caught some Jacksmelt. Overall, kind of a slow fish bite this trip.

On December 08, after the King Tides had subsided, I fished Seal Beach pier. Had much better results. A lot of baitfish in the water. Looked like small smelt. Final tally was:

15 Lizardfish (kept for bait)
8 Thornback Rays (released)
4 Yellowfin croaker (released)
3 Jacksmelt (kept)
1 Sandbass (released
1 Sargo (kept)
6 Purple starfish!

The Sargo hit some leftover mussel from my San Clemente trip. The Sargo was grilled for lunch!

While cleaning the Jacksmelt, a few small smelt came out of the stomachs.

Noticeable different fishing results between pre and post King tides

 

[Ken Jones]

Sounds like you caught some fish, at least at Seal Beach. Want to get down there and fish with you once I am healed from the operation (hoping in January). As for the lug worms never used dried lug worms. However, if I have lug worms left over after fishing I take them hope put some salt on them and freeze them. Not as good as fresh lug worms but I've caught fish on them.