January 2021 Fishing Report, Central California (262)

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#1
January 2021 Fishing Report, CenCal (#262)

San Luis Obispo County Piers

Pismo Beach Pier — Surfperch (on the bottom) and jacksmelt (on the top), should be available on days when the weather cooperate. A lot of high tides and big swells lately can make it hard to fish. How To Get There: From the north, take Hwy. 101 to the Five Cities Dr. exit; follow Dolliver into the middle of town, then turn west on Pomeroy and follow it to the pier and parking lot. From the south, take the Pismo Beach Exit (Price St.), follow it to Pomeroy; turn west and follow it to the pier.

Avila Pier – The pier is currently only open about half way out. Some surfperch may be available. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to Avila Rd. and go west; turn left off of Avila Rd. on to Front St. and follow it to the pier.

San Luis (Harford) Pier — Debbie at Patriot Sportfishing (on the pier) said the main thing biting recently has been kingfish (white croaker) although some mackerel were biting until the day I called. No jacksmelt and no perch! She said the water has been really rough. The swells had been at least 12 feet every day since Christmas and the prediction the day I called, the 5th,, was for 20 foot swells. She said water was making it into the parking lot. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to the Avila Rd. turnoff and head west; follow the road to the end and the pier. How To Get There: Take Hwy. 101 to the Avila Rd. turnoff and head west; follow the road to the end and the pier.

Morro Bay T-Piers – A variety of perch and small rockfish should still be available—blackperch, pileperch, and striped perch along with grass, brown, copper, blue and black rockfish. How To Get There: From Highway 1 turn south onto Main Street, follow it to Morro Bay Boulevard, turn left toward the bay and follow it to Embarcadero, turn right and follow Embarcadero to the end of the public parking which adjoins the piers.

Cayucos Pier — Expect a few surfperch inshore on the bottom while top-water action should mainly see jacksmelt. Do be careful since tides and swells have been very big recently and can sometimes wash over this low to the water pier. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to either Ocean Boulevard, which is the main street and will take you past the pier, or take the Cayucos Drive exit which will take you straight to the pier.

San Simeon Pier — Expect the usual, a variety of perch inshore while mid-pier to the end may see some pelagic action on top—mainly jacksmelt. Again, watch the weather and swell conditions. How To Get There: Highway 1 to the entrance to the park.

Monterey-Santa Cruz-San Mateo County Piers

Monterey Coast Guard Pier — We received a report on PFIC mid-month from MacAttack57 who said the main gate is closed for repair and will stay closed until about mid-January. He fished the inshore section that's available before the gate and managed a small cabezon and a black and yellow rockfish. I imagine with only the inshore section open it could be crowded. How To Get There: From Hwy 1 going north: Take the Aguajito Road exit, turn left at the first traffic signal intersection, which is Aguajito Road, and continue under Highway 1 and cross Fremont Street. At the next traffic signal intersection, which is Del Monte Avenue, turn left. Continue down Del Monte Avenue and under the tunnel where the street turns into Lighthouse Avenue. Get into the right-hand lane. As the street veers to the right it turns into Foam Street. Continue on Foam Street to the first right and turn into the parking lot. From Hwy 1 going south: Take the Del Monte Avenue exit, continue down Del Monte Avenue for several blocks and go under the tunnel where the street turns into Lighthouse Avenue. Get into the right-hand lane. As the street veers to the right it turns into Foam Street. Continue on Foam Street to the first right and turn into the parking lot.

Monterey Wharf #2 — No reports and hard to predict. It tends to be a hit or miss pier and the last time I was there nothing was being caught. Wish we had a reliable reporter. How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the central Monterey exit and follow Del Monte Avenue to Figueroa Street, turn right and follow to the wharf.

Seacliff State Beach Pier — Ed at the Capitola Boat & Bait, said the pier is currently closed. How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the State Park Drive exit; follow the road west to the park entrance.

Capitola Wharf — Ed at the Capitola Boat & Bait, on the pier, said some walleye surfperch and blackperch are being picked up by anglers at the end while a few barred surfperch have showed up inshore. He also reported two steelhead, both around 5-pounds in size and both returned to the water. He said it has been rough with 8-9 foot swells for several days. How To Get There: From Highway 1 take the Bay Avenue exit west until it hits Capitola Avenue where you turn right; stay on this to Cliff Drive, turn right and park wherever you can find a spot.

Santa Cruz Wharf — Tina, at the Santa Cruz Boat Rental (on the wharf), said the water has been horrible and the fishermen are staying away. If any fish at all it might be a few bait fish. She says they’ve had 18-24 foot swells and it’s just too rough. How to Get There: Ocean Street south from Highway 1; when you get to Laurel Street turn right and follow it to Pacific Street, turn left and follow Pacific to the wharf.

Pillar Point Pier — No report, need a reporter. Small rockfish and perch should be available around the pier while jacksmelt should be available in the top-water areas. How To Get There: From Highway 1 simply take the Pillar Point Harbor turnoff and follow the road down to the main parking lot. This pier is to the far right of the parking lot.

Pacifica Pier — Stephanie at Gus’ Tackle, 3710 Balboa St., San Francisco, says the water has been rough and the pier has been closed down several times. When weather and sea conditions do cooperate, the pier is crowded with crabbers and crab are being caught (perhaps because the commercial boys have been shut down?). No reports on fish at the pier. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Pacifica, take the Paloma Avenue-Francisco Boulevard exit, take Paloma west to Beach Road, turn left and proceed a short way until you see markers indicating the way to Fort Point, turn left on Long Avenue and it will take you down to the pier.