California Pier Report, June 2019 (#248)
Southern California
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 – No report this month. 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 — Unable to make contact to date. Has the pier reopened? 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 – Vincent at the Crystal Pier Bay & Tackle said it’s still fairly slow. The water has been murky and most of the action has been on small sharks and rays. A few croakers show on the bottom but numbers are still small. Both mackerel and jacksmelt are available on top. 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 some 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 and bat rays). 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 — Minh, at Angler’s Choice, 1910 Rosecrans St, says the action has been slow. Few fishermen and few fish with the exception of mackerel and even they are not hitting in any great quantity. 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 — Ed at the Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle shop on the pier, said that things have been relatively dead. The big number of gentlemen that fish the inshore waters for croaker are getting just a few per day. The large number of men and women who fish mid-pier to the end for mackerel are getting a few small mackerel, a few small herring (queenfish), and a few small salema. The water temperature dropped and the bite is off but hopefully things should improve. 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 — No report. 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 — Mitch at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point) said the action has been tough due to the weather (both rain and wind along with a drop in water temperature). Mid-pier to the end sees a few mackerel but the word is FEW while inshore sees a smattering of croakers, mainly yellowfin croaker. Inshore waters are seeing quite a few small leopard sharks (illegal size) and small bat rays while a few larger shovelnose sharks (guitarfish) are also being taken. 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 — Mitch at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said the action has been fairly steady on bass. It was good then dropped a bit during the rain but has now picked up again. Anglers are also picking up a few croakers and “seeing” lots of large mullet but no one to date, as far as he knows, has caught any of the mullet. 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: “Just as fishing was picking up the rains took over. I missed the last two weeks because of them, but apparently I didn't miss much. Yesterday we had red tide, which doesn't help fishing. The bait situation wasn't bad, but the catching wasn't good either. There are some mackerel being caught farther out, but nothing else was being caught. The weather was nice but cool. The water is cool as well. It is going to take a while to get this going again. Let's just hope!” 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 — Unable to get a report but action had been fairly good recently. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.
Seal Beach Pier — Jimmy at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle” said there’s a LOT of mackerel at the pier along with some sardines. Inshore, a few yellowfin croaker are hitting along with small leopard sharks but both spotfin croaker and surfperch are slow. Mid-pier is seeing some decent halibut action on both live bait and on lures. He says there are also tons of small bat rays. 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 — Jimmy at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports that anglers are seeing good numbers of corbina in the surf area while a few halibut are hitting in the mid-pier area. Mackerel and sardines are available on top while sharks and rays (mostly small rays) are available on the bottom. 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 smaller white croaker, sharks and rays should be available with a cast out from the pier. Mackerel will come and go. 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 anglers are getting good numbers of halibut, mostly shorts but also a few legal-size fish. He says the flatties are being taken on Zoom white flukes (less expensive) or on Berkeley pearl white jerk shad (more expensive); both are fished using drop shot rigging. He says the halibut are following the grunion and suggests fishing the waters holding the grunion before they make their runs onto the beach. Mackerel are also available but haven’t shown in big numbers. If casting toward the rocks of the breakwater some calico bass should also show up and an occasional perch or sargo. 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 mostly been mackerel. I think that makes 193 straight months (or so) with the same report. 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 a few mackerel should be around as well as some croakers inshore and flatfish mid-pier. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month although a few mackerel should be found at the end and an increasing number of surfperch. 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 decent numbers of yellowfin croaker inshore (from the surf to about half way out on the pier) along with pretty steady action on mackerel mid-pier to the end. He says perch are available in the shaded areas under the pier (accessible by the walkways). 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 she’s not getting too many reports but apparently there are some mackerel, jacksmelt and lots of small perch. She says the biggest news is the number of white seabass being taken by surf anglers. The big croakers are being taken to 38 inches and about 15 pounds with most being taken on Lucky Craft lures. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said she hasn’t gotten too many reports but the regulars tell her that mackerel continue to show up as well as some small leopard sharks and bat rays. Note — this is a private pier so a license is required. The pier is open sunup to sundown but a steep $25 parking fee greets the visitor (which can be offset if you spend $20 at the restaurant; then the fee drops to $3). It is possible to park for free out on PCH, and walk down the mile-long access driveway, but you will stay pay a walk-in fee ($5 per person last time we checked). There are restrooms in the restaurant and near the beach but basically no facilities on the pier itself. 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 longhairchris said action was pretty dead (a few mackerel and a skate of some type) although people were having good success crabbing. 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 the halibut are finally starting to hit, mostly small ones but a few legal size. Top action continues to see some mackerel and jacksmelt while those fishing on the bottom are picking up a few yellowfin croakers and small leopard sharks. The water temperature dropped during the rains but appears to be slowly coming back up. She also reports decent action on rock crabs and “whelks.” 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 — No report. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
Gaviota Pier — Closed
Southern California
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 – No report this month. 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 — Unable to make contact to date. Has the pier reopened? 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 – Vincent at the Crystal Pier Bay & Tackle said it’s still fairly slow. The water has been murky and most of the action has been on small sharks and rays. A few croakers show on the bottom but numbers are still small. Both mackerel and jacksmelt are available on top. 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 some 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 and bat rays). 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 — Minh, at Angler’s Choice, 1910 Rosecrans St, says the action has been slow. Few fishermen and few fish with the exception of mackerel and even they are not hitting in any great quantity. 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 — Ed at the Oceanside Pier Bait and Tackle shop on the pier, said that things have been relatively dead. The big number of gentlemen that fish the inshore waters for croaker are getting just a few per day. The large number of men and women who fish mid-pier to the end for mackerel are getting a few small mackerel, a few small herring (queenfish), and a few small salema. The water temperature dropped and the bite is off but hopefully things should improve. 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 — No report. 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 — Mitch at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, Dana Point) said the action has been tough due to the weather (both rain and wind along with a drop in water temperature). Mid-pier to the end sees a few mackerel but the word is FEW while inshore sees a smattering of croakers, mainly yellowfin croaker. Inshore waters are seeing quite a few small leopard sharks (illegal size) and small bat rays while a few larger shovelnose sharks (guitarfish) are also being taken. 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 — Mitch at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said the action has been fairly steady on bass. It was good then dropped a bit during the rain but has now picked up again. Anglers are also picking up a few croakers and “seeing” lots of large mullet but no one to date, as far as he knows, has caught any of the mullet. 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: “Just as fishing was picking up the rains took over. I missed the last two weeks because of them, but apparently I didn't miss much. Yesterday we had red tide, which doesn't help fishing. The bait situation wasn't bad, but the catching wasn't good either. There are some mackerel being caught farther out, but nothing else was being caught. The weather was nice but cool. The water is cool as well. It is going to take a while to get this going again. Let's just hope!” 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 — Unable to get a report but action had been fairly good recently. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.
Seal Beach Pier — Jimmy at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle” said there’s a LOT of mackerel at the pier along with some sardines. Inshore, a few yellowfin croaker are hitting along with small leopard sharks but both spotfin croaker and surfperch are slow. Mid-pier is seeing some decent halibut action on both live bait and on lures. He says there are also tons of small bat rays. 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 — Jimmy at “Big Fish Bait and Tackle in Seal Beach” reports that anglers are seeing good numbers of corbina in the surf area while a few halibut are hitting in the mid-pier area. Mackerel and sardines are available on top while sharks and rays (mostly small rays) are available on the bottom. 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 smaller white croaker, sharks and rays should be available with a cast out from the pier. Mackerel will come and go. 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 anglers are getting good numbers of halibut, mostly shorts but also a few legal-size fish. He says the flatties are being taken on Zoom white flukes (less expensive) or on Berkeley pearl white jerk shad (more expensive); both are fished using drop shot rigging. He says the halibut are following the grunion and suggests fishing the waters holding the grunion before they make their runs onto the beach. Mackerel are also available but haven’t shown in big numbers. If casting toward the rocks of the breakwater some calico bass should also show up and an occasional perch or sargo. 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 mostly been mackerel. I think that makes 193 straight months (or so) with the same report. 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 a few mackerel should be around as well as some croakers inshore and flatfish mid-pier. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.
Venice Pier — No report this month although a few mackerel should be found at the end and an increasing number of surfperch. 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 decent numbers of yellowfin croaker inshore (from the surf to about half way out on the pier) along with pretty steady action on mackerel mid-pier to the end. He says perch are available in the shaded areas under the pier (accessible by the walkways). 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 she’s not getting too many reports but apparently there are some mackerel, jacksmelt and lots of small perch. She says the biggest news is the number of white seabass being taken by surf anglers. The big croakers are being taken to 38 inches and about 15 pounds with most being taken on Lucky Craft lures. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — Ginny at Wylie’s Bait & Tackle (18757 Pacific Coast Hwy Malibu) said she hasn’t gotten too many reports but the regulars tell her that mackerel continue to show up as well as some small leopard sharks and bat rays. Note — this is a private pier so a license is required. The pier is open sunup to sundown but a steep $25 parking fee greets the visitor (which can be offset if you spend $20 at the restaurant; then the fee drops to $3). It is possible to park for free out on PCH, and walk down the mile-long access driveway, but you will stay pay a walk-in fee ($5 per person last time we checked). There are restrooms in the restaurant and near the beach but basically no facilities on the pier itself. 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 longhairchris said action was pretty dead (a few mackerel and a skate of some type) although people were having good success crabbing. 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 the halibut are finally starting to hit, mostly small ones but a few legal size. Top action continues to see some mackerel and jacksmelt while those fishing on the bottom are picking up a few yellowfin croakers and small leopard sharks. The water temperature dropped during the rains but appears to be slowly coming back up. She also reports decent action on rock crabs and “whelks.” 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 — No report. How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
Gaviota Pier — Closed