June 2021 Fishing Report, Southern California (#266)

Ken Jones

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June 2021 Fishing Report, Southern California (#266)

Remember — Lobster season is now closed.

San Diego County Piers

Imperial Beach Pier – We still need a reporter. 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 — I called the Ocean Beach Pier Bait and Tackle shop on the pier and after being closed for several months (due to storm damage), the pier is supposed to reopen on Friday, May 28. Hopefully the fishing will be good. 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 – Hunter, at the bait shop on the pier, reports that things have really picked up. Leading the list are lots of mackerel, quite a few spotfin croaker, and good numbers of bat rays and leopard sharks. A number of giant (black) sea bass have been hooked (and returned to the water) as well as white seabass (some legal size and some too small). It sounds like the action should be good. 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! 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 — Waiting for the report. 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 (kelp, sand and spotted) 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 — It sounds like the main fish are mackerel. 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 in Oceanside said that overall it’s still a little hit and miss. The mackerel are still gone but sardines are available and some people are using them for sharks; so far they haven’t had much success. Spotfin croaker are showing up inshore while mid-pier is seeing some short calico (kelp) bass along with halibut, most of the hallies being shorts 16-18 inches long but a 27-inch fish was recorded this week. What’s also showing up are a lot of lizardfish and salema along with increasing numbers of herring (queenfish). He said the pier’s expecting big crowds this weekend. A report from Evanluck on May 10 said, "Fished Oceanside Pier for the first time on Sunday. We arrived at 9:30AM and found a great parking spot at a 4 hour meter caddy corner to the entrance of the pier. Inshore area was crowded so we made our way mid pier and set up on the northside between the bait and tackle shop and the next landmark. As we were just starting to fish a guy fishing the south side just a bit father down than where we were setup landed a keeper sized halibut (estimate around 24”). We setup two hi lo rigs and started fishing shrimp and lugworms. We caught a handful of small sand dabs and also got many bites. Some felt like smelt bites. Others seemed like bigger fish but we could not hook one to identify. I made my way to the end of the pier and fished a larger hook sabiki. A decent sized horn shark was caught at the end earlier in the morning. There was slow but steady action on mackerel for guys fishing floats. I dropped my sabiki to the bottom tipped with shrimp and caught 4 queen fish in fairly short order. To get the queen fish to strike it seem like both jigging and bait were required. Just one or the other did not seem to produce fish. I made my way back to the mid pier section and started catching smelt to use as bait. I baited a smaller sized smelt on a size two mosquito hook on a carolina rig with a 1.5 oz egg sinker. After about 30 minutes of waiting the tip of my rod bent in small jerks 3 or four times and then stopped. I put some pressure on the rod and a small 12" halibut was on. The first small jerks were the bait fish trying to run. The halibut struck and then did not move. I was happy to land a notable fish mid pier as the area is not one that I spend a lot on time at.
We stopped fishing at 1:00PM. Final fish count: 5 Sand Dabs, 6 Jack Smelt, 4 Queen fish,1 Halibut." How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.

Oceanside Harbor Pier — No report this month. 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 — Dana at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said it’s still the normal species. Inshore some croakers are being taken, both yellowfin and spotfin, while mid-pier to the end sees a few calico (kelp) bass and sand bass. A few halibut have also been taken but most are shorts. Mackerel action does seem to be picking up while the sharkers at the end are seeing a few leopard sharks but not much else. A report from fishman fishman dated May 20 said, "Enjoyed beautiful weather, no crowds, and good steady bite today. Fished half day. Caught and released shovelnose sandshark [shovelnose guitarfish), roundrays (round stingray or thornback rays), short sand bass, short calico bass, mackerel, jacksmelt, and salema. Ended the day with a nice spotfin croaker. Fish bit on anchovy, squid and mackerel. Croaker went home with us and turned into fish tacos. A few mackerel as bait for next trip. 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 —Dana at Hogan's Bait And Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy, said things are starting to pick up. Mostly what he’s heard is some halibut action, most being taken on artificial lures such as Lucky Craft and swim baits while spotted bass are also starting to hit but most have been small. 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 long-time reporter Snookie says, “The catching at the pier is not that great, but it is picking up for strikes lately. We have had lots of sardines this past week. I haven't seen any halibut caught. Have seen some thornbacks, and about a ten-pound bat ray yesterday. We have been using mussels lately for spotfin croaker. Have seen a few big ones caught. The mussels come from the Asian markets nearby, they are perfect for the hook. We have had some shark fishermen at the end of the pier. They have been catching threshers and big leopard sharks. I have never seen leopards being caught off the deep end of the pier before this. The mackerel have been on the small size. We still have a few whales going through. Don't know why the amount of them was so low this year. Yesterday was the nicest day we have had in a long time. It was perfect weather. 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 although when the fishing is hot the mobs will be bigger and the railing space more limited. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take the Newport Blvd. turn off 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 through to the pier. Croker action should be picking up inshore, sardines and mackerel should be available mid-pier to the end, and a few sharks should begin showing up. How To Get There: Highway 1 (Pacific Coast Highway) to Huntington Beach and the pier.

Seal Beach Pier —The good people at Big Fish Bait & Tackle, 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy, said they haven’t gotten any recent reports. Croakers and surfperch should be available inshore, small sharays and halibut should be available mid-pier to the end, and sardines and/or mackerel should be out at the end. Increased number of herring (queenfish) should also be showing up under the pier. 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 — No report this month. 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 — Expect the usual—tomcod (white croaker) and mackerel casting out from the pier, sargo and perch fishing the inshore waters. 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 THE PIER IS FINALLY OPEN. It was the last pier to remain closed due to Covid and the Los Angeles nitwits but finally anglers can return. No reports to date but anglers are buying bait and heading out there. I imagine mackerel and a few halibut should be available while fishing by thebrocks should yield a few bass and perch. 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 all the normal species—kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, opaleye, halfmoon, and sheephead. 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) — Recent reports indicate that all the regular species are showing up, some in increased numbers, and additional warm water species like barracuda, bonito and even yellowtail are making an appearance. Expect all the normal species—a mix of kelp bass, rock wrasse, senorita, sheephead, opaleye, and halfmoon plus an occasional ocean whitefish. 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 — Joanna at Redondo Beach Tackle on the pier said most of the action continues to be on mackerel. How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway, take Torrance Blvd. west to the foot of the pier and the parking lot.

Manhattan Beach Pier – Best bet mackerel in the morning and evening hours. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.

Hermosa Beach Pier — Best bet mackerel in the morning and evening hours. How To Get There: Take the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) to Pier Avenue and follow Pier Avenue west to the pier.

Venice Pier — Currently closed while undergoing repairs and renovation. Scheduled to reopen sometime this spring (but when). How To Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.

Santa Monica Pier — Waiting for the report. 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 things are sort of hit and miss with some anglers at the pier reporting good catches with others reporting zilch. For those who know what they are doing, mackerel seem available mid-pier to the end while inshore should sees some yellowfin croaker. Apparently there are also a lot of halibut around but almost all are shorts, 15-18-inches long. The grunion have been running so some bat rays show up in the surf area. A lot of corbina are also being seen in the surf but very few actual hook-ups are reported. 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 anglers continue to report good numbers of bat rays. How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise Cove Dr., turn west, and follow the road back into the parking lot. It’s very expensive unless you buy a meal at the restaurant and then you are allowed to fish for, I think, three hours.

Ventura & Santa Barbara County Piers

Port Hueneme Pier — No report this month. 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 but surfperch should be available inshore along with increasing numbers of croaker. Mid-pier to the end should see jacksmelt and mackerel. Shark action should also be picking up. 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 — No answer — is the bait shop still open? 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 — Shawn at Hook Line & Sinker at 4010-5 Calle Real, Santa Barbara said he’s heard of some halibut being taken in the shallow areas of the pier while the surf is producing the usual barred surfperch, calico bass and splittail perch. A lot of guys are apparently being bait and equipment for sharks at the pier but he hasn’t had any reports of actual fish. Some mackerel and/or sardines should be available at the end. The pipe reef that runs parallel to the pier should produce its usual brown rockfish as well as a few other rockfish and bass. 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 has now been closed for eight years—and counting. So much for state government and the California Parks Dept. Ridiculous! How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
 
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