California Pier Report
May 2025 Fishing Report, Southern California (#301)
Southern California Lobster — Lobster season is now closed! No hooping and no keeping lobsters accidentally caught on rod and reel.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – Sounds like regulars are picking up some croakers and good-sized corbina inshore along with a few barred and walleye surfperch. Further out on the pier both mackerel and sardines are showing up in the top waters while a lot of small lizardfish are on the bottom. Also on the bottom are a variety of sharays—rays and sharks including smoothhounds and thornback rays. But, water quality could still be poor so it’s an ongoing debate among anglers on if they should eat pier caught fish. [Imperial Beach waters were reopened in September ’24 after being closed to swimmers for 1,018 days; a closure caused by sewage flowing into the ocean from the nearby Tijuana River.] 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 – The pier should be open but no report, need a reporter. Expect to catch mainly surfperch, a few croakers, and an occasional sharay—round stingrays, thornback rays, shovelnose guitarfish and bat rays. Mackerel can be hit or miss. 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 on the bottom should be available. 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 — We need a reporter. Expect some bass, croaker and sharays (sharks and rays) on the bottom as well as halibut (most caught on soft plastic lures). And, it sounds like a few mackerel are also hitting. Got a report from ghost1234 on 5/6 that said, “Got back from work and headed out at 4am to embarcadero to catch some mackerel. Only 2 people there when I showed up, bait in water boiling from school of baby barracudas chasing them around some decent size mixed in couldn't get them to bite only chase. Caught 7 mackerel on mackerel for bait on the same float setup. Overall slower day, not much sunshine gave up around 7:40 ish.” 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) — Locals are reporting a mix of bottom fish—halibut (including legal size fish), bass (all three varieties) and a variety of sharays—shovelnose guitarfish, butterfly rays, round stingrays, bat rays and smoothhounds. At night add in some shortfin corvina and barracuda. 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.
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 — A report from Ghost on 3/12 said, “Stopped by the pier after the rain to try and catch some mackerel. Ideally was planning to use my ghost shrimp but wind was too strong. Threw a Sabiki and first cast instant bite into three, then it slowed. Set up another rod and Sabiki tangled with thee more macks and that was it. Not a bad day of fishing for like 2 hours in the afternoon.” 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 with the return of cleaner water the fishing has picked up. Good spotfin croaker action is taking place inshore with some big fish (one 5-pounder) along with a few of the smaller yellowfin croaker and perch. Most of the croaker are falling to fresh mussels. A few corbina have also shown with sand crabs from the beach being the best bait for the corbina. Mid-pier there’s been an explosion in the numbers of herring (actually queenfish) with locals catching all they can keep. A few halibut are being caught but most too small; the same with sand and kelp bass. Mackerel are making a decent showing but almost all of the action is at night with the fish showing up around 7 p.m. You probably will not see them during the day. Sharay action has also improved with a mix of leopard sharks, shovelnose sharks (guitarfish), and bat rays. A couple of thresher sharks have also been taken. It sounds like a good time to visit the pier. How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — The harbor waters seem to have cleared up but fishing is just so so. Some jacksmelt, an occasional bass, croaker, sargo and maybe, if really lucky, a halibut. No reports of mackerel. 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 — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy.), said the main reports she is getting concern spotfin croaker at the pier. Evidently there’s quote a few and some are decent size. Use fresh mussels or sea worms. I imagine a few perch are available inshore and a few bass mid-pier. No reports of mackerel recently but a variety of small sharks and rays should be available on the bottom. A report from alagami on June 1 said, “Fished this morning with my son . Breezy and humid but felt very good compared to inland weather. Fresh mussels outside the surf was slow to begin with and we were almost going to call it early. Once the tide started to turn we began to get a few nibbles. Mid tide we had a steady pick on a mixture of small perch, yfc, corbina and rays. A few decent 1 to 2 lb. spotfin added a few fun pulls. Really nice to finally see some consistency. Water was clear and almost warm. Couldn't make any smelt for halibut. Didn't see any signs of birds or bait either.” 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 —Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said some bass, a variety (kelp bass, sand bass and bay bass) are being taken in the harbor along with a few halibut. 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, “Fishing is finally improving. We are getting bait now such as smelt and a few queenfish and, of course, a lot of lizardfish. The lizardfish are great bait for halibut we have learned. Last week I got 10 halibut, no keepers, and this week I only got 4 halibut. I also got a big shovelnose guitarfish and a barred surfperch. My friend caught a 24-inch spotfin croaker. It was a beauty. There are no sardines around but there are some mackerel. The sardines are poisonous right now with the domoic acid. We are throwing our catches back until it clears up more. There is no cure for that poison and you can die. Our good fish are eating the bait that has the poison in them. Something to think about. Right now it is catch and release for all of us in my group. There is a whole lot to read about this if one is interested. It is scary! The sardines aren't the only fish carrying this poison. The smelt, perch, croakers, anchovies and anything that eats them.” 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).
[According to the Internet: “Domoic acid can be fatal to people if consumed in high doses. There is no antidote for domoic acid, which causes a condition called amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion. Most warnings are for shellfish but fish too can contain high amounts of domoic acid.]
Newport Pier — No report; need a reporter although action typically is about the same as at 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; need a reporter. Given reports from similar piers I would expect surfperch and croakers to still be available inshore while top action (on mackerel and sardines) probably remains hit and miss. 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, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said the inshore waters are seeing some yellowfin and spotfin croaker action with some of the spotfins being good-sized fish. He said one small white seabass was also caught—on a Lucky Craft lure. Mid-pier is producing some halibut while the mackerel are in one day and out the next (hit or miss so you need some luck). A few sharays are also being caught, mostly the smaller thornback rays but also some leopard sharks and 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 Veterans Memorial Pier — Nan, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said he hasn’t had any recent reports but the pier is almost always good (inshore to mid-pier) for halibut. 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) — The normal fish might be available—white croaker casting out from the pier and some sargo and perch when fishing the inshore waters but typically after storms and runoff the waters here are very, very dirty, filled with all kinds of stuff. Expect to pull in some flotsam and jetsom. 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) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish, small perch and other rock-frequenting species but again the waters may be filled with a lot of trash. 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) — With the closure of the Rusty Hook bait and tackle in San Pedro we now need a new reporter. Hopefully a few croakers, sand bass, perch and an occasional halibut will show up. 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 and perhaps even opaleye (which most years were 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) — No reports this month but expect the usual—halfmoon, sheephead, kelp bass, garibaldi, blacksmith, and rock wrasse. Mackerel can move in and out anytime while usually a few bonito are available at dawn and sundown. 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 — No report, need a reporter. Mackerel had been reported though not in big numbers initially they appear to have arrived in BIG numbers by June 6. 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 — No report, need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report, need a reporter. 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. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. 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. However, I did call the shop at the pier itself and got some information (but no fish report). They said the entire end of the pier is closed to fishing (perhaps due to the store and restaurant?) and they suggested we call the state. Last time I was there I noticed various closures at the end, which of course didn’t make me too happy. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise 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 says the fishing has been slow. Red tide conditions and anglers are grumbling. A few fish here and there but overall SLOW. 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 reported that the fishing has been slow due to red tide conditions. Some small perch are still being picked up and even a few halibut but basically it’s slow. However, a few thresher sharks have also shown up which is keeping the shark hunters happy. She said she thinks the water is starting to clear based upon reports (fingers crossed). 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) — Mike at the Stearns Wharf Bait Shop says fishing has really picked up (crabs are always there). He said the mackerel and sardines moved in about a week and a half ago and it’s been crazy. Last Saturday (5/30) he said the mackerel started moving in about 2:30 and by 3:30 half of the pier appeared to be surrounded by a huge bait ball. He said the fishing was great, perhaps the best he’s seen in the past six years, and everyone seemed to be lugging home buckets of mackerel. At the same time (probably to be expected with the appearance of mackerel and sardines) the shark action has really picked up. He said it’s a mix—horn sharks, leopard sharks, smoothhounds, and even a few thresher sharks (four landed last week). I imagine a lot of bat rays are also around. 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 — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 2259 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, said things are slow in Goleta. Inshore some surfperch are still hitting while inshore to mid-piers sees some guitarfish and thornbacks on the bottom. Halibut occasionally are being caught but not many. Kai said it’s fairly dead on top water action although there are reports of anchovies and sardines showing up late in the day. No report on the pipe reef but usually there are some small rockfish and bass available from the reef (on the northwest side of the pier). 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 — Ongoing report— 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. There seems to finally be room for optimism but it’s a story we’ve heard before, we will wait and hope (with fingers crossed). How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
May 2025 Fishing Report, Southern California (#301)
Southern California Lobster — Lobster season is now closed! No hooping and no keeping lobsters accidentally caught on rod and reel.
San Diego County Piers
Imperial Beach Pier – Sounds like regulars are picking up some croakers and good-sized corbina inshore along with a few barred and walleye surfperch. Further out on the pier both mackerel and sardines are showing up in the top waters while a lot of small lizardfish are on the bottom. Also on the bottom are a variety of sharays—rays and sharks including smoothhounds and thornback rays. But, water quality could still be poor so it’s an ongoing debate among anglers on if they should eat pier caught fish. [Imperial Beach waters were reopened in September ’24 after being closed to swimmers for 1,018 days; a closure caused by sewage flowing into the ocean from the nearby Tijuana River.] 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 – The pier should be open but no report, need a reporter. Expect to catch mainly surfperch, a few croakers, and an occasional sharay—round stingrays, thornback rays, shovelnose guitarfish and bat rays. Mackerel can be hit or miss. 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 on the bottom should be available. 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 — We need a reporter. Expect some bass, croaker and sharays (sharks and rays) on the bottom as well as halibut (most caught on soft plastic lures). And, it sounds like a few mackerel are also hitting. Got a report from ghost1234 on 5/6 that said, “Got back from work and headed out at 4am to embarcadero to catch some mackerel. Only 2 people there when I showed up, bait in water boiling from school of baby barracudas chasing them around some decent size mixed in couldn't get them to bite only chase. Caught 7 mackerel on mackerel for bait on the same float setup. Overall slower day, not much sunshine gave up around 7:40 ish.” 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) — Locals are reporting a mix of bottom fish—halibut (including legal size fish), bass (all three varieties) and a variety of sharays—shovelnose guitarfish, butterfly rays, round stingrays, bat rays and smoothhounds. At night add in some shortfin corvina and barracuda. 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.
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 — A report from Ghost on 3/12 said, “Stopped by the pier after the rain to try and catch some mackerel. Ideally was planning to use my ghost shrimp but wind was too strong. Threw a Sabiki and first cast instant bite into three, then it slowed. Set up another rod and Sabiki tangled with thee more macks and that was it. Not a bad day of fishing for like 2 hours in the afternoon.” 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 with the return of cleaner water the fishing has picked up. Good spotfin croaker action is taking place inshore with some big fish (one 5-pounder) along with a few of the smaller yellowfin croaker and perch. Most of the croaker are falling to fresh mussels. A few corbina have also shown with sand crabs from the beach being the best bait for the corbina. Mid-pier there’s been an explosion in the numbers of herring (actually queenfish) with locals catching all they can keep. A few halibut are being caught but most too small; the same with sand and kelp bass. Mackerel are making a decent showing but almost all of the action is at night with the fish showing up around 7 p.m. You probably will not see them during the day. Sharay action has also improved with a mix of leopard sharks, shovelnose sharks (guitarfish), and bat rays. A couple of thresher sharks have also been taken. It sounds like a good time to visit the pier. How To Get There: From I-5 take Mission Blvd. west to Pacific, turn left and follow it to the pier.
Oceanside Harbor Pier — The harbor waters seem to have cleared up but fishing is just so so. Some jacksmelt, an occasional bass, croaker, sargo and maybe, if really lucky, a halibut. No reports of mackerel. 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 — Stephanie at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy.), said the main reports she is getting concern spotfin croaker at the pier. Evidently there’s quote a few and some are decent size. Use fresh mussels or sea worms. I imagine a few perch are available inshore and a few bass mid-pier. No reports of mackerel recently but a variety of small sharks and rays should be available on the bottom. A report from alagami on June 1 said, “Fished this morning with my son . Breezy and humid but felt very good compared to inland weather. Fresh mussels outside the surf was slow to begin with and we were almost going to call it early. Once the tide started to turn we began to get a few nibbles. Mid tide we had a steady pick on a mixture of small perch, yfc, corbina and rays. A few decent 1 to 2 lb. spotfin added a few fun pulls. Really nice to finally see some consistency. Water was clear and almost warm. Couldn't make any smelt for halibut. Didn't see any signs of birds or bait either.” 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 —Brett at Hogan's Bait and Tackle (34320 Pacific Coast Hwy. said some bass, a variety (kelp bass, sand bass and bay bass) are being taken in the harbor along with a few halibut. 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, “Fishing is finally improving. We are getting bait now such as smelt and a few queenfish and, of course, a lot of lizardfish. The lizardfish are great bait for halibut we have learned. Last week I got 10 halibut, no keepers, and this week I only got 4 halibut. I also got a big shovelnose guitarfish and a barred surfperch. My friend caught a 24-inch spotfin croaker. It was a beauty. There are no sardines around but there are some mackerel. The sardines are poisonous right now with the domoic acid. We are throwing our catches back until it clears up more. There is no cure for that poison and you can die. Our good fish are eating the bait that has the poison in them. Something to think about. Right now it is catch and release for all of us in my group. There is a whole lot to read about this if one is interested. It is scary! The sardines aren't the only fish carrying this poison. The smelt, perch, croakers, anchovies and anything that eats them.” 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).
[According to the Internet: “Domoic acid can be fatal to people if consumed in high doses. There is no antidote for domoic acid, which causes a condition called amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP). Symptoms include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps within 24 hours of ingestion. Most warnings are for shellfish but fish too can contain high amounts of domoic acid.]
Newport Pier — No report; need a reporter although action typically is about the same as at 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; need a reporter. Given reports from similar piers I would expect surfperch and croakers to still be available inshore while top action (on mackerel and sardines) probably remains hit and miss. 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, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said the inshore waters are seeing some yellowfin and spotfin croaker action with some of the spotfins being good-sized fish. He said one small white seabass was also caught—on a Lucky Craft lure. Mid-pier is producing some halibut while the mackerel are in one day and out the next (hit or miss so you need some luck). A few sharays are also being caught, mostly the smaller thornback rays but also some leopard sharks and 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 Veterans Memorial Pier — Nan, at Big Fish Bait & Tackle. 1780-C. Pacific Coast Hwy. said he hasn’t had any recent reports but the pier is almost always good (inshore to mid-pier) for halibut. 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) — The normal fish might be available—white croaker casting out from the pier and some sargo and perch when fishing the inshore waters but typically after storms and runoff the waters here are very, very dirty, filled with all kinds of stuff. Expect to pull in some flotsam and jetsom. 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) — The normal fish should be available—white croaker, queenfish, small perch and other rock-frequenting species but again the waters may be filled with a lot of trash. 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) — With the closure of the Rusty Hook bait and tackle in San Pedro we now need a new reporter. Hopefully a few croakers, sand bass, perch and an occasional halibut will show up. 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 and perhaps even opaleye (which most years were 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) — No reports this month but expect the usual—halfmoon, sheephead, kelp bass, garibaldi, blacksmith, and rock wrasse. Mackerel can move in and out anytime while usually a few bonito are available at dawn and sundown. 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 — No report, need a reporter. Mackerel had been reported though not in big numbers initially they appear to have arrived in BIG numbers by June 6. 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 — No report, need a reporter. How To Get There: From Sepulveda Boulevard, turn west on Manhattan Beach Drive and follow it to the pier.
Hermosa Beach Pier — No report, need a reporter. 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. Need a reporter. How Get There: Highway 1 to Washington St., turn west and follow Washington St. to the pier.
Santa Monica Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter. 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. However, I did call the shop at the pier itself and got some information (but no fish report). They said the entire end of the pier is closed to fishing (perhaps due to the store and restaurant?) and they suggested we call the state. Last time I was there I noticed various closures at the end, which of course didn’t make me too happy. How To Get There: The pier fronts on the Pacific Coast Highway (Hwy 1) so just drive until you see it.
Paradise Cove Pier — No report this month. Need a reporter How To Get There: Take Highway 1 to Paradise 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 says the fishing has been slow. Red tide conditions and anglers are grumbling. A few fish here and there but overall SLOW. 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 reported that the fishing has been slow due to red tide conditions. Some small perch are still being picked up and even a few halibut but basically it’s slow. However, a few thresher sharks have also shown up which is keeping the shark hunters happy. She said she thinks the water is starting to clear based upon reports (fingers crossed). 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) — Mike at the Stearns Wharf Bait Shop says fishing has really picked up (crabs are always there). He said the mackerel and sardines moved in about a week and a half ago and it’s been crazy. Last Saturday (5/30) he said the mackerel started moving in about 2:30 and by 3:30 half of the pier appeared to be surrounded by a huge bait ball. He said the fishing was great, perhaps the best he’s seen in the past six years, and everyone seemed to be lugging home buckets of mackerel. At the same time (probably to be expected with the appearance of mackerel and sardines) the shark action has really picked up. He said it’s a mix—horn sharks, leopard sharks, smoothhounds, and even a few thresher sharks (four landed last week). I imagine a lot of bat rays are also around. 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 — Kai at Hook Line & Sinker, 2259 Las Positas Road, Santa Barbara, said things are slow in Goleta. Inshore some surfperch are still hitting while inshore to mid-piers sees some guitarfish and thornbacks on the bottom. Halibut occasionally are being caught but not many. Kai said it’s fairly dead on top water action although there are reports of anchovies and sardines showing up late in the day. No report on the pipe reef but usually there are some small rockfish and bass available from the reef (on the northwest side of the pier). 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 — Ongoing report— 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. There seems to finally be room for optimism but it’s a story we’ve heard before, we will wait and hope (with fingers crossed). How To Get There: From Highway 101 simply take the Gaviota State Park turnoff down to the beach and pier.
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