Newport Pier fishing in the 1920s —
Fan Fodder By Charles Wheatley—Fish have been so thick around the Newport Pier the last few days that fishermen are not even using bait. They just throw a line in the water and then snag the fish. Some good catches have been made it is said.—Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1920
Anglers in Hegira to Newport as Mackerel Take Bait—During the past few days great schools of mackerel have been running off the Newport pier and Orange County fishermen have been hauling in members of the finny tribe in great numbers. Luck has been so good with many of the fishermen that hauling in fish has become monotonous. Yesterday County Horticultural Commissioner Earl Morris, who is at Newport on his vacation, caught thirty-two mackerel. Many others reported catches equally as good. One man came off the pier Wednesday with forty pounds of fish. Yesterday J. B. Ramsey of Santa Ana, who caught thirty mackerel on Wednesday, was distributing the fish among his friends. The smallest one of the catch he gave to the thirteenth family he visited. This fish, by actual measurement was twenty inches from “stem to stern.” Report of the heavy runs of fish had reached to all parts of the county and this morning at 6:30 o’clock there were in the neighborhood of 300 persons lined up along the pier.—Santa Ana Register, September 10, 1920
Hooks 75 Mackerel Between 4-7 A. M. From Newport Pier—Traffic Officer H. S. Warner was telling a fish story at the courthouse this morning. He says that he went fishing for mackerel on the Newport pier this morning and that he caught 75 between 4 and 7 o’clock. Warner said that he used mackerel bait. The fish bit the hook as fast as he could drop it in the water, he said.—Santa Ana Register, September 21, 1921
Fishing — It looks like a great old fishing season this year. An unprecedented run of the finny denizens of the well known deep has made its appearance at the piers of Newport and Balboa during the past few days. Yesterday the sinker casters were catching almost every variety of fish from the two wharves. Above all, yellow fin croakers were being caught. These were of the deep sea variety, it was said, and were landed by means of shiny sinkers. In addition, barracuda, bass, big mackerel and tom cod were landed. The tom cod, some of them, were eighteen inches long, a size which led some of the uninitiated to believe the cod were yellow fin. Almost as many halibut as barracuda were dragged up on the piers. Some men caught as high as thirty-five fish, such catches averaging from sixty-five to seventy pounds. Porter Edmunds, fishing on the Newport Pier yesterday caught eight large mackerel, three halibut, three barracuda, two yellow fin croakers and some bass and big tom cod. His companion, S. C. Cherry, was virtually equally successful. Surf fishing continues poor. No corbina were caught yesterday, it was reported.—Santa Ana Register, April 26, 1922
Big Shark Is Snagged And Then Shot—Newport Beach, Oct. 30—A genuine “man eating” shark, fourteen feet long and weighing approximately 1800 pounds, said to be the largest fish ever caught from the Newport Pier, was hauled to land shortly after 2 o’clock Monday afternoon by Frank Claudenia.
The battle between the huge sea monster and Claudenia waged only for fifteen minutes when onlookers, realizing that the catch at the end of the line was of such nature that it could not probably have been landed, made for their homes for a rifle which to shoot the monster.
R. J. Shaffer of this city, who had been fishing on the pier, was the first to reach shore and return with a rifle. He immediately took four shots at the monster. The last of the shots succeeded in hitting the “man eater” in a vital spot and he floated quietly on the water. A team of horses was secured to draw him upon the beach.
The news of the large catch soon spread and hundreds of persons from both Balboa and Newport rushed to see the huge fish.
Fishermen immediately had a considerable discussion concerning the species of the monster. Several declared that the fish was a mackerel shark and others declared that they knew it to be of the “man eater” species. One fisherman, who professed to know, declared that he had killed scores of this species which he generally found at a considerable distance from shore, and declared that this was as close to a “man eater” as he had ever seen if it was not a genuine shark of the “man eating” variety.
According to the version of the catch as explained by Claudenia, the monster had tackled several hooks of other fishermen but had succeeded in breaking their lines. The fish then took his bait which consisted of a three pound mackerel and started for deep water. While he held him others ran for a rifle and the huge sea monster’s life was soon ended.
The large fish has been hailed beneath the pier and will be preserved and kept whole for a while and will be placed on exhibition.—Santa Ana Register, October 30, 1923
Principal catches are credited to the Hiner Brothers, Dick Hiner hooking 41, and George Hiner 27. It was jokingly added about the pier that the frequent visits of these huge prototypes of the black bass are responsible for a land office business in bait, as well as for a well supplied market of “filet of sole.”—Santa Ana Register, September 15, 1924
Large Moon Fish Is On Exhibition—What is claimed to be the largest moon fish captured in these waters for many years was hauled in yesterday afternoon by Ben Shafer. The fish weighs 100 pounds, has an oval body, is gray on one side and blue on the other, while it is a speckled white. The fins are gold and red and the monster’s mouth is shaped like a sun fish. The woman wading near the Newport pier first saw the fish in shallow water and called to the fishermen, who brought the monster in with a boat hook. Hundreds of people are visiting the pier as the specimen is one of the most beautiful ever seen here.—Santa Ana Register, December 12, 1925
On Monday, the mackerel ran, with probably the largest school of the season off the Newport pier. The next day, they were few and far between. Wednesday the bonita rose in abundant quantities to the many small, live sardines used as bait, and these lively fish have been making fishing interesting since that time, when bait is available.—Santa Ana Register, October 2, 1926
Fish Biting At Newport—Fishing from the Newport pier has been exceptionally good during the past few days, according to report from local anglers. Bonito are abundant and many have landed by the fishermen. A few halibut, mackerel, sea trout and bass are also being caught.—Santa Ana Register, October 21, 1926
Gets 50 Bonito In Hour’s Time—Fred James, local business man, set a record for catching fish here yesterday morning, according to reports. James took his pole and line to the end of the Newport pier at daybreak yesterday and one hour later, came staggering back with 50 large bonito, weighing more than 200 pounds. Bonito have been plentiful from the pier this year and according to old time fishermen, the season has been unusually long and many large catches have been made. An indication of the unusual season is shown by George Hiner, bait man at the end of the pier. In former years, Hiner has locked up his fish barrels and gone on vacation along about October 1. This year, he prepared to do the same, but he is still selling bait at the end of the pier. While bonito is forming the major of portion of the catches from the Newport pier, some good catches of mackerel and bass are also being hauled in. Fishermen from all over Southern California are coming to Newport to enjoy the excellent fishing.—Santa Ana Register, October 28, 1926
Fish Plentiful Off Newport Pier—Unusually good fishing has been experienced from the Newport pier during the past few days, according to local fishermen. Great quantities of bonito and sea bass have been caught from the pier during the past few days. It is estimated that anglers landed more than 600 pounds of bonito here yesterday morning.—Santa Ana Register, December 27, 1926
Treasurer At Beach Lands 12-pound Fish—A big run of halibut at the Newport Beach pier has attracted the attention of many Southern California fishermen. Bonito are also plentiful off the Newport pier. R. S. Briggs, city treasurer, yesterday landed the largest halibut caught this year. Briggs’ fish weighed 12 pounds.—Santa Ana Register, January 25, 1927
Large halibut are being brought in regularly along the beach at Balboa and Newport Beach. H. T. Petty, of Long Beach, landed a 22-pound halibut on the Newport pier and Fred Gale, of Brea, got an 11 ¾-pound halibut at the same place earlier in the week. Fishermen are elated over the catches of halibut and are further buoyed up over the report that a large school of barracuda is reported to be coming up the coast from Laguna Beach. Other varieties of fish are also being caught in abundance from the two piers.—Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1927
Lately there has been so much fog that it has shut out the view. But the fog itself is interesting. It rolls in so quickly and blot out so completely everything except the few inches ahead that it is a wonder of nature itself. There is a mystery about it that is fascinating. Sometimes walking along the shoreline in a fog, one can hear the breakers but not see them, except on occasional glimpse of spray as it breaks. Suddenly other ghost-like walkers appear through the murk and pass on again, like phantoms of a dream.
In a fog or sunshine the catches of the fishermen, commercial or amateur, are of interest. Corbina is running now. Once in a while a devil fish or some other deep sea oddity comes in on a hook. Sometimes a more tragic note crosses the laughter and fun of a holiday crowd. The body of a man who was drowned in the seaplane disaster was caught Wednesday afternoon by one of the pier fishermen and pulled in. The ambulance came, the stretcher-bearers walked the length of the pier with the empty stretcher and walked back again more slowly, carrying the ill-fated victim of the wind and waves and fog. Death stalked among the merry-makers. More than one put away his tackle and went home. It was a sorry ending of a perfect day.—Santa Ana Register, June 27, 1927
Gets Big Fish—“Blackie” Haldeman of Huntington Beach, furnished quite a little excitement yesterday when he landed an 167 pound jewfish from the Newport pier. It took over an hour to land the fish which was caught on a light line and small yellowtail hook.—Santa Ana Register, October 15, 1927
Fan Fodder By Charles Wheatley—Fish have been so thick around the Newport Pier the last few days that fishermen are not even using bait. They just throw a line in the water and then snag the fish. Some good catches have been made it is said.—Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1920
Anglers in Hegira to Newport as Mackerel Take Bait—During the past few days great schools of mackerel have been running off the Newport pier and Orange County fishermen have been hauling in members of the finny tribe in great numbers. Luck has been so good with many of the fishermen that hauling in fish has become monotonous. Yesterday County Horticultural Commissioner Earl Morris, who is at Newport on his vacation, caught thirty-two mackerel. Many others reported catches equally as good. One man came off the pier Wednesday with forty pounds of fish. Yesterday J. B. Ramsey of Santa Ana, who caught thirty mackerel on Wednesday, was distributing the fish among his friends. The smallest one of the catch he gave to the thirteenth family he visited. This fish, by actual measurement was twenty inches from “stem to stern.” Report of the heavy runs of fish had reached to all parts of the county and this morning at 6:30 o’clock there were in the neighborhood of 300 persons lined up along the pier.—Santa Ana Register, September 10, 1920
Hooks 75 Mackerel Between 4-7 A. M. From Newport Pier—Traffic Officer H. S. Warner was telling a fish story at the courthouse this morning. He says that he went fishing for mackerel on the Newport pier this morning and that he caught 75 between 4 and 7 o’clock. Warner said that he used mackerel bait. The fish bit the hook as fast as he could drop it in the water, he said.—Santa Ana Register, September 21, 1921
Fishing — It looks like a great old fishing season this year. An unprecedented run of the finny denizens of the well known deep has made its appearance at the piers of Newport and Balboa during the past few days. Yesterday the sinker casters were catching almost every variety of fish from the two wharves. Above all, yellow fin croakers were being caught. These were of the deep sea variety, it was said, and were landed by means of shiny sinkers. In addition, barracuda, bass, big mackerel and tom cod were landed. The tom cod, some of them, were eighteen inches long, a size which led some of the uninitiated to believe the cod were yellow fin. Almost as many halibut as barracuda were dragged up on the piers. Some men caught as high as thirty-five fish, such catches averaging from sixty-five to seventy pounds. Porter Edmunds, fishing on the Newport Pier yesterday caught eight large mackerel, three halibut, three barracuda, two yellow fin croakers and some bass and big tom cod. His companion, S. C. Cherry, was virtually equally successful. Surf fishing continues poor. No corbina were caught yesterday, it was reported.—Santa Ana Register, April 26, 1922
Big Shark Is Snagged And Then Shot—Newport Beach, Oct. 30—A genuine “man eating” shark, fourteen feet long and weighing approximately 1800 pounds, said to be the largest fish ever caught from the Newport Pier, was hauled to land shortly after 2 o’clock Monday afternoon by Frank Claudenia.
The battle between the huge sea monster and Claudenia waged only for fifteen minutes when onlookers, realizing that the catch at the end of the line was of such nature that it could not probably have been landed, made for their homes for a rifle which to shoot the monster.
R. J. Shaffer of this city, who had been fishing on the pier, was the first to reach shore and return with a rifle. He immediately took four shots at the monster. The last of the shots succeeded in hitting the “man eater” in a vital spot and he floated quietly on the water. A team of horses was secured to draw him upon the beach.
The news of the large catch soon spread and hundreds of persons from both Balboa and Newport rushed to see the huge fish.
Fishermen immediately had a considerable discussion concerning the species of the monster. Several declared that the fish was a mackerel shark and others declared that they knew it to be of the “man eater” species. One fisherman, who professed to know, declared that he had killed scores of this species which he generally found at a considerable distance from shore, and declared that this was as close to a “man eater” as he had ever seen if it was not a genuine shark of the “man eating” variety.
According to the version of the catch as explained by Claudenia, the monster had tackled several hooks of other fishermen but had succeeded in breaking their lines. The fish then took his bait which consisted of a three pound mackerel and started for deep water. While he held him others ran for a rifle and the huge sea monster’s life was soon ended.
The large fish has been hailed beneath the pier and will be preserved and kept whole for a while and will be placed on exhibition.—Santa Ana Register, October 30, 1923
Newport Jewfish Catch Record Set
Newport Beach, Sept. 15.—Breaking all previous records for catch of jewfish is the number hooked this season, totaling 250, according to local fishermen.Principal catches are credited to the Hiner Brothers, Dick Hiner hooking 41, and George Hiner 27. It was jokingly added about the pier that the frequent visits of these huge prototypes of the black bass are responsible for a land office business in bait, as well as for a well supplied market of “filet of sole.”—Santa Ana Register, September 15, 1924
Large Moon Fish Is On Exhibition—What is claimed to be the largest moon fish captured in these waters for many years was hauled in yesterday afternoon by Ben Shafer. The fish weighs 100 pounds, has an oval body, is gray on one side and blue on the other, while it is a speckled white. The fins are gold and red and the monster’s mouth is shaped like a sun fish. The woman wading near the Newport pier first saw the fish in shallow water and called to the fishermen, who brought the monster in with a boat hook. Hundreds of people are visiting the pier as the specimen is one of the most beautiful ever seen here.—Santa Ana Register, December 12, 1925
Fishing Good Off Piers
“When the wind is in the south, it blows the bait in the fish’s mouth.” Thus quoth the fishermen who have been dangling their lines from the various piers and points of vantage along the Orange county coast during the last week. On the Newport Beach pier, the week has been especially productive for the ardent disciples of Izaak Walton, who each day have watched with interest the vagaries of weather and appetite, which in turn govern the size of the daily catch.On Monday, the mackerel ran, with probably the largest school of the season off the Newport pier. The next day, they were few and far between. Wednesday the bonita rose in abundant quantities to the many small, live sardines used as bait, and these lively fish have been making fishing interesting since that time, when bait is available.—Santa Ana Register, October 2, 1926
Fish Biting At Newport—Fishing from the Newport pier has been exceptionally good during the past few days, according to report from local anglers. Bonito are abundant and many have landed by the fishermen. A few halibut, mackerel, sea trout and bass are also being caught.—Santa Ana Register, October 21, 1926
Gets 50 Bonito In Hour’s Time—Fred James, local business man, set a record for catching fish here yesterday morning, according to reports. James took his pole and line to the end of the Newport pier at daybreak yesterday and one hour later, came staggering back with 50 large bonito, weighing more than 200 pounds. Bonito have been plentiful from the pier this year and according to old time fishermen, the season has been unusually long and many large catches have been made. An indication of the unusual season is shown by George Hiner, bait man at the end of the pier. In former years, Hiner has locked up his fish barrels and gone on vacation along about October 1. This year, he prepared to do the same, but he is still selling bait at the end of the pier. While bonito is forming the major of portion of the catches from the Newport pier, some good catches of mackerel and bass are also being hauled in. Fishermen from all over Southern California are coming to Newport to enjoy the excellent fishing.—Santa Ana Register, October 28, 1926
Fish Plentiful Off Newport Pier—Unusually good fishing has been experienced from the Newport pier during the past few days, according to local fishermen. Great quantities of bonito and sea bass have been caught from the pier during the past few days. It is estimated that anglers landed more than 600 pounds of bonito here yesterday morning.—Santa Ana Register, December 27, 1926
Treasurer At Beach Lands 12-pound Fish—A big run of halibut at the Newport Beach pier has attracted the attention of many Southern California fishermen. Bonito are also plentiful off the Newport pier. R. S. Briggs, city treasurer, yesterday landed the largest halibut caught this year. Briggs’ fish weighed 12 pounds.—Santa Ana Register, January 25, 1927
Large halibut are being brought in regularly along the beach at Balboa and Newport Beach. H. T. Petty, of Long Beach, landed a 22-pound halibut on the Newport pier and Fred Gale, of Brea, got an 11 ¾-pound halibut at the same place earlier in the week. Fishermen are elated over the catches of halibut and are further buoyed up over the report that a large school of barracuda is reported to be coming up the coast from Laguna Beach. Other varieties of fish are also being caught in abundance from the two piers.—Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1927
Fog Fails To Stop Newport Pier Fishing
Newport Beach, June 27.—There were 83 fishing poles in operation on the end and north side of the Newport pier at one time yesterday and a full house of people looking on. This pier is always a popular center but this summer it has added attractions in seats, light and a railing half way out on both sides. Those who like to fish or like to watch others do it will have their fill, while those who enjoy scenic effects have only to turn their eyes out to sea. From the end of the pier, looking back toward land, one gets a wonderful view of these crescent beaches. When the air is clear, the shore line from Abalone Point, and sometimes even from Dana Point to Huntington Beach is very distinct. Point Fermin and Catalina can be plainly seen; sometimes they seem near enough to touch. And inland, back to the Mesa, rise the mountains. It is a wonderful picture.Lately there has been so much fog that it has shut out the view. But the fog itself is interesting. It rolls in so quickly and blot out so completely everything except the few inches ahead that it is a wonder of nature itself. There is a mystery about it that is fascinating. Sometimes walking along the shoreline in a fog, one can hear the breakers but not see them, except on occasional glimpse of spray as it breaks. Suddenly other ghost-like walkers appear through the murk and pass on again, like phantoms of a dream.
In a fog or sunshine the catches of the fishermen, commercial or amateur, are of interest. Corbina is running now. Once in a while a devil fish or some other deep sea oddity comes in on a hook. Sometimes a more tragic note crosses the laughter and fun of a holiday crowd. The body of a man who was drowned in the seaplane disaster was caught Wednesday afternoon by one of the pier fishermen and pulled in. The ambulance came, the stretcher-bearers walked the length of the pier with the empty stretcher and walked back again more slowly, carrying the ill-fated victim of the wind and waves and fog. Death stalked among the merry-makers. More than one put away his tackle and went home. It was a sorry ending of a perfect day.—Santa Ana Register, June 27, 1927
Sea Trout Are Running Good Off Newport—Newport Beach, Aug.31—Sea trout, a species of white sea bass, is reported to be running off the local pier in the morning hours. Several good catches have been brought in. Individual fish weighing as much as five pounds and eight ounces have been reported. The sea trout is an exceptionally gamey fish, followers of the sport report. The fight which they put up when snagged, together with their remarkable resemblance to brook and lake trout, is said to be responsible for the name, although they are sea bass. The largest fish caught last week in competition for the weekly $10 prize awarded by merchants of the community was won by J. Emil Welin, of Puente. It was a halibut and weighed eight and two-thirds pounds.—Santa Ana Register, August 31, 1927Gets Big Fish—“Blackie” Haldeman of Huntington Beach, furnished quite a little excitement yesterday when he landed an 167 pound jewfish from the Newport pier. It took over an hour to land the fish which was caught on a light line and small yellowtail hook.—Santa Ana Register, October 15, 1927
61-Pound White Sea Bass Taken Off Beach Pier—Newport Beach, Dec. 1—The largest white sea bass or sea trout ever caught off Newport Beach was landed by Roger Jackson, of Long Beach. The fish was caught off the Newport Beach pier on light tackle and weighed 61 pounds. Old time fishermen at Newport Beach today reported the fish to be the largest of its kind they had ever seen. Fishing from the Newport Beach pier is improving, according to reports. Mackerel and bass are biting well.—Santa Ana Register, December 1, 1927