San Clemente Pier- Tuesday October 16th

[Fishman Fishman]

Arrived on pier at 5:30 a.m. greeted with a beautiful clear night sky! Total black night with incredibly bright stars. Constellations were very clear. Identified the Big and Little Dipper's respectively.

The early morning bite started off with Pacific mackerel. Upon the morning sunrise a variety of fish started to hit - Pacific and Spanish, mackerel, Queenfish, Jacksmelt and Topsmelt. It was a slow but steady bite. Around 9 a.m. I added Black perch, Sargo and a short Calico bass to my catch list. The fish were caught on a variety of baits - anchovy, shrimp and mussel using a hi/lo rig.

Lots of big bait balls consisting of sardines and smelt around the pier. Occasionally a Bonito could be seen chasing the bait.

A Bonito fisherman using feathers had a triple hook up on Bonito. They were a good size about 16 to 18 inches. These were the only Bonito caught all morning.

A side note. The fish cleaning table at the end of the pier did not have any running water. First time I have experienced this situation at the pier.

Overall a wonderful morning on the pier. Good luck everyone!

 

[HookedUp!]

Arrived on pier at 5:30 a.m. greeted with a beautiful clear night sky! Total black night with incredibly bright stars. Constellations were very clear. Identified the Big and Little Dipper's respectively.

The early morning bite started off with Pacific mackerel. Upon the morning sunrise a variety of fish started to hit - Pacific and Spanish, mackerel, Queenfish, Jacksmelt and Topsmelt. It was a slow but steady bite. Around 9 a.m. I added Black perch, Sargo and a short Calico bass to my catch list. The fish were caught on a variety of baits - anchovy, shrimp and mussel using a hi/lo rig.

Lots of big bait balls consisting of sardines and smelt around the pier. Occasionally a Bonito could be seen chasing the bait.

A Bonito fisherman using feathers had a triple hook up on Bonito. They were a good size about 16 to 18 inches. These were the only Bonito caught all morning.

A side note. The fish cleaning table at the end of the pier did not have any running water. First time I have experienced this situation at the pier.

Overall a wonderful morning on the pier. Good luck everyone!

Is San Clemente Pier a better pier to fish in the morning or at night? I've only really fished San Clemente at night (while targeting crabs and lobsters), but most of the reports that I have heard were from the daytime.

 

[Fishman Fishman]

Is San Clemente Pier a better pier to fish in the morning or at night? I've only really fished San Clemente at night (while targeting crabs and lobsters), but most of the reports that I have heard were from the daytime.

I've only fished during the day at this pier I've stayed away from night fishing due to wind. How is the evening, /night fishing weather wise and are there a lot of fisherman,especially the sharkers?

 

[Makairaa]

I've only fished during the day at this pier I've stayed away from night fishing due to wind. How is the evening, /night fishing weather wise and are there a lot of fisherman,especially the sharkers?

The coastal afternoon winds we get usually goes away within an hour or two after dark. Fishing depends on what you want to catch. I think the surf area for croakers, corbina, and small sharks is better at night. The end of the pier is definitely better numbers wise during the day. I have had better luck with sharks and legal sized bass at night, But I do not seem to catch the perch, croakers, sheephead, mackerel or bonito at night at the end at night.

 

[Mahigeer]

I've only fished during the day at this pier I've stayed away from night fishing due to wind. How is the evening, /night fishing weather wise and are there a lot of fisherman,especially the sharkers?

Shark guys with toooooo many rods usually come on weekend (as I noticed), and fish the deep end.

The angler crowd are there depending on the bite. Some regulars come and go as the bite changes.

One poacher is always there, catching and selling fish illegally. Usually by the foot of the pier fishing for Sargo with mussel taken from the pilings.

Parking is free after 5 PM, and usually more space available at night.

 

[Mahigeer]

The coastal afternoon winds we get usually goes away within an hour or two after dark. Fishing depends on what you want to catch. I think the surf area for croakers, corbina, and small sharks is better at night. The end of the pier is definitely better numbers wise during the day. I have had better luck with sharks and legal sized bass at night, But I do not seem to catch the perch, croakers, sheephead, mackerel or bonito at night at the end at night.

Sharks, rays, mackerel, smelt and bass can be caught at night.

The others mentioned, are rarely, if ever are caught at night.

 

[Ken Jones]

As a general rule most species are more available during the day. The exceptions would be the shares (sharks and ray), mackerel (at times), sculpin, black croaker, and a few other species.

 

[HookedUp!]

I've only fished during the day at this pier I've stayed away from night fishing due to wind. How is the evening, /night fishing weather wise and are there a lot of fisherman,especially the sharkers?

I normally only go out when the weather is very calm, so the wind isn't too bad when I go out. There usually aren't a lot of fishermen (except at the beginning of lobster season). I've only seen sharkers once at San Clemente.

 

[AppleSauce]

Shark guys with toooooo many rods usually come on weekend (as I noticed), and fish the deep end.

The angler crowd are there depending on the bite. Some regulars come and go as the bite changes.

One poacher is always there, catching and selling fish illegally. Usually by the foot of the pier fishing for Sargo with mussel taken from the pilings.

Parking is free after 5 PM, and usually more space available at night.

Didn’t they change the parking lot enforcement hours? The lot next to the pier says enforced until 10pm.

 

[Mahigeer]

Could be.

It has been a while since I fished that pier.

Would not be surprised if city wants more revenue.

 

[Makairaa]

Sharks, rays, mackerel, smelt and bass can be caught at night.

The others mentioned, are rarely, if ever are caught at night.

I have caught lots of mackerel and smelt at night, just not at san clemente pier for some reason.