Day 3 —Friday, August 22
Up early I checked out the North T-Pier once again but the same conditions persisted. I don’t think I’ve ever had a trip to Morro Bay when two different days were unfishable. After breakfast I decided to head on up to the San Simeon Pier. It can be hit or miss but I’ve caught a lot of fish, especially surfperch from that pier.
A beautiful drive brought me to the San Simeon pier and park. As was true in my last visit they no longer have rangers to check you in (and charge you a fee). It’s free and open 8 a.m. to sunset.
I would find one other angler (again, a bad sign) and we would share the pier for a couple of hours both experiencing very slow fishing. However, I did spot some fish. After fishing the surfline for an hour I moved out to the end. There, although I had no bites, I spotted 3-4 large pileperch circling around a piling and kelp. They were near the top of the water and I tried a variety of baits and rigs but they just ignored my offerings. It was ironic since I had just posted an article on pileperch.
San Simeon Pier: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
2 Staghorm Sculpin
1 Barred Surfperch
1 Speckled Sanddab
I finally gave up and called it a day and headed back to a now 104-degree Fresno. Overall a poor fishing trip as far as fish but I had a great time getting out to the piers for the first time in a while. Enjoyed the cool weather and was able to update some of my information. The fish didn’t cooperate but I will be back another day.
Up early I checked out the North T-Pier once again but the same conditions persisted. I don’t think I’ve ever had a trip to Morro Bay when two different days were unfishable. After breakfast I decided to head on up to the San Simeon Pier. It can be hit or miss but I’ve caught a lot of fish, especially surfperch from that pier.
San Simeon Pier
A beautiful drive brought me to the San Simeon pier and park. As was true in my last visit they no longer have rangers to check you in (and charge you a fee). It’s free and open 8 a.m. to sunset.
San Simeon Pier
San Simeon Pier and beach
San Simeon Pier and beach
I would find one other angler (again, a bad sign) and we would share the pier for a couple of hours both experiencing very slow fishing. However, I did spot some fish. After fishing the surfline for an hour I moved out to the end. There, although I had no bites, I spotted 3-4 large pileperch circling around a piling and kelp. They were near the top of the water and I tried a variety of baits and rigs but they just ignored my offerings. It was ironic since I had just posted an article on pileperch.
San Simeon Pier: 8:30-10:30 a.m.
2 Staghorm Sculpin
1 Barred Surfperch
1 Speckled Sanddab
Parking lot and pier
I finally gave up and called it a day and headed back to a now 104-degree Fresno. Overall a poor fishing trip as far as fish but I had a great time getting out to the piers for the first time in a while. Enjoyed the cool weather and was able to update some of my information. The fish didn’t cooperate but I will be back another day.
Hearst Castle up on top of the hill as seen from the pier.
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