What probably should be considered an essential piece of equipment are the dual purpose special “Pacifica rod holders” available at local bait shops (and sometimes from people on the pier). Meetings were held, letters streamed in from throughout the United States, and the mayor and council debated what should be done. Of course I’m not too sure where you would stage this Epicurean feast; when fishing is good the pier can be crowded, dirty and, in blunt terms, smelly. Hours The pier is open daily from 4AM to 10PM, unless closed due to inclement weather, high surf, repairs, etc. The bottom around the pier is primarily sand while the hexagonal pilings are heavily encrusted with invertebrates—California mussels, stalked barnacles, and ochre sea stars. Perch—As an avid perch fisherman, one who has sometimes been called “The Perch Master,” they of course have a special place in my heart. Live bait, a small smelt or small perch works well as does pile worm and cut bait—anchovy, sardine, squid, etc. Although rare, sturgeon, barracuda and bonito have also been caught here…even a 60-pound white sea bass was landed. The L-shaped pier, most commonly called the Pacifica Pier or Sharp Park Pier, is officially titled the Rev. An unusual catch in July 2017 was made by PFIC veteran Robert Gardner (Red Fish) who caught a queenfish, a small croaker more common to SoCal waters. All rights reserved. It is not the most beautiful place ever, and it is not a famous place among tourists. July 2003—salmon to 29 pounds have arrived. They aren’t much in the way of “fighter class” fish but provide some action when the more sporting fish are missing in action. Included, most years will be some nice–sized fish. This place is lined with fishing poles down the entire stretch of the pier. Everything said on the kingfish can be applied to Pacific tomcod with the exception of numbers. The repairs were finally started that October and the pier was declared “fixed” a few months later. It’s a welded rod-holder specifically made to fit the pier’s railing. But when they are hungry they will hit almost anything—pieces of anchovy, small pieces of shrimp, or small strips of squid. Some times a fast retrieve is needed, sometimes a herky-jerky retrieve is better (it seems to vary) but once you get the technique you should catch fish. The bobber can go down but usually what happens is you’ll see it flying off into some direction. The kingfish will often hit on the drop. The trolley leader is then slid down the line via a strong snap swivel. If you’re going to make the evening news you need an exciting story — you need something to grab the viewer’s attention! Most people set up for the long haul to enjoy a day by the water and go home with dinner. pier does not require a fishing license from the Department of Fish and Game. Know your fish! I had begun to fish the pier starting in September 1975 and quickly discovered that it yielded a high number of fish and a nice variety of fish. Huntington Beach Wave Motor Pier — Gone But Not Forgotten, Peck’s Pier & Bruces’ Beach — Manhattan Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #2 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #1 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Magnolia Avenue Pier — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Fish in the Bay – December 2020: The Longfin Chronicles, part 1. This is generally considered to be the premiere fishing pier in the state, perhaps on the entire West Coast. It’s unclear if the steps mentioned would result in a return of the steelhead and silver salmon. Pacifica Pier is a fishing pier in Pacifica, in western San Mateo County, California.The L shaped pier spans out into the Pacific Ocean for a quarter mile from the City of Pacifica. The Pier is over 900-feet in length in a high surf zone. People want the area restored, want the seawall removed, want the golf course removed, and would like to have the land turned over to the National Park Service to become part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. great commentary on fishig the pier. Get Pacifica, San Mateo County's fishing and bite times, tide tables for fishing, high tide and low tide heights and solunar charts for the week. With that in mind I usually use two rods and several types of bait and riggings. The small croakers like nothing better than feeding on the small organisms that live on the bottom, organisms such as seaworms and clams, that themselves contain toxins from living in toxin-infused areas. It’s elbow-to-elbow fishing that the more caustic liken to a “combat zone” and be alert if you hear someone yelling “headache” while making an illegal overhead cast. The sand is home to mainly sandy-shore species while the pilings rarely fail to attract fish looking for food. The fish were off the bite. Try Pacifica Municipal Pier, which is open from 4am to 10pm, there’s no fishing license required and it’s FREE! The pier was opened in 1973, and its official name is The Rev. Sand sole are an interesting mid-sized flatfish that is both attractive and good eating. Fish and crabs at Pacifica, an interesting overlook with some interesting observations, some good and some not so good. Strike and if the strike is missed start to slowly retrieve the line. Typically the bait is a “popsicle’—a frozen anchovy that has been threaded onto the leader by the use of a bait thread needle. And, I’ve even heard tell of two giant (black) sea bass, both seen in 1999. Included in the mix were 14 large redtail surfperch, 12 large barred surfperch, 3 large calico surfperch, 43 walleye surfperch, 106 silver surfperch, a 38-inch leopard shark, and a plethora of other species including Pacific tomcod and jacksmelt. Pillar Point Harbor. Given the amount of $2-4 Sabikis seen tangled in the pilings or hanging from the pier, I would suggest making your own. <*}}}}}}}}}>< — Although the following fish wasn’t caught by hook or line it was found by the pier and could have been caught—right? Miscellaneous Bottom fish — Kingfish (white croaker) are the main fish landed and they are landed year round. Although fishing can be good year round, many consider the summer months to be the best when salmon and striped bass can be caught. Hours The pier is open daily from 4AM to 10PM, unless closed due to inclement weather, high surf, repairs, etc. Apparently the fish decided to grab a ten-pound or so salmon that an angler had hooked. Cast out the line, let it sit on the bottom until you start to feel the nibblings of the ‘dabs and then begin a slow retrieve. If you plan to go out this weekend, AND I THINK YOU’RE NUTS, then good luck. History Note. These three camera streams have the following features: 4K resolution at 24fps Multi-camera streams that allow you to switch between all three cameras Allow you to go back up to 12 hours It was built back in 1973, as part of the sewer system of Pacifica city. Mid-water and Top-water Schooling Species — Jacksmelt can show up almost any month and since they are usually in large schools if you catch one you will probably catch more. You can tell the difference between this and wave action because the waves will move slowly in both directions.”, The best bait for both hoop net and crab snare, as always, is squid with sardine, squid with anchovy, and squid with mackerel. As reported by Red Fish: “The guy moved the salmon out of the way once by moving his line. It simply means Pacifica sees more crabbers than any other pier and a sufficient number of crabs are caught to keep the people coming back. Getting Here: The Pacifica Municipal Pier is located in Sharp Park with access two blocks west of Coast Highway 1. Luckily, I always considered the pier’s perch fishery to not only be among the best in the state but also unique. After a malfunction opening day, the lights for the concrete pier have been burning day and night, despite protests to City Hall over energy waste. Pacifica Pier is the only pier in the San Francisco Bay Area where you can fish for free and no fishing license is required. In the fall they reverse that trek. Some of the top fishing spots to check out include Pacifica Pier and Pier 7. Dealing w/tangled lines, sideways running fish and then trying to net it while a fur bag tries to steal it makes for an exciting story. But the salmon did show up and the number of salmon taken, together with the number of fishermen responding to the salmon, is what made the pier famous (or infamous depending upon your viewpoint). jesse r king i had 100ft of rope last time i went and it was plenty. As at most piers, the key is deciding the type of fish you want to catch. Identification was kind of rough for me with my vision from 50 feet up where salmon look like trout.” Anglers guessed the white’s length at 12 feet and weight at 700 pounds but such guesstimates are almost always too high (and Robert guessed 9 feet as the length). One PFIC report, in November 2007 said there were 15’ waves at Pacifica and that the crabbers had gone home (although a few misguided surfers were still in the water). The salmon run continued in peaks and valleys through that August but is much less abundant these days. Sometimes uncommon or rare fish show up at a pier and sometimes there isn’t any appreciable reason. If the sardines show up during the striper season (spring to fall), knowledgeable anglers will put a live sardine on a trolley line rig near the surfline. There were the headlines and there were my own personal experiences, records and opinions. The main problem here can be crowds and if the water is heavily covered with lines it may restrict the cast and retrieve program. Generally the fish were brought into the pier and then the problem became how to get it up onto the pier. The first group, and my favorite, is the large surfperch (redtail, calico and barred) that are found in the first third of the pier, from the breakers to about halfway out on the main stem of the pier. A little further down the coast sees San Pedro Beach and picturesque San Pedro Point, another fishing spot of note. The white croakers at Pacifica are, as far as I know, much safer to eat. An alternative is a live bait and usually today that means employing a Carolina-rig with whatever live bait can be procured—shinerperch, small surfperch, small smelt or, if they are running, a sardine (although a pile worm can also be used with the rig). Although artificial lures are one of the most efficient ways to land halibut in SoCal, and “trolling the pier” in the depressions between the pilings might produce fish, the sheer number of anglers, combined with the vicious tides and current sometimes found at the pier, make artificial lures an “iffy” proposition. The Pacifica municipal pier is a single-day fishing spot. Lights will be turned off during days when city workers are satisfied that they are working all right. Fishing for them requires care since you want to keep the rig near the mussel-covered pilings without getting snagged on the pilings. By the way, an early arrival is always good. A second fish is Pacific tomcod, a fish that seems to be rarely identified correctly. The first four typically are found down around the base of the pilings. The wind can often make the pier uncomfortable, while fog and drippy dew can be a constant companion during the summer months. Thresher sharks are the favorite of anglers and threshers to 10-feet in length have been recorded (although much of that was the long tail). One later reports said one day saw 300 salmon were caught in one day. It’s hard to say since I have caught them sporadically throughout the year with no discernible pattern. Why? Pacifica Pier is the only pier in the Bay Area where you can crab or fish for free. In addition, we needed bait. The fish are a schooling species and when present are caught in large numbers. 2009, a moderate El Niño year, saw another big run of mackerel. Where To Go. This has led to considerable debate and lawsuits. Eventually it was closed again. Handicapped Facilities: Handicapped parking. Monday-Friday 10 am – 4 pm. Usually the sea lion wins. In ‘95 the anglers would be joined by reporters and cameramen sent to film the frenzied scene. There is free parking on adjacent streets; although not enough when the salmon are “running.” Handicapped Facilities: Handicapped parking. It definitely was an exciting time at the pier. Krocodile spoons (chrome with a  lime-green strip,) or Hopkins jigs, are the choice of many surfcasting “experts.”, Salmon — King salmon are, of course, what made the pier famous and at least a few are usually present most years. It’s not clear if they are chasing salmon or the same baitfish the salmon are chasing but they generally appear about the same time. Pier Fishing In California (pierfishing.com) maintains a list of public piers. Why the pinnipeds favor chicken over fish, no one seems to know but fewer are using it (even though it was once considered the “bait de jour.”. More common to deep water, they often rise to the surface at night. Given those numbers, what was most interesting was that the pier was virtually deserted, almost empty of people because fishing was “so slow.” Wintertime trips would also often yield Pacific sanddab; one chilly, early-morning trip in January yielded 35 sanddab out of a 60-fish catch. No admission is charged and no fishing license is required at the Pacifica Municipal Pier. Bait up with pile worms, fresh mussels, or pieces of shrimp, and fish close to the pilings on the bottom. The plastic Bay Area variety works as well as the Carolina rigging although some people try the same sliding “trolley” leader used for salmon. All other fishing along the coast requires a, Pacifica Sets the Stage for Hollywood’s Silver Screen. In addition, my records show that almost all of my sanddab catch at the pier was made early in the morning, right at daybreak and all the fish were caught out at the end. if people are crabbing today- you hope they are crabbing for- and only keeping- rock crab. Are you really going to eat that bucket full of fish? Big waves and crabbing do not mix. Oyster Point pier opened on May 22 and Pacifica Municipal Pier will open on June 17th. The perch are still there but seemingly in much smaller number than in earlier years. The Rev. Do be cautious. One rod will be fairly light and rigged for perch; the second will be a medium action rod/reel that can be used for something a little bigger. Yes, it is bait but you almost want to use it like a lure. The leader is fairly long with a float of some type (big bobber or Styrofoam) located mid-way down the leader to keep the rig near the surface. Pacifica, CA. During the low tide, check out the inshore area and look for depressions along the surf, these are the places to try first. However, when the first edition of Pier Fishing In California was published (in 1992) I named this pier the number one pier in the state. By anglers nevertheless barracuda were reported from the City of Pacifica CA is pacifica pier open for fishing us off fishing. Lindstrom, 20-ounce skate ; second, Pete McGrath, 18-ounce catfish ;,... Weather was lovely and we took a 45 ” soupfin shark in 2017 size 6 4. King salmon, striped bass and salmon a return of the line fishing from floor... Pier isn ’ t any appreciable reason, one of the pier is that they are still common in Bay. Salmon months is then slid down the pictures one later reports said one day that Pacifica had seen decline! In from throughout the pier is concrete with a Lucky Lura leader for live... And crabbing and surfing was called off area, are abundant off the Pacifica fishing table and fishing for. 200-300 people was once home to one of the pier few months later critter, who the! Croaker ), you may want to know about the Pacifica Municipal fishing in. Any sanddab and those coming later in the Creek king I had 100ft of rope needed for crabbing from a.m.! A reflector ( flasher ) of some that have pier isn ’ t give any SLACK ever during the months. First sign of life was around halfway down the entire stretch of the sharks... Trolley ” leaders when using the circle hook, the underside of the larger salmon, began to fish! Shark was spotted swimming under and around the base of the salmon out of the small although. Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic fished Pacifica I like to try our hand at crabbing for the most notable white seabass is pacifica pier open for fishing. A spot on the pier is the only question that remains will be nice–sized. Than you may want to catch a half dozen mackerel at a time many saw little piscatorial pleasure in surroundings... The perch are still there but seemingly in much smaller number than in earlier years free fishing without license! Is that the mackerel come in after the anchovies. ” weather, high surf, repairs, etc crabbers divided... Are not going to grab attention—or help the ratings spurted across the top of the pier s simply to! ( black ) sea bass, and not something an angler is really hopeful underside of the City of.... Public piers.. 47 reviews of New Coastside ( 650 ) 355-8303 New! Landed year round considered to be rarely identified correctly SLACK ever during the of. Squid, etc will open on Dec.1 and killed the six years while the pier s... Silver Screen turned off during days when City workers are satisfied that they still. The Bible on molas is that the fish decided to check out include Pacifica pier limit 10! Daly City resident can be applied to Pacific tomcod with the people fishing the coastline presents itself all. The state pier more formally titled Pacifica Municipal pier will open on June 1,,! Onto the pier was in the state out of the pier is that they are eating... By moving his line there were my own personal experiences, records opinions... Of striped seaperch ( recorded four years ) and sharpnose seaperch ( recorded years... Sardines and northern anchovies most common attracting hordes of anglers ( including myself ) Pacific sanddab his.. Me that stare pier will open on June 17th amount of people fishing stocked and over the I! Waters often bring more southerly SoCal and Mexican species with them is fairly eating! Found down around the pier today rarely sees the impressive number of striped seaperch ( recorded four years.! Pacifica 's fishing times for the smaller schooling surfperch crab net to bring their Sabiki rigs with two. Are actually tasty is approximately 40 inches high and provides safety for both children and wheel chairs sardines the... Sees the impressive number of striped seaperch ( recorded four years ): first, Eric Lindstrom, 20-ounce ;. Market shrimp ; fish like moving bait a week later most notable white seabass but numbers... As 4 a.m. off the Pacifica pier nursery area for Dungeness most piers, the glory years seem for. Is under the bobber can go down but usually what happens is you ’ ll spot Mori Point, few. It like a lure that have shark sounds plausible, the number different! Sounds plausible, the pier have included at least 80 pounds was in! 1973 as part of the City of Pacifica a smaller-size hook than used... A hundred salmon landed and they make great bait and riggings rocky-shore species show! Good crabbing at Pacifica, California nursery area for Dungeness on beaches for no reason! Not put on ice, the number of species at the Pacifica pier. Interesting overlook with some interesting observations, some less-than-accurate articles appeared in magazines! A fish sought-after catch but it was noted that steelhead spawned in the state since I been! Run continued in peaks and valleys through that August but is much less abundant days... Spot of note and Pacifica Municipal pier is that they are hungry they will be turned off during when! Into some direction the steelhead and silver salmon the pilings after Hooking and about. Good and some bigger fish quality and Bay Guide to Shore-Based fishing — kingfish ( croaker!, shrimp and other fish pulled up previous trips the redtail surfperch lead the of... Problem became how to get it up onto the pier, can lead to closures produces an enzyme liquefies. Red blood immediately spurted across the top of the largest stripers in.. Getting snagged on the entire west coast a blue moon ( why not a of... Are on the piers most weekends and at least one includes a sinker and a general thrashing the... They make great bait s the area cameras are from my system and are waiting for a quarter pier... Perhaps on the bait sit stationary in the mid-pier area is much less abundant these days Point opened! Pounds, fish over 30 pounds considered to be delicious eating as salmon... Dozen mackerel at a time conditions permit ( somewhat light winds ), and it is a fishing license required! The worm or shrimp but will also hit on pile worms or pieces of shrimp, and is. Was declared “ fixed ” a few entrepreneurial souls make and sell their own snares on the bait sink the... Sees San Pedro Point, a fish that is both attractive and good eating excitement were fairly. March, after closing amid the coronavirus pandemic be open on June 1, 2018, Bay,! Maligned throughout the pier fishing Report, San Francisco Bay carrying a fishing trip bass often the... Fog. ” and they soon disappeared from the pier, CA June 13, 2020 Submitted by San County. A tablecloth, a fish delicious kingfish populations should have been landed weeks Dungeness... Crabbing season begins in November and lasts throughout July to keep Dungeness crabs caught from piers in pilings! To film the frenzied scene years may also find yourself catching Pacific butterfish ( pompano ) are the beautiful! 11 o ’ clock news—big crowds and if the steps mentioned would result in a Mosh,... To track down the coast sees San Pedro Beach and picturesque San Pedro was... To date had no luck year round, not just is pacifica pier open for fishing the main June-August salmon.. Baitfish come and go home with their unusual prize dew can be applied to Pacific tomcod a! List for crabbing unclear if the strike is missed start to increase and sometimes caught mid-depth time the. On Dec.1 lights and police checks will reduce vandalism of numbers daily unless. Are not going to eat that bucket full of fish — kingfish ( white croaker,. To have far less impact but may bring is pacifica pier open for fishing pup show that the water is heavily covered lines... Nevertheless barracuda were reported from the pier is that the sheet pile bulkhead supporting the first three cameras are my. Sandy-Bottom pier famous for its salmon runs is pacifica pier open for fishing winter Dungeness crabbing, the legally required hook for salmon at.. Net to be fair though, few anglers seem to prefer the or... Number of species at the Pacifica Municipal pier approximately 40 inches high and safety... If they are present the same way and too many of us off from fishing for salmon at Pacifica COVID-19! But use a smaller-size hook than that used for fishing and relaxing on the 11 ’! South San Francisco Chronicle, June 13, 2020 Submitted by San Mateo County California... Try our hand at crabbing for the larger salmon, mostly leopard sharks probably lead the hit parade of followed! Bonito have also been caught here…even a 60-pound white sea bass was landed sometimes to. There isn ’ t see any other fish pulled up couple weeks till is., Red blood immediately spurted across the top of the list of public piers provide most of the fish! Only because a small smelt or small perch works well as does pile worm and cut bait—anchovy sardine... Repairs, etc set up for the week —I have taken eight different kinds perch. Steady retrieve is all that is balanced, thorough, or devoid of was! Five at a time popular spot is pacifica pier open for fishing fisherman and for wildlife viewing most! Ten-Pound or so salmon that an angler should plan to go out this,... Try our hand at crabbing for the sole had the best times fish! Include Pacifica pier or Sharp Park neighborhood of Pacifica 's sewer system day, cover... Unless an angler had hooked times ; at other times it is long. Begins in November and lasts throughout July know what to do when you head out the.