BY KEN JONES

Special to Western Outdoor News

Autumn is finally here and with it comes a transition in fishing opportunities. While Central Coast piers see a decrease in halibut and striper action, San Francisco Bay piers are beginning to see stripers and salmon move towards the straits. At the same time, Northern California piers are seeing their typical inshore migration of lingcod. The daylight hours are less, the temperatures are a little cooler, but the fishing can remain hot — or cold — depending upon location and species being sought. The one constant is the shark and ray action in the big bays, San Francisco Bay and Humboldt Bay, with bat rays, leopard sharks, smoothhounds and even a few 7-Gills providing reliable sport.

Central California Piers

Monterey-Santa Cruz-San Mateo County Piers — Monterey Wharf #2 — John, at the Compass at the front of the wharf said there’s been some Spanish mackerel (jack mackerel), sardines and perch showing up at the pier as well as many sand dabs. A few salmon, to about ten pounds, are also making an appearance and typically are falling to artificials. Locals with the know-how are also taking some of the larger perch — striped, rainbow, and rubberlip — down around the pilings. Try pile worms, fresh mussels or cut shrimp for the perch. Seacliff State Beach Pier — rockfish reported that “Seacliff is better for larger perch. Sand crabs, shrimp or sea worms for perch, squid strips for kingfish and live bait for stripers.” Capitola Wharf — Ed, at the Capitola Baitshop, reports that stripers continue to make an appearance. A 28-pound fish and a 24-pound fish were taken in the surf adjacent to the wharf; both were caught on Pencil Poppers. However, most of the pier-caught stripers have been taken on live anchovies. Baitfish—Spanish mackerel, anchovies and sardines continue to surround the pier and attract in bigger fish. Ed caught a 28-pound white seabass himself just out from the pier. As usual, there are also tons of kingfish (white croakers) available for those so interested. Santa Cruz Wharf — Butch, at the Santa Cruz Boat Rentals, reports that there is lots of bait in the water (anchovies, smelt, sardines) which has resulted in a few halibut and stripers being taken. The largest striper was 15 pounds. There’s also some good perch action along with kingfish, jacksmelt and sand sole. Piller Point Pier — As usual it’s mainly small kingfish (white croakers) together with some jacksmelt. A few rockfish are being taken along the inshore rocks. Pacifica Pier — Joe, at the Rusty Hook in Pacifica, says a few stripers and salmon continue to be taken but action has shifted to perch and kingfish. Anglers are awaiting the opening of crab season (although a number of people have already been ticketed at the pier for illegal Dungeness).

San Francisco Bay Area

San Francisco Piers — Fort Point Pier — Hippo, from Hi’s Tackle Shop, says anglers are getting big jacksmelt. He also heard of four ling cod being taken from the pier. It’s been slow on halibut. Fort Mason Piers — It’s mainly kingfish, sharks and rays with an occasional small flatfish—sanddabs and a few sand soles. San Francisco Municipal Pier — Some perch and quite a few jacksmelt  (and many are the “huge” horsesmelt, fish approaching 18 inches in size). Pier 7 — Guycognito reported that “sharks are still present in decent numbers at this pier at night. Although most of them are small smoothhounds (under 2-ft), there are occasional leopard sharks and bat rays. The most effective bait seems to be squid or anchovies (fresh not frozen), and the most effective rig (or at least the most common) is a hi-lo with appropriately sized hooks.” The pier is also seeing good numbers of jacksmelt along with a few striped bass and halibut and. Ferry Building Pier/Pier 2 — Good action on jacksmelt together with some kingfish (white croaker) and the usual sharks and rays. South Harbor Marina Pier — It’s mainly kingfish (white croaker) and some sharks and rays.  Agua Vista Pier — It’s been slow. Mainly it’s a few kingfish, perch, an occasional flurry of jacksmelt and the usual sharks and rays. Heron’s Head Pier — The mix is mainly a few jacksmelt,, some perch, and an occasional striped bass. Candlestick Point Pier — It’s mostly a jacksmelt, shark and ray pier at this time although a few halibut and stripers are still making an appearance.  A 60+pound black seabass was taken by a boat not too far out from the pier.

South Bay Piers — Brisbane Fishing Pier — It’s been slow. Mostly it’s small sharks, jacksmelt, a few kingfish, and an occasional evening-time striped bass. Oyster Point Pier — Mike at Oyster Point Bait and Tackle, says anglers are getting bat rays and sharks throughout the day (on squid and mackerel) along with jacksmelt on float rigs. Stripers are hitting in the evening hours, primarily on anchovies. Robert E. Woolley Peninsula Park Pier — This small pier in Burlingame is mostly yielding up jacksmelt and some good numbers of sharks and big bat rays. Redwood City Marina Pier — Small perch, bullheads, bat rays and lots of sharks—leopards and smoothounds—at night. Dumbarton Pier — tranbaby2 posted “Headed out to Dumbarton after work Friday…Set up a hi/lo with 40# test, 6-oz sinker with squid chunks out. Had no hits until about 4 pm (a small 12″ smoothie). When my friends finally arrived was when the action picked up (around 5pm)…. the sharks and rays do come out to feed at night. My friend got the biggest fish of the night with a line peeling 40+# bat ray that took him for a few rounds before landing it 10 mins later. Boy was he tired after that (my friend that is). Several small smoothies and small leopards all night long up to 30″ between everybody…  All fish released!!”

East Bay Piers — Arrowhead Marsh Fishing Piers — Good numbers of jacksmelt are showing along with flurries of striper action, generally in the evening hours. Veterans Court Fishing Pier — Big jacksmelt together with leopard sharks and bat rays. Fruitvale Bridge Piers — Most of the regulars are concentrating on striped bass in the evening hours. San Antonio Pier — It’s decent jacksmelt action when you can get through the shinerperch. Good bat ray and shark action is also available, especially in the twilight hours, but the local gendarmes have prohibited nighttime fishing. Estuary Park Pier — The pier is seeing a few kingfish (white croaker), jacksmelt, and sharks and rays. Some stripers are available, usually early evening. Port View Park Pier/Seventh Street Pier — Decent shark and rays fishing. It’s also a place to take your kids for small perch and rockfish (fish in the cut out section using pile worms and small hooks). Emeryville Piers (Chevy’s and Shorebird Park) — Sharks and rays (sounds like a broken record). It’s typically best at sunset and with a cast off the right side corner of the pier. Emeryville Marina Fishing Pier — Some jacksmelt, a few kingfish and quite a few bat rays and sharks. Berkeley Pier — It’s slow or dead depending on your definition. Mostly it’s been sharks and rays lately (including a controversial soupfin shark taken by PFIC member Redfish that seemed to stink up and slime the pier. He wondered if the fish was just sick or had it encountered some toxic ingredients while slip sliding around the bay?). Ferry Point Pier — It’s still kicking out some kingfish and perch together with decent shark and ray action (including a few 7-gills).

Piers in the Carquinez Strait, Suisun Bay and the West Delta — Eckley Pier — Anglers here continue to take mostly striped bass although there’s been some good action recently on large jacksmelt. A few salmon should also start showing at the pier. Martinez Pier — Jordana, at the Martinez Marina Bait and Tackle shop, says the pier is still giving up a good number of small stripers to anglers using bait such as pile worms and cut anchovies.   Benicia Ninth Street Pier — Pam, at the Benicia Bait & Tackle, says most of the action here has been on stripers although there have been some bat rays, kingfish, brown smoothhounds and a couple of salmon taken recently. It’s the time of the year when the water is at its saltiest.  City of Benicia Fishing Pier — The jetty that connects to the pier is the site of most of the local salmon action with anglers averaging up to 25 fish a day (although there was a slight decrease this week). The salmon are ranging from 6 pounds up to about 20 pounds. A few striped bass round out the action on the pier. Pittsburg Pier — Lots of small stripers but not too much else (although some decent catfish action is reported at night). Antioch Pier — Like most of the local piers, it is seeing tons of small stripers but again not too many keepers. Antioch Marina Pier — Some striped bass (mostly too small), some catfish, and an occasional sturgeon hookup. Do take extra tackle with you to that pier since the bottom will grab some of your rigs. Antioch Bridge Pier — Philip, at Gotcha! Bait & Tackle, says action remains good on stripers with 10-12 keeper-size fish being taken daily. His shop has weighed 25, 22 and 20-pound fish recently along with a lot of 9-10 pound fish. For the bigger fish use sardines, shad or mudsuckers. He says there hasn’t been any sturgeon action recently although channel cats, squawfish and largemouth bass (inshore, 1st piling, live minnows) continue to provide variety. Rio Vista Pier — Stripers continue to lead the hit parade here although salmon are moving through the area and a few have been hooked from the pier. Catfish and squawfish continue to be available, especially at night.

North Bay Piers — Point Pinole Pier —  Hoards of crabs make bait fishing hard out at the end of the pier but stripers are still available as are perch, jacksmelt, kingfish, bat rays and sharks, both leopards and brown smoothhounds. Outgoing tides seem to be preferred at this time. Vallejo Pier — Edgerar, at Norm’s Bait and Tackle, reports that it’s still mostly stripers showing up. Smaller fish are falling to worms, bigger fish are falling to bullheads. Sturgeon have been absent. McNear Beach Fishing Pier — The action is on kingfish, decent shark and bat ray fishing, and an occasional striped bass of which a few are keeper size. The halibut action has slowed. Posted by Heretic “Mission Accomplished.  Short: McNear’s Beach Pier, 1/2 to 2/3 ways down on the left side. Fished 10 am to 5 pm. Two many large jacksmelt to count, all were 14-18 inches and were released or given to neighboring anglers. Caught 3 striped bass, 13 inches, 15 inches, and 19.5 inches. Everything was caught on cut tray anchovies. Saw 1 bat ray, 2 other stripers, a whole bunch of jacksmelt, and one seagull caught.   Paradise Park Pier —It’s much the same as McNear. Mainly it’s kingfish, stripers, sharks and rays. Dsrtegl posted “Only two rays, two dink sharks, and an uncomfortable number of mutant jacksmelt stealing our bait.” Elephant Rock Pier — The usual summertime variety: perch and rockfish on the bottom around the pier; jacksmelt in waters around the pier; a few stripers fishing close to shore; sharks and big rays when fishing on the bottom in deeper water. Fort Baker Pier— Jacksmelt and perch with crabbers filling their buckets with rock crabs.  Sharks and rays are available at night

Northern California Piers

Bodega Bay/Tomales Bay — There’s still some decent action for sharks and rays from local piers. Miller Park Pier —Bat rays are the main offering. Lucas Wharf and Tides Wharf — Action continues good on BIG jacksmelt, some big bat rays, and an occasional leopard shark. Spud Point Marina Pier— Jacksmelt continue to be the main species here.  Some schoolie perch are also showing—walleyes and silvers—but you have to get through the shiners to get the bigger perch. Lawson’s Landing Pier — The pier is kicking out a few perch and smelt. Point Arena Pier — Pete at the Wharf Master’s office says it’s been slow although there have been quite a few striped seaperch and a number of nice-sized ling cod taken from the pier. But it’s slow on sea trout (greenling) and cabezon.

Humboldt Bay/Eureka — Del Norte Street Fishing Pier — Greg, at Bucksport Tackle, reports that some perch are showing up (piling, walleyes and redtail) together with some sharks and rays at night. Downtown piers are seeing good action on jacksmelt as well as walleye surfperch and small rockfish (mainly brown rockfish). Trinidad Pier — Apparently things are very slow at the pier. Not too many anglers and fewer fish. Crescent City — Both the Citizens Dock and the B Street Pier are seeing occasional flurries of jacksmelt along with the regular perch (walleyes, silvers and a few redtails). Some sand sole are also available. Most of the action at the B Street Pier continues to come from crabbers. Citizens Dock also sees some small rockfish in the inshore area together with a few cabezon, greenling, and an occasional sole.