The “Endless Pier” as it would have looked when new

With the destruction of Wharf No. 1 in 1915, and the deteriorating condition of Wharf No. 2, many in Redondo Beach began to consider the idea of a new pier—a pleasure pier. Although Redondo had, since the opening of Wharf No. 1 in 1889, gained fame for its various wharves, all had been commercial wharves that “allowed” visitors to walk the wharves and anglers to fish from them. But none were built as “pleasure piers,” piers reserved for locals and visitors seeking pleasure—fishing, strolling, relaxing over the ocean, etc.

However, Santa Monica had constructed a huge concrete pleasure pier in 1909 gaining tremendous publicity and attracting thousands of visitors. Hermosa Beach had constructed a new concrete pleasure pier in 1914. Manhattan Beach had formed a “Pier and Beach Association” in 1914 and was studying plans for a new pleasure pier. Long Beach had a long history of pleasure piers and the Pine Avenue Pier that opened in 1904, when combined with the nearby Pike amusement area, was a major competitor to Redondo as far as a seaside attraction.

In addition, by 1915 the shoreline between Venice and Ocean Park was the home to a number of huge “amusement piers” that in terms of sheer size, and amusements offered, were in a class all their own. The Venice Pier (1905), Ocean Park’s Horseshoe Pier (1905), Bristol Pier (1907), and Fraser’s Million Dollar Pier (1910) led the list. Plans were already underway to build the Looff Pier that would adjoin the Santa Monica Pier when it opened in 1916.

Given the competition for tourists, there was little doubt a pleasure pier was needed. There was also little doubt that something was needed to make the Redondo pier stand out (although it certainly would already stand out as far as the fishermen were concerned).

Of course there is always the question of cost, especially if it’s a municipal pier to be paid for by the taxpayers. Then there is the question of where to build it and how to build it. Redondo’s leaders brought those questions directly to the voters and they did so in a fairly rapid pace. The one unanswered question would be the reaction of the Pacific Electric Company since it owned some of the property being discussed for a pier’s location.

Redondo Beach Plans Three Bond Campaigns — Redondo Beach, Feb. 12.—The campaign for three separate bond issues was started in a mass meeting held in the pavilion. The issues are for a municipal pleasure and fishing pier to cost $121,000…—Los Angeles Times, February 13, 1915

Redondo Beach Pleasure Pier — Redondo Beach, Feb. 27.—The City Trustees have issued a call for a meeting to be held Monday night at the City hall, at which time it is expected they will pledge themselves to place the municipal pier at whatever location the voters shall decide it should be placed. This action was decided upon after the voters placed a request before the Board of Trustees saying that, before voting on a bond issue of $121,000 they would like to know where the pier is to be, and to have some assurance that it will not be placed at an undesirable point. The question of the location of the pier will be decided by either a straw ballot or by petition to the Board of trustees. At present the site most talked of is Pier No. 1, now owned by the Pacific Electric. This property can be purchased for $17,500, and $5000 to remove a pipe line…The committee is instructed to inform the company officials that the city will not buy the pier, but merely the approach to it, will not pay anything for removing the pipe line, will not grant the company any concessions on the proposed pier, but will permit the company to retain its water pipe line for the bath house.–Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1915

Redondo Beach, March 9.—Among the many elections to be held by the city will be one called for April 10 to decide the location of the proposed municipal pier, if the bond issue of $121,000 for a pier passes at an election Thursday of this week. Five questions will be asked the voters. They include three locations—one at the south end of the bath-house, one be at the foot of Emerald street and one at the foot of Diamond street. The voters will also be asked if they prefer a horseshoe-shaped pier extending from Diamond to Emerald streets, or a V-shaped pier from Emerald street to the south end of the bath-house. —Los Angeles Times, March 10, 1915

Redondo Beach Votes For A Pleasure Pier — Redondo Beach, March 11.—The municipal pier bond issue of $121,000 carried today at the polls, the vote being 760 for and 246 against, the proposition carrying by ninety over the necessary two-thirds. The pier, as proposed by the Board of Trustees, will be one of the show places of the Southwest, and will be used for pleasure and fishing purposes. The next special election to be held will be on April 10, the voters will decide where they desire the municipal pier to be located. Three locations are presented to the voters and two additional questions will be asked the voters regarding the shape of the pier to be built.—Los Angeles Times, March 12, 1915

Pacific Electric Has Offer For Redondo Beach — Decide Upon V-Shaped Pier —Redondo Beach, April 7.—Reduces Price—President Shoup of the Pacific Electric has sprung a surprise by materially reducing the price asked by his company for the approach to and the present structure at Pier No. 1. He told the City Trustees that Pier No. 1 and its approach is worth $30,000 to the Pacific Electric, but that the company would be willing to sell for much less. Formerly the company proposed selling the property to the city for $17,500, plus $5000 for removing pipe lines now on the pier. The company also wished to retain rights to concessions on both sides of the pier for a certain distance out. Mr. Shoup said that the company would be willing to sell the property to the city for its proposed municipal pier, and would eliminate the $5000 asked for removing the pipe lines and would ask the right to retain concessions only on the north side out as far as they now extend. A hint of possible suits on the part of the city to obtain quit-claims deeds to certain supposed tidelands was made when Trustee Brolaski said to Mr. Shoup that since the passage of the bill which gives Redondo Beach title to all tidelands in the city, the Pacific Electric could not claim right to any concessions on the old pier. To this Mr. Shoup replied that that was a matter for his legal department to take up. V-Shaped Pier— G. W. Harding, an engineer engaged by the board to report on the feasibility of the various locations, said that on account of the loss of his equipment last Friday, he was unable to determine the construction of the ocean bed for the proposed location at the foot of Diamond street. He said a pier at this location would cost a little more than the other places because of rough seas. Harding favors a V-shaped pier because it would be unique and would be a fine advertisement for the city, as well as being reinforced by the two approaches. He estimated that piers at the locations proposed would cost from $80,000 to $120,000, if built of concrete. The citizens will vote Saturday to decide where the pier will be built. A recent election decided the bond issue of $121,000, with which to build the structure. —Los Angeles Times, April 8, 1915

Ultimately, in an apparently heavily attended election, the voters chose the V-shape design that, together with the boardwalk connecting the two legs of the pier, would allow the title of  “Endless Pier” to be adopted.

Decide Upon A V-Shaped Pier — Redondo Beach, April 10.—In a lively election held here today to decide the location for the proposed municipal pleasure pier and fishing pier the citizens cast their vote in favor of a triangular-shaped structure extending out 900 feet from the end of the bath-house to Emerald street.  The vote stood: triangular-shaped pier, 744; straight pier at foot of Diamond street, 375; straight pier south of the Garland building, 5; straight pier at foot of Emerald street, 25; horseshoe-shaped pier, 12. The total vote cast was 1188, one vote being thrown out.  Greater interest was shown in the election today than has been here since women received the ballot in California. Voters were taken to the polls in invalid chairs to cast their ballot. The pier decided upon, according to an engineer’s report, will cost the city $121,000. It will form a triangle extending into the water in the shape of a “V.” —Los Angeles Times, April 11, 1915

 Once the money was secured, decisions on location made, and agreement reached with the Pacific Electric Company, actual construction could be begun. Designs and the awarding of a construction contract were again done at a fairly rapid pace but now the first of many problems were to occur that would plague this pier and the “Horseshoe Pier,” the successor to this pier.

News Of Beach — The [Redondo Beach] board last night opened sealed bids for the construction of the proposed triangular pleasure and fishing pier to be built here soon. Leyden-Ortselfen Company of Chicago were the lowest bidders, offering to erect the pier for $108,800. Charles W. Corbaley of Los Angeles bid $114,700 and Snare, Triest & Co. of New York, $129,800. Engineer George W. Harding was instructed to report on the bids and bidders and the board deferred the signing of a contract… City Attorney Perry presented a report of an engineer engaged by the city showing an appraisement of the approach for the proposed pleasure pier to be $2.50 a square foot, making the total appraisement $10,803.50. A committee was appointed by the board to confer with the Pacific Electric officials to see if that company would not reduce its price f $12,500 on the property.—Los Angeles Times, July 29, 2015

Award Contract For Great Pier — Redondo Trustees Pass Out Job: Get Promise Of Work At Once — Redondo Beach, Aug. 1.—Deciding upon immediate action regarding the construction of the proposed municipal pleasure and fishing pier, the Board of Trustees last night awarded the contract for the pier to the lowest of there bidders, Leyden-Ortselfen Company of Chicago was given the contract at $108,800, work to commence as soon as possible. While the bonds for the big structure have not been sold yet, the contractor agrees to go ahead with the construction. Official advertising for bids on the bonds will begin on August 23, and in the meantime everything will be put in readiness for quick work. Two approaches to the pier, which will be triangular, will be purchased from the Pacific Electric, the company agreeing to accept $8531 for both approaches in order to expedite the job. The company has been asked by the city for immediate possession of the property. Two strips, thirty feet wide from curb to curb, and about 100 feet long, are included in this purchase. Property owners on both sides will have to pay for the improvements of this property, the Pacific Electric being the principal owner. A new set of plans for working purposes, including specifications for concrete construction, reinforced with steel, have been prepared by Engineer George W. Harding. In order to provide for a deficit in the pier fund, caused by the fact that the contract price and other costs will reach more than the $121,000 authorized by the voters, Trustee Brolanski introduced a resolution providing that $1831 be taken from the general fund and placed in the pier fund. The motion was voted down. An effort will be made to sell the bonds at a premium. The bonds are of $500 and $1000 denominations. —Los Angels Times, August 4, 1915

Redondo Beach, Aug. 10.—The Board of Trustees entered into a contract with the Pacific Electric for the purchase of the two approaches to the proposed municipal pleasure and fishing pier. The price of both properties is $8531. All contracts for the construction, it was brought out at last night’s meeting, hinge upon the successful sale of the bonds, amounting to $121,000.—Los Angeles Times, August 11, 1915

Redondo Beach Pier Bonds Sold — Redondo Beach, Aug. 23.—The sale of the bonds aggregating $121,000, covering the cost of the construction of a concrete pleasure and fishing pier, was authorized tonight to the William R. Stants Company of Los Angeles. The Los Angeles concern offered the city accrued interest on the bonds from July 1 to the date of delivery to the company plus a premium of $13157. The offer of the investment and bond brokers is taken by city officials to indicate that money is not so tight as during the previous months of the European war. The premium of the bond brokers, say city officials, will take care of all additional costs not considered previously to the authorization of the issuance of the $121,000 in bonds. The contract accepted by the Trustees amounts to $108,000, and other costs, including the purchase of approaches to the pier, bring the total cost of the big structure to more than $121,000.—Los Angeles Times, August 24, 1915

News reports soon said that construction would begin on the pier in September. But nothing was happening. Where were the materials and the workers? Why was there a delay?

Work on the municipal pleasure and fishing pier will be begun as soon as possible but the contractors have until September 15 to begin. Owing to the fact that the firm is an eastern one, it may take them longer to get their equipment here than a California concern.—Los Angeles Times, September 6, 1915

The launching of the work marking the beginning of construction of the new municipal pier, which is scheduled for some time this month, will probably be about the time that the heavy autumn storms begin. The contractors and city officials say however, that the work will go ahead, nevertheless. Unless the storms come with too great violence, the contractors say, they will begin their work within about ten days. Otherwise they will probably be granted as extension of time.—Los Angeles Times, September 11, 1915

Contractors Fail To Begin On Job — Redondo Beach Is Wondering Where Materials And Workers Are — Redondo Beach, Sept. 24.—City officials here are perplexed over the failure of the contractors for the new municipal pier to arrive here today for work which was supposed to have begun tomorrow. So far no material nor equipment have been delivered on the job, nor have any representatives of the contractors, the Leyden-Ortselfen Co. of Chicago, appeared to advise the city when the actual construction would be begun. Tomorrow a conference will be held by City Attorney Frank L. Perry, City Engineer Ralph Hanson and the pier engineer, George W. Harding. It is expected that the telegraph wires between here and Chicago will be kept hot for a while after the conference.  The City Trustees do not meet until Monday night, and by that time a technical legal point with reference to the time of starting work will be decided. The contractors apparently believe they have until September 30, but the city officials are disappointed that work was not begun at once. The amount of the contract, $108,600, is ready for use. The contractors have furnished bonds for $81,000.—Los Angeles Times, September 25, 1915

Redondo Beach Wondering Why — Redondo Beach, Sept. 26.—While city officials here are puzzled over the status of the beginning of work on the new municipal pleasure pier, they are also wondering what will be the outcome of a conference tomorrow at Flagstaff, Ariz., between the pier engineer, George W. Harding, and Mr. Ortselfen of the Leyden-Ortselfen Company of Chicago. The Chicago contracting company was awarded the contract for the construction of the pier, but so far no material nor apparatus have appeared on the job and the city officials are disappointed that work has not already been begun. At a conference attended yesterday by Mayor O. N. Tomlinson, City Attorney F. L. Perry and Mr. Harding, the City Attorney gave as his opinion that the company has until the evening of September 30 to begin work, as that will be fifteen days after the receipt by the contractors of notice that the city has the money for the bonds. Engineers say that, if the contractors do intend to go ahead with their contract, they will have to rush material on the job. So it was decided that Mr. Harding would confer with Mr. Ortselfen and learn the company’s intentions. Mr. Harding was authorized to inform the company that a San Francisco-New York contracting company would take the contract off Mr. Ortselfen’s hands if the Chicago contractors felt they were too far away from their base of supplies and equipment. Mr. Harding will report by telegraph in time for tomorrow night’s meeting of the trustees.—Los Angeles Times, September 27, 1915

Up In The Air About New Pier — Redondo Beach Demands To Know Of Contractors What’s To Do — Redondo Beach, Sept. 29.—The Board of Trustees will meet at a special meeting Friday to take some action with regard to the construction of the municipal pleasure and fishing pier. Mr. Ortselfen of Leyden-Ortselfen Company, the contractors, has communicated with the board and said that he will be here Thursday, which is the last day he has before beginning work. It is intimidated that work will begin next week. If such is not the case the board threatens to take some action, as the Trustees have indicated that they are chaffing under the delay already experienced.  A proposition for the city to purchase the stub of the old pier of the Pacific Electric at the foot of Emerald street for $1 was turned down by the board when Trustee Brolaski pointed out that it would cost the city from $4000 to $5000 to remove the old structure.—Los Angeles Times, September 30, 2015

 The City Council finally decided to act and rewarded the contract to a different firm.

Redondo Beach Pier To Be Begun In Next Few Days — Redondo Beach, Oct. 2.—The contract for the new triangular-shaped pier, originally let to the Leyden-Ortselfen Company of Chicago, has been turned over to the McArthur Brothers Company of New York by the Board of Trustees following the cancellation of the original agreement with the first-named firm.  The failure of the Leyden-Ortselfen company to start work as required by the terms of their contract brought forth a lengthy resolution from Trustee Brolaski wherein the Commonwealth Bonding Company, acting as sureties for the contractors, were instructed immediately to take charge of the work and rush the pier to completion.  Permission was given the bonding company to engage the McArthur Bros. company to complete the work. A representative of the McArthur company has assured the city officials that actual work would be begun within three days. —Los Angeles Times, October 3, 1915

In October of 1915 construction finally started on the “Endless Pier,” a somewhat triangular-shaped pier that was heralded as “the most unique over-the-sea structure in the country.” The southern leg began at Coral Way, in front of the Bath House, and extended out 450 feet before meeting the platform at the end. The northern leg began at Emerald Street near the Pavilion (approximately where Wharf No. 1 once stood), was slightly shorter, and at the end contained an attractive restaurant. A 160×200-foot-platfrom connected the two legs. The pier was built of reinforced concrete and shaped much like today’s horseshoe pier. Nearly a dozen large shaded benches provided shelter from the sun or rain for those strolling the pier. To give non-fishing visitors protection from errant fishing lines, hooks, and fish, a fishing deck was extended out from the pier. In many ways it was one of the best-designed piers both for the angling and non-angling public. Unfortunately, the design was flawed and the pier would be short lived.

Redondo Beach Pier Wonder of Engineering — Redondo Beach, Oct. 19.—With the arrival of all necessary equipment for the construction of the triangular-shaped concrete pier at Redondo Beach, actual work has been begun on what will be one of the most unique over-the-sea structures on the Pacific Coast. Within a period of 180 working days the McArthur Brothers Company of New York, the contractors, agree to have the pier ready for the use of the public. Projecting seaward in the form of a huge V and terminating in a broad fishing platform 200 feet square, on the brink of the great submarine canyon that has made Redondo Beach the mecca for thousands of disciples of Isaak Walton, the new pier is expected to attract the attention of hosts of tourists that annually make their pilgrimage westward. One leg of the pier triangle will rest on the front of Emerald street, one of the principal thoroughfares of the beach city, and the other will have its base at the southerly end of the great saltwater plunge. A new street, lined with buildings, is planned for the southerly entrance to the pier.  The large stations of stone construction with tiled roofs will offer rest for those who love to sit and watch the sea, while a large sun parlor and aquarium at the outer end will prove an added thing of beauty.  The entire pier will be brilliantly illuminated at night by a unique and original lighting system. Part of the outer platform will be reserved exclusively for fishermen, whereon no one without the necessary fishing paraphernalia may venture. The pier when completed will be nearly 600 feet out from the shore line, will be of concrete construction, and will cost in the neighborhood of $125,000. The pilings run from thirty-five feet in length at the shore-end to ninety-five feet at the outermost end. They will penetrate to a depth of thirty feet where extremely deep water is reached. George W. Harding, the structural engineer in charge, states that he has been besieged in all parts of the country in regard to the engineering difficulties connected with the work. Harding and F. E. Roberts of San Francisco, who is in active charge for the contractors, will be the guests of honor at a “christening” celebration planned for Tuesday, at which time Congressman Stephens will also be present. An all-day celebration followed by a masquerade ball in the pavilion, planned by Marshall Craig of the executive committee of the Chamber of Commerce, is expected to usher in the new pier in the proper manner. Miss Tomlinson, daughter of Mayor Tomlinson, will break a bottle of champagne over the first concrete piling to be driven. The city will be gaily decorated in preparation for the event. The Southern California Rod and Reel Club will have a large delegation on hand for the occasion.—Los Angeles Times, October 11, 1915

However, even though construction finally would begin, controversy would continue. Amazingly it would be over the fluid in the bottle used to dedicate the new pier. It’s hard today, so far removed from those years, to understand the attitudes toward alcohol that would result in “Prohibition” just five years later.

Contents Of Bottle Addle Beach Brains — Redondo Beach, Oct.13.—Active construction on the huge new pleasure pier was begun today with a dedication ceremony in which Miss Ruth Tomlinson, daughter of Redondo’s Mayor, christened the structure by breaking a large green bottle of mysterious fluid over the north approach.  What was in the bottle? That’s what is puzzling Redondo. “Champagne of course,” aver adherents of formal christenings such as given battleships. “Sea water,” stoutly assert the prohibitionists. “We protested the use of champagne and cold ‘sparkling water’ was substituted.” “But we heard it pop,” say many. “Carbonated sea water,” retort the promoters of the aqua pura theory.  “We’re from Missouri,” chorus those on the other side. “There’s one pop that can’t be imitated.” Meanwhile Chairman Jack Funk of the Entertainment Committee, being questioned on the all important point, declined to answer and merely looked wise. The protest to the use of champagne was signed by Rev. John Hadley and it is said the Chamber of Commerce promised to have sea water substituted for the bubbling spirits, much to the chagrin of many who wanted to see $7 worth of joy water douse the new pier. Did the pre-arranged plans slip? That’s the question of the day in Redondo Beach. At any rate it was a regular christening. Miss Tomlinson, suffering just a trifle from stage fright, was introduced by Congressman W. D. Stephens, the speaker of the day. “I dedicate this pleasure pier for Redondo Beach,” said the pretty maid and crash went the bottle of—what? “There’s no evidence either way except a picture of the bottle which some say shows the tin-foil top has been tampered with, while others say they can see no real break. There is nothing left of the bottle or contents, for the surf carried away the fragments. —Los Angeles Times, October 14, 1915

In honor of the new pier it was announced that it would be the model for Redondo’s float in the Tournament of Roses parade.

Miniature Pier — Redondo Beach, Dec. 8.—An exact replica of the triangle pleasure pier, now building, wull br made of wild flowers the color of cement and form the float that this e city will enter in the 1916 Tournament of Roses. In planning and building the float George W. Harding construction engineer of the MacArthur Brothers Company, who are erecting the new municipal pier, will cooperate with the committee selected by the Chamber of Commerce. —Los Angeles Times, December 9, 1915 

Great Pleasure Pier Nearing Completion — Redondo Beach, Feb. 7.—The $110,000 municipal pier, the only one of such design on the Pacific Coast, is so far along that it should be completed in time for the spring fishing season. The pier was begun October 10, last, and will be finished in April. It is built so that its inner form is a half-circle. It extends over 600 feet out into the ocean and is 2300 feet from the entrance, around the pier to the exit. There is, therefore, no end to the pier, which is the unusual part of it.  The piles are the largest and heaviest of any wharf on the southern coast. They are reinforced with steel and weigh from sixteen to twenty tons each. The piles in the deep-water part of the pier are heavier and weigh over thirty tons. They are from thirty to eight-five feet long and there will be 270 or more of them.  More than 100 men on the day and night shifts are engaged now in the work of jettying from five to nine of these piles per shift into the ocean bed.  The greatest fishing hole on the south coast is on the left side, near the end of the pier. At low tide it is fifty feet deep there, and at high tide sixty-five or seventy feet. The submarine canyon is constantly full of different kinds of fish. On this side there will be more than usual number of fishing seats built, with comfortable backs to the seats and feet props.  A person who will walk around the pier when it is completed will travel almost half a mile. There will be ten rest stations with umbrella shades and seats. In the middle, where the two wings join, will be an extension of the pier into the ocean in rectangular form, the three sides taking up 400 feet. Here is where the observatory, elevated about ten or twelve feet high, will be situated. It will have glass walls on all sides. On the side where the deep fish bed will be a landing for fish boats.  In June, last year, when the citizens of Redondo Beach voted for a municipal pier, there were three factions with different opinions about the proposed location of the new pier. The difference of one block made an important issue between property holders who were desirous of having the pier near them. Partly because the design was so unusual and the structure when completed, would be a brace for itself, and partly as a compromise, the present plan was chosen, which is the same as two piers because each entrance starts a block from the other in the main part of the concession district. MacArthur Bros. of Los Angeles are the contractors, C. L. Roberts, superintendent; George W. Harding, engineer and special designer, and J. R. Kirby and C. S. Robinson are some of the reputable men who are engaged at the location in Redondo Beach until the pier is finished. —Los Angeles Times, February 13, 1916

Redondo Builds A Pier To Help The Fishermen — Redondo Beach, Feb. 2.—The southeast corner of the new circular pier at this place has already won a reputation as one of the best spots, if not the best little spot on the Coast, for fishing. The reason for this is, that according to the bait, any kind of fish seems to bite.  An unusual circumstance is the cause of this. The ocean’s bed forms a canyon, the edge of which runs up at a sharp angle and at a 2-foot curve, near the shore, and the new pier was built so that it would extend into a corner of this deep hole where so many kinds of fish always are coming and going. The submarine canyon in one place at the pier is eleven fathoms deep, or sixty-six feet. In another place, ninety-six feet of water is within easy cast. The advantages of deep-sea fishing have already been found on the partially completed pier, at this particular corner. Yesterday Herbert Guthree caught a thirty-pound yellowtail from this corner, and today a local lad caught a huge halibut. The new pier will be finished by April in time for the spring and summer season. On the corner where the deep bed is, there will be extra facilities for fishing provided and a bulletin board giving the times of tides, so that fishermen will know when is the best time to fish. The incoming tides often bring surprises, in the kind of schools of fish that drift in… —Los Angeles Times, February 22, 1916

Once again though there was disagreement and a delay.  

Dispute Over Landing — Redondo Beach, March 18.—That a favorable boat landing of the new pier is something worth scrapping for was made evident when two interested parties representing different views came before the Council. The location for the landing has twice been changed and Special Engineer Harding says that of the location of the landing is changed again, the city will have an added expense of $1000 as the concrete piles are in now. George Peterson, an old pilot, told Mayor Tomlinson that unless the landing location is changed boats will be able to land there about one-fourth of the time at best. Other interested citizens stated that as the new pier is one of the best fishing spots on the coast, it would be foolish to take up so much room for a landing farther out on the pier. The Mayor turned the matter over to the Public Properties Committee. —Los Angels Times, March 19, 1916

May Defer Pier Opening — Redondo Beach, March 22.—The opening of the new pier will probably be postponed from April 29 to a later date, according to a letter to the Mayor from J. R. Hitchcock of the Santa Fe, requesting that the date of the opening also of El Paseo be postponed. MacArthur Bros, the contractors and builders of the new pier, state the announcement of the opening day was made without any consultation wit them and it is not possible to have the pier finished at that date. —Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1916

Dives For Engine — Redondo Beach, M<arch 25.—Both pile drivers used in the construction of the new municipal pier here went to the bottom of the ocean in the recent storm, and today Alfred Christy, a diver, was under water for one hour and three-quarters and succeeded in locating one of the engines. The other one has not been found and work cannot proceed on the pier until the large derricks are brought up from the ocean bed. —Los Angeles Times, March 2, 1916

An interesting proposal was made for an aquarium on the pier although it apparently was never built.

Marine Aquarium At Redondo Beach — Redondo Beach, June 5.—Hector Alliott, curator of the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles, has offered through W. M. McKnight, manager of the Southern California Edison Company here, an aquarium to be built on the new concrete pier in this city, now nearing completion. The Los Angeles Museum will appropriate a portion of the expense money for the maintenance of the aquarium. Mr. Alliott asserts that Redondo Beach is the best field for creating a marine biological station and marine museum, and proposes to erect such a station on the municipal pier as a free public museum for information.  Mr. Alliott has plans under way whereby the City Council will combine with the local Chamber of Commerce in securing the funds for the building, and the Southwest Museum would superintend the erection and operation of the station. The city will probably appropriate the amount sufficient for two caretakers and operating expenses. The arrangement and operation of exhibits would be under the personal care of Me. Alliott and his assistants. The building will cost approximately $5000, and $2000 has already been appropriate here. It will probably be built along the same lines as the Southwest Museum in Highland Park, in the Spanish architectural style. —Los Angeles Times, June 6, 1916

Amidst all of the delays, fishing began to take place on the pier. Anglers have never needed an “official” opening date to hold back their enthusiasm or ability to grab a spot and begin fishing.

Lots Of Mackerel Run At Redondo — Redondo Beach, June 15.— Due to the fact that the other two wharves hare are roped off while the men are unloading the ships, the new municipal pier is the only place where people can fish, and several large halibut, as well as mackerel, were caught today by the anglers. Joseph Henderson caught the first “corn fed” mackerel of the season today with a small rod and reel. The “corn feds” do not usually come into these waters until the month of August. Perch are also biting well. —Los Angeles Times, June 16, 1916

Council Accepts Handsome New Municipal Pier — Redondo Beach, July 26.—The new $110,000 municipal pier in this city was formally accepted by the City Council last night and plans are rapidly progressing for a gran opening on August 5. Every night the pier is lit with myriads of red, white and blue lights, which give a novel and wonderful effect from a distance. The lights are on the outside as well as the inside of the circular pier, and there are 500 of them distributed at each of the nine comfort stations around the pier. The pier is entirely of concrete giving an absolute finish of white, and there is a glass sun parlor in the center, in the deep-water part. The opening day will also be Garden Valley Day here. —Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1916

Two Gay Days To Mark Opening Of Great Pier — Redondo Beach will blossom out in a gigantic celebration Saturday and Sunday to commemorate the official opening of the $125,000 pleasure pier. A fireworks display, an exhibition of high and fancy diving from the new pier by Redondo Beach diving beauties, and dancing on the pier at night with incidental confetti battles and a masquerade, will be features of the two days of celebration. The new pier is one of the finest of its kind on the West Coast. It is triangular in shape, with a double approach from the shore, converging in a great platform, 165×270 feet, right over one of the deepest and best fishing holes on the coast. All construction is of solid reinforced concrete, built to withstand the highest seas. A system of electric lights, hundreds in number, serves to create a beautiful illumination at night. Many notable persons from all parts of Southern California will take part in the grand opening Saturday. The Mayors of various Southern California cities, with the secretaries of various chambers of commerce, will be the guests of honor. Saturday afternoon literary exercises will be held. In the evening a great fireworks display will officially open the pier. A dance will follow.  The next day will be featured by the giving away of thousands of flowers, presented by the city of Redondo Beach. During both evenings of dancing $100 in cash prizes will be given to the couples wearing the best and most unusual costumes. —Los Angeles Times, August 2, 1916

Strawberry Day At The Beach — Redondo Beach, Aug. 2—The city will celebrate the completion of its municipal $110,000 pier on Saturday and Sunday in conjunction with the people of Gardena, Torrance, Moneta, Lometa, and Bridgedale, who will come here Saturday to celebrate Strawberry Valley Day… Little flower girls will strew roses on the ocean, and the pier, which is finished in concrete, will be deprived of its whiteness by bright bunting and flags, and electrical displays in the evening.—Los Angeles Times, August 3, 1916

Redondo Beach Opens Its New Pleasure Pier

 Redondo Beach, Aug.5—This city celebrated the opening of the new municipal $125,000 pier here today and festivities began with a programme at 10 o’clock a.m. and will be continued through tomorrow. In connection with the opening of the new pier, Strawberry Valley day was held here and the cities of Gardena, Torrance, Moneta and Bridgedale held their annual picnic here, with George A. Proctor master of ceremonies and a committee composed of the Messrs. Robertson, Murray, Pitman, Hendricks and Smith; Sports Committee, Toetz, Norton, Bittleston, Ormsbee; judges, D. N. Towne, Vagel, Smith and George Towne, and Dance Committee, H. Dolley and C. I. Tilley.  Miss Ruth Roland and her company of film players and the Vermont Society of Southern California, of which Mr. H. T. McGee is president and Mrs. Henry George, secretary, were here.  Considerable excitement was caused on the new pier this afternoon when two policemen arrested the bathing girls for appearing in public with their tight-fitting bathing suits. The girls dove from the center of the new pier for a motion picture concern and made their exit from the crowd holding barrels around them.  There were over 7000 people here and a banquet was held at the Casino Club Café tonight, some of the speakers being Lieut.-Governor Stephens, R. L. Bisby, Mayor Sebastian of Los Angeles and others. Dancing was initiated at the casino tonight for the first time, and the orchestra, which usually plays on the main floor, was transferred to the balcony and the space cleared for dancing on the first floor. The pleasure pier, which is constructed of reinforced concrete, has been built by the city as an expenditure of $125,000 and is of unique design, having a double approach from the shore and being built in the form of a triangle with a platform 165×270 feet in size on the ocean end. On the floor of the pier at the ocean end a two-story sun-parlor and observation pavilion has been erected and at various points along the pier shaded settees have been made for the pleasure and comfort of the public. The special conveniences for fishermen consist of an outer fishing deck built along the sides and end of the pier, which keeps them away from the annoyance of the promenaders, who, as a rule, are too curious to know all about the latest catch. —Los Angeles Times, August 6, 1916

A view of the Redondo Beach Municipal Pier — the Endless Pier. Although dated 1921, this is the way the pier would have looked when new in 1916.

Redondo Beach — The Redondo Beach Rod and Reel Club will be born into the world next week with the installation of tables in the sun parlor of the new $125,000 municipal pier. Anyone fishing from the pier, after signing, can receive a button and prizes will be given for the best catch every day. —Los Angeles Times, April 29, 1917

Two-Day Jubilee For Coast Town — Preparations for the two-day jubilee at Redondo Beach, Saturday and Sunday, the most pretentious ever planned for the coast city, were completed yesterday by the beach town’s Chamber of Commerce. The affair will have a double significance and purpose, as it will both mark the first anniversary of the completion of the beach city’s endless concrete pleasure pier, the only thing of its kind on the Coast, and the inauguration of the new $4,000,000 harbor project, for which Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach have voted to bond themselves for $100,000. Assuring the success of the celebration, Mary Pickford, who is the idol of perhaps more women and girls than any other person in America, and Julia Heinrich, prima donna soprano of the Metropolitan Grand Opera House of New York, daughter of the famous Max Heinrich, will take part in the programme. Miss Heinrich is spending the summer at La Jolla and this will be her first appearance in Southern California in ten years. It will be Mary Pickford’s second appearance in public hereabouts in several years. Her part will be to strew some thousands of Redondo-grown carnations on the waves as a return compliment to Father Neptune, who is to present a quit-claim deed to the harbor tidelands to the Mayor of Redondo Beach… The two-day celebration will include, among its numerous incidents, open-air dancing on the new pier, a display of fireworks, the scattering of thousands of carnations among the crowds, exhibition diving from a height of thirty feet into the ocean, vaudeville, etc. —Los Angeles Times, August 6, 1917

From the opening day the pier was jammed with anglers.

 Sea Bass Invade Waters of Redondo — Redondo Beach, Oct. 24.—A school of sea bass, estimated at several hundred, earned considerable excitement among the fishermen on the triangular pier this morning. The fish frightened all the small fish away but it was great sport for the fishermen attempting to catch the large fish with their small hooks and lines. The fish were so thick that snag lines were used freely and although many of the fish were snagged, none could be landed on the pier. One fisherman alone snagged eleven of the fish. The sea bass average from thirty to fifty pounds in weight. They remained in the inside of the pier all morning. Fishermen claim that this is the first time a school of sea bass has come so close to the shore. They believe they were chased in by a school of jewfish. —Los Angeles Times, October 25, 1918

Alas, the “Wonder of Engineering,” the pier “built to withstand the highest seas,” failed to last three years of Mother Nature’s hammering from wind and wave. A brutal storm in March of 1919 combining heavy tides and an unprecedented undertow, cracked and tore out the outer section of the pier.

Redondo Beach, Mar. 7.—Heavy seas and currents sweeping in on the Redondo pleasure pier have so undermined it that the outer end of the pier collapsed during the night at a loss of approximately $50,000. No one was on the pier at the time. —Santa Ana Register, March 7, 1919

Heavy Tide Damages New Municipal Pier — Redondo Beach, Cal., Mar. 7.—Battered by heavy tides for two nights the extreme outer part of the municipal pier has been washed away, causing a loss estimated at from $50,000 to $75,000. The sun parlor, promenade and fishing deck of the pier were dropped into the ocean. The pier was built in 1916, at a cost of $125,000. Work of reconstruction is to be started immediately, it was announced by President Richardson of the city board of trustees. —Oxnard Courier, March 7, 1919

Heavy Seas Damage Redondo City Pier — Los Angeles, March 7.—A municipal pleasure pier at Redondo, a beach town near here, was badly damaged today by heavy seas which wrecked the sea end of the concrete structure and demolished a number of frame buildings on the pier occupied by various concessions. The pier, which was built in the shape of a V, cost about $150,000. The wrecked portion was about 200 feet long and 155 feet wide. Municipal authorities estimated the loss at $50,000 or more and said reconstruction would be undertaken at once.—San Francisco Chronicle, March 8, 1919 

Wind And Waves Play Havoc — Redondo Beach Pier Partly Wrecked — The windstorm which began on Thursday night and continued until an early hour yesterday morning did considerable throughout Southern California, chiefly in conjunction wit the heavy seas it created… the storm was a typical sou’wester.  The giant breakers and heavy undertow resulting from the wind wrecked the outer end of the Redondo Beach triangular pleasure pier, causing a damage estimated at about $30,000. The outer tier of concrete pilings was washed into the ocean, as was also the sun parlor and restaurant, and about one-half of the concrete flooring of the outer end. Steps were at once taken by Street Superintendent E. Jensen to prevent a larger portion of the pier from washing away. A special meeting of the Trustees was called yesterday at which it was decided to repair the pier at once, so that it will be ready for use this summer.  The undertow is said to have been the strongest ever known at the beach. The old pilings of pier No. 1, which had been buried in the ground when the pier was wrecked and the new pier constructed, were torn up by the undertow and thrown against the concrete pilings by the terrific breakers with great force. The damage done to the pier is ascribed chiefly to this. Another theory is that the heavy undertow caused a cave-in of the submarine canyon, near whose edge the outer end of the pier is built. This canyon reaches a great depth a short distance from the outer end of the pier. A danger line has been stretched across the pier, beyond which the public is forbidden to pass. Wreckage from the pier and from the old pilings dug up by the undertow fairly littered the south beaches, and a large number of persons were busy all day getting whatever salvage they could carry away. The pier was completed in 1916 at a cost of $125,000, but several thousand dollars have been spent in additional improvements. The pier is made of concrete, is triangular in shape, converging about 700 feet out in the ocean. It is the only pier of its kind in the world, and regarded by many as the finest pier on the Pacific Coast. —Los Angeles Times, March 8, 1919

Wave-Rapped Pier Is Viewed By Thousands

 Redondo Beach, March 9.—Thousands of persons came down from Los Angeles and other near-by cities today to view the damage done to the municipal pier during the severe windstorm Thursday night and early Friday morning, making the largest winter crowd that has attended the beach in a single day in many years. It is estimated that fully 10,000 visitors were in Redondo Beach today. —Los Angeles Times, March 10, 1919

Almost immediately some people began to question the original engineering of the pier as well as its concrete structure.

James Tail has written his brother, R. S. Tait, of this city from Redondo Beach that the heavy seas washed out a section of the fine concrete pier at Redondo—in fact, the entire sea end of the structure, a very costly loss. The pier cost $125,000. “It was a wise thing that Santa Cruz did not build a concrete pier,” said the postal. —Santa Cruz Evening News, March 13, 1919

Given its heavy use and the status of the pier in the community, as well as the tremendous cost of the recently opened pier, plans were started almost immediately to repair the pier.

Plan To Repair Pier — Redondo Beach, Mar. 13,—E. K. Barnard of the firm of Barnard & Leeds, engineers, Los Angeles, with his engineers, accompanied by Mayor Richardson, Louis Field, City Councilman and others interested in the big project of repairing the pier, the main part of which dropped into the sea last Friday, have made examinations, soundings and a general survey. According to Mayor Richardson, the work of reconstruction will begin immediately upon acceptance of the engineer’s plans and it is proposed to have the pier in perfect order in time for the summer season opener. —Santa Ana Register, March 13, 1919

Order Bond Election — Redondo Beach, May 20.—The Board of Trustees, at their meeting last night, called a bond election for $25,000 to repair the municipal pier, which was severely damaged by a storm some months ago. The election is called for June 2. —Los Angeles Times, May 21, 1919

Vote For Pier Bonds — Redondo Beach, June 4.—By a vote of 245 to 80 the citizens of this city at an election yesterday expressed their approval of a $25,000 bond issue to repair the municipal pier. The pier, which cost $125,000, was severely damaged during a storm a few months ago. Work will be started as soon as possible, so that it will be completed before the close of the summer season. —Los Angeles Times, June 5, 1919

Unfortunately the money would not restore the pier to its original look. Although the outer curve of the pier was straightened, the pavilion (sun parlor?) would not be restored. Nor would the  fishing deck be rebuilt, the deck which had separated anglers from the public (and which was a great aid to anglers on the pier). Unfortunately this would not be the only storm to damage the pier; repairs and renovation would continue for years until finally the pier was condemned, barely ten years after being built.

Costly Windstorm — Redondo Beach, Dec. 20—The north wind that came sweeping down the coast, in the wake of heavy showers Sunday morning, played havoc with the fishermen of this beach last night… Some apprehension was felt for the safety of the newly repaired municipal pier but it came through the buffeting of the huge breakers without a tremor. —Los Angeles Times, December 21, 1920

Boys Find Jewelry — Fish Line Drags Up Bag Of Loot Stolen In Los Angeles — Redondo Beach, Sept. 8.—Some of the valuables taken from Nieman’s Jewelry Store, 126 West Sixth street, Los Angeles, were recovered in Redondo yesterday by three boys who were fishing on the municipal pier. They thought they had hooked a whale. When the line was drawn to the top of the water, they found the hook tangled in a long, black bag. When this was opened up, a lot of jewelry, most of it of little value, was found. The bag was taken to the police station. Chief Henry at once notified the Los Angeles jeweler of the discovery. The property included a wristwatch, six strings of beads, some white gold settings and a number if tiny jeweler’s saws. The boys who made the unusual find are Leland Morgan and Everett and Glenn Chasten. —Los Angeles Times, September 9, 1923

Lands Strange Fish — Redondo Beach, July 24.—A strange looking fish believed by deep-sea fishermen to be a sand shark or a species of the Ray fish from Mexican waters was hauled onto the Municipal pier this morning by a pole fisherman after a sharp tussle lasting forty minutes. The fish is round in shape, with the mouth on the underside, looking much like the stingray, but without the ray’s long needle-like tail. —Los Angeles Times, July 25, 1924 

Arizona Man Here Hooks Fine Halibut — Redondo Beach, Aug. 14.—Residents of Phoenix, Ariz., will learn more of Redondo and its fame as a fishing center when Frank Hegman, prominent contractor of that city, gets home. Mr. Hegman, who is spending his vacation here with his wife and son, pulled a twenty-one and a half-pound halibut from the Municipal Pier here today. Other fishermen also are getting good catches with a remarkable run of bonito as well as halibut and mackerel. —Los Angeles Times, August 15, 1925

Yellowtail Run On — Redondo Beach Fishermen Meet With Heavy Catches — Redondo Beach, Sept. 5.—Yellowtail in huge schools are being encountered by local fishermen from the Municipal Pier and from the boats, with prospects of the heaviest run in several years —Los Angeles Times, September 6, 1925

Heavy Swells Injure Pier At Redondo — Redondo Beach, Calif., Feb. 5.—Heavy swells today tore loose the boat landing from the municipal concrete pier and after being lashed in against the pier, cracking several piles, it was carried out into the breaker line. —Los Angeles Times, February 5, 1926

Redondo Beach Pier Closed By Official Order — Redondo Beach, April 1.—The Redondo Beach municipal pier was condemned as hazardous by the department of safety of the State Industrial Accident Commission today, and at a hastily called meeting of the City Board of Trustees was officially closed to the public, effective immediately. A. B. Wegner, construction engineer of the State commission, who examined the concrete pier, reported that it was unsafe for public use and that big cracks had appeared in sixty-two of the iron and concrete piers. T. W. Osgood, assistant State Superintendent of the Department of Safety of the commission, presented Wagner’s report to the Board of Trustees, along with the commission’s condemnation of the pier. He stated that the pier had been found hazardous and in danger of collapse under the weight of a crowd. The Board of Trustees promptly ordered the pier closed to the public and fences erected across its entrances. The only remedy, the Trustees held, is for the city to vote a bond issue for repair of the structure —Los Angeles Times, April 2, 1927

Soon after, work would begin on a new pier for Redondo in basically the same spot. It would be slightly different in design, made of wood, and become known as the “Horseshoe Pier.”

Contract Let To Replace Old Pier — Redondo Beach, April 5.—Peter W. Krantz was awarded the contract for building a new wooden pier to replace the concrete municipal pier closed and condemned last year. Krantz was awarded the contract on a bid of $62,000, about $400 above the engineer’s estimate. Other bids for building the pier and wrecking the abandoned one ran as high as $100,000. United States district engineers will supervise the wrecking of the old pier as the debris is to be banked against the Pacific Electric breakwater or moved out into the channel before the new pier is begun. An effort is being made to have the pier in use by early summer. —Los Angeles Times, April 6, 1928

The story of Redondo and its early wharves is one that is far more complex than that seen at the typical California seaside towns that sprang up in the late 1800s. The plan by the Redondo Beach Company may initially have centered on real estate and the sale of land to newcomers from “back east” but it soon evolved into a many-layered affair.

In part, geography influenced its history. Due to its deep, submarine canyon, Redondo was quickly proclaimed a prime spot for a seaport and became in the eyes of many, the logical port for Los Angeles. But the money to be made from real estate and shipping would be supplemented by money from tourists who, it was hoped, would flock to the town as more and more attractions were added (the Redondo Hotel, Bath House, Pavilion, etc.).

In part, capitalism and changing technology played a large part. Railroads supplemented the cart and buggy on land while steamships provided fairly reliable transportation on the sea.  The story of Redondo’s railroads, the two railway lines that would run to Redondo in 1888, and then the competition between the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific for supremacy in the early1900s (when the Long Wharf at Santa Monica was built) provided more drama to the story.

The war between the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific would eventually metastasize into a bitter, hydra-headed affair that included the backers of Santa Monica, Redondo Beach and San Pedro, the railroads, and the state and the federal government. When the federal government finally decided to build a breakwater that would provide protection for the wharves at San Pedro, it signaled the end to the hopes of Santa Monica and Redondo to be THE port for Los Angeles.

In time, the people of Redondo Beach would give up on the idea of Redondo as a port. Later, they would see their role as a tourist destination begin to decline. Eventually, the citizens began to recognize their future was as a pleasant, oceanfront town, one that would always offer amusement and pleasure to visitors but also one that centered on the needs of its own citizens.

But, to some degree, it all started with a wharf, the wharf that eventually would become known   as Wharf No. 1. Initially, before additional wharves were built, it was simply the Redondo Wharf or, for some, the Santa Fe Wharf. The wharf would provide the opportunity for Redondo to be a port and provide an end point (or beginning point) for passengers and freight headed to and from Los Angeles.

Although the exact ground breaking date is unknown, construction of Wharf No. 1 at the foot of Emerald Street (approximately where today’s municipal pier is located) had begun by the spring of 1888. Nor is the exact date of completion known although by early December 1888 most of the work was finished. It also isn’t clear if the wharf that emerged late that year was the wharf mentioned in newspaper stories—a  “temporary wharf” to precede an “iron wharf.”  What is clear is that the wharf became one of the most important wharves on the coast and, in due time, would do battle with San Pedro and the Long Wharf at Santa Monica for designation as the “Port of Los Angeles.”

It is also clear that Wharf No. 1 became one of the two greatest “fishing piers” on the coast. It, together with the McFadden Wharf (at Newport Beach), would see more big fish caught than any other piers in California. And while quality was shared with Newport, the sheer quantity of fish taken from Redondo’s Wharf No. 1 was probably never matched,

Literally thousands of anglers fished from Wharf No. 1 from the year it was built. The same would be true at Wharf No. 2, Wharf No. 3, and the Redondo Beach Municipal Pier. In most cases the anglers began to fish a wharf when it was still only partly finished. Such was the enthusiasm engendered by the quality of fishing at Redondo.

Unfortunately, the numbers of fish caught by those thousands of recreational anglers, when combined with the number of fish caught by commercial anglers (by rod and net) almost assured an eventual decrease in the numbers of fish.

From its start in the late 1880s until the first decades of the 1900s fishing generally remained good at Redondo; at times it was sensational. But, the number of exceptionally good days, and the number of big fish, i.e., giant sea bass and yellowtail, decreased. The signs that fishing was “not the same as earlier” were there for the people who had fished the piers for years but the causes of the decrease were complex and often ignored.

Some have said this was an age of “ecological innocence,” a time when people felt the oceans would always be full of fish — no matter what they did. However, the warnings were frequent, especially regarding the commercial netters, and the innocence should quickly have been lost.

In the Beginning — 1887 saw much of the land that would become Redondo Beach purchased by a real estate syndicate and quickly they announced they would build a wharf:

A $400,000 Deal — The Splendid Dominguez Property Purchased by a Syndicate

The latest and biggest real estate deal of the week is the purchase of about 1400 acres of the San Pedro Rancho, known as the “Dominguez Property and Salt Works,” by Judge Charles Silent, D. McFarland and N. R. Vail… The frontage on the beach is about a mile and a half long, gradually sloping back for a half mile to an elevation of 600 feet. The surface is beautifully diversified and rolling, thus affording a view of surpassing loveliness and grandeur for miles in all directions, including Los Angeles, Ballona, and the whole valley… The lots will be laid out according to designs by and under the general supervision of William H. Hall, at present State Engineer. Mr. Hall built the Golden Gate Park at San Francisco… It is the purpose of the syndicate to erect an iron pier for vessels and pleasure-boats… A magnificent hotel, similar to the far-famed Del Monte, will be erected… —Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1887

That same year saw the discovery of the submarine canyon, a fact that led the Santa Fe Railroad to decide to make Redondo Beach its “Southern Terminal.” An article soon appeared that  discussed the advantages of Redondo as a deep-water port:

 Deep-Sea Commerce —Where Can It Be Harbored on the Southern Coast?

For several months past a very interesting study has been in progress which nearly concerns the welfare of Los Angeles, and, indeed, of the southern end of the state generally. It appears we have no deep-water harbor or sheltered deep-water landing thus far established. There are only two harbors on the Southern coast—Wilmington and San Diego. The one does not admit even medium sized ships, and the other will admit a moderately large ship when heavily laden, only at high tide.

The Redondo Beach Company finding in their property the command of an unexpectedly deep-water frontage, have quietly had this whole subject sifted, and now in response to an earnest call from the Board of Trade for the information as matter of public interest, have sent to President Eugene Germain copies of the reports of their advising engineers…

A synopsis of the report of Col. H. G. Mendell upon the natural conditions of Redondo Beach as a commercial seaboard point and upon the construction to develop its advantages… The colonel says: “The ten fathom contour is within 500 feet of shore.” And then he says that “in front of Santa Monica it is one-half miles out” to the depth which is only 500 feet out at Redondo Beach. Concluding this subject he says that “the only other point on the adjacent coast presenting similar characteristics is about thirty miles to the southward, where the ten fathom curve comes to within 1200 feet of the shore at a place a little above the Newport estuary,” and further says that “this feature belongs to no other frontage on Santa Monica Bay proper.” Attention is then called to the fact that, “the close proximity of deep water is a feature of great value. First, it presents the obvious advantage of giving a maximum amount of accommodation for a minimum length of wharf, less expensive both to build and maintain. As compared with others, the exposure of a structure thus located is much less, because it soon passes into a depth, where the motion of the water is oscillatory and not percussive, in which position the structure receives no blows from breaking waves. Another advantage is that vessels lying at a wharf thus located in water of considerable depth, are free from the disturbances due to ground swells of the ordinary sea wave, and as the water deepens seaward, no disturbance is propagated from waves breaking outside the wharf… These conditions give this position a peculiar value for commercial uses not shared with any other in the vicinity…

The next division of the report is devoted to the exposure of the water frontage at Redondo Beach to winds and waves… the clear outlook from the beach is bounded by land over three-fourths of the horizon and is opened for about 8 points of the compass only: “it is open only to the westerly winds of summer and to the southwesterly winds in winter, and it is well covered from the northerly and from the “southeast to southerly storms.”… “in all ordinary weather during the prevalence of northerly winds, vessels could discharge at a wharf at Redondo Beach.” … “If it be established that vessels can lie here free from exposure to southerly seas and winds to which the bay of San Pedro is to a great extent open, Redondo at once becomes a position of prime importance.”

…”For deep-water vessels it is desirable to have at least four fathoms of water alongside of a pier.  To reach this depth at Redondo Beach a pier has to be only 300 or 400 feet in length from shore, whereas at Newport it would have to be at a thousand feet in length; at Point Fermin it would have to be 1500 feet in length, and in San Pedro Bay it would have to be from 3000 to 4000 feet in length.”

These comparisons made, Colonel Mendall says, “steamers from San Francisco, landing first at Redondo, would doubtless there discharge their passengers, who would reach Los Angeles some hours earlier than they can now, or than they could do if landed on piers in San Pedro Bay… “It appears to me that under existing conditions, a pier at Redondo Beach with railroad connections to Los Angeles would at once secure the passenger travel and freight to and from San Francisco, and the deep-sea freight, lumber and coal not consigned to the Southern Pacific Railroad…—Los Angeles Herald, January 11, 1888

Work continued on both the railroad and on the wharf:

Ready For Traffic — Opening of the Redondo Road—the First Trip

The first train over the Redondo Beach road was hauled over that line on Monday…This new line forms an important addition to the commercial enterprises of Los Angeles. Twenty miles in length, it starts from the Santa Fe depot at First street, traverses the rich Inglewood, Centinela and Sausal Redondo valleys and terminates at one of the most favored watering spots on the coast. A pier wharf 1,100 feet wide is to be built there and two vessels are now unloading lumber at a temporary wharf for that purpose. —Los Angeles Herald, April 4, 1888

 Fishing —

[A few explanatory notes in regard to the fish. In the late 1800s and early 1900s corbina were generally called surf, or surf fish, and the small corbina were called nippers. Mackerel seem to have come in two sizes, regular small mackerel and large mackerel that were usually called corn-fed mackerel. Finally, giant (black) sea bass were given the unfortunate name jewfish, a name used well into the1920s.]

“Fishing from the pier, the takes were so good that no one worried about taking home the specific fish he caught. You just piled them up behind you, as they came through, chasing the bait. If you caught five, you got to take five home.” (Personal memories of Bob Goldstone)—Dennis Shanahan, Old Redondo, A Pictorial History of Redondo Beach, California  

By the summer of 1888 people were fishing from the wharf, as seen in the following stories. Assumedly the wharf was the unfinished Wharf No. 1 and it’s clear that people were not afraid to claim fishing rights on a wharf even before its completion—as would also happen to wharves No. 2 and No. 3.

Master A. Currier last Wednesday captured a Jew-fish weighing four hundred pounds, which he brought to this city and sold to one of the markets, and only a day or two ago a stingaree was captured off the wharf which was a monster. It weighed two hundred pounds and was three feet across the back when laid on the ground. His stinger was four inches long. —Los Angeles Herald, June 27, 1888

 A Day’s Pleasure

The excursion trains to the coast yesterday were heavier than ever before in the city’s history, this hegira being doubtless caused by the unusually hot weather… Redondo Beach was visited by about 400 pleasure-seekers, most of whom passed the day enjoying the superb fishing from the wharf. —Los Angeles Herald, July 16, 1888

Redondo Beach

The wharf is being pushed at a rapid rate toward deep water, and it will not be very long before deep-sea vessels can land at it safely. —Los Angeles Herald, July 23, 1888

A shark of the hammerhead species over nine feet long, with a “sucker” attachment, was caught from the wharf this forenoon. The capture caused quite an excitement, and drew the whole brigade of amateur fishermen and fisherwomen to the spot. The wharf is lined, early and late, with fishers, young and old, male and female, who sit on stools or lie (on their stomachs), while trying their luck. —Los Angeles Herald, August 10, 1889

At Redondo

A great day for fishing was yesterday at Redondo. The big pier was crowded with men and women fishers, to say nothing of the small boy whose name was legion. A very forest of bamboo rods bristled over the sides of the pier. —Los Angeles Herald, August 20, 1888

At Redondo—A School of mackerel and Numbers of Other Fish

A great day for fishing was yesterday at Redondo. The big pier was crowded with men and women fishers, to say nothing of the small boy whose name is Legion. A very forest of bamboo rods bristled over the sides of the pier and there was an entanglement of lines, varying in size from the lithe and slender sea grass to the thickness of a cable. The cause of this unusual throng of disciples of Isaac Walton, was the presence of a great school of mackerel in the bay. The water fairly glistened with the silvery sides of the finny denizens of the deep, and those a-fishing did not have to wait long for a bite. The take of mackerel was exceedingly large, and smelt, sole, rock bass and bonito were also taken in abundance. Several fine yellowtail were caught, and the usual complement of shovel-nosed shark were hauled forth from their lair in the briny, much to the fright and discomfort of the more timid anglers…—Los Angeles Herald, August 20, 1888

Apparently the wharf was finished, at least in part, by October of ‘88, when newspapers began to report that steamers could now use the wharf.

Redondo Beach Items

 The steamer Eureka, of the Pacific Coast Steamship Company, steamed up to the wharf at Redondo Beach on Friday afternoon, made fast and discharged a quantity of freight for the new waterworks there. —Los Angeles Herald, October 23, 1888

The wharf is complete with the exception of the warehouse and hoisting apparatus which have been ordered built at once. —Los Angeles Herald, December 16, 1888

Things seemed to be happening at a rapid rate but September 1888 also saw the “bust” in the boom or bust speculative real estate market that had enveloped Los Angeles and nearby areas. Prices on lots dropped, many people forfeited the lots they had bought, and most of the syndicates that had been put together to promote different areas pulled back—or ceased operation. It’s not clear the reason—positive, negative or neutral, but soon the Redondo Beach Company would see big changes.  

Captains J. C. Ainsworth and R. R. Thompson, Oregon lumber and shipping masters, became the largest stockholders of, and gained control of, the Redondo Beach Company. They would bring additional money into the company as well as additional big ideas.

Redondo Beach

Captain J. C. Ainsworth, of Oakland, and Captain R. R. Thompson, of San Francisco, have recently acquired a controlling interest in Redondo Beach and in Inglewood town sites… It is their intention to build a large wharf at Redondo at which shipping may be done. It is their intention to make this a place for the loading and unloading of the ocean-going vessels of the largest capacity… The wharf is complete with the exception of the warehouse and hoisting apparatus which have been ordered built at once. About five miles of water-works are nearly completed and pipes, etc. will be laid at once. The company proposes to go on with the improvement of the place regardless of what may be done in the way of sales of property, believing that this as well as other interests in Southern California are certain of ultimate success. The presence of such men as the Mesars. Ainsworth and Thompson, the one a resident of Oakland and the other of San Francisco, shows in what esteem this section is held. They are intimately acquainted with the resources of the whole Coast, and when they, the other day, put their money into this property, they acted with eyes wide open, and did so because they feel well assured that there is a great future before Los Angeles, and before all this southern country. —Los Angeles Herald, December 18, 1888

With the wharf complete it was now time to bring the Pacific Coast Steamship Company into the equation 

The Redondo Wharf — Particulars Regarding the Steamboat Service

The Herald yesterday morning announced that an arrangement has been made by which the Pacific Steamship Company’s boats are to call at Redondo Beach, and through the courtesy of Mr. W. Parris, the Company’s agent here, it is enabled now to give the full particulars regarding the traffic. From now on the freight streamer Bonita will call at Redondo Beach once a week for freight business only. On and after March 1^st the steamers Eureka and Los Angeles, handling both freight and passenger business, will call at Redondo, making a service every four days to and from that point. The steamship company has made this change on account of the increased necessities of this southern territory, and the same order has been put into effect regarding Newport Landing, which has heretofore only had one freight boat (the Newport), touching there every ten days, This change gives Los Angeles three ports of delivery, San Pedro, Redondo and Newport. —Los Angeles Herald, January 31, 1889

On Feb 3 1889 it was announced that the wharf was 900-foot-long and 80 feet wide and had a water depth of 30 feet at low tide (end of wharf) and 18 feet (inshore). It also was diagonally braced underneath with one and one-half-inch iron rods.

It Is Not A Boom — But It Will Develop the Section’s Resources

Once in a while the newshunter in his rounds runs across a man who takes in the significance of these facts, and he finds a little corner of the sun-lit semi-tropics where industry is astir and where enterprise has its coat off and is at work. Such a place is Redondo, and such men are the sagacious, courageous, enterprising men at its head… The Captain is talking: “Yes, it is true we have a wharf at Redondo Beach, and it is true that the Pacific Coast Steamship Company’s vessels are to stop there on their trips up and down the coast. No, it is not true that only the smaller vessels will touch at our wharf. For the current month about one steamer a week will call there, but after March 1^st, Redondo will be put on a regular schedule, and all the steamers will call. There is plenty of water, 23 feet, right alongside the wharf at low water. The wharf is 900 feet long, there are two tracks on it, so that vessels can lie alongside and discharge right onto the cars. There is no lightering, no rehandling on the wharf or elsewhere. We are at least two hours nearer than any other shipping point to Los Angeles than any other shipping point on the Coast. Passengers coming from San Francisco may remain here two hours longer than if they were to take the steamer at the old place. —Los Angeles Herald, February 6, 1889

Whoa Nellie! It’s good to be optimistic and sometimes it’s good to toot your horn, but you should never overlook Mother Nature and never assume that a pier is safe from storm and wave (even if it’s in a location supposedly free from danger). All of the press releases and interviews could not mitigate the actions of the sea just over a week later in damaging the wharf and pushing back the scheduled activity.

 A Severe Storm — Redondo Pier Damaged

At an early hour yesterday morning a storm commenced to rage west of the Rockies, and was severely felt in Southern California… The most serious damage yet reported is at Redondo Beach, where 150 feet of the fine new wharf, together with the warehouse on the end of it were carried away by the waves which were lashed by the wind into that condition usually expressed as “mountains high.” This instance the work of Boreas will convey a good idea of the severity of the storm, because the wharf was a very strong one, and has only been completed a few months. —Los Angeles Herald, February 16, 1889

What about the March 1^st date for Redondo Beach becoming a regular stop for the Pacific Coast Steamship line steamers?

Since the destruction of the Redondo Beach wharf no steamers have stopped there, and although according to schedule both freight and passenger boats were to call after March 1^st, it is not thought that they will unless some other arrangements for landing, pending the reconstruction of the pier, can be made. —Los Angeles Herald, February 25, 1889

 Redondo Beach Notes

The pier, which had been badly damaged by the storm some time since, has been entirely rebuilt, and now the Redondo Beach Company have as fine a pier as is situated at any point on the Pacific. A large ship was being unloaded at the end of the pier, and seemed to contain quite a cargo of ties… Ships are expected to arrive every day, with lumber for the new hotel, and already the ground has been leveled, and a broad walk has been laid tending to the beach… —Los Angeles Herald, May 20, 1889

Redondo Items

The soon-to-be-completed double-decked iron pier which the Redondo Beach Company will put out means that steamers from all over the known world will land there with perfect safety. —Los Angeles Times, July 15, 1890

Redondo Beach—The smoothest seas of the year are now prevailing at Redondo. Rock cod, halibut and yellowtails are being caught from the pier. Early in the morning long strings of mackerel are pulled out. The balance of the day nothing but larger fish are caught. —Los Angeles Herald, September 4, 1890

Redondo

The noise of the pile driver is heard from early morning until late evening driving piles for the extension and widening of our wharf. It is much needed… —Los Angeles Times, September 6, 1890

The largest yellowtail caught from the wharf this season weighed 32 ½ pounds. A clerk with Coulter & Co., of Los Angeles, now bears the title of “boss fisherman.” —Los Angeles Herald, August 24, 1891

The first school of mackerel of the season gave signal of their vacation from the high seas this week. When the old fisherman sees that sign of fluttering on the still, glossy waters of the bay and knocks the ashes out of his pipe on the heel of his left boot with the air of a man who thoroughly understands himself, and is heard to murmur, “that’s them,” then and not until then it is time to take up your rod and basket and sharpen up your bait knife. Then is the time when the old man, with his trim rod and tackle, basket and pipe, and the small boy with bare feet and knowing smile, are envied because their baskets sound the long roll such as only a mackerel can sound, while the tenderfoot buys bait and gets his line tangled, the small boy still dangles his bare feet over the side of the wharf and smiles and the old man smokes and cuts bait. —Los Angeles Herald, May 7, 1892

Of course the port at Redondo did not go unnoticed, especially by the Santa Fe’s Railroad’s main competitor, the Southern Pacific Railroad. The growth of the Los Angeles basin during the 1880s meant a port was needed. The Southern Pacific favored a port at San Pedro but the port at Redondo was closer to San Francisco, the state’s most important city, and the Redondo wharf began to take business away from the Southern Pacific.

Fighting back, Collis Huntington and the other owners of Southern Pacific announced plans to build their own wharf, one to be located in the north part of Santa Monica, even closer to San Francisco than Redondo.

On July 25, 1892, Southern Pacific began to drive piles for their “Long Wharf” located at the mouth of Potrero Canyon. Lacking a deep-water canyon, the wharf would extend out 4,720 feet, become California’s longest oceanfront pier, and the longest wooden pier in the world. When the wharf began operations, on May 11, 1893, it became the “Port of Los Angeles” and was known by that name for many years.

The nearly-mile-long pier was huge; it included two sets of railroad tracks (standard width and narrow gauge) that branched into seven tracks at the 130-foot-wide seaward end. The end included a warehouse, coal bunkers, depot and unloading facilities, a baggage room, and a restaurant. Out toward the end, a stairway led down to a platform and boathouse reserved for anglers and sailors.

Redondo would remain an important seaport but would need to diversify and attract more visitors to Redondo; seaside attractions would become as important as the commercial wharves in bringing money to Redondo.

Wharf No. 1 remained a cornerstone of activity and commerce with a small business section adjacent to the wharf. Of course “Mother Nature” would play occasional havoc with activities.

Redondo — The Repairs on the wharf About Completed

Redondo Beach, Dec. 2.—This morning witnessed the closing up of the hiatus in the Redondo wharf, caused a few days ago by a boisterous attack from the old Pacific, then on a big tear. Tomorrow the iron track will once more be in position for the regular interchange of traffic between vessels and railroad cars. The new piles just driven down were of the best material to be obtained, and before being placed were thoroughly prepared by the patent asphaltum coating to protect them from the ravages of the toredo. Each pile was driven to a much greater depth than the original piling had been, so the structure when completed will be much stronger and sounder than ever. —Los Angeles Herald, December 3, 1892

The wharf at Redondo is now repaired and all freight consigned to the Santa Fe via Redondo will be forwarded expeditiously. —South Riverside Bee, December 10, 1892

As from its earliest days, fishing from the wharf and in boats that ran out of the wharf was very popular.

The usual Sunday crowd, numbering up among the thousands, invaded the beach today, enjoying the surf, listening to the Douglas military band in the hotel park or taking out a fine basket of mackerel and yellowtail from the Redondo wharf. —Los Angeles Herald, June 26, 1893

Redondo — The Norther Demolishes a Part of the Wharf

Redondo Beach, Nov. 24.—Thanksgiving day was ushered  in with a violent northwestern gale, which struck the coast early this morning  and continued fiercely all the fore part of the day. Luckily no vessels except the barkentine Gleaner were in port to be demoralized by the wind and waves, and she is safely riding at anchor in the offing. The high gale was, as a matter of course, supplemented by a very heavy sea, which struck the Redondo wharf with terrific violence and finally carried away several bents of piling near the center of the structure. No piles were broken, but simply lifted bodily from their hold, letting the superstructure above down into the sea. The derangement is of a temporary character and will be remedied very soon, so that business can proceed as usual… —Los Angeles Herald, November 25, 1892

Fine Fishing From The Pier—Redondo, Aug. 16—Fishing from the pier was never better than at present. Some very remarkable catches have recently been reported, consisting principally of Spanish mackerel. Yellowtail are beginning to bite and barracuda are plentiful. —Los Angeles Herald,  August 17, 1894

Fine Fishing From The Pier—Redondo, Aug. 16—Fishing from the pier was never better than at present. Some very remarkable catches have recently been reported, consisting principally of Spanish mackerel. Yellowtail are beginning to bite and barracuda are plentiful. —Los Angeles Herald, August 17, 1894

Redondo — Hundreds of Large Fish Caught on the Wharves

Redondo, Sept. 11,—This has been its greatest day of the year for fishing. The two wharves have been lined with anglers all day and not a person who cast a line came away empty handed. On the south wharf [Wharf No. 2] upwards of 400 yellowtail were caught. They were piled up like cord wood and in several instances were caught as high as thirty-five and forty with a single line. On the old wharf [Wharf No. 1] the scene was similar. Fish lay in piles everywhere. The excitement caused by the opening of the fishing season was very general. Men left their houses to go angling and women and children were also out to try their luck. A number of good-sized sharks were captured during the day and they made things lively by tangling up lines and mixing things generally. Mackerel bit exceptionally well all day, though nearly everyone abandoned them to try for bigger game. —Los Angeles Herald, September 12, 1896

Walter Porter arrived at the beach to spend a few days fishing and bathing. Mr. Porter is an enthusiastic fisherman. His specialty is fishing for sharks and he will sit on the wharf all night long to catch a shark or two. Late Tuesday night he hooked an eight-foot shark, while fishing from the old wharf, but for the timely arrival of some friends he would have had to cut his line, as he was unable to land him alone. —Los Angeles Times July 16, 1897

There was a great deal of excitement on wharf No. 1 this morning caused by the capture of several large “corn-fed” mackerel by one of the wharf fishermen. In a remarkably short time all the available space was taken up by fishermen, for the big mackerel and some of the largest fish ever caught here were carried off the wharf in the baskets of anglers. Of all the different kinds of fishing, large mackerel fishing is probably the most exciting. The large ones are very game and strong, and it taxes the strength of the best poles to land two of the corn-fed beauties at a time. Many of the fishermen have their rods broken when they attempt to land three at once. It is advisable when fishing for corn-fed mackerel to fish with but one or two hooks, as, when they are running good, they usually take all the hooks, and very few bamboo rods will stand the strain of landing more than two at a time. —Los Angeles Times, August 22, 1897

Capture of a Large Man-Eating Shark

Redondo Beach, Aug. 27.—The large man-eating shark captured by Capt. Darney Pierson of the yacht Viking while cruising in the channel off Rocky Point was towed to wharf No. 1 last evening by the yacht Bonnie Bell, and was hoisted on the wharf this morning. The monster was embalmed, or, rather, washed in a preparation supposed to prevent the fish from creating a stench until after Sunday. The shark was of the man-eating variety usually found in the south seas, and rarely seen in these waters. It is provided with six rows of large, saw-edged teeth, calculated to strike terror to the salt who discovered him following in the wake of a ship. Yesterday a large school of yellowtail visited the wharves, and quite a number were landed by the wharf fishermen on both wharves. During the afternoon three large thrasher sharks approached the old wharf and the yellowtail, mackerel, and sardines took a hurried departure. Fishing was poor from the edge of the wharf the rest off the afternoon. Frank McKern of Riverside, who is spending the summer at the beach, is among the lucky wharf fishermen. Last evening he sat on wharf No. 1 among a crowd of fisher folk and in a remarkably short space of time filled his basket with fish. Included in his catch were six unusually large yellowfin and several large corn-fed mackerel. —Los Angeles Times, August 28, 1897

Redondo, Oct. 13.—No better fishing was ever had at Redondo than now. Numerous anglers on the wharves are catching hundreds of yellowtail, barracuda, halibut, flounder and mackerel. The fisherman today in drawing in the net for mackerel drew in about 150 large yellowtail. —Los Angeles Herald, October 14, 1898

Fisherman Francis — He Catches a Ton of Assorted Fish at Redondo—Redondo, Oct.15—Mr. John F. Francis, who has been a guest at Hotel Redondo for the past week, says that fishing has never been so heavy as it is now. Mr. Francis has been on the wharves from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day this week and has brought to the dock something over a ton of fish, including halibut, flounder, speckled blue perch, yellowtail, barracuda, sculpin, bonita, mackerel, small fish of all varieties found here, and several sharks. It seems that the cloudy, murky weather is the best for fishing, and we have had plenty of it this week. —Los Angeles Herald, October 16, 1898

Good Sport at Fishing

Redondo, June 23—There have at numerous times been greater catches of fish than those of the past few days here, but it is seldom that their taking is accompanied by so much genuine sport. The water during the past day or two has been as clear as crystal, and the breezes, although fresh, has not been sufficient to ripple the surface as to prevent gazing into the depths. Myriads of sardines have hovered about the piling, and attracted the bigger denizens of the sea. Like jackrabbits, the sardines have no armor or weapons with which to protect themselves. Their only safety is in speed and in getting under cover. The pilings of the wharf, with its beautiful surfaces, offers a certain amount of safety if they hug it directly when seeking to escape the assaults of the large fish. The sardine schools present a constantly changing appearance, and the little fellows are ever appreciative of danger. If as innocent looking jellyfish happens to drift in among them they will keep at least twenty feet away from it.Among the larger fish that have been running: plentiful are the gamey mackerel. The catches of that variety on Thursday broke the record. Many of them closely approached the four-pound mark. The hook-and-line people differ as to the best bait for mackerel, but some of the most successful maintain small fish cut in half. J. A. Woodley made some interesting hauls today with the spear, a kind of tackle that cannot usually be operated from the wharf with much success because the water is not commonly clear enough. Woodley caught two halibut by well-directed throws, driving his spear to the bottom where the fish were lying in twenty feet of water, not far from shore. Later in the afternoon he saw a big sea bass. It was swimming at a great pace but Woodley made a lucky throw and drove the points into the fish’s neck, killing it instantly. It was a forty pounder and was so heavy that it couldn’t be hauled up onto the wharf with the small line attached to the spear. It was towed ashore with some difficulty. —Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1899

Enormous Catches of Mackerel Recently

Redondo Beach, Aug. 18—The mackerel fishing from the wharves claims the attention of most visitors now, and some wonderful catches are made. Will Johnson of Los Angeles made a hail of 208 mackerel yesterday morning, and this morning filled his basket with sea trout. T. S. Russell of Los Angeles made the best catch of the season so far as known. He landed 253 mackerel in three hours from wharf No. 1 yesterday morning. L. T. Garnsey, president of the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway, heard about the large catches of mackerel that have been made, so yesterday morning he was called at 4 o’clock, donned a pair of overalls and started out ‘to break a record.’ His catch amounted to eight fine large mackerel. —Los Angeles Times, August 19, 1900

Redondo Brevities—The wharves are now filled with nocturnal fishermen, and the catches made last night were exceedingly good. Small salmon grouper and white fish are running in abundance, many large catches being made during the past week. This is the first time in a number of years that white fish have been caught from the wharves. —Los Angeles Times, June 27, 1902

Lantern Fishermen At Redondo

Redondo, Aug. 4—Fishing with lanterns is one of the latest forms of amusement at this summer settlement. So popular have the hours from midnight till sunrise grown for the pastime that one had to be about early in the evening to secure a good location from which to fish. The midnight train from Los Angeles on Saturday night carries the greatest number of passengers of any throughout the week, and they are one and all fortified with all the paraphernalia for a night’s work. The fish, it is claimed, are attracted by floating lantern, and bite better than in sunlight, which statement is verified by the great quantities of fish secured during the night, from twenty to twenty-five being the average catch for each individual. —Los Angeles Times, August 5, 1902

Redondo yielded a number of small sea trout during the day and one splendid fish of ten pounds, so near the line that divides sea trout from sea bass that it might have passed for either. It put up a terrific fish on W. R. Phillip’s rod but he finally played it out and saved his treasure, being prouder of the capture than a father with his first son. It must be admitted Mr. Phillips had some excuse, too. Several fine bass were landed at Redondo. As usual the live bait contingent did the major part of the execution, but others who were busy with smaller game than trout and halibut did fairly well. —Los Angeles Times, September 7, 1903

The yellowtail, long and slim of body, are in quite another class of fish, and indeed they are the aristocrat of southern waters. They lead a strenuous life for the sharks love yellowtail above all other meat, and it is no uncommon thing for a fisherman to have a safely hooked yellowtail bitten squarely in two before he is lifted from the boat. In fact, I have seen this very thing done from the wharf at Redondo—one of the best points for shore fishing on the coast south of Santa Barbara—and a heavier hook, baited with the remaining piece of yellowtail and thrown back into the ocean caught the robber as he returned to see what he had left. —Harry H. Dunn, After Big Fish In The Channel, Western Field,February 1904

Eleven-Pounder Is Caught By A Redondo Angler

At last the great, great grand-daddy of the Corbina tribe has been gathered to his fathers and a nine days’ sensation among fishermen ended. After long years of piscatorial vicissitudes in which more than once he had formed temporary but entangling alliances with the leaders of briefly lucky bait butchers; after countless sessions of intermittent chase of the succulent sand-crab varied by occasional séances with the secretive clam, this silver-scaled giant last week fell a victim to the wiles of A. White of Redondo in the still waters of the night and under the seductive light of the full moon. His weight at capture was eleven pounds and two ounces, which is by far in excess of all known records for corbina in this vicinity. The Sunday preceding Harry Slotterbeck perceived a huge fish of some sort groveling slowly on the bottom; searching for food after the manner of corbina. From its excessive length which he estimated to be three feet, at least, Slotterbeck fancied he was watching a shark, but a white flash from the side caused him to look closer and hardly believing his eyes, he recognized a corbina of most phenomenal proportions. Calling a friend, he too pronounced it a grand “surf” fish. The pair tried to catch the prize but he was wary and cared nothing bait. They quit in vain. The moonlight and the quiet night helped Mr. White two days later, and in triumph, he carried away the huge fish after a prolonged, nerve-racking tussle in the breakers. The big fellow put up the tremendous fight that might be expected from a seasoned veteran, strong and well schooled by time in all the arts and wiles that make corbina popular with fishermen. Mr. White had a twenty-minute tussle with his prize and nearly fell off the wharf when he got to look at it. He describes the catch as having a head the size of a man’s and bearing all the evidences of extreme age, though it was strong enough in the water. How old a fish of such extreme size must be left to conjecture. Corbina of small size and ravenous appetites were plentiful Sunday at all points from Del Rey and Redondo to Huntington Beach. F. Seeberg caught nearly a dozen fine sized ones off the beach in Santa Monica the largest weighing 4 ½ pounds. At Redondo Harry Slotterbeck caught nearly two dozen “nippers.” —Los Angeles Times, August 30, 1904

Tonopah Man Catches a 140 Pound Jewfish From Wharf

Redondo, June 11,—Wharf No. 1 was well lined throughout the day and the fishermen and maidens were well rewarded for their efforts. Not only mackerel have been plentiful but bass, yellowtail and halibut have been caught from the wharves and yesterday a 140-pound jewfish was landed at wharf No. 1. Capt. William Wood of Topopah, who is sojourning here for the summer, was the successful angler. —Los Angeles Herald, June 12, 1905

Big Fish

Ed Borhing, who lives at Main and Fourteenth streets in this city, is the proud possessor of a monster jewfish which he caught yesterday with a yellowtail line from the Redondo wharf. It weighed 205 pounds and the strength of four men was needed to land the thing, after it had been played with for five minutes. This is a remarkable fish to be landed with a small line and naturally Borhing is very much tickled over his prize. —Los Angeles Times, November 2, 1905

Redondo—Big Fish At Wharf

Redondo, Nov. 11.—E. H. Borhing of Yates City, Ill., has broken the record for catching fish, having landed three jewfish in the past week. While angling for yellowtail from wharf No. 1, the forepart of the week, he hooked a large jewfish, weighing 195 pounds, and after a long and hard struggle he managed to land it. On Wednesday his fishing tackle came again in contact with something a little larger than he had been used to catching, and on landing it found he had another jewfish, which weighed 216 pounds. But this afternoon’s catch beats the record. Mr. Borhing baited his tackle for the larger fish and was not fishing long when he received a terrible jerk, and noticed the monster tugging at the line. It was hard work to land the monster, but he was finally hauled to the wharf and weighed. He tipped the scales at 465 pounds. Mr. Borhing is very proud of his catch and has had the head mounted. —Los Angeles Times, November 12, 1905

[Wharf] No. 1 is 1,000 feet long; length of berth 325 feet; depth of water at outer end, 55 feet; inshore end of berth, 25 feet.  —Lloyd’s Register of British And Foreign Shipping, 1907

Repairs on Wharf No.1 are progressing rapidly, but the passenger steamers still use No. 3 for landing passengers and unloading freight. —The Redondo Reflex, January 17, 1907

Yellowtail Galore — Schools of Squid Draw Almost Unprecedented Numbers of Big Fish

It has been years since yellowtail in such quantities as have been running for the past few days have been seen on our shores. Tuesday morning 475 were hauled in from Wharf No. 1 between ten and eleven o’clock… The water fairly boiled with fish and anyone with a line had no trouble in pulling out  one big fellow after another. At times the wharf, especially the north side, was so littered with wriggling fish that it was almost impossible to walk. It is said that it is eight years since the squid have shoaled in here before… One man hooked 75 and Mrs. Goodrich, who is known to all old residents as one of the most indefatigable anglers, caught over twenty. The fish began coming in on Sunday gradually increasing in numbers until the climax was reached on Tuesday when they took to deeper water, though good catches were made yesterday a short distance out. On Tuesday a man who was not dragging one or more yellowtail along was almost a rarity on the streets. —The Redondo Reflex, October 24, 1907

Rod and reel enthusiasts report a fine run of fish and catching good luck today at the two southerly piers, Nos. 2 and 3. One man came through town on his way home, with over a hundred pounds of yellowtail and stated that he had left the rest of his catch because of inability to carry it. He had landed thirty-one of the big fish. On Pier No. 1 however, Spanish mackerel and smelt reportedly were the sole visitation of the finny tribe. —Los Angeles Times, November 28, 1907

Laporte Man A Fisherman— Caught 12 Yellowtails — One Day Weighing 15 lbs. Each

Mrs. J. H. Cissel is in receipt of a letter from her son, Lew W. Cissel, who is now at Redondo Beach, California, where he recently figured in a large catch of yellowtail. Mr. Cissel enclosed a newspaper clipping from the Los Angeles Times, showing a picture of the women on the pier and an article of the big “run.” The Times says: Redondo experienced a remarkable run of yellowtail yesterday. Twenty-four tons is a conservative estimate of the amount carried off Pier No. 1. A count at the Redondo fish market of the yellowtail that had been taken off the pier by 5 o’clock, when they ceased to bite, showed 2,500, and there were fully 500 more of the gamy fish lying on the pier at the time. These 3,000 fish weighed an average of 15 pounds each. Less than five tons of the enormous catch were handled through the Redondo fish market, and the balance were carried away by amateur fishermen who flocked to the pier when it was discovered that the phenomenal school had come. In every back yard in Redondo a group was to be seen cleaning fish yesterday, and along the streets were many of the prominent citizens with large fish dangling from their hands. Stores and shops were closed while the proprietors and clerks took an hour off and rushed down to the pier to enjoy the sport. Women left their baking, got out their husband’s tackle and hastened to the wharf. By 8 o’clock in the morning the one pier where the yellowtail were biting was crowded with fishermen and women. The carnival lasted practically all day. The arrival of the steamship Santa Rosa in the forenoon temporarily interrupted the fishing on one side of the pier, but with the departure of the vessel a greater crowd than ever swarmed to the fishing place. The presence of a myriad of squid about the pier was the cause of the inrush of yellowtail from the deeper water. The squid are the chief food for the larger fish, and an immense school of them had been driven close to shore. They took refuge under Pier No. 1 while the voracious yellowtail lurked about the edges of the wharf, devastating the ranks of their prey. The squid is a peculiar soft fish of a bluish color, and the school was so numerous at Redondo yesterday that it was only necessary to drop a fish hook in the water to snag them. While still alive they were fastened to the hooks, and thrown into the water to be snapped up by the waiting yellowtail. —LaPorte Indiana Herald, November 28, 1907

Wharf To Be Extended

The new pile driver now being completed in the shops of Los Angeles & Redondo railway company, will be the largest pile driver in Southern California.The new machine will be put at work early next week extending Wharf No. 1 or No. 3, several hundred feet to accommodate the larger passenger and freight steamers hat now visit this port on the line between Seattle and San Diego. —The Redondo Reflex, February 4, 1909

Redondo Beach, May 5.—This beach has been experiencing an unprecedented run of pompano during the last week. Sunday and Monday the local wharves were black with anglers, who came here for the purpose of enjoying the sport. Many fine specimens of other varieties have been caught, amongst them three sea bass which aggregated 1000 pounds. The largest of these is estimated to weigh nearly 500 pounds. —Los Angeles Herald, May 5, 1909

Redondo Beach, May 14,—Large schools of pompano are running at wharf No. 1 during early hours of each day, and many large catches are reported. The prize catches of the run this morning were made by Charles Clark and Ed Sheely, who caught several dozen each. A curiosity in marine life was a double halibut taken on the banks this morning by Charles Johnson. The fish was identical on both upper and lower sides. —Los Angeles Herald, May 15, 1909

Must Have License

The state fish and game commission is sending out notices to the beach fishermen that anglers cannot sell fish they catch from the pier or from boats unless they pay the commercial fisherman’s license. Many fishermen going down to fish for a few hours or for all day have caught more fish than they want for their own use and have been in the habit of selling the over-supply to the fish markets. This will now be against the law unless the angler has provided himself with a commercial fisherman’s license. The licenses are obtainable from the fish and game commission or their deputies and cost $2.50 per year for citizens of the United States and $10 for aliens. Some of the beach fishermen, particularly those at Redondo Beach are inclined to think that the ruling works a hardship. —The Redondo Reflex, June 3, 1909

Biggest Sea Bass Of Season

Harold Rampe, a fourteen-year-old boy, caught the largest sea bass of the season this morning from Wharf No. 1. The fish weighed 35 pounds. It is but seldom that sea bass are caught so close in or that they are of such a size. After making his big catch Harold calmly tied the fish to the wharf and threw it into the water while he proceeded to continue his fishing. —The Redondo Reflex , June 3, 1909

Big Bass Is Caught By Young Fisherman — Boy Has Real Sport With Light Tackle

Redondo Beach, June 5.—Harold Rempe, a 14-year-old angler of this city, had an exciting experience Thursday when he took in a sportsmanlike manner, with rod and reel, a 35-pound sea bass while fishing from wharf No. 1. Young Rempe was using a live bait and had just made a clever cast when he felt a sharp strike that nearly wrenched the rod from his hands. With a poorer outfit the youth would have lost his fish on the first rush. He applied his thumb break, but did not attempt to stop the fierce run too suddenly. Ignoring the gratuitous advice and suggestions of hand-line hacks and “pole” fishermen the boy played his fish is a mastery way, reeling in like a veteran on inward rushes and checking up with the brakes on the mad dashes away from the pier. When one persistent and garrulous meat hunter crowded in on the lad with shouts and gesticulations Harold said with all the dignity of his fourteen years: “If you will keep cool I think I can bring this fish to gaff.” And bring it he did. After about fifteen minutes’ play the big bass showed signs of giving up the fight and was soon alongside the wharf, where a drop gaff secured the prize. Older anglers on the pier and a score of others attracted to the scene congratulated Harold on his catch. They made him submit to the photographic ordeal. —Los Angeles Herald, June 6, 1909

At Redondo on wharf No. 1 the pompano are greatly in evidence, and with the exception of steamer days, when the sport necessarily ceases for a time, men, women and children constantly line the pier and dangle lines between the pilings. At number 3 wharf yellowtail and sea trout are taken occasionally, although they have not made their appearance yet in great numbers. —Los Angeles Herald, June 12, 1909

Big Run Of Pompano

Pompano fishing was the chief occupation Monday and Tuesday of all who could slip away from their sterner duties as well as the regular of the wharves, for pompano were thick in the water about Wharf No.1 and all who fished caught pompano as long as they cared to fish. Monday in about five hours Deputy Collector of Customs C. A. Sheldrick secured seventy-eight pounds, or about 400 fishes. Three and four on his line at a time were drawn up until at least he stopped only because he was tired. Fishermen from Los Angeles soon learned of the sport and each car from the city brought eager sportsmen who could be seen later leaving with well-filled baskets. —The Redondo Reflex, June 17, 1909

Sea Trout Running — Two Big Catches Made Yesterday

Fishing has been unusually good sport this week from Wharf No. 1. Sea trout are running in large numbers and anchovies, the bait used for the trout, are plentiful. C. Brandt, formerly of this city, came down from Los Angeles Wednesday and succeeded in landing the biggest sea bass that has been caught anywhere this season. The fish weighed 60 pounds and was caught with a rod and reel. Mr. Brandt had a half hour’s tussle with the big fish before landing it. Walter Rampe and Jack Watson caught a 250-pound jew-fish yesterday morning with a throw line. —The Redondo Reflex, June 24, 1909

Good Fishing At Redondo—Redondo, Oct. 12.—Spanish and greenback mackerel and yellowtail are running in great numbers here now. All three wharves are occupied by many fishermen. Some exceptionally large mackerel have been caught. —Santa Ana Register October 12, 1909

Fishing Good

Tomcod, which are said by old fishermen to be the forerunners of surf fish, have been running in great numbers about Wharf No. 1 this week. This means the opening of the spring fishing, which will no doubt continue good from now on. Tuesday James Todd, a police officer of Los Angeles, caught a gunnysack full of the tom cod, weighing about 150 pounds if fish. His catches were made by many from the wharf. A 400 pound jew fish was caught Wednesday by Charles Johnson, a local fisherman. —The Redondo Reflex, January 27, 1910

Take Tons Of Fish By Reel — Big Yellowtail Stacked at Redondo Beach

Excitement was perched on a hair-trigger at Redondo Beach yesterday by one of the most phenomenal runs of yellowtail ever seen in southern waters. Not only were there plenty of the big fish, but there were millions of them. The waters around the wharves fairly swarmed with them. Out beyond the wharves the sea was fully alive with them for more than a mile. At daybreak the cry of “yellowtail” rang through the downtown district of this town like a clarion calling troopers to war. The response was immediate. There was a rush for the wharves which were already well strewn with big yellow fellows that had been brought to gaff after fights such as for gameness and generalship in the water are only surpassed by battles with tuna. By 9 o’clock the wharves were lined with a forest of poles. The whole town had gotten the “yellowtail” fever by this time. Those who were unable to find room to cast, and there were hundreds of them, crowded the wharves all day and witnessed a miniature battle of Santiago, as hundreds of the big fish were putting up fights which made some of the old-time fishermen begin to think they had hooked Jack Johnson. Twelve Hundred Caught—The record for the day, of fish accounted for, is 1202. Of these 294 were caught on wharf No. 1; 154 on No. 2; 326 on No. 3, and 429 in skiffs around the wharves. The fish weighed between seventeen to twenty-nine pounds each. Averaging them at twenty pounds each, the total weight of yesterday’s catch was 24,040 pounds, or more than twelve tons. Of this enormous catch, which undoubtedly breaks some records, each fish was caught on a hook and line… The afternoon found nearly every business house in the city “gone fishing.” Even the schoolteachers could just as well have enjoyed the sport for all that was doing at roll call. W. T. Maddex, superintendent of the Los Angeles and Redondo Railway, whose Olympian Jove is a scientific yellowtail—one of those able-bodied fellows with a pull like a ward heeler, was absent from his office all day. To Maddex the singing of a reel is as sweet as the music of Aeolian harps, and the final gaffing, an honor shared by only chesty Toreador. His catch was four which averaged twenty-four pounds. At sundown he was still on the wharves admiring the big catches and making estimates on today’s crop. This Woman Scientific—To Mrs. W. J. Bell belongs the honor of the most scientific catches of the day. She brought to gaff three yellowtail with an eight-ounce rod and an eighteen-thread line. W. C. Eckert, a tourist from St. Louis, enjoyed the sport and went home with seven of the largest sized ones to his credit. He says the run was the largest he had seen in the forty years he has been indulging in the rod and reel sport. His fish ranged from eighteen to twenty-eight pounds. The record-breaking run of fish is attributed to recent storms at sea and the presence of phosphorescence in the waters at several other points on the south coast. Not only are the big fish in evidence, but the neighboring waters are fairly alive with anchovies, sardines, and schools of small mackerel, and the big fish always follow these smaller fish upon which they feed. Three years ago this month there was a large run of the same kind of fish, and at that time Redondo Beach was the seat of excitement. The run of yesterday, however, surpassed that of three years ago, as there seems to be no letup, and today’s catches will probably equal those of yesterday. The only letup of the sport yesterday occurred in the afternoon when a large seal joined in the sport, and, after getting his fill, started off toward the beach row where he has been “at home” for the past three months… A feature of the fishing yesterday was the fact that there was an endless quantity of fishing tackle which could be rented for the entire day for 25 cents for an outfit, which price did not prevent those in small circumstances from joining the sport. Those who employed the cheap tackles were as fortunate in landing the big fish as the expert with his high-priced outfit… It was not at all uncommon yesterday for a man who had just caught a large yellowtail to offer it in even exchange for a live bait, meaning a mackerel five or six inches long… Charles McGwyre and Dudley Wright, fishing for halibut on wharf No. 1, landed 49, the largest of which weighed 17 pounds. Hindus from the British steamer Iran launched the life boats and replenished their larder with about 1000 pounds of the fish, which they salted for a “rainy day.” Late last night the wharves were lined with fishermen, many of whom camped through the night in order to make sure of a berth when the battle is resumed this morning. Practically all of yesterday’s catches from the wharves were with rod-and-reel tackle. This is in marked contrast with the hand lines almost exclusively in use only a few years ago. Then the fishermen used an iron weight which, after letting out eight or ten feet of line, he would swing around his head in a circle till the acquired momentum was sufficient to throw the weight and attached hook out from the wharf. —Los Angeles Times, September 22, 1910

Seals Gorge On Big Fish — Heavy Run Of Yellowtail in Redondo Waters

One of the largest runs of yellowtail that ever swept into the bay at Redondo came to an end yesterday morning, when a gay young heard of seals and dolphins from the blue waters of Catalina Isle dashed in among the game fish and put them to rout. Sunday the run was at its height and every boat, launch and yawl was pressed into service and the piers at Redondo were literally black with fishermen and sightseeing tourists. It is estimated that 2000 pounds of yellowtail were caught at Pier No. 1 at Redondo Sunday afternoon. There was a corresponding number of pounds of fish caught at the other two piers near by… At the same time as the yellowtail were running so freely a tremendous run of sardines began. The waters surrounding Redondo were literally alive with the writhing, squirming little fish. They were everywhere and it became tame sport to catch them. Nets were lowered and raised as fast as strong men could handle them. They would be pulled out of the water a veritable mass of sardines. The fishermen would shake the fish as free as possible from the nets and return the nets again to the water, while they still contained hundreds of pounds of the little fish. Tourists who crowded the wharves could see millions of the little fish in the clear water and the sight was one long to be remembered. Boys armed with homemade nets would dip them into the water and bring them up almost bursting with the mass of fish they contained… Yesterday morning a crowd of enthusiastic anglers went to Redondo at an early hour to participate in the wonderful fishing, which they expected to last another day. Instead of the plentitude of yellowtail they saw little the little harbor dotted here and there with leaping black forms of seals. There were hundreds of them and they drove the yellowtail into deep water in an hour or so. At times the water was fairly boiling with the rush of the seals and a few dolphins as they gave chase to the fleet yellowtail. While the fishing was not as good, the sport to the onlookers was never better. It was a fishing match on a large scale, with the seals and dolphins acting as fishermen. The seals are thought to have followed in the wake of the yellowtail from their usual haunts around Catalina Island, and it is expected that after remaining at Redondo a few days they will again disappear toward Catalina. Yesterday the seals became so frolicsome after their first yellowtail that they came into the shallow water and seemed at times about to come out of the water onto the beach. The presence of such great numbers of sardines brought with them a vast flock of pelicans, which infested the waters around Redondo throughout the day. These pelicans together with the seals, dolphins, sardines and yellowtail, combined to form an aquarium of the entire bay around Redondo. The run of sardines is expected to last several days ad the fishing companies say that if they have luck they will secure the largest stock of the toothsome little fish they have ever had in the bay. —Los Angeles Times, January 17, 1911

Yellowtail And Sea Bass Taken At Redondo Beach — Best in Years

Sea fishing alongshore has held out rather better than usual thus far this month. January usually is about the best of the winter months for angling, and is featured in most seasons by a run or two of yellowtail, pompano, jack smelts, mackerel, or even corbina. These latter are usually “seen but not heard” flopping on the wharf at such times, as it is hard to induce them to accept bait in winter. Quite the best fishing of the week has been enjoyed at Redondo Beach, where yellowtail and sea bass have been taken, and no end of large sardines and small mackerel have been in evidence. It has been possible to have sport with the big fellows, or land a mess of small fry, as the fisherman willed. The fishing at Redondo formerly was the best along the entire coast, and after a relapse of a few seasons, seems to be coming into its own again. There have been spasmodic runs of yellowtail in which several hundred would be corded up on the wharf in a day, but the old-time sport at Redondo was not of this nature. Instead, there would be months at a time when the hand-liner, who still flourishes to a limited extent at that resort, could be assured of several yellowtail and a sea bass or two at any time he chose to go after them, and happened to strike a school of bait in alongside the wharf. The big fellows would be lying along its outer edges, readily responsive to the blandishments of a crippled live sardine artfully dangled from a clothesline within temptingly easy reach. —Edwin L. Hedderly, Los Angeles Times, January 24, 1911

Gaffs 233-Pound Fish After Six-Hour Fight — A Los Angeles Business Man Lands Sea Monster While Fishing From Pier

Los Angeles, May 20.—The pier fishing record for Los Angeles was broken at Redondo yesterday when James Helbach, a local business man, brought to gaff a Jew fish weighing 223 pounds. Helbach fought his prize from 6:30 in the morning until 12 o’clock, and after it was landed on the pier he nearly fell from exhaustion. No fish approaching this one in size was ever caught before by a pier fisherman in Los Angeles. —Los Angeles Herald, May 20, 1912

Redondo Beach, Oct. 20.—The largest lobster caught here this season was hooked on a drop line from wharf No. 1 today by Richard de Stombs, clerk of the Hotel Yorkshire, Los Angeles. The lobster weighed fifteen pounds. A lobster weighing ten pounds was caught from the end of wharf No. 1 yesterday on a line. The lobster catches brought in by the fishermen continue to grow smaller and prices accordingly are going higher. Lobsters are now retailing for 25 cents a pound. They started at 15 cents a pound at the beginning of the season. —Los Angeles Times, October 21, 1912

New Pilings For Pier

A construction gang has been at work during the last week on Pier No. 1, taking out a number of the old pilings, and in their places installing new ones which will lengthen the usefulness of this popular promenade. —The Redondo Reflex, January 10, 1913

Things were never dull at the wharf — you never knew what was next.

Five Whales Push Tug “Collis” UP To Redondo Wharf

Redondo Beach, Jan. 11.—Captain C. Swanson of the tug Collis had a thrilling experience at 10:30 o’clock Thursday night, with five large whales which swooped down upon a school of porpoise which had been playing near the shore for the past few days, striking against the tug with such force as to send the boat against the wharf. The captain who was aroused from his slumber by the jar, hurried on deck with a boat hook to try and land one of the monsters, but they had followed their prey out into the sea. The captain states that each whale measured fully eighty feet in length and that their movement in the water caused a considerable motion of the waves. For the past several days a number of whales have been sighted near the Redondo shore, providing unusual attraction for the tourists who are wintering at the beach. —Santa Ana Register, January 11, 1913

Big Yellowtail Run At Redondo Pier Yesterday

Redondo Beach, May 13.—Great excitement prevailed along the wharves today among the amateur fishermen on account of a phenomenal run of yellowtail. The school struck pier No. 1 early in the afternoon and the cry “yellowtail, yellowtail!” was echoed from one end of the wharf to the other, and the crowds would surge from one vicinity to another to watch the successful fishermen haul in his catch. So numerous were the “strikes” that it kept the spectators undecided as to which side of the pier was hauling in the most fish. The news of the run had spread very rapidly and for a while it looked as if the entire town had congregated on Wharf No.1. The sanguinary aspect of the wharf gave the appearance of the deck of a naval vessel after a battle, the large fish bleeding profusely after their throats had been cut. Frank Johns, a retired capitalist, who had recently located here permanently, was high hook for a short time, having caught five of the monsters in twenty minutes. While the run was a short one it was very fierce, the fish seeming ravenous and would strike at anything. —Los Angeles Times, May 14, 1914

Big Fish Draws Anglers

Redondo Beach, May 18.—The catching of a large number of sea bass and yellowtail along the three wharves created considerable excitement today among the anglers. One of the largest of the sea bass was caught by Charles McGehee, a grocer, who brought the fish to gaff after playing it for thirty-five minutes. The sea bass weighed forty-seven pounds and was landed by McGehee without assistance, though it fought desperately and ran out with 500 feet of line. —Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1914

As always, storms bringing wind and wave are the main danger to piers and as at most piers Wharf No. 1 would see damage and repair over the years. The storm of 1913 would be one of the largest and is seen by many as the beginning off the end of Wharf No.1.

Redondo Beach — Wharf Number One at Redondo Beach Collapses

Redondo Beach, March 11.—A severe ocean storm raged here all day. A high northwest wind blew up a choppy sea and vessels were unable to land… The wind blew at a rate of about forty-five miles an hour throughout the day and night. At 10 o’clock 100 piles from pier No. 1 went out and the floor of the wharf collapsed with a crash. The break occurred about 300 feet from the shore. A small section of the end of the pier was left standing. Two men were on the end of the pier making observations when the crash came and were marooned for some time and were in peril. They were finally brought ashore safely. Wharfmaster Walters said at midnight that the damage to the wharf would total $10,000 and would be greatly increased, of course, if the storm did not abate before daylight. The pier is the property of the Pacific Electric Company and cost $60,000. Owners of small concessions on the pier were moving their goods to the shore at midnight and at that time chances of the structure’s weathering the night seemed exceedingly remote. —Los Angeles Times, March 11, 1913

Wild Current Washing New Channel At Beach

Redondo Beach, March 12.—Wharf No. 1, owned by the Pacific Electric Company, had the appearance of a roller coaster this morning, with a drop of twenty-five feet in the center, where for a distance of 200 feet the underpinning was torn out by the heavy sea last night. At 1 o’clock this morning workmen removed all the tools from the toolhouse on the wharf as it was not thought possible the old pier could stand the sea pounding at the remaining piles and the loose timers dashing against them with a tremendous force. The toolhouse of the Pacific Electric company and the building of the Redondo fish market adjoining were tilted on one end three feet lower than the shore end of the buildings and fearing the destruction of these the occupants vacated them last night. This morning a large wreckage crew under D. W. Kegeris commenced the work of tearing away the flooring of the pier under which the pilings were washed out and within three weeks or sooner the pier will be completely repaired. The pile-driver will be used tomorrow driving in the timbers to replace those washed out by the storm. At the point where the wharf has been wrecked the current was terrific last night and a channel twenty-eight feet deep has been washed here according to soundings taken this morning. Instead of twelve feet of water there is a depth of forty feet today at that point. Near wharf No. 2 today the sea reminds one of a stream with a logjam as the huge pilings all washed toward this pier and formed a network of timbers near the shore which were drawn to shore by the wrecking engine today. Nearly 200 pilings were torn out of wharf No. 1 last night and for a time threatened to wreck No. 2 wharf by jamming against it. —Los Angeles Times, March 13, 1913

Angry Sea Plays Havoc With Pier

Old Ocean In Angry Mood Partially Destroys Pier No. 1 — Damage Estimated to be About $10,000 — Repair Crews at Work

Furious breakers lashing against the coast on Tuesday night resulted in the partial collapse of Pier No. 1 and the damage is estimated to be about $10,000 by its owner, the Pacific Electric Company. While the greater part of the inhabitants of the city by the sea were sleeping the sleep of the just, unmindful of events happening, frothing breakers, fourteen feet high rushed in anger to destroy the wharves of Redondo Beach. Nearly 200 feet of Pier No. 1, just west of the fish market, collapsed under the relentless pounding of the waves, while two fishermen were standing on the end to watch the results. The men seemed doomed as no swimmer would have braved the waves. Fortunately the two men, Christopher Dawson and Hans Peterson, were noticed in their perilous position by Walter Hicks and others and were rescued with lines. Floating piles for a time threatened Pier No. 2, but gangs of men stood guard for hours, and with the use of a donkey engine were able to bring ashore many of the piles. Men who witnessed the terrible storm say it was a weird scene, one they would not care to again live over. The inky blackness of midnight, the roar and lashing of the angry breakers and the flickering of lights here and there, was the scene that was written indelibly in the minds of the men who witnessed old ocean in her most angry mood. It is stated by those who are in a position to know that it was the worst storm in seven years. The Governor was unable to land here and ran to San Pedro. Men who have made a study of the sea stated a few days prior to the storm when people remarked about the calm sea, how it looked like a lake without even a ripple, that it was the sign of a storm. The sign proved true. But sometimes such an accident as happened to Pier No. 1 on Tuesday night may be a blessing. It has meant that the Pacific Electric company lost no time whatever in sending a wrecking crew to the spot and the company promise that the pier will be rebuilt in better condition than before as it will be entirely overhauled. It will take several weeks in all probability to complete the work so that the pier will be open to the public. The fish market was put practically out of business. So while the repairs go on optimists can believe that this is another blessing in disguise —The Redondo Reflex, March 14, 1913

Up To The People

For the past two weeks close readers of The Reflex will have noticed that the Pacific Electric railway has given notice that they have made application to the board of trustees of the city of Redondo Beach for the renewal of a franchise on wharves No. 1 and 2. This is the opportune time for the people of Redondo Beach to make it known to the city trustees whether they are in favor of granting another franchise, and if they are to see that the trustees look after the people’s interests in requiring the company to pay a sufficient sum for the right to do business upon the wharf. Work upon pier No. 1 has suspended and it is now evident that the repairs will not be made until the company has been granted the franchise. So the citizens are urged to state their position NOW or forever hold their peace. —The Redondo Reflex, April 4, 1913

However, it was soon evident that repairs would only be made if the company was granted additional time on a lease. In addition, the city began to think in terms if a new municipal wharf (like so many other cities) and that complicated the question of a long term future for the wharf.

Redondo Beach

A plan is on foot by the Business Men’s Progressive League to have the city secure the old wharf No. 1 from the Pacific Electric Company for the purpose of having a municipal pleasure pier built at that point. At a banquet and meeting of the league last night the committee appointed to see President Paul Shoup regarding the matter reported that President Shoup said he favored the plan and would take the matter up at once with official of the company. The plan of the league is to bond the city for $250,000 for a concrete pleasure pier to replace pier No. 1, if it can be secured from the Pacific Electric. Work was begun today by the Pacific Electric Company to repair the wharf, which was badly damaged a year ago by the storms. Although the work planned will amount to a considerable figure, probably $8000 or $10,000, the hole made in the wharf at that time will not be repaired, the work merely being the driving of pilings at the end top strengthen the structure for present. —Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1914

Big Yellowtail Run At Redondo Pier Yesterday

Redondo Beach, May 13.—Great excitement prevailed along the wharves today among the amateur fishermen on account of a phenomenal run of yellowtail. The school struck pier No. 1 early in the afternoon and the cry “yellowtail, yellowtail!” was echoed from one end of the wharf to the other and the crowds would surge from one vicinity to another to watch the successful fisherman haul in his catch. So numerous were the “strikes” that it kept the spectators undecided as to which side of the pier was hauling in the most fish. The news of the run had spread very rapidly and for a while it looked as if the entire town had congregated on wharf No. 1. The sanguinary aspect of the wharf gave the appearance of the deck of a naval vessel after a battle, the large fish bleeding profusely after their throats had been cut. Frank Johns, a retired capitalist, who had recently located here permanently, was high hook for a short time, having caught five of the monsters in twenty minutes. While the run was a short one it was very fierce, the fish seeming ravenous and would strike at almost anything. —Los Angeles Times, May 14, 1914

Good Fishing At Redondo Wharves

Redondo Beach. May 17.—Mackerel, halibut, surf and all the smaller fry have been running pretty strong for the past two days, and a number of phenomenal catches have been made. The larger fish also drop in occasionally; the reason for this, however, is that the small bait is plentiful. A forty-two-pound sea bass was caught from wharf No. 1 this afternoon by J. V. Henry of St. Louis, Mo. He is a retired capitalist and this was his first effort at fishing. To day that he was pleased is putting it mildly. Mr. Henry was compelled to play the monster for over thirty-five minutes, and even then had to have assistance. —Los Angeles Times, May 18, 1914

Pacific Electric May Lose Wharf

Redondo Beach, May 19.—Several verbal shots were fired last night at he meeting of the Board of Trustees. Trustee Brolaski made a motion to the effect that a resolution be passed declaring the franchise for wharf No. 1 forfeited and void. His contention was that the Pacific Electric Railway, which owns the franchise, had violated the conditions. The franchise was granted for twenty years with the promise that work would commence within four months of the date that it was given and that it would be pursued with due diligence. It is asserted that this was not done and that the wharf is unsafe. City Attorney Perry upheld the contention of Brolaski and stated that in his opinion the franchise had been forfeited. The resolution passed its first reading. Municipal Pier — The subject of bonding the city for a new municipal pier was brought up and statements were made that the owners of wharf No. 1, the Pacific Electric Railway, would ask the city a certain price for the reason that if the city took the wharf it would be a loss to them financially. Trustee Brolaski stated that the income from the wharf No. 1 is from $13,000 to $25,000 a year. —Los Angeles Times, May 20, 1914

State Asked To Take Over Wharf

Redondo Beach. June 10.—The City Council… instructed the City Attorney to communicate with the State Harbor Commission and Attorney-General requesting that the State take  control of wharf No. 1, to prevent the Pacific Electric from using it. At a previous meeting a resolution was introduced declaring the franchise for wharf No. 1 void. The franchise was granted to the railway for twenty years with the promise that work would commence within four months of the date it was given and that it would be pursued with due diligence. It was claimed that was not done, and that the wharf was unsafe. —Los Angeles Times, June 11, 1914

Offer To Sell Wharf

Redondo Beach, Nov. 10.—The Pacific Electric Railway has offered the city the approach to wharf No. 1 and the wharf for $17,500, the city to take care of the removal of the pipe lines at a cost not to exceed $5000. The City Council is considering the matter. —Los Angeles Times, November 11, 1914

The headlines on January 31, 1915 were daunting—“Raging Surf Batters South Beach Towns—Great Damage Done Along Coast Line by Heavy Ocean Storm.” “Piers Smashed by Pounding Waves, Sea Walls Torn Away and Homes Wrecked as Tide Sweeps Shoreward During Height of Gale.” At Redondo it was reported that the heaviest storm in many years, coupled with a 6.7 feet high tide, caused damage along the entire oceanfront from Pier No. 1 to Playa del Rey. Damage to the tune of an estimated $75,000. And while the headlines screamed that “Piers May Go Today,” the Redondo wharves actually escaped with minimal damage (albeit 1500 feet of the Standard Oil wharf was washed out). Other piers in Santa Monica Bay were not as lucky. Just a few days later, on February 5, it was reported that, “Waves Batter Racing Coaster and the Damage at Redondo Beach is Many Thousands.” Giant breakers combined with a 5.5 high tide tore into the bulkhead and pilings supporting the roller coaster; in time the pilings began to snap and the coaster began to break apart. Houses and apartment along the shoreline were also attacked buy the tides and many of them were also lost. But, the wharves once again survived.

Redondo Beach Pleasure Pier

Redondo Beach, Feb. 27.—The City Trustees have issued a call for a meeting to be held Monday night at the City Hall, at which time it is expected they will pledge themselves to place the municipal pier at whatever location the voters shall decide it should be placed. This action was decided upon after the voters placed a request before the Board of Trustees saying that before voting on a bond issue of $121,000 they would like to know where the pier is to be, and to have some assurance that it will not be placed at an undesirable place. The question of the location of the pier will be decided by either a straw ballot or by petition to the Board of Trustees. At present the site most talked of is Pier No. 1, now owned by the Pacific Electric. The property can be can be purchased for $17,5000 and $5000 to remove an oil pipe line. A committee consisting of Trustees Thompson and Hembree, has been appointed by the board to conference with the Pacific Electric officials relative to the tentative proposition to purchase the pier. The company also desires to reserve concessions now on the pier. The committee is instructed to inform the company officials that the city will not buy the pier, but merely the approach to it, will not pay anything for removing the pipe line, and will not grant the company any concessions on the proposed pier, but will permit the company to retain its water pipe line for the bath house. —Los Angeles Times, February 28, 1915

Pacific Electric Has Offer for Redondo Beach

President Shoup of the Pacific Electric has sprung a surprise by materially reducing the price asked by his company for the approach to and the present structure at Pier No. 1. He told the City Trustees that Pier No. 1 and its approach is worth $30,000 to the Pacific Electric, but that the company is willing to sell for much less. Formerly the company proposed selling the property to the city for $17,500 plus $5000 for removing pipe lines now on the pier. The company also wished to retain rights of concessions on both sides of the pier for a certain distance out. Mr. Shoup said that the company would be willing to see the property to the city for its proposed municipal pier, and would eliminate the 45000 asked for removing pipe lines and would ask the right to retain concessions only on the north side of the pier as far as they now extend. A hint of possible suits on the part of the city to obtain quit-claim deeds to certain supposed tidelines was made when Trustee Brolaski said to Mr. Shoup that since the passage of the bill which gives Redondo Beach title to all tidelands in the city, the Pacific Electric could not claim right to any concessions on the old pier. To this Mr. Shoup replied that was a matter for his legal department to take up. —Los Angeles Times, April 8, 1915

Fierce Wind Pounds Pier — Redondo Beach in Grip of Wild Northwester

Redondo Beach, April 30.—A heavy windstorm swept down on the coast in this vicinity last night and at a late hour pier No. 1, owned by the Pacific Electric, is being battered to pieces by the waves, which have been lashed into a fury. By midnight more than fifty pilings had gone out and the pier was sagging under the onslaught of the storm and sea. The waves dashed clear over the structure… Pier No. 1 is twenty-five years old and in the last year or two has suffered considerably from the tides. No effort has been made to repair it because the Pacific Electric and the city endeavored to reach an agreement to build a pleasure pier on the site. All freight cars and other movable stuff was taken off by the railroad last night and only a fish derrick and the few sheds were left for the storm to work on. The pier was originally 1000 feet long and served as the passenger landing for steamers which made this city a port of call. More fish have been caught off this pier than any two others in Southern California. —Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1915

The Damage At Redondo

Redondo Beach, April 30.—Thousands of persons gathered along the ocean front today and watched late into the night as structure after structure fell before the terrific onslaught of giant combers whipped on by one of the worst storms in the history of Redondo Beach. While no adequate estimate of the property loss can be made at this hour as the storm shows no evidence of abating, the damage is enormous, running considerably over $150,000. The storm first showed its fury late tonight and the fierce gale, that has been blowing from the northwest for the past twenty-four hours, pounded the breakers so steadily that with the rising tide this afternoon Pier No. 1, owned by the Pacific Electric Company, already minus many pilings, began to give way, the huge timbers crumbling with terrific roars. By 4:30 o’clock p.m., the pier was practically a loss. It had been offered to the city for purchase at $17,500, the pipeline on it being valued at $5000. By 6 o’clock thousands of persons had gathered along the waterfront and watched the Lightning Racer, valued at $150,000, slowly crumble. Falling from a height of 100 feet the superstructure of the racer fell with a terrific crashing of timbers… —Los Angeles Times, May 1, 1915

This storm would signal the end of the wharf and later in the year  “Big Dutch” Kranz was awarded a city contract to finish the demolition of Wharf No. 1. Anglers would now turn their attention to Wharf No. 2, Wharf No. 3, and soon—a municipal pier.

Next — Redondo Wharf No. 2

 Some unofficial records —gathered from published reports

62 ¼ lbs. — Los Angeles Long Wharf, August 17, 1917 — Source: Port of Los Angeles, A Phenomenon of the Railroad Era, Ernest Marquez, 1975

58 Lbs. 11 Oz — Santa Monica Pier, Darrell Barry, March 10, 2001 — Source: Several including Santa Monica Pier Bait Shop, PFIC and Western Outdoor News, March 23, 2001

57 Lbs. 3 Oz. — Port Hueneme Pier, Joseph C, Groth, Sr., February 28, 1965 — Source: Pasadena Independent, March 4, 1965

54 Lbs. — Huntington Beach Pier, W. S. Keith & H. C. Carmichael, May 4, 1939— Source: Santa Ana Register, May 5, 1939

≈ 50 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Wharf, Unknown angler, January 4, 1940 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 5, 1940

49 ½ Lbs. — Seacliff Pier, Unknown angler, July 2, 1948 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 4, 1949

45 ¾ lbs. — Balboa Pier, Harry Campbell, May 20, 1927 — Source: Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1927

45 ½ Lbs. — Redondo Beach Pier, Virginia Lively, June 24, 1975 — Source: Long Beach Independent, July 2, 1975

45 Lbs. — Seacliff Pier (Aptos), Jack Elliott, July 1, 1946 —Source: Santa Cruz sentinel, July 2, 1946

44 Lbs. — Newport Pier, R. O. Stull, July 29, 1931—Source: Santa Ana Register, July 29, 1931

44 Lbs. — Huntington Beach Pier, Seymore Wilson, June 1933—Source: Santa Ana Register, June 5, 1933

43 Lbs. — Capitola Wharf, Wilbur Boyea, May 14, 1934 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 16, 1934

41 lbs. — Santa Monica Pier, Hoyt Holdridge, March 1957 — Source: San Bernardino County Sun, March 5, 1957

40 Lbs. — Seacliff Pier (Aptos), August 1942 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, August 6, 1942

40 Lbs. — Redondo Sportfishing Pier, August 2010—Source: Redondo Sportfishing

40 Lbs. — Monstad Pier (Redondo Beach), Dick Weddington, May 2, 1930— Source: Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1930

40 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, July 22, 1942 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 23, 1942

40 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Pleasure Pier, E. J. Owens, August 5, 1932 — Source: Santa Cruz Evening News, August 5, 1932

≈ 40 Lbs. — Oceanside Pier, September 2004— Source: Oceanside Pier Bait Shop

39 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, July 1949 —  Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 31, 1949

38 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, May 1953 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, May 6, 1953

38 Lbs. — Ocean Beach Pier, August 1998— Source: Ocean Beach Pier Bait Shop

38 Lbs. — Newport Pier, May 2001—Source: PFIC

37 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf — Clarence Hegewood, July 22, 1942 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, July 23, 1942

35 Lbs. — Ocean Park Pier, F. A. Buchanan, May 1908 — Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 31, 1908

35 Lbs. — Newport Pier, August 1940 — Source: Santa Ana Register, August 2, 1940

35 Lbs. — Paradise Cove Pier (Malibu), William Cambier, January 1967 — Source: Valley News, January 26, 1967

33 /12 Lbs. — Redondo Wharf No. 3, August 24, 1910—Source: Santa Ana Register, August 25, 1910

33 Lbs. — Point Mugu Fish Camp Pier, W. J. Stuart, August 1935 — Source: Oxnard Daily Courier, August 3, 1935

32 Lbs. — Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf, June 23, 1948 — Source: Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 24, 1948

30 Lbs. — Balboa Pier, Maybelle Davis, May 1934 — Source: Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1934

30 Lbs. — Huntington Beach Pier, Earl Nelson, October 2, 1908—Source: Santa Ana Register, October 3, 1908

30 Lbs. — Port Hueneme Pier, January 2000—Source: PFIC

30 Lbs. — Redondo Pier No. 3, J. K. Richardson, February 17, 1916—Source: Los Angeles Times, February 17, 1916

 Some unofficial records —gathered from published reports

48.5 Pound Yellowtail — Tony Troncale, Crystal Pier 2012

55 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Montre Somsukcharean, September 21, 2006—Source: Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop & Peggi Straker

50 Lbs. — Pine Ave. Pier (Long Beach), Al Decker, July 1894—Source: Los Angeles Herald, July 3, 1894

48.5 Lbs. —Crystal Pier, Tony Troncale, August 6, 2012 — Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop & PFIC

46 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Thomas Shinsato, August 2015—Source: Source: Crystal Pier Bait Shop & Thomas Shinsato

42 Lb. 1 Oz. — Oceanside Pier, Elmo Nealoff, July 1955—Source: Oceanside Pier Bait Shop

42 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), October 2004—Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

40 Lbs. — Avalon wharf, Mrs. Boyce, June 9, 1897—Source: Los Angeles Herald, June 10, 1897

40 Lbs. — Avalon wharf, W. M. LeFavor, May 21, 1908—Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

40 Lbs. — Pier No. 3, Redondo Beach, August 1907— Source: Los Angeles Times, August 18, 1907

≈ 40 Lbs. — Redondo Beach Pier, October 2008—Source: bloodydecks.com

≈ 40 Lbs. — Hotel del Coronado Pier, September 21, 1899—Source: Los Angeles Times, September 22, 1899

36 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), August 2016Source: Crystal Pier Bait Shop\

35 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), August 2012—Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

35 Lbs. — Balboa Pier, Aaron, November 1, 2003— Source: PFIC

34 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Angel Hernandez, August 2016—Source: Angel Hernandez

34 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Hallman, August 2012 Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

33 ½ Lbs. — Wharf #3 (Redondo Beach), August 24, 1910 — Source: Santa Ana Register, August 25, 1910

33 Lbs. — Newport Wharf, E. P. Deffley, May 1909—Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1909

32 ½ Lbs. — Avalon Wharf, W. M. LeFavor, May 20, 1908— Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

32 ½ Lbs. — Redondo Wharf, August 23, 1891— Source: Los Angeles Herald, August 24, 1891

30 Lbs. — Huntington Beach Pier, Earl Nelson, May 7, 1934 — Source: Santa Ana Register, May 8, 1934

 Some unofficial records —gathered from published reports

 50 Pound White Seabass — Imperial Beach Pier

83 Lbs. — Newport Pier, 1920s—Source: Personal communication, Patrick Kennedy, Baldy’s Tackle (1990)

61 LBS. — Newport Pier, Roger Jackson, December 1, 1927 — Source: Santa Ana Register, December 1, 1927

50 LBS. — Imperial Beach Pier,  “Oyuki”, October 2014 — Source: sdfish.com (October 28, 2014) and Oceanic Angler (oceanicangler.com), November 11, 2014

48 LBS. — Newport Pier, June 1, 1934 — Source: Santa Ana Register, June 2, 1934

45 Lbs. — Capitola Wharf, September 2000—Source: Capitola Wharf Bait Shop

45 Lbs. — Avalon Pleasure Pier, Pat Casey, May 5, 1936—Source: Catalina Islander, May 14, 1936

42 Lbs. — Santa Monica Pier, 1957—Source: Santa Monica Pier Bait Shop? Newspaper> DF&G

41 ¼ Lb. — Pacifica Pier, July 1992—Source: Pacific Bait Shop

41 Lbs. — Point Mugu Pier, Charles S. Leonard, August, 1959 — Source: Oxnard Press-Courier, August 5, 1959

40 Lbs. — Avalon Pleasure Pier, A. E. Eaton, July 3, 1916—Source: Catalina Islander, July 4, 1916

40 Lbs. — Hueneme Wharf, Charlie Chambers, October 1895—Source: Los Angeles Herald, October 27, 1895

≈ 40 Lbs. — Monterey Wharf No.2, October 2009— Source: PFIC

36 ½ Lbs — Balboa Pier, Ed Steif, May 30, 1928 — Source: Santa Ana Register, May 31, 1928

35 Lbs. — Redondo Wharf No. 1, Harold Rempe, June 3, 1909— Source: Los Angeles Herald, June 6, 1909

32 Lbs. — Hueneme Wharf, Charlie Chambers, October 1895— Source: Los Angeles Herald, October 27, 1895

30 Lbs. — Redondo Wharf No. 3, A. J. Bell, May 25, 1909—Source: Los Angeles Times, May 26, 1909

 Cusk-Eels—Family Ophidiidae

Cusk-eel (Photo courtesy of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science)

Species: Ophidion scrippsae  (Hubbs, 1916); from the words otophidium (referring to the large sacklike inner ear) and scrippsae  (in honor of Ellen Browning Scripps who helped establish the Scripps Institution of Oceanography).

Alternate Names: Eel or California cusk-eel. In Mexico they’re called congriperlass or congriperla canastera, while in far off Denmark (where they could only go as tourists, they are called skæflettet slangekvabbe).

Identification: Typical elongated eel-like shape that tapers toward the rear (one identification chart says it resembles a letter opener). The head contains large eyes and a large mouth with a pair of chin whiskers. Dorsal and anal fins are pale with black margins and continuous, joining the pointed caudal fin. Adults are brown to olive above and tan below. The body is plain with no spots but the small scales on the side present a criss-cross pattern similar to a basket weave.

Size: To 10 3/4 inches although most seen at piers are less than 8 inches.

Range: From Guaymas, Mexico, in the Gulf of Mexico, to Point Arguello, Central California. Found on the Pacific coast of Baja, Mexico from Todas Santos north.

Habitat: A bethnic (bottom dwelling) species typically found in nearshore, shallow-water areas, both sandy and muddy, as well as some estuarine areas. Found to a depth of about 360 feet.

Basketweave cusk-eel taken at the Newport Pier in 2003

Piers: Caught infrequently at southern California piers. Best bets: Oceanside Pier, Balboa Pier, Newport Pier, Seal Beach Pier, Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, Hermosa Beach Pier and Santa Monica Pier.

Shoreline: Rarely seen by shore anglers.

Boats: An inshore species rarely taken from boats.

Bait and Tackle: Cusk-eels are an incidental catch by anglers fishing on the bottom for other species. An angler has to have some luck to catch one of these fish. Generally during the day they hide in caves or crevices so most are caught at night or on overcast days. In addition, they typically will bury themselves in the sand and strike out at a passing meal. Their typical foods are small crustaceans, small clams, polychaete worms, and other invertebrates. Thus a small hook baited with worms, pieces of shrimp, or small pieces of clams will offer the best chance for these small fish.

Food Value: Not sure of their food value. Most I have seen were really too small to offer up much of a meal. The only two I have caught now reside in bottles of formaldehyde. However, the kingclip, a cusk-eel that reaches five feet in length in southern and eastern Pacific waters is considered a commercial species and its flesh is considered excellent.

Cusk-eel (Photo courtesy of Mex-Fish)

Comments: I caught my first cusk-eel when I was a neophyte angler fishing from the Newport Pier in the fall of 1962. Since I already fancied myself an amateur ichthyologist, I was determined to identify what this strange fish was, especially since no one I asked had a clue as to its identity. After an exhaustive search through antiquated reference books, I identified the fish. According to Marine Fishes of Southern California by Percy Spencer Barnhart (University of Californiua Press, 1936) it was a Southern California Cusk Eel (Otophidium Scrippsi) [Common and scientific names since changed]. Next, the fish was pickled in formaldehyde for my biology class at Newport Harbor High School. It may, for all I know, still be there. In December of 2002, I caught another of these little cusk-eels out at the end of the Newport Pier and it too was destined for preservation. However, it resides with the Fish and Game Department and is used by them to train game wardens in fish identification. By the way, the fish now has a new common name—basketweave cusk-eel. This fish has a closely related relative called the spotted cusk-eel (Chilara taylori). It is similar in shape to the basketweave cusk-eel but covered with dark blotches on its upper body. It is slightly larger, ranges all the way to Oregon, and is actually more common in California than the basketweave cusk-eel. But, it is also more of a deep-water fish and encountered less often at piers. However, I have seen several caught at the Balboa Pier and Newport Pier, piers that are located near deep-water canyons.

The stated goals were to discuss human-wildlife conflicts, pier/ocean user conflicts, possible solutions, and pier management strategies. The meeting was hosted by Heal the Bay and the California Fish & Game Commission.

The “Summit” was prompted by the “illegal” actions of the Manhattan Beach City Council in 2014. The council closed the Manhattan Beach Pier (state owned but managed by the city) to fishing for a 60-day period starting in July 2014. It then, in mid-August, adopted new, local, fishing regulations that differ substantially from the statewide fishing regulations established by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

• M.B.M.C. Sections regarding Fishing On The Pier

2.40.090 — Pier Fishing

It shall be unlawful for any person to:

(A) Fish with more than one (1) fishing line or cast out more than one (1) fishing line at the same time on or from any part of the pier, whether such line is attached to a fishing rod or not.

(B) Cast a line by swinging said line above the iron railing on the pier or by swinging or casting said line overhead from a pole or from the hand. Casting must be from below the level of the railing of the pier (overhead casting).

(C) Place, throw, or cast from the pier any fish or parts thereof (“chum”) or other debris into the water.

(D) Cast any line other than a monofilament line from the pier. A maximum forty (40) pound test line weight is allowed.

(E) Cast any steel, metal, or braided leader line from the pier.

(F) Cast with any hooks larger than a 4/0 or three inches (3”) in length by two inches (2”) in width from the pier.

(G) Fish from the pier using more than two (2) hooks on a single line.

(H) Clean or gut fish or other marine life on the pier.

(I) Fish from the pier with any fishing tackle, line, hook or other equipment in a manner that is dangerous to persons using the beach, the pier, or the water. Any person fishing from the pier shall comply with any directions given by the City’s code enforcement officers or police officers as may be necessary to safeguard lives, persons and property near or in the vicinity of any person fishing.

The rule changes followed an incident at the pier where a great white shark was hooked by an angler on the pier and then bit a swimmer. The city’s actions in closing the pier to fishing and imposing new regulations were done unilaterally and against the express instructions of both the California Coastal Commission and the California Fish and Game Commission.

Attendees at the conference included representatives from the California Fish & Game Commission, Heal the Bay, United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC), The Sportfishing Conservancy, California Sportfishing League, Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies, Surfrider Foundation, and representatives from the local Santa Monica piers—Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Venice, Santa Monica and Malibu.

Two presentations were given. The first discussed the recent Shark Ambassador Program, a survey of pier users and their catch done by Heal the Bay. The second was a presentation on Sharks of Santa Monica Bay by Dr. Chris Lowe of Long Beach State. Both were interesting although UPSAC had several criticisms regarding the Heal the Bay survey results.

The majority of the meeting concerned what had happened at Manhattan Beach, if there actually was a problem, and possible solutions to the existing conflict between the city and state. It was made clear that only the Fish and Game Commission can establish fishing regulations but it was also clear that a workable solution that avoids taking the case to court is preferable.

After considerable talk, considerable disagreement, and some agreement, it was concluded that further meetings will be needed and all participants agreed to meet again during the next few months. Hopefully by mid-summer 2015 a consensus can be reached on the best practices (and regulations) needed to meet the needs of the various groups sharing the ocean waters.

For a related article see the following —

http://kenjonesfishing.com/2013/12/great-whites-at-the-manhattan-beach-pier/

]]> http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/05/santa-monica-bay-pier-summit/feed/ 0 http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/04/longfin-sanddab/ http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/04/longfin-sanddab/#comments Thu, 09 Apr 2015 19:24:33 +0000 kenjones http://kenjonesfishing.com/?p=6436  

Order Pleuronectiformes — Lefteye Flounders—Family Bothidae

Species: Citharichthys xanthostigma (Gilbert, 1890); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and xanthostigma  (yellow colored with a pointed bone—referring to the long fins).

Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado alón in Mexico.

Identification: Sanddabs are in the left-eye flounder family. Longfin sanddab have very long pectoral rays—longer than the head. Their coloring is brown with a black pectoral fin.

Size: To 10 inches; most caught off piers are under 8 inches.

Range: Costa Rica to Monterey Bay.

Habitat: Found from shallow to deeper water, primarily over sand.

Piers: Usually found in deeper water. Best bets: Balboa Pier, Newport Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Sportfishing Pier and the Port Hueneme Pier.

Shoreline: Rarely caught from shore.

Boats: A small sanddab sometimes taken from boats

Food Value:  Limited because of their small size.

Bait and Tackle: Use light tackle and fish on the bottom with small size 8 hooks. Longfin sanddab will hit most baits but prefer small strips of squid, pieces of anchovy, or worms.

Comments:  Longfin sanddab are a small species that is infrequently taken. However, at times schools will appear near a pier and a considerable number will be taken in a short time.

Species: Citharichthys xanthostigma (Gilbert, 1890); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and xanthostigma  (yellow colored with a pointed bone—referring to the long fins).

Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado alón in Mexico.

Identification: Sanddabs are in the left-eye flounder family. Longfin sanddab have very long pectoral rays—longer than the head. Their coloring is brown with a black pectoral fin.

Size: To 10 inches; most caught from piers are under 8 inches.

Range: Costa Rica to Monterey Bay.

Habitat: Found from shallow to deeper water, primarily over sand.

Piers: Usually found in deeper water. Best bets: Balboa Pier, Newport Pier, Redondo Beach Pier and Redondo Sportfishing Pier.

Shoreline: Rarely caught from shore.

Boats: A small sanddab sometimes taken from boats

Food Value:  Limited because of their small size.

Bait and Tackle: Use light tackle and fish on the bottom with small size 8 hooks. Longfin sanddab will hit most baits but prefer small strips of squid, pieces of anchovy, or worms.

Comments:  Longfin sanddab are a small species that is infrequently taken. However, at times schools will appear near a pier and a considerable number will be taken in a short time.

]]> http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/04/longfin-sanddab/feed/ 0 http://kenjonesfishing.com/2011/12/california-yellowtail-%e2%80%94/ http://kenjonesfishing.com/2011/12/california-yellowtail-%e2%80%94/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 05:06:14 +0000 kenjones http://kenjonesfishing.com/?p=2357 Yellowtail caught at the Crystal Pier in San Diego by Angel Hernandez in September 2015

35-Pound yellowtail taken from the Balboa Pier by “Aaron”on November 1, 2003

Species: Seriola dorsalis (Valenciennes, 1833); from the Italian word seriola (for amberjack) and dorsalis (the long dorsal fin). Some sources now use Seriola lalandi.

Alternate Names: Yellowtail, amberjack, white salmon, amber fish, forktail, tails, rats (little fish), firecracker  (small fish), mossback (large fish) and cavasina. In Mexico typically called esmedregal or medregal de rabo amarillo.

Yellowtail from Crystal Pier, August 2016

Identification: Typical jack shape with metallic blue to green above, a brassy horizontal band along the sides from eye to tail; silvery below; some fish are olive-brown to brown. Fins and tail are yellowish

Yellowtail caught at Crystal Pier on September 21, 2006 by Montre Somsukcharean; reported at 55 pounds. (Photo courtesy of Peggi Straker)

Size: To 80 pounds and over 5 feet long. Most caught from piers are less than 10 pounds, the small fish called “rats” or “firecrackers.” The California record fish weighed 63 lb 1 oz and was caught at Santa Barbara Island in 2000.

Range: Circumglobal in warmer waters and some temperate waters. In the eastern Pacific from Chile to northern British Columbia. Unverified reports from Gulf of Alaska off Kodiak Island and Cordova. Uncommon north of Point Conception.

48.5-pound yellowtail caught at the Crystal Pier in August 2012 by Tony Troncale

Habitat: Usually found around offshore islands, rocky reefs, or kelp beds. Primarily feeds on squid and fish.

40 Pound yellowtail taken by Angel Hernandez at the Crystal Pier on June 14, 2017

Piers: Most southern California piers located near reefs or kelp will see a few yellowtail caught during the year.  However, they are always a bonus fish and rarely caught in large numbers off of piers. Best bets: Ocean Beach Pier, Crystal, Oceanside Pier, San Clemente Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, and the Hermosa Beach Pier. Cryastal Pier in San Diego is by far the best pier in the state for yellowtail and many fish in the 30-50 pound range have been taken.

42-pound yellowtail caught at Crystal Pier— October 2004

Shoreline: Rarely taken by shore anglers.

Boats: One of the most prized species for boaters in southern California. The traditional “yellowtail grounds” have been at Catalina and the Coronado Islands.

34-Pound yellowtail caught at Crystal Pier in August of 2012 by “Hallman”

Bait and Tackle: If an angler wants to try for yellowtail he should have heavy enough tackle to insure a fair chance of landing the fish. Yellowtail like to head for rocks or kelp as soon as they’re hooked so line should test 20-30 pounds, hooks should be small (size 6 or 4) but strong, and the angler must make sure the fish is played out before it nears the pier and the pilings. Although lures work well on boats, almost all of the pier-caught yellowtail are taken on live bait—especially on small jack mackerel, Pacific mackerel or Pacific sardines.

A small “firecracker-size” yellowtail taken from the Redondo Sportfishing Pier in 2011

Food Value: A fairly good tasting fish that is usually broiled or bar-b-cued.

34 Pound Yellowtail caught by Angel Hernandez at Crystal Pier, August 2016

Comments: One of the favorite southern California sport fish but much more common out in deeper water.

What remains of a 54″, guesstimated 40-pound yellowtail that was hooked and then hit by a sea lion at the Redondo Beach Pier in October 2008

Yellowtail taken at the Manhattan Beach Pier in 2012

46-Pound yellowtail taken at the Crystal Pier by Thomas Shinsato in August 2015

A small “rat-sized” yellowtail caught by Rita Magdamo during the James Liu Memorial Derby at the Cabrillo Mole in Avalon in September 2014

Another small “rat-sized” yellowtail caught in Avalon. The fish was caught at the Green Pleasure Pier in September 2014 although the picture is at the Cabrillo Mole.

A pretty-colored yellowtail taken at the Crystal Pier in August 2016

Tony Troncale’s 48.5-pound yellowtail from Crystal Pier, August 2012

Hard to believe, but a yellowtail taken from Monterey’s Wharf #2 in 2012.

36-Pound yellowtail caught at Crystal Pier in August 2016 by Studman 

53.46-pound yellowtail taken by Big Angel at the Crystal Pier in August 2019

Yellowtail taken by Angel at the Crystal Pier in August 2019

Yellowtail taken by Angel at the Crystal Pier in August 2019

53.46-pound yellowtail taken by Angel at the Crystal Pier in August 2019

My very first yellowtail. Taken in San Diego many, many years ago.

Aaron leaving the Balboa Pier with a 35-pound yellowtail in 2003

Some large yellowtai caught from piers

55 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Montre Somsukcharean, September 21,                      2006—Source: Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop & Peggi Straker

53.46 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Angel, August 12, 2019—Source Pam, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

52 ½ Lbs. — Pine Ave. Pier (Long Beach), D. W. Fletcher, September 19, 1896—Source: Los Angeles Herald, September 19, 1896

50 Lbs. — Pine Ave. Pier (Long Beach), Al Decker, July 1894—Source: Los Angeles Herald, July 3, 1894

48.5 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Tony Troncale, August 6, 2012—Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop & Tony Troncale

46 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Thomas Shinsato, August 2015—Source: Source: Crystal Pier Bait Shop & Thomas Shinsato

42 Lb. 1 oz. — Oceanside Pier, Elmo Nealoff, July 1955—Source: Oceanside Pier Bait Shop

42 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), October 2004—Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

40 Lb. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Angel Hernandez, June 14, 1917 —  Source: Personal communication

≈ 40 Lbs. — Redondo Beach Pier, October 2008 — Source: bloodydecks.com

40 Lbs. — Avalon wharf, W. M. LeFavor, May 21, 1908—Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

40 Lbs. — Wharf No. 3, Redondo Beach, Japanese fisherman, August 1907—Source: Los Angeles Times, August 18, 1907

40 Lbs. — Avalon wharf, Mrs. Boyce, June 9, 1897—Source: Los Angeles Herald, June 10, 1897

≈ 40 Lbs. — Redondo Beach Pier, October 2008—Source: bloodydecks.com

≈ 40 Lbs. — Hotel del Coronado Pier, September 21, 1899—Source: Los Angeles Times, September 22, 1899

40 Lbs. — Wharf No. 1 (Redondo Beach), Seth Owens, August 22, 1897 — Source: Los Angeles Herald, August 22, 1897

40 Lbs. — Avalon wharf, Mrs. Boyce, June 9, 1897 — Source: Los Angeles Herald, June 10, 1897

36 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), August 2016—Source: Crystal Pier Bait Shop

35 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), August 2012—Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

35 Lbs. — Balboa Pier, Aaron, November 1, 2003—Source: PFIC

34 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Hallman, August 2012 —Source: James Barrick, Crystal Pier Bait Shop

34 Lbs. — Crystal Pier (San Diego), Angel Hernandez, August 2016—Source: Angel Hernandez

34 Lbs. — Wharf No. 3 (Redondo Beach), William Codie, September 26, 1910 — Source: The Redondo Reflex, September 29, 1910

34 Lbs. — Avalon Wharf, Al Delaney, August 17, 1908 — Source: Los Angeles Times, August 16, 1908

33 ½ Lbs. — Wharf #3 (Redondo Beach), August 24, 1910—Source: Santa Ana Register, August 25, 1910

33 Lbs. — Newport Wharf, E. P. Deffley, May 1909—Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1909

32 ½ Lbs. — Redondo Wharf, August 23, 1891—Source: Los Angeles Herald, August 24, 1891

32 ½ Lbs. — Avalon Wharf, W. M. LeFavor, May 20, 1908—Source: Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

30 Lbs. — Huntington Beach Pier, Earl Nelson, May 7, 1934—Source: Santa Ana Register, May 8, 1934

30 Lbs.— Hotel del Coronado Pier, Joe Larnel, August 31, 1898—Source: Los Angeles Times, September 1, 1898