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

Redondo’s Wharf No. 2 and Wharf No. 3

Wharf No. 3, a wooden wharf, was built during 1903 at Sapphire Street. It would receive its first shipment in January 1904 and primarily be used as a wharf for the lumber industry during much of its life. It would last until 1926 when the lease of the Pacific Railroad was rejected by Redondo Beach.

As with Wharf No. 1 and Wharf No. 2, Redondo’s original wharves were commercial working wharves used primarily for coastal shipping. As such they vied with the wharves at San Pedro and the Long Wharf at Santa Monica for shipping dominance (although the McFadden Wharf in Newport Beach was another competitor and it was often used by the Santa Fe when storms would damage the Redondo wharf). However, commercial shipping began a steady decline in the new century and the wharves at Redondo, like most of the commercial wharves in California, would see a drop in usage and revenue. However, tremendous change would take place to Redondo Beach itself, as well as its railroads and wharves, before Wharf No. 3 was destroyed in the mid 1920s.

Redondo — Thousand-Foot Wharf

Redondo, March 16.—The Redondo companies will build a wharf 1000 feet long, 300 feet north of wharf No. 2. Soundings show that there will be a water depth of sixty feet at the end. H. B. Ainsworth, vice-president and secretary of the companies, left for the north today to make arrangements for construction. This addition will give Redondo a total of about three thousand feet of wharfage and will afford accommodation for the greatly-increased traffic. In the past six months over forty million feet of lumber was handled over the local wharves. —The Los Angeles Times, March 17, 1903

Redondo — Shy On Wharf Room

Redondo, Oct. 23.—Movements of lumber and shipping have been very active here for the past week, and the lack of wharf space has been severely felt. The new wharf is now out about eight hundred feet, but it will take some time to complete it, although the work has been pushed as rapidly as possible. —Los Angeles Times, October 24, 1903

Wharf No. 3 is completed and the schooner Melville Dollar is the first vessel to discharge her cargo of lumber. —Los Angeles Times, January 2, 1904

[Wharf] No. 3 is 1350 feet long; length of berth 325 feet; depth at outer end, 45 feet; inshore end of berth, 25 feet. —Lloyd’s Register of British And Foreign Shipping, 1907

Good Fishing in Past Week—Redondo has been another point of interest during the week. From mackerel fishermen and hand-liners catches of as high as a hundred “cornfeds” have been  reported. Many of these fish have been as much as a foot in length. Several local   fishermen have paid night trips to this beach, returning on the last car with a fine mess for breakfast. The best bait for the mackerel is the mackerel steak, cut from the side of the first ones caught. There have been a good many catches during the week with the Jftp fly bait, the fish rising to it if it is sunk and jerked about a bit. As is usual when the mackerel are running there have been some yellowtail and a few halibut taken by hand-liners. Surf fishing has been unusually good at Redondo, and the wharves at the beach town have been lined with fishermen seeking the little fish each day. —Los Angeles Herald, June 30, 1907

The three wharves at Redondo have contributed plenty of small fish all the week, but very few large ones are thrown in for variety. The liveliest fun has been with skipjacks. These swift, gamey fellows have apparently taken great pleasure in smashing up the tackle of the mackerel fishermen, one of their chief diversions being snatching a live mackerel from the hooks before the angler can respond to his bite and raise the fish. Very few yellowtail have been seen around the any of Redondo’s three wharves, and the barracuda have not been in for weeks. Cornfed mackerel are biting quite well, however, and a fair catch of them is reasonable sure for those who are on the ground at the right time. Infantile corbina are so numerous around No. 3 and in the surf-hole off the beach at Clinton that half a hundred can be caught in a day, when the tides are right. —Los Angeles Times, September 8, 1907

Yellowtail Run At Redondo

Sardine fishing at Redondo is excellent, and not only have the sardines themselves contributed heavily in the anglers’ baskets, thanks to the Japanese worsted fly baits, but by drawing the yellowtail, sea trout and other large game fish they have given the handliners a taste of old-time sport. Friday on one wharf fifty big yellowtails were landed, some of them as heavy as forty pounds. Many halibut have been taken at Redondo; the sand dabs and other small flatfish are biting a little. —Los Angeles Times, September 22, 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

Will Extend Pier

The Redondo Company is still working on its plans for extending wharf No. 3 for 300 feet further, to permit deep-water vessels to discharge the Santa Fe’s Hawaiian ties. Construction will start in the course of a month or so. The first of the tie-carrying ships is expected in December. —Los Angele Times, July 15, 1908

Great Fishing—Redondo, Aug. 27.—For the last two days anglers fishing off the piers have had plenty of sport. Yellowtail, barracuda and bass have been plentiful, owing to large schools of sardines which have been close in shore. —Santa Ana Register, August 27, 1908

Yellowtail at Wharf 3

An unusual run of yellowtail at Wharf No. 3 delighted the hearts of many fishermen Wednesday. Yellowtail in great numbers were piled about the wharf, though the fish were not biting at the other wharves. —The Redondo Reflex, September 3, 1908

Where To Fish—Yellowtail, that monarch of game fish, was a regular visitor at Redondo and nearby beaches but it was from No. 3 that most of the big fellows were caught during the week and no less than 100 ranging in weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds were taken… Yellowtail, corbina, mackerel, cornfed mackerel, jacksmelt, herring, perch, smelt, yellow fin, bonita, and halibut. —Los Angeles Herald, September 26, 1908

Where To Fish—Redondo continues good all the week for cornfed mackerel and jacksmelt, and on two days yellowtail made their appearance and gave great sport. An unusual shore run of sardines brought schools of bonita and skipjacks inside and kept things lively on all three wharves for a day to two. —Los Angeles Herald, October 17, 1908

Monster Jewfish Is Caught At Redondo Beach

Yellowtail, sculpin, bonita and other good-sized fish have invaded the waters of Redondo and vicinity during the last week affording great sport at intervals to occasional handliners who had the luck to be on the ground at the right time. A monster jewfish weighing close to 400 pounds was captured early in the week, and jack smelt and mackerel have also been taken in satisfactory numbers, so the week on the whole has been exceptionally productive to the midweekers. —Los Angeles Times, November 1, 1908

Where To Fish—Redondo was the mecca for fishermen on the west coast last week, and yellowtail, sea bass, jewfish, halibut, all big fellows—jacksmelt, mackerel, sculpin, calico bass, corbina—just pan size—was the magnet which attracted them. There was great sport on almost every day of the week at this old reliable resort, and some notable catches were made. Yellowtail were running in great numbers and size, and several giant sea bass and jewfish as big as they grow were caught just outside the anchor buoys. —Los Angeles Herald, November 14, 1908

Where To Fish—Sculpin and grouper were caught freely at Redondo Beach off of No. 2 wharf nearly every day during the week, and at No. 1 mackerel, herring, perch and smelt rewarded everyone who tried it out there. —Los Angeles Herald, April 24, 1909

Extension of Pier Number Three at Redondo is to Be Started This Week

Redondo, May 17.—The Los Angeles and Redondo Railway Company will start work this week on Pier No. 3, and by July this will be extended to 1700 feet. On the completion of the work the United States Custom House will be moved to new offices built for it which, according to Collector Sheldrick, will give sufficient room to properly handle the increased business at this port, which it has not had heretofore. All the passenger business will be handled and the steamship and railroad offices removed from No. 1 to No. 3 and the bulk of the business handled from there. Mr. Sheldrick states lumber shipments show a remarkable increase in the last few months—a most important industry growing. Five lumber schooners docked yesterday… —Los Angeles Times, May 19, 1909

Lands Big Bass — Redondo Man Secures Thirty-Pounder

Redondo Beach, May. 25.—A. J. Bell of this city made a record-breaking catch for this season when he landed a thirty-pound sea-bass from wharf No. 3 yesterday morning. C. A. Ahrens of Los Angeles caught a 225-pound jewfish yesterday from the same pier with hook and line. C. A. Sheldrick, United States Custom Collector, and famous for his big catches, got fifty-three mackerel and two sea-trout. These were the first sea-trout of the season here and their appearance is hailed with delight by sportsmen. The fish appear to have moved from wharf No. 1, where they are usually to be found to the vicinity of wharf No. 3. —Los Angeles Times, May 26, 1909

Big Catches In Fishing

A number of big catches were made by fishermen this week, all from Wharf No. 3, to which place the fish seemed to have moved from Wharf No. 1. Sunday A. J. Bell landed a huge sea-bass which weighed thirty pounds when dressed. A. C. Ahrens of Los Angeles caught with hook and line from Wharf No. 3 a jew fish weighing 225 pounds. Monday morning fifty-three mackerel were caught by C. A. Sheldrick, who never fails to make a big catch when he fishes. The appearance of the sea trout here is a great drawing card for the sportsmen, as they are generally scarce. —The Redondo Reflex, May 27, 1909

Biggest Fish Of The Season

Tommy Prizgint, a Los Angeles newsboy, and Will Cody, another Los Angeles boy, have the honor of landing the biggest Jew fish of the season. The monster fish was caught Monday morning from Wharf No. 3 with a rod and reel and weighed 400 pounds. It was all the boys could do to land the big fish. Tommy, who is the same news agent, who sells papers at Second and Broadway, is an experienced fisherman and is a member of the Southern California Rod and Reel club. He has caught several large Jew fish this season, but the one Monday was a record breaker and he is justly proud of his catch. —The Redondo Reflex, June 3, 1909

Extension of Wharf No. 3 Nearly Complete

The extension of Wharf No. 3 is nearing completion and will be finished soon after the Michelsen has unloaded her cargo, which will be about a week, as further work on the wharf cannot be done until the departure of the ship. The extension of the wharf 100 feet has been completed and the addition on the north side has been built. There is yet considerable work necessary to complete the south side of the wharf after which the customs offices and offices of the steamship company will be built. —The Redondo Reflex, July 29, 1909

Wharf Extension Completed

The extension of Wharf No. 3 was completed Sunday night in time for the arrival of the Carlton, as had been planned. Unlike the other wharves, a flooring of dressed lumber has been laid making the floor as smooth as a ballroom floor. The wharf improvements will cost between $40,000 and $50,000. —The Redondo Reflex, September 16, 1909

On wharf No. 3 the largest run of sea trout of the season kept a forest of poles busy. —Los Angeles Herald, August 7, 1910

Redondo Having Fine Run Of Mackerel

Redondo, Aug. 25.—Excitement over the heavy run of mackerel has now reached the point where scores of fishermen line the wharves as early as 3 o’clock in the morning to make certain of a place from which to fish at daylight when the mackerel come in to feed. At daylight yesterday morning there were no fewer than 300 fishermen on the various wharves waiting for the run. Many fine hauls were made, and it is estimated that summer visitors here have salted down nearly a ton of the toothsome “corn-feds.” On wharf No. 3, seventeen yellowtails were landed yesterday, the largest one weighing 33 ½ pounds. —Santa Ana Register, August 25, 1910

Wm. Codie, of Los Angeles, made the largest catch of the season off Wharf No. 3, Monday, landing a yellowtail weighing thirty-four pounds. The immense fish attracted much attention as Codie carried it across his shoulder to the business center of town. —The Redondo Reflex, September 29, 1910

Anglers at Redondo Beach are still enjoying the splendid run of yellowtail, mackerel, and halibut. An unusually large number of immense yellowtail are being caught on Wharf No. 3. —The Redondo Reflex, September 29, 1910

Three Men Land Big Jew Fish

H. O. Patey, with the assistance of Geo. C. Bowman and Tom Peterson, succeeded in landing an immense Jew fish Friday. The fish, which was the largest caught this season off wharf No. 3, was six feet, two inches long and weighed 365 pounds. It took the united efforts of the three men to land it, the fish resisting for one hour. —The Redondo Reflex, October 6, 1910

Redondo Beach, Dec. 8.—Contrary to all previous records and far exceeding expectations of the most optimistic anglers, the big run of yellowtail which begun a week ago, still continues, and today was better than ever. So far the sport has been contained to wharf No. 3, where a motley crowd of men and women, Japanese, Chinese and negroes, elbow each other in a good-natured contest for advantageous positions. One of the sights is this morning’s assemblage was an old grandmother who has passed her 70^th birthday, holding a month-old baby on her lap, while she dropped her line in the hopes of landing one of the big fellows. The fish run in somewhat even sizes, ranging from twenty-five to thirty-five pounds each. Last Sunday over 200 were landed, and today’s catch promises to far exceed that number. Most of the catch are made with light tackle, and several small boys are fast becoming wealthy furnishing live bait for the eager anglers. —Los Angeles Times, December 9, 1910

Night Fishing Is Good At Redondo

Redondo Beach, Feb. 16.—Beach fishing has spring into sudden popularity these balmy, moonlight nights at the beach, and many different kinds of fish are biting at this place. A swarm of perch infested the harbor last night and will probably be here for several days. Besides the perch, surf fish are biting well, and many fishermen who are old hands at the game and pleasure seekers from the city can be found at various locations along the beach at night, with their lines strung out into the breakers, The reason for the sudden influx of various kinds of fish is that millions of angleworms have drifted into this harbor and are attracting swarms of fish that come here to feed. This morning, on pier No. 3, J. K. Richardson of Los Angeles caught a halibut weighing thirty pounds, one of the largest of the season. —Los Angeles Times, February 17, 1916

Choice Mackerel Invade Harbor

Redondo Beach, June 1.— Green-back mackerel, many of them weighing over a pound have invaded the harbor here today, and thousands of them are swimming about in the waters. The school is the largest that has ever come here, as fishermen from wharves No. 2 and 3 and at the new municipal pier continue to catch the shining fish and there seems to be no limit to the number in the ocean. Mr. Richard Stokes caught fifty mackerel this morning from the new pier, many of them weighing over a pound. Large halibut are also biting well. —Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1916

Large Jewfish Is Landed At Redondo

Redondo Beach, Nov. 15.—Jewfish are not landed every day. But this day will go down in history for Redondo Beach—that is, Jewfish history. William Sartor, in whose heart flows the desire to fish, managed to land one of the largest ever caught hereabouts. He fought for and hour and a half and used every ounce of energy that he had to make the landing. When the fish was flopping on wharf No. 3, where the event took place, it was placed on the scales and weighed 304 pounds. Five jewfish made their appearance in the bay today and took to nibbling the fish lines. Of the five, two were caught. The other fish weighed 274 pounds. —Los Angeles Times, November 16, 1916

Yellowtail Follow Big Mackerel Run

Redondo Breach, Sept. 2.—With the phenomenal run in mackerel fishing, considered by some to have been the largest run in the history of the Pacific Coast, drawing to a close, yellowtail made their appearance in large numbers in local waters today. About fifteen yellowtail, ranging from twelve to thirty-five pounds each were caught from No. 3 pier today, while it is estimated that about thirty strikes got away. Very few were fishing for them. Several yellowtail were also caught from the other two piers. After struggling with what appeared to be an unusually large yellowtail for more than   one-hour an hour on No. 2 pier early this morning, Larry Zoph, a local fishermen, had, his gaffing honk lowered to hook the yellowtail which had already been brought to the surface, when a huge jewfish snapped the yellowtail off the hook. Those who saw the monster come near the surface of the water claim that it weighed about 500 pounds. —Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1917

Storm Damages Pier At Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach. Feb. 1.—Pier No. 3, owned by the Pacific Electric Railway Company, now used for storing freight cars, was partly destroyed by the storm last night and today. Twenty-five pilings have been washed out, and if the storm continues there is danger of the entire pier giving away. The pier, a wooden structure, was built three years ago by the Pacific Electric and was intended for unloading lumber ships and other freighters, but during the last year only one ship has tied up there. The rest of the time it has been used to keep freight cars not in use. The deep-sea fishermen also have used the pier, landing their catches and keeping their boats there. —Los Angele Times, February 2, 1919

Redondo Beach Shows Increased Shipping

Redondo Beach, May 1.—The business of the Redondo Beach harbor during the month of April shows a considerable increase, according to a statement given out today by D. A. Brice, local agent for the Pacific Electric Company. Twenty-one vessels, unloaded 3,737,636 feet of lumber, or 190 carloads during the month… Pier No. 2, which the Pacific Electric Company has asked permission from the State Railroad Commission to wreck, was condemned more than a year ago as unfit for further use, and all lumber has been unloaded at Pier No. 3. —Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1919

Redondo Beach, Aug. 5.—Yesterday was the first day of the season that the yellowtail and barracuda began running in schools and much excitement and interest prevails along the three wharves where men, women and children are bringing in the big ones, ranging in weight from five to fifteen pounds. Mrs. Mary Goodrich has the distinction of having caught the first yellowtail this year, a big nine-pounder which she hooked with a drop line. —Santa Ana Register, August 5, 1919

Curious Lobster Causes Trouble — Fisherman Explains To His Honor How Catch Occurred

Redondo Beach, Sept. 29.—The curiosity of a lobster which led it to sample bait intended for a halibut landed the lobster, the angler, and a number of interested spectators, in Judge W. M. Browning’s court here, this morning. From the evidence it appeared that J. Hanson was peacefully fishing from pier No. 3 yesterday afternoon when he pulled in a clawed creature of monstrous size. Leaving his prize on the wharf the man, it was stated, went to find out about the game laws and see if he could enjoy a lobster salad, hand picked. But in the meantime Game Warden C. F. Maddex of Los Angeles had been notified that lobsters were being captured at Redondo Beach. The season does not open for some fifteen days yet so the official came down to investigate. The first thing he found was the biggest lobster he had ever seen, which, when weighed, balanced at twelve and a half pounds. The lobster was attached and the luckless fisherman cited to appear to answer the charge of violating the game laws. As it was not proven that the lobster was caught intentionally, nor that the man intended to keep it, the case was dismissed. Constable J.V. Henry carefully deposited the lobster back in the ocean after it was introduced as evidence in court. It was rare the worse, apparently, for its night out. —Los Angeles Times, September 30, 1919

Land Big Fish At Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, Sept. 30—Yesterday W. H. Clark landed a jewfish weighing 240 pounds after an hour with rod and reel, and today D. S. Martin caught another weighing 275 pounds. It took forty-seven minutes to bring up the monster to gaff. Both fish put up a strong fight and only the skill of the anglers brought them to their finish. These fish were both hooked from pier No. 3. —Los Angeles Times, October 1, 1920

By the early 1920s, homeowners along Esplanade began to complain about the Pacific Electric’s lumber operations at Wharf 3 (just south of Sapphire).  They felt that the trains and stacks of lumber between their homes and the ocean were very unsightly. In 1923 the City Council heeded their complaints and refused to renew the Pacific Electric franchise on the wharf.  The lumber industry at once mobilized against the Council’s action. They reminded the Council of the 200 new homes that were needed for new residents, along with other growing lumber demands.  In addition, they published in the newspapers the names and numbers of all persons employed by the local lumber industry.

Both sides had valid arguments for their positions and proposals and counter proposals were made. Citizens were finally given an election to voice their views. In the end, the Council reconsidered the matter and granted a 3-year extension, which would end in 1926.  In that year Wharf 3 was to be dismantled.

Pier Fight At Redondo Is Warmer

Redondo Beach, July 24.—In a hearing before Examiner Handiford of the State Railroad Commission, lumber companies of Hollywood, Culver City, Hermosa and Redondo Beach presented testimony to show that the action of the Redondo Board of City Trustees in refusing to renew the franchise of a lumber pier [Wharf No. 3] operated by the Pacific Electric Railway Company in Redondo would result in an increase of transportation charges and in the inflicting of severe hardship upon many outside firms. The action of the Board of Trustees in this case is said to be due to the fact that Redondo officials consider the lumber pier as “an eyesore” to the beach city, and a detrimental influence to its prosperity. A counter-proposal, in which City Attorney Perry is reported to have offered to allow a two-year franchise in return for certain improvements of right of way and the limitation of the hours of hauling freight from midnight to 7 a.m., has been refused by the railway company, it is understood… In the event no agreement can be reached, the city will be faced with the problem of scrapping the pier or of assuming its operation. —Los Angeles Times, July 25, 1923

To Vote On Industry

Redondo Beach, Dec. 2.—A municipal election will be held here December 20, to decide whether the lumber industry of this city, at the present time the second largest receiving port in California, employing nearly 300 men with an annual payroll of $346,000, will have to go elsewhere by February of next year, or may remain two years. The industry, made up of the Patten & Davis Lumber Company, Redondo Planing Mill Company and the Ganahl Lumber Company, is dependent upon the handling facilities of the Pacific Electric Railway Company, consisting of a receiving wharf and tracks. The railway company’s franchise expires in February of next year and some time ago the Board of Trustees of Redondo, failing to reach an agreement with the Pacific Electric for the extension of the franchise, ordered the pier wrecked. This decision placed the lumber concerns here as well as those in Hollywood, Sawtelle, Culver City, Torrance, Gardena and other sections shipping lumber through this port in the peculiar predicament of moving their property almost over night. A petition circulated by those in sympathy with the lumber industry, asking that the matter be placed before the people, and that a two-year extension be granted the Pacific Electric Company to provide time for the lumber companies dependent on this port to make other arrangements, was successful and the election was set. —Los Angeles Times, December 3, 1923

A short line in the newspapers in 1924 showed that the die had been cast, Redondo’s time as a port was over and the focus would now center solely on its role as a seaside resort and city. Given the decline in shipping business over the years, it seems it was a logical choice. As for the anglers, the municipal pier and the Monstad Pier would now serve as the homes for local “pier rats.” And though both piers would sometimes see good runs of fish they never were able to replicate the results seen at the wharves.

The city of Redondo Beach has ordered the closing of its wharf to business uses, planning to develop its interests along pleasure lines. —Santa Ana Register, April 4, 1924

Redondo Soon to Be Listed With Ports of the Past — One Time Main Entrance For Sea Cargoes to Southern California Abandoned

The port of Redondo will shortly be a thing of the past. Announcement comes from the south today that the place as a commercial port is to be discontinued and that its doors will be closed to all water-bound commerce. From a position of once handling the bulk of cargo transferred from seagoing freighters into the interior of Southern California, the traffic of the place has shrunk until it is now practically nothing. From receiving the visits of tramp freighters and coast-wide passenger lines, the only visitants now are occasional lumber schooners. The first step toward the abolishment of Redondo as a sea port has been taken in the work of demolishing the old Pacific Electric wharf, which handled the bulk of the traffic in the port’s days of prosperity. The Pacific Electric, which held a lease on the waterfront property has been responsible for whatever traffic has come that way in recent years. The lease now expires and with it the trade of Redondo. Unless steps are taken to renew the leases by other concerns with the accompanying erection of wharf or terminal, Redondo is effectively off the maritime map after a career of fifty years. —Oakland Tribune, March 1, 1926

Although Redondo’s Wharf No. 3 was used by the railroads as a seaport until 1926 when it was abandoned, it is still visible—underwater.  Some pilings of the now underwater pier still exist today and divers report that they harbor an amazing variety of sea critters—sea anemones, nudibranchs, octopii, sheep crabs, welks and a wide variety of fish. The sandy bottom near the pilings will also occasionally yield up hundred-year-old artifacts from the wharf to the divers. Apparently the outermost pilings sit about 800 feet from the shore in water that is nearly 40 feet deep and near the edge of the submarine canyon.

Wharf No. 2 was built at the end of Ainsworth Court, just down hill from the Hotel Redondo. The wharf was Y-shaped with two prongs extending out from the shoreline, one on the left for fishermen and sightseers, one on the right for the railroad’s tracks. The prongs joined 300 feet out over the water and then ran for an additional 180 feet.

Wharf No. 2 was built during the time when one of the main maritime questions for the region was being argued, debated and fought out amidst a group of competing sites. Could the Long Wharf in Santa Monica serve as the port of Los Angeles? Could the Redondo wharves and a projected harbor serve as the port? Or, would San Pedro be chosen? For the latter, an expensive breakwater would need to be built and to date the federal government had been unwilling to fund the project. In the meantime, additional shipping was taking place at Redondo requiring an additional wharf.

Redondo, May 3.—It is almost certain that the much needed  new wharf is to be commenced by thee middle of the month. It is more than a necessity from the appearance of the harbor just at present, with the two large lumber schooners unloading as fast as they can and three more vessels lying at anchor, awaiting their turn at the derricks.—Los Angeles Times, May 4, 1895

Redondo, May 15.—Work has been commenced extending the Santa Fe tracks for the new wharf. Work on the wharf itself is to be started in a few days. —Los Angeles Herald, May 16, 1895

Redondo, August 23.—The new wharf has now nearly reached its full length out into the water, there being only forty-five feet more to be added to give a depth of seventy-two feet of water at low tide, and Redondo will then be able to accommodate the largest vessels in the world. The work is being pushed ahead as rapidly as possible, and it is expected to be fully completed by the last of September. —Los Angeles Times, August 24, 1895

The new wharf at Redondo is completed and is the favorite place now for the anglers. It is not definitely known just wherein the attraction lies, but the facts are that the fish in the Redondo waters never were so plentiful and never bit so freely as they have done of late in the immediate vicinity of the new wharf. Immense sized yellowtails are taken daily. —Los Angeles Herald, September 28, 1895

The chief features in the development of Redondo in the last twelve months have been the expansion of the lumber business, the building of a new and larger wharf, and the most remarkable season of fishing ever known in that locality for years… When one considers that Redondo is but six years old, and that this business and passenger traffic has been built up from absolutely nothing since the summer of 1893, it will be better realized how Southern California and especially out seaport location are constantly and surely progressing. The building of a new wharf at Redondo has more than doubled the capacity for the shipping business at that point. The older wharf has a capacity of 5,000,000 feet of lumber per month. The new wharf has a capacity of over 5,000,000 feet per month, and has a depth of some sixty-five feet at the farther end.. Probably no point on the California Coast has had such a marvelous fishing record during the last summer as Redondo, and anyone who is not a personal witness to the catches of game fish to be had up and down the ocean shore in Southern California would be very apt to put no more belief in them than in the average fisherman’s tale. Literally, hundreds of tons of fish have been caught with simple hand-lines from the Redondo wharves, and in row-boats since last March. For weeks last August and September several tons of the finest, fattest and gamest yellowtail and barracuda were landed at Redondo every day in the week. The record smashing day was on September 2, when a careful count showed that 548 yellowtails, having an average weight of seventeen pounds, were landed by hand-liners and hooks, besides about 1200 tons of barracuda, smelt and mackerel that were taken in boats. Catches of ten and twelve tons of sardines at Redondo in seines are common. Girls and boys who have never before caught fish have often landed there twenty yellowtail in a day. —Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1896

A large specimen of the blue shark, common in the waters of the southern coast, was landed from the end of the north wharf shortly after noon today.—Los Angeles Herald, July 28, 1896

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

Yellowtail At Redondo

The good old days of yellowtail and cornfed mackerel have come again to Redondo. Once more lucky handliners are elbowing each other off the three piers of this once popular resort, and at times the yellowtail are stacked up like cordwood on the wharf corners as of yore. The news will be welcome to most fishermen, since the window-weight and sash-cord game that used to rule at Redondo has many friends among those whose chief delight in fishing is to measure their fairly against that of the fish, rather than attempt to wear him out by strategy and careful playing. Last week many sportsmen made big catches off Nos. 1 and 2 at Redondo. Mail Carrier Hauser on Wednesday landing three big yellowtail, half a dozen of the largest size of mackerel, and a sackful of smaller ones just right for a breakfast fry. Bass, halibut, white sea bass, sea trout and other game fish are also in evidence and in consequence Redondo hereafter will probably cease to be shunned by the piscatorial contingent that knows “what’s what” in the sinker-shying sport.—Los Angeles Times, June 11, 1905

Mackerel On Warpath Now

Piscatorial Los Angeles took Sunday off and immigrated to Redondo in old-time force. Whence came the “tip” nobody knew, but the mackerel were there in schools and millions-long, chunky brainbacks almost of corn-fed size averaging a foot in length. And everybody knew it, for mackerel biting flies like wildfire. Armed with long cane poles, light lines and single gut leaders, many using no sinker at all, until the breeze came up, residents of Redondo, supplemented by several hundred local sportsmen, sounded a general advance all along the line on No. 2 wharf at daybreak, and not until nightfall did the run go completely stop.  As ever, the sport was good in spots, but whenever it threatened to slack, some grizzled old-timer would break the monotony with a handful of bran, bread cast on the waters that never failed to return in short order in the shape of wiggling, silvery mackerel.  Voracious as ever, and preeminently satisfactory to the man whose sole object is fast fun, the gamy little fish provided splendid sport, some catches running well over a hundred. Nobody who used suitable tackle went home empty-handed, and for once the wharves looked like old times in the early nineties when the yellowtail and sea bass used to be piled up like cordwood on the wharf corners, supplemented by slapping slab-sided halibut, sturdily trying to batter their way through the deck planks to freedom beneath. The big fish for once were neglected. It is so long since a real run of mackerel has occurred on a public holiday that the handliners put by their crude implements of piscatorial torture and turned sportsmen for a change. Still a few yellowtail and halibut were brought in, one old gentlemen taking a twenty-two-pounder off the corner of wharf No. 2, guiding him dexterously through a tangled maze of fish lines and mooring hawsers to an eventual capture. Among others of the old timers who got in on the fish picnic were Charlie Clark, who caught considerably over a hundred; George Pomeroy, who fished in the morning until his basket handle broke down from sheer weight of fish, and F. J. Bauer, who did his best with a short surf rod, being one of many not rigged for the fun. Residents of Redondo had the best of it in this regard. In some classes of fishing, tackle is of secondary importance, but for mackerel, a long elastic cane rod with single gut leader and one or two hooks is essential. The fish run out from the wharf a little, and the long rods, while heavy, are less often tangled up when in skilled hands. Innumerable schools of assorted anchovies ranging in size from the semi-transparents of two-inch length to adult yellowtail baits were passing the wharves all day. Charlie Clark and partner were netting them at the pier head, the smaller anchovies making the best possible bait for the mackerel, which never refused them at any stage of the game.—Los Angeles Times, August 29, 1905

Fishing on Wharf No. 2

Seekers for big fish had their inning at Redondo where yellowtail were taken by the dozen from every wharf. Will Stearns landed two big ones on rod and reel casting with a Wilson spoon and taking in his prizes on the landing stairs. He had innumerable strikes, the fish apparently going crazy over the erratic motions of the dancing, wobbling thing that wiggled its swift way through their happy hunting ground. Tommy Prizdent also connected with several yellowtail on rod and reel, the hand liners with their live bait, for once being at a discount in wharf fishing. —Los Angeles Times, September 26, 1905

Given that the original length of Wharf No. 2 was reported at 460 feet, it’s a little unclear how the length of 900 feet was reported in 1907. Perhaps the pier had been extended?

[Wharf] No. 2 is 900 feet long; length of berth, 265 feet; depth at outer end 65 feet; inshore end of berth, 20 feet. —Lloyd’s Register of British And Foreign Shipping, 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

Fun With Yellowtail

During the morning several of the members journeyed to wharf No. 2 to see if a few yellowtail could not be had for the cooks, and enjoyed an excellent demonstration of the manner in which the natives do not land yellowtail on rod and reel. A long cane pole of fifteen feet or so is used in this fishing, equipped with a gear box of huge dimensions, a windless in masquerade, dignified by the name of a reel. The Redondo native’s idea of landing a yellowtail is to break his neck at the strike or as soon thereafter as possible. Other lines are always abundant. The best method of gathering them all into a common knot ever devised is to hold a lusty, plunging yellowtail at the end of a 100-foot tether and encourage him to sweep about in the full glory of his early strength. If the fish doesn’t get every line around that side of the wharf, it is bad management on the angler’s part, for such evidently is the object.  Occasionally a fisherman makes a mistake, gives a yellowtail his head and lets him run out to sea to wear out his strength at the end of 400 feet of line and come in a spent fish, easy mark for the rope gaff, but the Redondo heavy tackle knights are sportsman-like in their inclinations, and getting the fish on rod and reel generally seems no part of their philosophy.  Ludicrous things happened  yesterday. Out of six yellowtail hooked on rods at one school that bolted past No. 2 pier-head one line after another broke and away went the fish. One veteran angler of well-hardened muscles lifted his 24-thread line in two so abruptly that he collapsed, capsized and rolled off his perch on a pile like a woodpecker shot out of a treetop. Letting fish run seems to go against the cane rodsters’ grain. —Los Angeles Herald, May 25, 1908

Yellowtail In Swarms Round Redondo Wharves — Are Chasing Schools of Herring and Sardines, and Many Fine Specimens — Fall Prey to Anglers

Redondo, May 28. —Excitement has been at fever heat all day over the big run of yellowtail which have been challenging the endurance of the anglers since early morning. Many fine specimens, weighing an average between twenty and twenty-five pounds, are among today’s catch. Fishermen from different beach towns are here enjoying the sport,   Old fishermen say the prospect for a new fishing record is good, as the water for miles around is alive with yellowtail, following the swarms of herring and sardines, which have been plentiful for several days. The big fish started after the tempting bait offered by wharf anglers late last evening and were landed in rapid succession until long after dark. It is the heaviest run of these fish since last fall, when tons of them were piled upon the wharf in ode day. —Los Angeles Herald, May 29, 1908

Lands Big Jewfish From Redondo Pier

Carl K. Ahrens and his brother, Ralph Ahrens of Los Angeles, landed a record-breaking jewfish at pier No. 2 at Redondo Beach, last Sunday morning. This is the second fish of the kind that has been caught at Redondo. The last one was a giant of 360 pounds and was landed by a Los Angeles fisherman two seasons ago. Ahrens has been trying for the fish every Sunday for a month. Sunday before last he hooked one, but was unable to land it, losing his line in the attempt. The boys started fishing about 10:30 a.m. A 1,000-foot throw line, baited with a halibut’s head, was used. The fish was hooked almost as soon as the line was thrown. It took a fifty-five minute fight to beach the fish, where it was landed by three men. The fish was shipped to Los Angeles. It weighed 228 pounds. —Los Angeles Times, May 30, 1909

Great Fishing—Redondo, Aug. 27.—For the last two days anglers fishing off the piers have had plenty of sport. Yellowtail, barracuda and bass have been plentiful, owing to large schools of sardines which have been close in shore. —Santa Ana Register, August 27, 1908 

Where To Fish—Sculpin and grouper were caught freely at Redondo Beach off of No. 2 wharf nearly every day during the week, and at No. 1 mackerel, herring, perch and smelt rewarded everyone who tried it out there.—Los Angeles Herald, April 24, 1909

Boys will be boys, that seemed to be the reaction to a burglary that took place on the wharf in 1912.

Burglars entered the cigar and candy stand conducted by Louis Field on Pier 2 last night some time. It is supposed that the robbers were boys, as only high-priced cigarettes, candy and a couple of fishing reels were taken. —Los Angele Times, June 8, 1912

1915 would see a series of storms hit the area, which did damage to the wharves (primarily Wharf No. 1) but primarily affected shoreline buildings along a long stretch of coast.

Raging Surf Batters South Beach Towns — Great Damage Done Along Coast Line By Heavy Ocean Storm

OLD MAN NEPTUNE splashed the coast line of pleasure beaches in the vicinity of Los Angeles early yesterday morning, strewing desolation and causing damage estimated at from $250,000 to $500,000. He stirred up a storm that was more general in its effect and more devastating than any that have eaten into the coastline in many years. From Santa Monica Bay on the north to Long Beach on the south as far as Balboa, the storm hammered out scars and decorated the beach with wreckage…  The gale reached its height as the tide rose abnormally early yesterday morning. The seven-foot tide played havoc without discrimination in Santa Monica Bay, where all the piers are of the same elevation, and at other beaches the effect was quite as destroying…  The heaviest storm at Redondo Beach in many years, coupled with a high tide of 4.7 feet, caused damage yesterday along the ocean front from pier No. 1 to Playa del Rey, estimated at probably $75,000…  Shortly after 9 o’clock a.m. the Pacific Electric suspended operations on the Redondo-Del Rey line and service was only partly resumed about noon. As soon as the tide dropped an examination was made of the of the Pacific Light and Power pier at Redondo Beach, and it was learned that the structure is in imminent danger of being carried out by the high tide expected today. A watchman was placed on the pier with orders to keep everybody off. Rising winds and a heavy, rolling sea caused much apprehension shortly before dark yesterday, and great fear is expressed that the high tide and waves will today carry away the remaining portion of the Standard Oil Pier at El Segundo, and wreck many building facing the ocean front. —Los Angeles Times, January 31, 1915

Storm’s Crest Is Weathered

Though wrecking crews and owners of buildings along the ocean front at Redondo Beach worked all night to prepare for the inrush of giant breakers, the crest of the high tide passed yesterday morning without much additional damage… Practically all night the ocean front was a scene of much activity, lights flashed and men and women cottagers labored to fortify their home against the coming high tide… By 6 o’clock yesterday morning many of the cottages ands apartment houses which line the ocean front northerly of pier No. 1 were protected across their fronts by barricades. —Los Angeles Times, February 1, 1915

On March 7, 1915, another storm, described as a typical sou’wester, struck Southern California and did fairly minimal damage to most areas. The exceptions were the beaches that were attacked by wind and wave from the heavy seas. No mention was made in the newspaper account of damage to the wharves but it would be only two months before a new storm struck the area and this one did do damage to the wharves.

Late last night the bathhouse on the approach to Pier No. 2 crashed into the surf along with a long stretch of the pier… The Wharf Café at the approach to Pier No. 1, which was wrecked by the storm and sea, is held up by a few shaking timbers. Tonight the tides pounded it and left it ready to drop into the ocean… Announcement was made that the Pacific Electric would rebuild on a greater scale such of its concessions as were damaged. —Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1915

Choice Mackerel Invade Harbor

Redondo Beach, June 1.— Green-back mackerel, many of them weighing over a pound have invaded the harbor here today, and thousands of them are swimming about in the waters. The school is the largest that has ever come here, as fishermen from wharves No. 2 and 3 and at the new municipal pier continue to catch the shining fish and there seems to be no limit to the number in the ocean. Mr. Richard Stokes caught fifty mackerel this morning from the new pier, many of them weighing over a pound. Large halibut are also biting well. —Los Angeles Times, June 2, 1916

In 1916 it was reported that Wharf No. 2 was becoming unusable for commercial shipping due to sand silting.

Wharf No. 2

Yellowtail Follow Big Mackerel Run

Redondo Breach, Sept. 2.—With the phenomenal run in mackerel fishing, considered by some to have been the largest run in the history of the Pacific Coast, drawing to a close, yellowtail made their appearance in large numbers in local waters today. About fifteen yellowtail, ranging from twelve to thirty-five pounds each were caught from No. 3 pier today, while it is estimated that about thirty strikes got away. Very few were fishing for them. Several yellowtail were also caught from the other two piers. After struggling with what appeared to be an unusually large yellowtail for more than   one-hour an hour on No. 2 pier early this morning, Larry Zoph, a local fishermen, had, his gaffing honk lowered to hook the yellowtail which had already been brought to the surface, when a huge jewfish snapped the yellowtail off the hook. Those who saw the monster come near the surface of the water claim that it weighed about 500 pounds. —Los Angeles Times, September 3, 1917

Huge Specimen Is Hooked By Angler

Redondo Beach, Jan. 14.—A skate weighing almost 200 pounds and measuring more than six feet in length and four and a half feet in width was caught from pier No. 2 yesterday afternoon by Il. Sherard, a local fisherman. This is the largest skate, local fishermen claim, that has ever been caught in local waters. Sherard was fishing for jewfish at the time and was using an extra heavy hook and line. The fish put up quite a fight before Sherard got him on the pier. —Los Angeles Times, January 13, 1918

March 1919 saw a storm that did extensive damage to Redondo’s fairly new (three years oid) municipal pier. Undertow from the storm cracked and then washed into the sea much of the outer portion of the pier. Surprisingly no damage was reported to Wharf No. 2 or Wharf No. 3.

Redondo Loses; Harbor Gains — Growth of Local Port Given as Reason for Petition to Remove P. E. Wharf

Asserting that the shipments by sea do not justify the maintenance of two wharves, the Pacific Electric yesterday applied to the State Railroad Commission for authority to remove what it describes as “wharf No. 2.” The wharf was built over twenty years ago and, according to the railway, is not worth the annual expenditures of between $1000 and $5000 required to keep it up. Development of Los Angeles Harbor is held to have been responsible for the loss of the major part of the Redondo Beach shipping. —Los Angeles Times, April 28, 1919

Redondo Beach Shows Increased Shipping  

Redondo Beach, May 1.—The business of the Redondo Beach harbor during the month of April shows a considerable increase according to a statement given out by D. A. Brice, local agent for the Pacific Electric Company. Twenty-one vessels unloaded 3,737, 636 feet of lumber, or 190 carloads during the month as against fourteen vessels unloading a total of 2, 332,378 feet of lumber or 114 carloads for the same period last year. Pier No. 2, which the Pacific Electric Company has asked permission from the State Railroad Commission to wreck, was condemned more than a year ago as unfit for further use, and all lumber has been unloaded at Pier No. 3.—Los Angeles Times, May 2, 1919

Redondo Protests Wrecking Of Wharf

Redondo Beach, May 2.—This city has protested to the State Railroad Commission against the wrecking of wharf No. 2, by the Pacific Electric Company, according to Joseph V. Cullen, industrial manager for Redondo Beach. The city will be represented when the matter comes up for a hearing before the commission. The contention of this city, according to Mr. Cullen, is that the pier was built on the tidelands, which belong to the city and that although the pier has been condemned for use for shipping purposes it is still used extensively by professional and amateur fishermen. With an expenditure of about $1500, Mr. Cullen says, the pier could be put in shape sufficiently to accommodate the amateur anglers as well as the deep-sea fishermen of the city. —Los Angeles Times, May 3, 1919

Sport At Redondo

Redondo Beach, Sept. 6.—Fishing excitement ran high this  morning when a most unusual rub of large mackerel came in close to shore. A thousand pounds of fish is the estimated haul made by anglers on pier No. 2 alone. The fish averaged four pounds each and as these are as gamey as any caught with small tackle in these waters a great deal of sport resulted. Poles and lines were broken and some of the women anglers had to be assisted in landing their catch. —Los Angeles Times, September 7, 1919

Storm At Redondo

Redondo Beach, Nov. 7.—Ushering in the first storm of the season, a forty-five-mile gale is raging along the coast. Pier No. 2, owned by Pacific Electric Company, is steadily weakening with the breakers already rolling over its top. The tide is expected to reach 7 feet 4 inches by 8 o’clock tomorrow. No damage was reported at a late hour tonight. —Los Angels Times, November 8, 1919

 Workers Wreck Pier At Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, Aug. 12.—Pier No. 2, one of the best known landmarks of Southern California, is to be wrecked, the work being underway today. The pier, which was condemned a couple of years ago, belongs to the Pacific Electric Company for years, but was given over to fishermen. Formerly the wharf was used by big lumber boats that unloaded at Redondo Beach and was one of the busiest commercial wharfs in the southern part of the state. It was built about twenty-seven years ago. —Santa Ana Register, August 12, 1920

Costly Windstorm — Redondo Beach Fishermen Suffer Big Losses

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. A Larson’s seine boat broke its moorings and was washed ashore, a mass of kindling… Three smaller boats were made lack straws of by the huge waves, and seven went to the bottom, those can be salvaged.  Wharf No. 2 was being wrecked by the Pacific Electric Railway Company, and much valuable machinery was in danger of going to the bottom of the ocean as about sixty feet of the pier went out. The crew with much labor and considerable danger succeeded on pulling the heavy derrick back to a place of comparative safety. The rest of the property was removed. This old landmark of Redondo, that has been the Mecca of thousands of fishermen from all parts of the world, is now a thing of the past. 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

Redondo Pier Is To Be Wrecked —Pacific Electric Wharf is Doomed To Go — City Proposes to Construct Promenade in Place

Redondo Beach, Aug.12.—Pier No. 2, for years a fishing mecca for Los Angeles anglers, and lumber pier of the Pacific Electric Railway Company is to be wrecked according to an announcement by D. W. Pontius, vice-president and general manager of the railway. This means the discontinuance of a brisk lumber receiving port which, years ago, before Port Los Angeles was developed, was the main inlet to Los Angeles for ocean-shipped lumber. Removal work probably will commence early in the coming winter. In a recent election, a big majority of Redondoans defeated a proposition which would have authorized the drilling of oil wells within city limits. It was stated that if the measure would pass Redondo would be ruined as a residence beach. The refusal of the city Board of Trustees to renew the franchise is in furtherance of this policy. When the pier and tracks along the oceanfront are removed, it is planned to construct a beautiful promenade. No little controversy arose when the request for a new franchise was refused. Lumber concerns in Redondo, Hollywood and Culver City protested, saying it would increase their expenses. The matter was finally brought before Examiner Handford of the State Railroad Commission at a meeting in Los Angeles, at which time the lumber concerns attempted to show that Redondo had no right to refuse another franchise. At that time Redondo was ready to grant a three-year extension of the franchise providing the railway company would use the north end of town for a freight yard, eliminate their tracks in the west end, and operate trains only from between midnight and 7 a.m. At the meeting the railway refused to entertain this proposition. Thereupon Examiner Handford stated that the Railroad Commission had no power to order an extension of the franchise or maintenance of the pier. The Pacific Electric then requested permission to wreck its property. To provide time for lumber concern, dependent upon Redondo for their shipments, to make other arrangements, it is understood officials of the Pacific Electric Company will appear before next Monday night’s session of the Board of Trustees, and request a ninety-day extension of the franchise. Board members have intimated that they would be inclined to grant such a request. —Los Angeles Times, August 13, 1923

 Date For Wrecking Railway Pier Is Set

Redondo Beach, Aug.15.—The date on which the Pacific Electric Railway Company will begin wrecking its pier here was set at February 19, 1924 by the Board of Trustees of Redondo at a meeting last night. The franchise which was to have expired the month next, was extended six months to give lumber companies who receive lumber through the port to make other arrangements. The railway agreed to have the wharf removed by April 19, 1924—Los Angeles Times, August 16, 1923

Thus came to end the second of Redondo’s famous piers. Soon after would see the loss of the last wharf.

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

Species

Alternate Names: Greenback, green mackerel, green racer, greenies (or candy bar greenies—small mackerel), blue mackerel, striped mackerel, zebra mackerel, right mackerel, chub mackerel, frog, tiny tuna, mac, big mac, mac trash and my favorite—macaroni. Called macarela del Pacífico in Mexico. 19th century commercial fishermen often called them tinker mackerel, little mackerel or Easter mackerel. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, SoCal newspapers referred to large mackerel as “cornfed mackerel.” Given the number of Midwesterners who had moved to California in the late 1800s, and the fact that large and stocky men and women in that area were often called cornfed (in a healthy sense), the name would seem to make sense. My goodness, what a plethora of diverse names.

Pacific mackerel — Thomas Orozco, Pepper Park Pier, San Diego

Identification: Typical mackerel shape with am elongated body tapering at both ends; identified by the long space between the dorsal fins, 25 to 30 black to dark green bars and spots across the back, and irregular spots on the sides.

Size: To 25 inches and 6 pounds. Most caught off piers are less than 18 inches. The California record fish weighed 2 lb 8 oz and was taken at Los Angeles in 1995.

You don’t need heavy equipment for most macs — Shelter Island Pier in San Diego

Range: Gulf of California (some sources say Bahia Banderas) to southeastern Kamchatka, western Gulf of Alaska. Also Panama to Chile and Islas Galápagos.

Pacific mackerel — Hermosa Beach Pier

Habitat: Pelagic, feeding mainly on euphausids (small, shrimp-like crustaceans, i.e., krill, usually 1/8 inch to less than an inch), squid, and young fish. Found from the surface down to about 100 feet.

Piers: Common at most piers in California north to and including those in Monterey Bay (generally at the more northern piers in late summer or fall). Best bets: Imperial Beach Pier, Oceanside Pier, San Clemente Pier, Balboa Pier, Newport Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Sportfishing Pier, Hermosa Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach Pier, Malibu Pier, Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara), Goleta Pier, Gaviota Pier and Monterey Wharf #2. Generally uncommon at piers north of Monterey Bay although recent warm-water years have seen them move north. In 2009 mackerel began to show up at the Pacifica Pier that sits just south of San Francisco. Next they entered San Francisco Bay and became fairly common at many piers along the San Francisco waterfront as well as several piers in the East Bay. But, they continued to move north!  In September of 2014 we had one taken at a “Kids Fishing Derby” at the Trinidad Pier north of Eureka (75 miles south of the Oregon border) and then in October of 2015 I caught one at the Citizens Dock in Crescent City, just 20 miles from the Oregon border. in 2016 several were caught at the Del Norte Street Pier in Eureka as well as at other spots in Humboldt Bay. Mackerel follow the baitfish and the baitfish often follow the warm water.

Pacific mackerel — Hashem Nahid (Mahageer), Redondo Beach Pier

Shoreline: Sometimes taken by shore anglers fishing from jetties in southern California.

Boats: One of the mainstay fish for southern California boats although some years also caught north at least to Monterey Bay.

Pacific mackerel — Robert Gardner (Redfish), Cabrillo Mole, Avalon, Catalina Island

Bait and Tackle: Caught on a wide range of baits and artificial lures. A very simple method is also the most common; it is especially useful when fishing from a pier that sits down near the water. Simply attach a size 4-2 hook to the end of the line, put a small split-shot sinker a couple of feet above the hook, and use a small strip of squid, 2-3 inches long, or a bloody strip of mackerel, as the bait. The rigging can be used as is, or used in conjunction with a small float so that the bait stays a few feet under the surface of the water. If available, live anchovies are also excellent bait. When a school of mackerel is in one of their ravenous moods, a Sabiki/Lucky Lura-type bait rig can be deadly and will often produce a fish on every hook (which can lead to tangles and loss of the rig). The most fun can be had with a light outfit and a small artificial lure—a light bonito-type jig or even a cast-a-bubble with a bucktail fly. Generally the bait, whether live bait or cut bait, should be kept moving. A technique that often works is to cast out a high/low leader baited with cut anchovy or piece of mackerel, let it sink toward the bottom, then immediately begin a medium speed retrieve; mackerel will often hit it on the way up, usually just before it gets to the surface. At times, when a school is really hungry, the mackerel will hit on anything and everything (although I think pieces of mackerel are the best bait) and this leads to the common term: “mac attack.” It’s an appropriate title.

Pacific mackerel — Trinidad Pier (north of Eureka) —a rare treat this far north

Food Value: Mackerel are a fairly strong flavored fish, a fact that stops some people from eating them. Too often they wind up being used as bait, as fertilizer, or being thrown away. At the same time many people find them delicious. Typically the difference is due to the way they are handled and cooked. Being a fairly oily fish, the flesh can quickly deteriorate and soften. Put them on ice after capture, keep them cold, and use within a couple of days, and you will be starting with a much more palatable type of flesh. In addition, you can remove the darker (muscle) flesh from the side of the fish (the lighter the flesh the more mild). Lastly, if you want to reduce the strong flavor, cook utilizing methods that remove oil from the flesh—broiling and barbecuing being the best.  If you have a smoker they can also be made into tasty jerky. It’s recorded that in England there has been a special dispensation in existence since the seventeenth century that allows mackerel to be sold on Sunday. Thus the quickly spoiling fish are not wasted. It simply affirms the necessity of keeping them cold and eating them while fresh.

The flip side is that some groups prefer the strong flavors. They know that using spices that complement the flesh produces a tasty and favorable piece of fish. Still, mackerel may not be the fish for those raised on the mild tasting, white-fleshed fish used for fish and chips (cod, halibut, rock cod, etc.).

A mess of macs from Wharf #2 in Monterey

Mackerel caught at the Newport Pier in 1998 by Sucnguyen. Newport and similar deep-water piers like Balboa, Redondo Beach and Monterey Wharf #2 are frequently the best places to catch mackerel.

Comments: Mackerel numbers seem to go in cycles; for years they will be fairly uncommon and then there will be years when they will be at nearly every southern California pier. Recent years have seen huge catches. Unfortunately many of these mackerel go to waste. I have seen people who loaded buckets (or gunnysacks) with mackerel day after day at their favorite piers. I sincerely hoped they used them. Pacific mackerel are pretty little fish and terrific fighters for their size. Seafood, A Connoiseur’s Guide and Cookbook by Alan Davidson, comments on the “attractive and flashy appearance of mackerel,” noting that the “French name maquereau also means ‘pimp’” and that “in the past mackerel was a term for dandy in England.”

Pacific mackerel and Pacific sardine — Goleta Pier. Both fish will sometimes school in the same areas and when they do anglers are assured a good catch of fish.

 An uncommon to the area Pacific mackerel from the Del Norte Street Pier in Eureka

Thornback rays taken at the Ventura Pier

Species: Platyrhinoidis triseriata (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880); from the Greek words platys (flat and broad), rhin (shark with a rough skin), oid (like) and is (similar), and the Latin words tri (three) and seriat (rows, in reference to the three rows of spines on the back).

Alternate Names: Shovelnose shark, pinback ray, prickleback shark, banjo shark, round skate, and my favorite—throw-‘em-backs. Called guitarra diablo or guitarra espinuda in Mexico.

An interesting combo, a thornback ray on one hook and a sea star on the other. Combo landed at the Malibu Pier.

Identification: Large rounded disk; long stout tail with two large dorsal fins and a caudal fin, and three rows of spines on back and tail characterize the thornback ray. Their coloring is brown, gray brown, or olive brown above, and white or cream below.

Size: To three feet and nearly 6 pounds. Most caught off piers are less than 24 inches.

A thornback ray from the Crystal Pier in San Diego

Range: Gulf of California to Tomales Bay and once considered uncommon north of Monterey. However, increasing numbers have been showing up in the Bay Area since about 2010.

Habitat: Common to sandy-beach areas of southern California, especially sandy areas below kelp. Their main food is worms, clams, crabs and shrimp but they’ll eat almost anything they can find on the bottom.

A thornback ray from the Capitola Wharf (Photo courtesy of Capitola Bait and Tackle)

Piers:  Probably the most common ray caught off southern California piers; most often caught just outside the surf area. Best Bets: Crystal Pier, Oceanside Pier, Newport Pier, Seal Beach Pier, Redondo Beach Pier, Stearns Wharf, Goleta Pier and the Avila Pier.

Shoreline: A frequent catch of southern California shore anglers fishing near sand.

Boats: Few are taken by boaters.

Adam and a thornback ray caught at the Avila Beach Pier. It looks like he’s not too sure about the catch.

Bait and Tackle: Medium tackle with size 4 to 2/0 hooks. Almost any bait will work but squid and anchovies seem to catch the most thornbacks.

Food Value: Although a European thornback ray, Raja clavata, is considered perhaps the best tasting of all rays and skates, California’s thornback ray is not in the same class. In fact, because of its small size, I have never heard of anyone eating one of these rays.

Two happy anglers and an unhappy thornback at the Shelter Island Pier in San Diego

Comments: This can be a fun ray to catch on light tackle! Try fishing at night on almost any southern California pier (and a few in central California), use a light pole, and bring a good light so that you can distinguish this non-harmful ray from the more dangerous round stingrays.

A thornback ray from Capitola (Photo courtesy of Capitola Bait and Tackle)

A thornback ray caught at the Cayucos Pier

A thornback ray from the Redondo Beach Pier

]]> http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/08/thornback-ray/feed/ 0 http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/05/the-good-old-days-on-the-piers-%e2%80%94-1/ http://kenjonesfishing.com/2015/05/the-good-old-days-on-the-piers-%e2%80%94-1/#comments Thu, 21 May 2015 23:49:51 +0000 kenjones http://kenjonesfishing.com/?p=7089  McFadden Wharf — 1895 (site of today’s Newport Pier)

Ken Jones — Fish Taco Chronicles —Spring 2015

Maybe one day there really will be a time travel machine. It may be a “pie in the sky” hope but it’s an increasingly common thought I’ve had while researching the history of California’s piers.

The piers have changed, as has the tackle, but most interesting, or perhaps depressing, is the change to the number and size of fish. The tales of large sportfish being caught on piers (or early wharves) are sometimes amazing.

The records for the late 1800s into about 1910 show incredible amounts of fish and heavy harvesting by commercial nets. By 1910, stories began lamenting the overfishing by the commercial industry; by the 1920s, the records more resemble today’s catches with the exception that large number of yellowtail still were caught from piers, as well as large halibut, and huge giant (black) sea bass.

Today a yellowtail from a pier is a noteworthy achievement, the vast majority of halibut from piers are undersized fish, and while the giant sea bass are once again becoming common to SoCal piers, most are youngsters under 50 pound in weight.

As said, some of the stories are amazing. They give glimpse to a different world and reason why a time machine would be a handy little device to have the next time an urge to go fishing comes along. Some of the most interesting reports follow.

Giant (Black) Sea Bass at Coronado — 1905

Giant (Black) Sea Bass—the stories of giant (black) sea bass caught from wharves in the early 20^th century are amazing. Many people fished exclusively for the bass using heavy equipment and many caught huge fish. Today the fish are illegal and though an increasing number are caught from piers, none of the recent fish have been recorded at these large sizes.

• Long Beach—John Leach, an employee of the Pine Avenue Fish Market, broke a Southern California record yesterday at the end of the Pine Avenue Pier by landing a jewfish weighing 365 pounds. —Santa Ana Register, June 12, 1914

• The biggest fish story of the weekend comes from Hueneme Wharf where the five week’s old patience of a Hollywood angler was rewarded with the capture of a 400-pound jewfish yesterday. A crowd of over 100 assembled on the Hueneme Wharf to watch the landing of the monster fish, which took an hour and half of struggle. The successful fisherman was Arthur Kovalovsky of 7300 Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, who has camped at the Hueneme Beach Resort for the past 5 weekends, spending most of the time trying to tempt the big fish to accept his offering of three pound mackerel used as bait… Until yesterday he was unsuccessful in landing any of the large fellows though some were nearly caught at times. —Oxnard Press-Courier, July 25, 1927

• Carl Sandino, one of the operators of a live bait stand on Balboa pier, hooked and landed the biggest fish of any kind ever caught off that pier yesterday. Sandino’s catch was a giant black sea bass, which tipped the scales at 452 pounds. The head weighed 70 pounds. —Santa Ana Register, May 13, 1930

• R. A. Hendricks brought in the biggest fish of the year late yesterday afternoon, when he landed a 453-pound black sea bass at Stearns Wharf after a hard fight that lasted nearly two hours. He was fishing on the side of the wharf opposite the pile driver when the big fish struck. He played the fish from the wharf until he had broken one of the handles on his reel and was nearly exhausted. He said this morning that the fish made forty to fifty runs out to the end of his 150 yards of line. Each time the fish apparently tired and allowed himself to be towed back to the wharf by the fisherman. Finally Mr. Hendricks jumped into a rowboat that was alongside the wharf. The fish was tied to the boat and the fight continued. Several times the big fish was worked in alongside of the boat, but would suddenly break away for another run. A small .22-caliber rifle was brought into play as the fish came alongside of the boat for the final time and five shots stopped the fight… Many Santa Barbara fishermen saw the huge fish this morning. It measured seven feet three inches from tip to tip and two feet across the tail.                —Santa Barbara Daily News, October 23, 1925

Yellowtail—As would be expected, the deep-water piers at Newport and Redondo, and the long, long, Long Wharf near Santa Monica, led the hit parade for numbers of yellowtail caught by pier anglers. However, from the late 1800s into the “Roaring Twenties” they were seen at almost every pier. Of course these fish were joined by other pelagic species including mackerel, bonito, jacksmelt and, apparently, skipjack.

• Huge Yellowtail Taken From Wharf At Avalon. Terrific Struggle Is Witnessed By Highly-Excited Crowd, Ends Finally in Capture of Forty-Pound Fish — Avalon, Cal., May 21.—W. M. Le Favor of Avalon, while fishing off the wharf yesterday morning, caught a forty-pound yellowtail, which gave him a great fight. As soon as he hooked the monster it began a series of circles, going in and out among the piles, while the many onlookers watched the magnificent struggle for supremacy. Finally the yellowtail cleared the piles and Mr. Le Favor with the assistance of three other men, succeeded in landing him. The day before Le Favor succeeded in landing a thirty-two  and a half pound yellowtail off the same wharf. Fully 150 people saw the fish weighed. Yellowtail are being caught off the wharf daily. — Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

• The smoothest seas of the year are now prevailing at Redondo. People are enjoying the bathing, boating and fishing. 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

• 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

• Mr. J. M. Sare states that yesterday’s fishing at Newport wharf excelled anything he ever saw. The big yellowtail kept the water in a boil, chasing mackerel and other fish up to the very edge of the sands. His wife caught three fifteen-pounders in a few minutes. Fish were stacked on the beach like cordwood. —Los Angeles Herald, September 19, 1896

• 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. —Los Angeles Herald, October 14, 1898

• Newport— This week the fishing has improved considerably and the farther end of the wharf is busy with anglers. Thursday was one of the good days of the week, a large number of big yellowtail being caught, besides mackerel and halibut. Henry Moye of Santa Ana pulled out four superb yellowtails averaging about 17 pounds each. —Santa Ana Register, September 14, 1907

• Newport—Fishermen are catching yellowtails weighing as high as thirty-two pounds off the wharf. —Los Angeles Herald, May 22, 1908

• Huntington Beach—Many yellowtails have been caught here this week. Earl Nelson secured one at the wharf yesterday weighing thirty pounds. —Santa Ana Register, October 3, 1908

Redondo continued good all the week for cornfed mackerel and jacksmelt, and on two days yellowtail made their appearance and gave great sport. An unusual shore run of sardines brought schools of bonito and skipjacks inside and kept things lively on all three wharves for a day or two. —Los Angeles Herald, October 18, 1908

• Monday and Wednesday were banner days for sportsmen the past week. More than sixty yellowtail were caught from the S. P. wharf at Newport. Geo. Smith caught seven skipjacks and a bonito Wednesday. —Santa Ana Register, October 19, 1908

• Redondo—Spanish and greenback mackerel and yellowtail are running in great numbers here now. All three wharves are occupied by many fishermen. —Santa Ana Register, October 12, 1909

• Newport—Yellowtail have been very numerous around the wharf and five or six is the average number caught daily. A great many more are hooked but manage to escape either by breaking a hook or line. Some of the yellowtail are very large and require an expert to bring them to gaff. —Santa Ana Register, November 1, 1909

• Redondo—Excitement over the heavy run of mackerel has now reached the point where scores of fishermen line the wharves as early as 3 o’clock in the morning to make certain of a place from which to fish at daylight when the mackerel come to feed. At daylight yesterday morning there were no fewer than 300 fishermen on the various wharves waiting for the run… On wharf No. 3, seventeen yellowtails were landed yesterday, the largest one weighing 33 ½ pounds. —Santa Ana Register, August 25, 1910

• Redondo—Yesterday was the first day of the season that the yellowtail and barracuda began running in schools and much excitement and interest prevails along the three wharves where men, women and children are bringing in the big ones, ranging in weight from five to fifteen pounds. —Santa Ana Register, August 5, 1919

Halibut—Halibut were a common catch at all piers but the numbers were higher and the larger fish were bigger.

• Long Wharf—On August 17, 1917, a sensation was created when the biggest halibut to be caught in several years was taken. It weighed 62 ¾ pounds, measured 4 feet 2 inches across the back and 5 feet 8 inches from its snout to the end of its tail, and was 40 minutes in the catching. (It’s unclear if this halibut was actually caught from the pier.) —Ernest Marquez, Port Los Angeles, A Phenomenon of the Railroad Era, 1975

• The largest halibut ever caught with a light line and tackle from a pier on the Pacific coast was hauled in at Balboa late yesterday by Harry Campbell, Balboa fisherman and a member of the Balboa Angling Club. The fish weighed 45 ¾ pounds. Large halibut are being brought in regularly along the beach at Balboa and Newport Beach, but the one captured by Campbell is the largest ever caught in the vicinity. —Santa Ana Register, May 21, 1927

• A 44-pound halibut measuring nearly five feet from tip to tip was the catch of R. O. Stull of North Giassell this morning. Stull caught the big fish off the Newport pier at 7:30 o’clock with a three-pound grab hook… The fish put up a game fight and was landed with difficulty, the line breaking just as a net was lowered under him. —Santa Ana Register, July 29, 1931

• The largest halibut ever to be taken from the Huntington Beach pier is the 54-pound fish pictured above.  W. S. Keith of 1024 North Olive Street, Santa Ana (left), and H. C. Carmichael of Huntington Beach (right) made the catch. —Santa Ana Register, May 5, 1939

White Sea Bass—White sea bass and young sea bass called sea trout were common at many of the piers but especially at the Ocean Park Pier.

• It is reported that the big white sea bass are coming into to surf to feed again and several were hooked off the Newport pier last night, with one weighing 48 pounds being landed. —Santa Ana Register, June 2, 1934

• Can fish see at night is definitely answered by anglers frequenting the pier at Ocean Park each night to fish for sea trout under the brilliant spotlights. Ed Marshall, in charge of the tackle store and end of pier fishing, reports increasing numbers of sportsmen taking up this fascinating method of deep-sea fishing. Good catches of sea trout are reported, which should reach maximum in a week or so, reports Marshall. —Van Nuys News, May 3, 1934

• Biggest Run of Sea Trout, Bass at Pier in Years—One hundred fifty white sea bass in a single evening’s fishing from the Ocean Park Pier during the past week is positive proof of the biggest run of sea trout in years, reports Commodore Bob Oefinger. Not only are great numbers of sea trout being taken at night under the spotlights, but halibut of unusual size and in quantity are also being landed on every unit of the fleet out from this popular fishing port. A few examples of individual catches are given here: Ten sea trout by Geo. Carlson, Pasadena, end of Ocean Park Pier; Fifteen halibut by L. Weiner, Los Angeles, end of Ocean Park Pier; Thirty sea trout by Bob McKay, Venice, end of Ocean Park Pier. —Van Nuys News, June 14, 1934

• One source said pier fishing was the finest in the last 10 years. Several hundred barracuda and white sea bass were taken from the Newport wharf alone yesterday. —Santa Ana Register, May 25, 1939

Sharks and “Biggest Fish From a California Pier”—Back in the day when the giant sea bass were a commonly caught species, the equipment was heavy and the bait was big. However, you never knew what you were going to catch and this shark might have been the largest fish taken from a California pier.

• Newport Beach, Oct. 30—A genuine “man eating” shark, fourteen feet long and weighing approximately 1800 pounds, said to be the largest fish ever caught from the Newport Pier, was hauled to land shortly after 2 o’clock Monday afternoon by Frank Claudenia. The battle between the huge sea monster and Claudenia waged only for fifteen minutes when onlookers, realizing that the catch at the end of the line was of such nature that it could not probably have been landed, made for their homes for a rifle which to shoot the monster. R. J. Shaffer of this city, who had been fishing on the pier, was the first to reach shore and return with a rifle. He immediately took four shots at the monster. The last of the shots succeeded in hitting the “man eater” in a vital spot and he floated quietly on the water. A team of horses was secured to draw him upon the beach. The news of the large catch soon spread and hundreds of persons from both Balboa and Newport rushed to see the huge fish… According to the version of the catch as explained by Claudenia, the monster had tackled several hooks of other fishermen but had succeeded in breaking their lines. The fish then took his bait which consisted of a three pound mackerel and started for deep water. While he held him others ran for a rifle and the huge sea monster’s life was soon ended. —Santa Ana Register, October 30, 1923

A second version contained additional information.

•  Take Giant Shark On Hook—Sea Monster 15 Feet Long Weighed 1,800 Pounds—A shark 15 feet long, weighing about 1,800 pounds and 57 inches in circumference was caught off the Newport pier by Frank Claudenia. He had been after jewfish when the shark swallowed his hook. The big fish pounded the piling and put up a fight until he was shot with a rifle by Rube Schaffer. When the shark was finally brought into the surf a team of horses was hitched on and the fish pulled ashore. The fish is what is known as a mackerel or bone shark and is a sea scavenger. It is not of the man-eating variety. —The Evening Standard, Uniontown, Pennsylvania, December 12, 1923

• Two immense sharks were caught by Cash Ramsey yesterday from the [Huntington Beach] wharf with a jewfish hook and line, and were towed in and landed on the sand. The larger one measured nine and one-half feet in length and weighed 500 pounds, the other one being almost as large. They were very ugly looking fish, with an immense mouth. A jewfish was caught from the wharf by Mr. Warner, weighing 157 pounds, the same day. There seemed to be a school of large fish around the wharf hunting for food… A. L. Reynolds landed a twenty-two pound yellowtail from the wharf and several fine lobsters weighing five pounds each. —Santa Ana Register, November 3, 1905

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/2014/10/finescale-triggerfish/ http://kenjonesfishing.com/2014/10/finescale-triggerfish/#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2014 00:03:41 +0000 kenjones http://kenjonesfishing.com/?p=5471 Order Tetraodontiformes — Triggerfishes — Family Balistidae

KJ and a Finescale Triggerfish from the Cabrillo Mole

Species: Balistes polylepis (Steindachner, 1876); Balistes comes from the Latin word ballista (a device that shoots arrows—referring to the trigger-like spine) and the Greek word polylepis (many scales)

Alternate Name: Triggerfish. In Mexico called cochi, puerco coche, cochito or pez puerco.

Identification: The body is very compressed; they have a small mouth containing strong, protruding teeth (8 in each jaw); 3 strong, sharp spines are located in the first dorsal fin with 26-28 rays in the second dorsal; small gill slits are located in front of the pectoral fin. The skin is thick with large, rectilinear, plate-like scales. The coloring is brownish with blue speckles on head.

Rita, Kyle and a Finescale Triggerfish from the Cabrillo Mole

Size: To 32 inches and perhaps as much as 16 pounds.

Range: San Antonio, Chile, to Metlakatla, (southeastern) Alaska) but considered rare north of Baja California.

Habitat: Generally found on the bottom, nearshore near rocky reefs, but they can range down to 1,680 feet deep. Some have arrived north during the El Niño years and it’s speculated that there are at least three established groups near Redondo Beach, Santa Monica and Catalina. They feed on a variety of bethnic-invertebrates such as snails, sponges, sea urchins, shrimp, and crabs as well as the occasional fish and are most active during the day.

The teeth are useful on some of the tough critters they eat.

Piers: Reported from the Redondo Beach Pier, Redondo Sportfishing Pier, Santa Monica Pier, and Cabrillo Mole in Avalon.

Shoreline: Several have been caught from the shoreline at Catalina and the jetty at Redondo Beach.

A Finescale Triggerfish caught from the rocks at Catalina by Jeff (Salty)

Boats: A fairly rare species for California boaters.

Bait and Tackle: Will take most bait including squid, market shrimp, and ghost shrimp.

Food Value: Excellent, all-white fillets that can be cooked many ways. The only problem is that the skin is like leather so you need a good, sharp fillet knife.

A Finescale Triggerfish caught from the Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Comments: Considered a fairly rare species in California although just enough fish are caught to keep it interesting. I’ve caught three—one in Maui, one while fishing out of Rancho Buena Vista in Baja California, and one from the Cabrillo Mole in Avalon.

A Finescale Triggerfish taken from the Redondo Beach Pier

]]> http://kenjonesfishing.com/2014/10/finescale-triggerfish/feed/ 0 http://kenjonesfishing.com/2013/02/redondo-sportfishing-pier-%e2%80%94/ http://kenjonesfishing.com/2013/02/redondo-sportfishing-pier-%e2%80%94/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2013 03:48:24 +0000 kenjones http://kenjonesfishing.com/?p=3034 Redondo Sportfishing Pier

This is a small (250-foot-long) pier that sits inside of Redondo’s King Harbor. It was built in 1969 and is used by Redondo Sportfishing and its fleet of boats. Often crowded, especially during the summer months, this private pier yields a lot of fish. As a matter of fact, more fish are probably caught per angler than at the larger Redondo Beach Municipal Pier that sits a short distance to the south

Many unusual fish are seen in the harbor and some are caught at the pier. I thought the most unusual visitors were a school of deep-sea skipjack tuna that made an unfortunate mistake and turned into the harbor one day (some sources say they were black skipjack—Euthynnus lineatus). And, the deep-water triggerfish and bullet mackerel that have been caught are pretty intriguing. But then I heard the story of the swordfish (Xiphias gladius). For some reason a young, four-foot-long swordfish ventured into the harbor in 1992 and stayed for nearly a week. It occasionally would surface and attract crowds and eventually four different television stations filmed it. Many people feared it was injured and almost all hoped it would make its way back into the open ocean. It disappeared after a week and has not been seen since.

A sheephead caught from the pier on a whole squid

Another unusual species, one that actually seems to have formed a resident population, is a school of broomtail grouper. The groupers, which are more commonly seen in Baja California, are sighted every winter in the harbor. Most of the fish seem to be between 30-40 pounds (so where are the babies?) but they range to over a hundred pounds and a few will be hooked most years. The best theory I’ve heard so far to explain their appearance (besides the warm water in the harbor) is that they are most evident when the schools of bonito enter the harbor. Even though the bonito are noted for their speed, they are prey for the grouper. After all, if you were a sixty-pound grouper, would you prefer a half-ounce anchovy for lunch or a five-pound bonito? If you do hook one of these monster bass remember that they are illegal and must be returned to the water immediately. Failure to do so means a stiff fine at the very least.

Environment. The pier has a unique environment that produces an olla podrida of large and small fish, common and uncommon species. Most important is the deep-water Redondo Canyon, which sits just outside the entrance to the harbor. The canyon, which drops off to a depth of over 2,000 feet, produces a considerable upwelling much of the year. One result seems to be a funneling of rich nutrients, plankton, baitfish and larger fish directly into the harbor.

The entrance to the harbor

In addition, this harbor was famous for years due to two warm-water outlets in the harbor (one the famous Bubble Hole) that discharged water from the Southern California Edison generating plant that sits across the street. When in operation the water here was warmer than that outside the harbor in the ocean (five to ten degrees warmer during some winters). The warm water attracted bonito; in fact, the harbor was known as one of the best spots for bonito in southern California (and almost always was the best spot during the winter). Many, many bonito were caught at the pier. Some years also saw fairly good runs of small (firecracker size) yellowtail; a fact that would unnerve some of the deep-sea anglers patiently waiting in line to board a sportfishing vessel and hoping to have a chance to land a yellowtail.

Firecracker-size yellowtail from the pier

However, a new company took over the plant in 1998 and decided to change the system that the Edison Plant had used for the past 30-40 years—sucking in cold water from the harbor and releasing hot water back into the harbor via the “bubble hole.” Stopping the release of the warm water had, of course, an adverse affect to the harbor’s fish, especially the bonito. Eventually the plant was shut down but then it was resold and reopened. For a while the warm water releases seemed to be occurring again but recently reports say they’ve been shut down. No one knows if the warm water will be released once again into the harbor. If not, there will be far fewer bonito—and yellowtail.

The famous “Bubble Hole”

Finally, although the pier sits over a sand-and-mud bottom, there are a considerable number of rocks and debris under and around it. One result is that a lot of rocky shore species are caught including seaperch (black, rubberlip, white and rainbow), opaleye, halfmoon, blacksmith, senorita, rock wrasse, kelpfish, salema, sargo, sculpin, bass and even an occasional sheephead. The pier is not a great place to catch the smaller schooling species that prefer sand, species like walleye surfperch, queenfish, or white croaker, but who really cares when you have these more favorable species? In addition, pier anglers also catch quite a few spider crabs and spiny lobster from these waters.

A rocky shoreline plus rocks under the pier

I used to think the pier was poor for halibut, especially when compared to the nearby larger Redondo Pier.  However, a 25-pound halibut was caught on a Worm King in July of ’02 and a 40-pound fish was taken on a live sardine in August of 2010. In fact, that August saw a terrific one-week run of halibut that included the large 40-pound fish, a 25-pound fish, and three 20-pound fish. All were taken in one week’s time and all were caught on live sardines. I think the nearby Redondo Pier is still better but I could be wrong.

Halibut from the pier

Fishing Tips. Anglers here are presented two almost completely different options for fish. Excellent action can take place for the pelagics from the mid-pier area to the end. For these fish, cast out away from the pier (toward the famous Bubble Hole), and use small feathers, spoons, live anchovies and live sardines, or small strips of bait (anchovy or squid) behind a cast-a-bubble. Bonito, Pacific mackerel, jack mackerel, and sometimes barracuda or even yellowtail will be the reward. White seabass make an occasional visit and sometimes they’re good-sized legal fish but you have to hit them when they’re there. The end section has also been reported to be a good area from which to catch spiny dogfish (at least in years past) although I have never seen any of the twisting little sharks in my visits to the pier.

Additional fish taken at the end include sanddabs, needlefish and sheephead. In February of ‘08 a 29.7-pound sheephead was landed at the end of the pier. It was caught on a live squid and topped the 21-pound goat caught in February of 2001. I’ve also caught quite a few white seaperch and pileperch using worms and ghost shrimp from the far right corner of the end (with a diagonal cast from the end).

A Redondo Sand Bass

This can be an excellent pier for bass—bay bass (spotted sand bass), barred sand bass and calico bass (kelp bass). Kelp bass probably make up 90% of the catch albeit most are under 14-inches, the legal size, but an occasional bigger fish is caught including a 7-pound calico that showed up in June of ’09. Some big sandies are also caught as seen in a hefty 8-pound fish in May of ’09. Regulars say that quite often the bass only show up around 5-7 A.M. in the morning, and then again in the evening (although I’ve caught kelp bass throughout the day), and they hit best on an incoming tide. What to use? Plastics are one answer, especially Worm Kings, Big Hammers and Scampis. Live bait and cut bait (especially anchovies) will also work on the feisty bass. By the way, the trio of local bass has been joined by a few striped bass over the last decade, wanderers who traveled a long way from their northern home.

An unusual species for the pier — a Striped Bass

Fish the inshore half of the pier, on the bottom and under the pier, or by the inshore rocks, for rocky-shore species. An amazing number and variety of small rock-frequenting species are found here. In fact, this is the only mainland pier that nearly duplicates the catch of the Catalina Island’s piers, albeit in much smaller numbers. For these species, use fresh mussels, bloodworms, lugworms, ghost shrimp or small pieces of shrimp as bait. Remember to keep your hook small, no larger than a number 4, and keep your line light. This is also a good pier for California scorpionfish (sculpin); fish on the bottom with anchovy or strips of squid and be wary of the sculpin’s spines. At times some nice halibut have also been landed although, as noted, the pier has never really been viewed as a prime halibut pier. Live bait is, of course, the key if you’re seeking out the flatties.

A black seaperch aka buttermouth perch from the pier

Regulars who fish the shoreline area often create a feeding frenzy by throwing bread into the water. Most commonly a mass of opaleye will converge, making a “meatball” of fish one to three feet thick. Once stimulated, the fish will strike at almost any bait. The best method, however, is to cast out a size 8 hook baited with a small piece of bloodworm, a couple of frozen peas, or moss which you have collected. If you just want opaleye, stick to the peas and moss; if you want other fish try the worms, small strips of mussel or squid, or small pieces of shrimp. At times there will be mixed schools of opaleye, blackperch, senorita, rock wrasse, salema, kelp bass, blacksmith and the beautiful, but illegal to keep, garibaldi; these will usually be in the lower levels of the water. Above this school will be a different school made up of topsmelt, jacksmelt and shinerperch. The angler can decide which fish he wants by the bait he uses and depth he fishes.

The ubiquitous senorita are, by the way, notorious for their bait stealin’ abilities and can drive you nearly crazy at times. The small but feisty fish will attack almost any bait but are especially fond of soft-fleshed baits such as mussels and worms and they can strip the bait from hooks in a matter of seconds. However, they’re a pest that you have to put up with if you want the other, more desirable species. You can try mussels or worms that have been salt-cured to toughen them up but you’ll still lose some bait.

If the tidal conditions aren’t too difficult (you need a mild current), you can also drop your bait down into the crevices and small pools that sit amongst the inshore rocks. You must do it carefully, and be prepared to retrieve instantly when a fish hits your bait or your rigging will likely be lost under a rock. However, the result will often be fish such as opaleye, blackperch, cabezon, and giant kelpfish. I’ve even taken a few fish that are relatively uncommon to most piers—rockpool blenny (Hypsoblennius gilberti), spotted kelpfish (Gibbonsia elegans) and striped kelpfish (Gibbonsia metzi). All were caught fishing down among these rocks,

A beautiful cabezon from the pier

Special Recommendation. This is a private pier. Make sure you have a license. Don’t get in the way of the Sportfishing operation and buy bait and tackle from them if possible.

Eugene and a female sheephead

Author’s Note No. 1. Do spider crabs and stingrays hang out together (it would make an interesting bar scene in an aquatic version of Star Wars)? That unusual question arose one early summer day in 1996. I was fishing out at the end of this pier for bonito and mackerel. Unfortunately, those fish were not cooperating. Instead, at the top of the water, there were some good sized jacksmelt and on the bottom a seemingly numberless assemblage of small speckled sanddab. Next to me set a guy crabbing and he had three buckets full of large spider crabs. On one drop to the bottom I hooked something heavy and as I pulled it up realized it must be one of the crabs. Sure enough, it was, but it wasn’t really hooked. Mr. Spider Crab had grabbed hold of a sanddab on my hook and didn’t want to let go. Following about two to three feet behind the crab was a large round stingray. Halfway to the surface of the pier the crab released its pincer-hold on the fish, and the crab, together with his companion, the stingray, drifted slowly out of sight. I had seen a similar occurrence a few years ago at the Port Hueneme Pier. Did the crabs and stingrays have a thing going, were the stingrays just nosy, or was a form of symbiosis taking place between these two quite different species? Unfortunately, I do not have an adequate explanation for these soul-searching questions.

 Daniel and a sheep crab (spider crab)

Author’s Note No. 2. Although the species differed year-to-year, especially cool-water versus warm-water years, an eighteen-year study of the fish found at the nearby harbor jetty recorded 123 different species of fish. It’s not surprising that visitors to the pier see an interesting mix of fish. I’ve only caught a little over thirty species at the pier but if I lived in the southland, and fished the pier more often, I think I could catch an impressive number of species.

A spotted kelpfish from the pier

Author’s Note No. 3. Barge fishing headquartered on the various “Redondo” piers was a long time tradition. Most operated from the Monstad Pier but the last few barges operated out of this smaller pier. I was lucky enough to fish from the last two barges—the California and the Isle of Redondo.

The Isle of Redondo in 1982  

My favorite barge trip took place on the California on July 26-27,1978. My seven-year-old son Mike and I were doing a pier hoppin’ trip along the coast and had fished the morning at the Crystal Pier in San Diego before heading back north. I planned to fish the Redondo Beach Pier and possibly the Hermosa Beach Pier that night but hadn’t made a motel reservation. Instead, I decided to spend the night on the barge as a cheap alternative to a motel so caught the ferry out at 7 p.m. I fished the entire night while Mike fished for a few hours before getting some shut-eye. There was an absolutely amazing amount of fish being caught. Mostly it was medium-sized bocaccio with some mackerel mixed in. People would catch some fish, head over to clean their fish, the guts and remains would be sent down toward the Redondo Submarine Canyon and apparently the waiting maws of fish because their was a steady stream of fishing showed up to partake of our fishy offerings. I managed to reel in 54 bocaccio, 14 mackerel, 5 sablefish, a rosethorn rockfish, a blue rockfish and a misplaced white croaker. I did manage to hook a large shark but after fighting it for quite a while (with undersized rod and line) it wrapped the line around the anchor chain and that was the end of the story.

All told it was 76 fish although I only kept my limit (and yes, I should have stopped fishing much earlier but you learn as you age). Mike and I headed back in to the landing on the morning shore taxi and preceded north to Malibu where we fished the pier a few hours (and had some more great action) before heading on up to Santa Barbara. At Santa Barbara we caught the 1/2 day boat Hornet where I caught 14 additional rockfish— blues, bocaccio, flag, honeycomb, starry, olive and vermilion. We got back in to the dock at 5 p.m. and were quite ready for the motel (and I had a reservation that night).

The Isle of Redondo

A few years later, in August of 1982, I fished the Isle of Redondo one night from 6:30-11 p.m. but the species were a different mix—48 mackerel, 2 vermilion rockfish and one unusual squarespot rockfish.

Today the barges are gone but you can still hop on a Sportfishing boat from the pier.

The City of Redondo

History Note. When a breakwater was completed for Redondo Beach in 1939, locals were optimistic that a new harbor would revitalize the area. Instead there was immediate havoc along the waterfront. The breakwater cut off the normal drift of sand and it began to pile up along the north end of the breakwater. Beachfront areas to both the north and south quickly saw a loss of sand and suffered erosion. Money was needed to improve the breakwater (which was difficult to find during World War II) so the area remained an undeveloped harbor for many years. Eventually the problems were worked out and construction of King Harbor began in 1960. It was dedicated on November 19, 1966, and named in honor of Congressman Cecil R. King—although he couldn’t be located during the dedication. Duh!

A look from the water with the towers in the background

The Redondo Sportfishing Pier was opened on May 1, 1970, as the home base for the Redondo Sportfishing operation but it also soon became a favorite spot for pier anglers. The sportfishing landing has a full range of fishing craft including half day and full day boats. Until the mid-’90s, a barge was also available. The landing’s barge California was the boat from which I had my greatest night of fishing back in 1978, but that’s another story. The Isle of Redondo replaced it in 1980, but today the barges are simply history.

Breakfast at Polly’s On The Pier

                                            Redondo Sportfishing Pier Facts

Hours: Usually open dawn to dusk, or should I say opens for the morning boats and closes after the last evening boat.

Facilities: There are restrooms on the pier and some lights but no benches. The Sportfishing landing carries some bait and tackle (though more geared toward boat fishing) as well as limited snacks and drinks. Parking in the adjacent parking lot is $2 an hour although you can get validation at the Sportfishing Landing or at Polly’s. There is limited meter parking on side streets. Nearby are a beach, a play area, a shallow-water swimming area, and several restaurants.

Polly’s On The Pier

Good food is available at Polly’s On The Pier located mid-pier. The restaurant says they’re a local icon and I can’t disagree, There isn’t any doubt that it’s a place where hungry fishermen (and non-angling locals) grab breakfast or lunch. You can sit at your table and eat some good food while you’re watching your fishing pole just a few feet away. It’s open 5AM till 2 PM. Breakfast specialties include a plethora of omelets, biscuits & gravy, banana hotcakes and other such goodies. Lunch items include all the normal sandwiches and hamburgers as well as home made chowder and fish and chips.  I’ve had several meals there and they’ve always been good.

Handicapped facilities: None

Location: 33.84333937755767 N. Latitude, 118.39393973350525 W. Longitude

How To Get There: From the Pacific Coast Highway take Beryl St. west to Harbor Dr. and follow it to the entrance of the sportfishing parking lot.

Management: Charles G. Johnston, Inc.

A fishing buddy — Hashem, and a halfmoon

E-Mail Messages

Date: August 16, 1999

To: PFIC Message Board

From: Joshua

Subject: Can somebody give me some tips for the Redondo Sportfishing Pier and what you can catch?

Posted by Monkfish 

In the shallow end, and I mean really shallow, some opaleye can be had using mussels, green peas, or sand crabs. Use a size 8, down to a 12 hook and either a small float or a splitshot and let it drift with the waves. Mid-section, I don’t know…possibly some small bass or a sargo or two. I’ve caught halibut using live bait on the bottom dropped straight down…a long time ago. Sometimes there are silver surfperch there in force, but that’s sometimes, and mussel or shrimp can usually get them about 3-4 feet below the surface. The main fun is bonito when they are in the harbor. The very end and the near end are good places. Sometimes they’ll only hit white, yellow, or chartreuse feather on a splasher bubble with a 2-4 foot leader. Live bait usually works well with light line and a size 6 hook. Also, Krocodiles and small diamond jigs can work well too. Throw ‘em out towards the bubble hole (the whirlpool) and let ‘em sink about half way or more (even to the bottom) and reel in varying retrieves, or throw ‘em out at the very end and do the same. You can also catch macks, especially at night there. Since the pier is lower than most, just fly line a piece of ‘chovy and let it slowly sink. This is all older information. I used to fish the place when I was a kid, when the fishing was much better and you could park behind Red’s Tackle Shop and walk to the pier without having to pay an arm and a leg. Nowadays, the whole area is condo-yuppie city…with nothing but pay meters… but at least that pier still has the same old stinky knotty character it always had.

 Date: January 29, 2001

To: PFIC Message Board

From: GO FISH

Subject: Redondo Sportfishing Pier Report 01/29/01

This pier was a first for me and my buddy, and it proved to be a nice change over the slooooooow Santa Monica Pier. Arrived at 7:30 am and bought some squid from the tackle shop. Threw in the lines and waited. Our lines got some nice rips and hooked onto 2 big macs and I managed a 13” Sand Bass. My friend’s pole also nailed a large Sargo Perch with a strip of squid. Witnessed 1 good boil, which I assume was Bonito. There were plenty of nice sized perch along the pylons and a couple of guys next to us pulled in some nice Opaleye and Zebra Perch. Gonna head out there again tomorrow morning!!!

Date: January 2, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: monkfish

Subject:  Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Fished the pier from about 2 till dark. Bonito were there off the end. They were lure shy but I got 4 on dead anchovies. I farmed a couple and one better one ran me around the pilings to the left and broke me off on 8 lb. Anyways, they’re still there. I was using a fly bubble with a 2 ft 8 lb. leader, size 4 hooks. They were anchovies I took off a party boat that were frozen. People were catching them with standard frozen anchovies that you get from a baitshop. Just cast out, keep your eye on your float, when it goes down, maybe do a 2-3 count then wind tight and set the hook. Pretty simple, but they would sometimes spit the ‘chovy that’s why the short count.

Caught a few baby Sargo at the shallow end, really small though. After dark saw a huge school of probably Sardines swimming around. (I think they were sardines but I can’t be certain. The way they were swimming, reminds me of schools of sardines I saw in a river in Portugal.)

I still love fishing from this old rickety pier. It’s the only pier I know that sways when the boats are moored up to it.

Date: May 3, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: Ken Jones

Subject:  Day 5 – Redondo Sportfishing Pier.

Headed up to the Redondo/Hermosa area after leaving Balboa. Planned to go directly to Hermosa where I was to meet Mola Joe at 5 but I got there early. So, I headed down to this small pier. Figured I could get in, fish a little, and get out—all in a short period of time. Once again however the fishing was slow. About ten anglers lined the rail all wonderin’ where the fish had gone. I think the fish were there, just not biting. Fished under the pier with small hooks and pieces of lugworms. Wrong thing to do; forgot how many senorita are under that pier. Tried it for half an hour but only landed 3 senorita and 1 jacksmelt. Fish stole most of my bait. After witnessing a school of 10-12 bonito casually swim along the water in front of the pier I headed out to the deeper water. Alas no strikes on the top or the bottom. Then a boat comes in, the deckhand comes over with a live sardine, fly-lines it out and proceeds to pull in a 4+pound bonito. Talk about humbling. He offered to let me use some live bait after I lent him my needlenose to unhook the bonehead but I had to head out to Hermosa. Maybe next time?

Date: July 31, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: calicomen505

Subject: Anybody fished Redondo Sportfishing Pier?

Just this Saturday a guy caught a 40-inch Halibut using plastics on the end of the Redondo Sportfishing Pier and they are also catching smelt and sargo at the front of the pier.

Date: October 20, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: gsxr750

Subject:  Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Today, my twins and I had our best day pier fishing so far. We went to the Redondo Sportfishing Pier at about 7:30am. At first we were fishing in front of the bait shop. We caught lots of small fish—senoritas, shiners, smelt, and mackerel. I caught two “eating size” black perch. One of my twins caught a Calico Bass, but it was only about nine inches, so it was released, ditto for a small flat fish (not a halibut). My other twin caught an opaleye down by the rocks on a pea; this was big enough to eat so we kept it. Then the bonito started to boil at the end of the pier. I took a Fishtrap with a yellow head down there and cast it in. I got hit hard on the second cast, and spend about 10 minutes fighting a large bonito using my freshwater bass spinning outfit. The fish finally gave up, and I started to pull it up to the pier “hand over hand” style. The line broke about halfway up—lost fish and lure. Oh well, I was probably going to let it go anyway; don’t really like to eat bonito; a little strong for my taste. About five minutes later another guy caught a bonito—looked like roughly the same size has the one I had, but he didn’t loose his. He was also using a plastic lure. He got his on a large bait-casting outfit, so he could horse it in pretty easy.

All in all a great day. The pier was not too crowded, the people were nice, the guys in the baitshop were helpful as usual, and the coffee from Polly’s was excellent. Can’t wait to get back there.

Tally: 2 Black Perch—kept

1 Opaleye—kept

1 Mackerel—used for bait

Many Senoritas—mostly released

Small flatfish—released.

Several smelt—used for bait

Several small shiners (baby perch?) used for bait or released.

1 Bonito—lost halfway up to the pier

 Date: November 18, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: gsxr750  

Subject: Redondo Beach Sportfishing Pier – Sunday

Spent almost all day at the sportfishing pier Sunday with two of my boys. We fished off the end of the pier the whole time. We were hoping for Bonito—no luck on that but it was a fun day. Early on we had a good run of Macs—they would swoop in and we’d have two or three people with fish on. Great fun with my freshwater spinning outfit. I was using that rig with a Sabiki to catch smelts for bait. It’s kind of a mess if a Mac grabs the top hook on a Sabiki—they start doing those barrel rolls—lol … My kids had fun going for Octopus. They caught two between the pilings at the end of the pier. They had more than that bite, but some of them did not actually get hooked, and they let go on the way up. They also got a lot of conch shell snails. One of my kids cooked the octopi last night and ate some—not bad tasting stuff from what he said.

Tally:b 5 Macs

5-7 Smelts (used for bait)

2 Octopi

The bonito never started boiling. The guy in the bait shop said they had a pretty nice boil on Saturday. I didn’t see anybody catch any bonito at all on Sunday. There were quite a few perch caught in front of the shop.

Date: December 16, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: Ken Jones

Subject:  Redondo Sportfishing Pier: 12/10/02

Whenever I have the opportunity I like to check out this pier because of the non-traditional pier species that are available. Unlike most southland piers that present mainly sandy-shore species, this pier almost always has some rocky-shore species lurking under the mid-pier area and by the rocks. In addition, the deep waters out at the end often yield some unusual species.

After an early morning drive down from Lodi, and finding a motel, I arrived at the pier and was set to begin fishing by 1 p.m. Unfortunately, an angler already had the spot I wanted by the rocks and was casting out plastics. So, I moved down the rail and starting fishing with the pile worms I had brought from Stockton. I started to get a few bites but nothing spectacular; in one hour I landed 3 blackperch and 1 blacksmith. Next I moved out to the end where I tried some cut anchovies and ghost shrimp. But nothing seemed interested and after 40 minutes I headed back to the mid-pier area. The angler by the rocks had not had a hit so he decided to leave and, of course, I grabbed the inshore spot.  I spotted what appeared to be fairly good-sized opaleye by the rocks so continued with pile worms and pieces of ghost shrimp. Luckily the wave action was moderate and I was able to drop the bait down into the holes and cervices in the rocks without losing my gear. The result was some steady action that included blackperch, opaleye, giant kelpfish, kelp bass, cabezon and a sargo.

Fished: 1:05-5:05 (when they shut the gate and kicked me out).

Gear was two rods and reels: a light action spinning outfit (Penn 4500 SS reel and rod by Ron Crandall), and a medium-action spinning outfit (Penn reel and rod by Ron Crandall). Terminal tackle was two size 6 hooks on 8-pound fluorocarbon line with a 1-ounce torpedo sinker on the lighter rig, a high-low set-up on the larger rig equipped with size 4 hooks and a 2-ounce sinker.

Results:

12 blackperch—mostly 1/3-1/2 pounders

3 opaleye—one weighing an estimated 1 1/2 pounds

2 blacksmith

2 giant kelpfish—one large, one small

1 kelp bass—11 inches

1 cabezon—approximately 1 1/2 – 2 pounds

1 sargo—approximately 1 pound

All in all a nice afternoon with shirtsleeve weather and steady action. Also saw some large and skittish garibaldi scooting around the rocks—truly beautiful fish.

A sargo from the pier

Date: December 30, 2002

To: PFIC Message Board

From: gsxr750

Subject: More fishing at Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Hi All,

A couple of trips over the last few days: Went to the Sportfishing pier again last Friday. Spent most of the time going for Opaleye and other Perch. Ended up catching four Opaleye between my son and me. Also caught a pretty decent Rubberlip Perch and a couple smaller perch – blacksmith and another one with similar coloring as the rubberlip, but a different mouth. Opaleye were all caught on peas—dropped right into the rock crevices as advised by Ken. The most of the other fish were caught on frozen mussels using a new technique (new for me anyway). I hang a Sabiki under a big bobber (about 8-10 inches below), with a 1 oz weight at the bottom. I cast this out and let it drift towards the rocks. Couldn’t catch any Opaleye this way (tried it with peas), but all of the other perch were caught using this technique with frozen mussels.

Date: May 23, 2003

To: PFIC Message Board

From: gsxr750

Subject: Octopus Fishing

I’ve caught these at the Redondo Sportfishing Pier, and my son has caught LOTS of them there. The trick is to put some BIG hunks of bait on the line and keep it all the way at the bottom. My son was getting them on strips of Mac, and even mac heads. He was using two hooks, and a couple of BIG sinkers, on either side of the hooks so that the hooks would lie flat on the bottom. He caught four of them in one day using that method. Most are returned to the water, but he brought two of them home and cooked them once. I didn’t like them much, but he claimed to like them (hasn’t kept any since, though—lol). By the way, he was getting them off the end of the pier, in between pilings (straight down).

Date: June 21, 2003

To: PFIC Message Board

From: frankythefish

Subject: Redondo Sportfishing Pier 6-21-03

Fished King Harbor with peas again today except I fished off the little sportfishing pier instead of my honey hole on the rocks. It was noon and I wasn’t expecting much. I was just killing time. I chummed a handful of peas and on the first cast; I hook a 12” sargo that wraps me around the piling. I successfully managed to wrestle him out and land him. Next cast… same thing except this time it breaks off because I didn’t retie from the last fish. From there, I proceed to catch 3 more sargo and 3 opaleye all 12”. I also caught about 15 smaller opaleye that ranged from 6″ to 8”, a 12” calico, a 10” senorita fish, and a 10” black perch. All caught on peas and all released. I was the only guy out there from 12-2pm and a few guys showed up the rest of the time but they were on the end of the pier. I was fishing 12lb camo line with 6lb dia./ 13lb strength Trilene Sensithin leader (2 feet long). Carolina rigged with a 1/2 oz. egg sinker and a #16 salmon egg hook. I was fishing in about 13 feet of water and standing right in front of the main door of Polly’s (breakfast joint on the pier) and tossing it straight under the pier. I don’t know if anyone knows what opaleye or sargo eggs look like or if they give live birth or anything, but I got snagged plenty of times as I anticipated, except when I would bring up a clump of seaweed, from time to time I would see little clumps of orange, egg-like bunches. I’m thinking maybe I found a little nesting area and that’s why the opaleye/sargo fishing was so good in that spot. I’m not sure. Just a theory. If anyone has any info or any theories of their own, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks. Good luck!!!

Date: October 12, 2003

To: PFIC Message Board

From: gsxr750

Subject: Redondo Sportfishing Pier

Went to the Sportfishing pier this morning with one of my sons. Just as we were walking up a guy was taking a legal Calico off of the hook. He caught it on frozen mussel! This guy is a regular at this pier—nice guy. I’ve talked to him a few times. I was fishing mostly with pieces of lugworm that I’ve had in the fridge for about a month (most of them still alive—I was surprised). I was getting lots of small shiner perch on these, which I was using to try to get a calico or halibut. No luck on either. I caught a couple of Senorita fish on whole Lugworms and a bigger hook. One of them was the biggest of these I’ve ever caught—I thought I had a halfmoon or a sargo on the line. A guy down the pier a little ways caught a nice sargo. There was a family next to him that had about 8 Blacksmith perch in a bucket from earlier in the morning—some of them were pretty good size. Most of them I would have released, but to each his own. Nobody had seen any Bonito lately—when I asked the guy who caught the calico about it he said he forgot what they looked like. I guess things are a whole lot better down south for these… Nice sunny morning – lots of people at the pier, both fishing and at the Coffee Shop. Just as I was leaving a guy showed up and told me that he had caught 3 legal calicos on shiner perch yesterday—I guess I had the right idea but the wrong touch, or the wrong time….

Date: August 20, 2006

To: PFIC Message Board

From: ryanhead

Subject: Redondo Sportfishing Pier 8-19-06

Fished from 10-12ish using whole frozen anchovies off the right side of the end of the pier. Lots of bait in the water with 12-18” bonito boiling every 20 minutes or so the whole time. I heard one had been caught right before I arrived. Managed a short halibut and hooked something up that felt like a large shark or very, very, very big halibut. It ran twice taking about 20 yards of line each time and I had no control over the fight whatsoever. It sat on the bottom after each run and if I tugged on the line it would shake its head a little or pull back. I had fresh 6-lb. line on with an 8 lb. leader. I tried pulling it up which resulted in the line breaking just after the hook. The leader was completely frayed. A friend and I had seen an 8 to 9-foot shark/monster/fish swimming around the bait receiver last weekend while fishing on a kayak. Perhaps it was that.

Saw some macks come up as I chummed the rest of my bait before I left. The bass are still around though the bite is certainly not as hot as it had been in weeks past. They got a bait tank and get live bait from the boats periodically. Seems like there’s a million halibut around. I definitely recommend giving it a shot in the near future.

Date: August 28, 2006

To: PFIC Message Board

From: ryanhead

Subject: Redondo Sportfishing Pier 8/25/06

After hooking a supposed monster halibut last weekend I headed out to fish the same spot with the same bait using a 9′-ugly stick with #20-line instead of a trout pole with #6 line. Left an anchovy out with the Baitrunner on and watched for boils. Bonito came in the early afternoon. I got a swimbait bit in half on my first cast and another guy hooked into a really nice sized one on a bubble fly but it came off as he was handlining it up the pier. The school left as quickly as it came. When the boat docked in the late afternoon we got some live bait, which they threw in their newly built bait tank. Pinned a sardine on my heavy rig and threw it back out where I’d hooked the halibut last weekend. Less than a minute later the reel starts screaming. Like, screaming like I’ve never heard a reel scream before. Grabbed the pole, set the hook and it stuck. I was so stoked. But the reel kept screaming. I kept tightening the drag and the reel kept screaming. I tightened the drag further than was safe to with #20 line… and the reel kept screaming. Whatever it was was as strong as a couple hundred pound bat ray and as fast as albacore and it kept running and running and I was starting to run out of line. The line went slack after about 30 seconds and 100 yards and I bought up a clean hook and a leader with no nicks in it, pretty much ruling out a shark or seal. The general consensus was that it was a several hundred pound broomtail grouper that apparently do live in the harbor and like to run really fast in a straight line as my fish did. I suppose I didn’t have much of a chance against it then, but it sure was fun! Some big macks came by as the sun was setting and quite a few were brought up. The same guy who hooked the bonito landed a 47” leopard on a live sardine.

Sunday was no fun. There were people everywhere and the parking lots were all full and the pier was crowded and the fishing was pretty poor. Managed a few short calicos. The only other fish i saw caught over about 4 hours were senoritas and smelt. Saw no boils despite a ridiculous amount of bait in the water. Heard some 2 foot bonito were being caught on the big pier.

The Black Pearl from Pirates of the Caribbean tied down in the harbor on Friday as I was fishing. It was real cool but the entire harbor is now a crazy tourist attraction, which is making it very difficult to fish. Unless it’s a weekday, I suggest fishing elsewhere to avoid the crowds and getting your gear kicked around. Good luck.

Date: March 19, 2007

To: PFIC Message Board

From: ryanhead

Subject: Redondo Harbor 3-17-07

An old fishing buddy from high school was back in town for the weekend. We headed out to the sportfishing pier with some hot sandwiches from Rinaldi’s to catch up and hopefully get a few fish. There weren’t too many fishermen out, the water was clear and there were lots of fish visible. It would have been an amazing day if it hadn’t been so cold and foggy. In any case, we grabbed a bag of anchovies and threw them out on Carolina rigs in front of the bathroom door for about an hour. A million senoritas tore the baits apart and neither of us had any decent bites. We moved a little deeper, in front of the shop door, and tried again. The senoritas didn’t pester us as much and we got a few good hits but nothing stuck. We had to leave, so we diced up and chummed half a dozen anchovies and each of us hooked one on. I got picked up after a minute. I let it run for a few yards and set the hook on what turned out to be a 16″ halibut. It was a fun fight on 4-pound line. It was lip hooked and quickly and safely released to grow another six inches.

My fish was caught on #4 line with a 3/8-ounce sinker, #8 mono leader, size 1 hook and a whole anchovy. The other rod was #8, 1/2 ounce sinker, #12 mono leader, and size one hook. Fishing deeper really helped keep the bait on the hook for any decent amount of time.

An old couple brought up a lot of senoritas and a few small blue perch using squid tipped Sabiki rigs. One guy on the end got bit on a big piece of squid. He wasn’t paying attention and the fish was off by the time he got to his pole. If I had to take a guess at what it was, perhaps a big guitarfish? I heard reports of quite a few halibuts and lots of calicos in the last week or so. Live anchovies are supposedly the hot bait if you can get a hold of some. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like any were in the water. Good luck all!

Another “firecracker” yellowtail from the pier

Pier Fishing In California Fishing Reports

March 1997 — Matt at Redondo Beach Sportfishing reports a continued hot bite for bonito off the pier. As is common most winters, the warm harbor water (5-10 degrees warmer than in the open ocean due to two warm-water outlets from the nearby Southern California Edison plant) is producing the best bonito bite in southern California. Anglers are also catching a lot of Pacific mackerel, and both fish are falling for the live anchovies that are available at the pier. Bottom fishermen continue to pull in a mixed bag sculpin (California scorpionfish) as well as perch or perch-like fish. Included in the catch are blacksmiths, blue perch (halfmoon), and opaleye—as well as a few blackperch. Most of these fish are falling for mussels or shrimp. An interesting catch a couple of weeks ago was a California sheephead that weighed in at about 4 1/2 pounds (they are not common at the pier but also are not that rare). Quite a few spider crabs are also falling to those anglers seeking the ugly beasts. Finally, illegal broomtail grouper continue to be sighted by anglers at the harbor. Apparently this is from a resident school of the fish (which are normally found in Baja waters). Since they mainly seem to show up at wintertime, a logical question might be—are they there to feed on the wintertime bonito?  If you hook and land one, be sure to return it to the water (as in stiff fine if you don’t). Most of the fish look to be in the 30-60 pound range and most that are hooked eventually break off.

April 1997 — Matt at Redondo Beach Sportfishing says the bonito continue to bite and most are nice fish up to around five pounds in weight. (As I mentioned last month, this is the best place to fish for bonito in California during the cold-water months. Two warm-water outlets from the nearby Southern California Edison plant warm the harbor waters and produce temperatures 5-10 degrees warmer than in the open ocean.) Most of the bonito are falling for the live bait that is available on the pier. Bottom fishermen continue to pull in a mixed bag of fish, mostly perch and perch-like species but also a few bass and sculpin. Matt says he has seen opaleye, blacksmith, and blue perch (halfmoon) recently as well as a spotted sand bass that weighed nearly 4 pounds. There has also been a continued good catch of spider crabs at the pier. Lastly, Matt corrected me. I had written of the broomtail grouper that have become residents in the harbor. I mentioned that most seemed to be 30-60 pounds in weight; Matt says he has seen several that would easily top 100 pounds in weight. I keep having visions of catching a 100-pound grouper and then telling my wife how I had to toss it back because it was illegal. I can see the look on her face now. Nevertheless, if you do hook one of the fish remember to put it back, the fish need to live and the alternative is also a very costly fine.

June 1997 — TC at Redondo Beach Sportfishing says that live anchovies have been the key at the pier. Anchovies are available on the weekend and on those days the anglers out toward the end of the pier (and only 8-10 will fit) are almost guaranteed their 5-fish limit. On weekdays, when the live anchovies are unavailable, few bonito will be hooked—although a few will be landed on lures. Pacific mackerel continue to fill buckets during early morning and evening hours; the macks will hit almost any bait but seem to be driven away during the daylight hours by the sea lions. Bay bass (spotted sand bass) are being caught by anglers tossing out plastic lures—but they’re also primarily being caught during the morning and evening hours. Inshore, the action is a little slow although a number of opaleye (up to 4-pounds) have been landed recently on fresh mussels, as well as a few sargo.

November 1997 — Kevin, at Redondo Sporfishing, says almost all the action is on the bottom. Water temperature remains high and the bonito, and mackerel for the most part, have deserted the harbor for the open ocean. About the only mackerel have been a few flurries around sunset. Still, anglers fishing on the bottom with mussels, shrimp or small pieces of squid, are pulling in nice strings of sargo (up to 3 pounds), blue perch (halfmoons), and opaleye. Kevin says netters also continue to catch a lot of spider crabs but he really hasn’t seen too many lobsters.

March 1998 — Kevin, at Redondo Sportfishing, says that there is a nice run on large, 2-3+ pound sargo, and that good numbers of buttermouth perch (blackperch), rubberlip seaperch, and opaleye perch are also being landed on the right bait. The right bait is live ghost shrimp and it’s available at the shop. Most other species are slow although a few sand bass are also entering into the mix. The wintertime run on bonito has not materialized this year and they’re beginning to wonder if the boneheads will even show up.

April 1998 — Tim (TC), at Redondo Sportfishing, says that there has been a good run of sargo recently at the pier. (In fact, the morning I called it was too rough for the boats to go out so several anglers decided to fish from the pier. Lo and behold, they pulled in a plethora of 1/2 to 2 1/2 pound sargo. The bait to use for the sargo seems to be live ghost shrimp (which are available at the shop). In addition, opaleye are still hitting as are a few spotted sand bass and barred sand bass (although more of the barred sand bass are being caught from the adjacent rocks). The bass are also hitting on ghost shrimp. A few forktail perch (pileperch) are being landed on mussels and worms. The bonito never really showed up this year which TC attributes to the great number of sea lions in the harbor waters. With the severe El Nino-generated storms, the seals and sea lions have seemed to use the harbor as a safe haven and over populated the waters to the detriment of fishing. Whenever bonito or mackerel tried to make an appearance they were quickly chased away (or eaten?).

July 1998 — Tim (TC), at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), says that the mackerel action has heated up, mostly in the late afternoon, and anglers can catch all they want. Some bonito have also been seen, but so far they aren’t biting. The bait of choice remains live anchovies and small sardines—and they’re available on the pier. There has also been good fishing recently for bay bass (spotted sand bass) and sand bass. They only show up around 5-7 a.m. in the morning, and then again in the evening, and hit best on an incoming tide. What to use? Plastics are the answer, especially Worm Kings. There’s also some perch and smelt under the pier but they’re getting harder and harder to get. Finally, those big 60-80 pound broomtail grouper that have adopted the harbor as home base continue to hang out under the bait barge. Tim says the little submarine that gives the tour around the harbor sees them every day. I guess they are also hungry! The day I called they had been so anxious to get some spilled anchovies that they had actually splashed the bait boys on the barge. Guess they were REALLY hungry. AND REMEMBER, IT IS ILLEGAL TO CATCH BROOMTAIL GROUPER SO DON’T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

October 1998—Ron, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports that bonito and mackerel continue to be caught in good numbers from the pier along with some sand bass. The bonito are being caught on cast-a-bubbles with feathers. As usual, there are also a lot of the smaller fish under the pier—blackperch, opaleye, senoritas, etc. He said he was recently surprised when he hooked a large blue perch (California halfmoon) while fishing out the back window from the bait shop. Said it fought like a bonito at first

December 1998—T.J., at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports lots of rough water the last few days. Anglers are still getting some opaleye (to 1 1/2 pounds), sargo, and blue perch on mussels and bloodworms under the pier. Some bonito are also being caught on anchovies and sardines. Remember that the rougher the weather and ocean outside the bay, the better the fishing in the harbor.

February 1999—TC, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports some good news and some BAD news. On the good side, anglers are regularly pulling in opaleye perch, buttermouth perch and sargo from the pier. The opaleye hit on frozen peas, the buttermouth and sargo on mussels, ghost shrimp or pieces of shrimp. In addition, two striped bass were taken at the pier in the last two weeks—the first he has ever seen. The fish, 16-18 inches long, appeared to be in excellent condition and both were released. The BAD news is the lack of bonito, even though live anchovies are available for bait. The famous “bubble hole” has been non-existent for the past month and the water temperature in the harbor is 55 degrees, the same as outside the harbor.

March 1999—Nancy, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports that things are slow at the pier. About all that anglers are catching are the usual mix of fish found under the pier by the rocks—senorita, opaleye, blackperch and other fairly small species. As reported last month, the power company that took over the Edison plant has evidently turned off the “bubble hole” which means the temperature of the water in the bay is the same as the ocean, and the bonito, which should be in the bay this time of the year, are absent. Two striped bass were also caught at the pier, both around 2-pounds in size.

November 1999—TC, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reported that an angler had just hooked a bonito when I called but he managed to lose it on line that looked to be at least ten years old. The good news is that the hot water bubble is back in business and bonito are starting to show in the harbor area. Yellowtail have even been cruising above the bubble but few are being hooked. TC also said there is a good mackerel bite during the evening hours. Under the pier, anglers are hooking opaleye, buttermouth perch (blackperch), and a few sargo on mussels. He said it was amazing the day I called; not a single angler was fishing from the rocks around the harbor. Ten years ago the rocks would have been lined with anglers trying for bonito. But, as mentioned, the hot water is back on and the bonito are beginning to show.

June 2000—Nancy, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports a pretty good bite on sand bass up to about 2 pounds in size. Surprisingly there have also been a few halibut landed, the largest a nice 12-pound fish. Mackerel are also showing up in good numbers but it is almost totally an evening fishery at this point; few are seen during the day. Perch fishing has been slow. Asked her about the bay’s resident school of broomtail groupers and she said they’re still there. However, most are seen out by the bait barge.

July 2000—John, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports good runs of mackerel, especially in the evening, a few bass (sand, kelp and spotted), and the usual small perch species under the pier. He’s also seen quite a few needlefish taken recently, most by anglers using live bait (smelt).

November 2000—Andy, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), reports that the main action is still on bonito (using splashers and feathers) but most are being taken in the early morning, before 8 a.m. He’s also seeing some nice-sized sand bass and calicos (kelp bass). Anglers using fresh mussels and ghost shrimp are landing some sargo and opaleye. He said there are also a few mackerel around. Under the pier it is the normal small species—perch, blacksmith, smelt, senorita, etc. I asked him if they had seen any grouper recently and he said they had, just the day before. It was seen under the pier and then apparently grabbed a bonito (I didn’t clarify if the bonito was on someone’s line). Andy said there is pretty good pier fishing right now.

January 2001—Andy at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), says that fishing is good right now for anglers that know what they are doing. Some big opaleye and sargo are being taken by anglers using green peas, fresh mussels and ghost shrimp with the best bite mid-morning, 7-10 a.m. A few mackerel are still around as are some buttermouth perch (blackperch) but only a couple of bonito per day are showing at the pier.

March 2001—Barney at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), says that anglers are getting some nice opaleye and blue perch (halfmoon) under the pier using peas and moss while quite a few sargo are being caught on ghost shrimp. A few bonito continue to fall to Rapalas and live bait while a few halibut, mostly small, continue to be caught on the bottom.

April 2001—Andy, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), says there’s been a real good bite on white sea bass at night with at least a couple of legal-size fish (up to 15 pounds) every night—and lots of shorts. Best fishing is usually on an incoming tide and the bait of choice is a live mackerel taken from the pier. There’s also a wide-open mackerel run (at times) from all around the pier. A few bonito also are showing up and falling to Rapalas or live bait when it is available. Ditto some halibut, mostly taken on lures such as small 3” Worm Kings or Big Hammers.  Perch are still available under the pier but the sargo bite is beginning to drop off (use worms or ghost shrimp).

May 2001—Julio, at Redondo Sportfishing (on the pier), says there’s been a good run of mackerel and sargo lately. Best baits are strips of squid for the mackerel, ghost shrimp, bloodworms or mussels for the sargo. Bonito are also available if you bring along some live anchovies. Under the pier the usual species are still present–opaleye, blacksmith and other small perch. Good numbers of bass are also being taken (on squid strips) but most are short. Two less common species are also showing up in good numbers: (1) needlefish are thick and being taken on anchovies, and (2) barracuda, mostly shorts but some of bigger size. The key for the barracuda has been using Krocodile or similar flashy spoons.

August 2001—Andy at Redondo Sportfishing on the pier, reports that things have picked up lately. Anglers are picking up a few bonito and he says they are all big fish. One angler also got a small 6-pound yellowtail off the pier using a live smelt as bait. And, while the mackerel action has died down, there is real good action on jacksmelt. Anglers fishing the bottom with bloodworms are doing good on buttermouth perch (blackperch) and rubberlip perch.

February 2002—Mike at Redondo Sportfishing on the pier, reports a good mackerel bite every day late in the afternoon. There are also lots of bonito in the harbor but most aren’t biting—they’re too stuffed from the smelt that are also thick in the harbor. A few perch are also being taken under the pier: brown perch (blackperch?) and forktails (white seaperch?). He says there’s also an occasional sargo. A few white seabass showed up last week but the water temperature dropped and now they’re gone

August 2002—Cory at Redondo Sportfishing on the pier reports anglers are getting bonito on live bait, bubbles with feathers, and Krocodiles. A 25-pound halibut was also landed from the pier by an angler using a Worm King. He says there are lots of sargo, opaleye and blue perch (halfmoon) under the pier. A few mackerel are also showing up.

April 2003—Mike at Redondo Sportfishing on the pier says that the bubble was turned back on in the harbor and as a result the water temperature is rising. The last few days has seen good mackerel fishing together with the usual smaller species—senorita, sargo, buttermouth, etc. Anglers are seeing good numbers of bonito swimming by the pier (to about 7 pounds) but the fish are apparently stuffed with the sardines that are also in the harbor. The result is a dearth of bonito strikes even though the fish are present. Mike has also seen a few short bass taken and one keeper halibut—on a plastic lure.

August 2004—Juan, at Redondo Sportfishing on the pier, says things have been dead. He says it caused by the release of high chlorine water intro the adjacent swimming lagoon. He says it’s killing the fishing through the harbor.

October 2004—Frankythefish has been reporting decent catches of sargo, calico bass (kelp bass), small opaleye and senorita on most visits. The opaleye are being caught on peas. Bonito are also thick in the harbor. When bonitolover, who said he’d been catching the boneheads on Krocodile spoons (shiny chrome with orange stripe), asked for additional advice, Mola Joe (who’s THE EXPERT) chipped in: “Krocs do work, but nothing catches bonito in this harbor like a broken-back 3 to 4 inch floating Rapala with a black back. The trick is casting such a light lure from the rocks (fishing it from the pier is hard, but not impossible). Fished on a light, long, fast taper rod is the ticket. Something in the 8-foot range with 8-pound line works great. Slow retrieve right on top or just below the surface will outfish Krocs and splasher and feather. Krocs will outfish Rapalas if you need distance to reach fish. For the most part, schools of bonito cruise very close to the rocks in this harbor. Releasing fish with Rapalas is tougher than with Krocs, but you can make it a lot easier if you remove the front trebles. A few years back I watched Shorepounder nail bonito after bonito on bass spinnerbaits, so trying different stuff is worth while at times. Another bass bait called ‘Little George’ (hard heavy body with a small spinner in the rear) is another killer bait that a few locals fish. Still, a Rapala would be my #1 choice in this harbor. As far as color on your Kroc, straight chrome has always worked for me.”

Dompfa Ben added “blue mackerel is another hot color this year. Informal surveying of a number of people, as well as personal experience, has demonstrated that the bonito seem to be keying in on that blue/chrome Kroc this year. My cousin Andy was hooking three fish for every one I hooked last week. We were using identical Krocs, except he was fishing the blue mackerel pattern, and I was fishing the green.” CST added “I have a Rattle Trap in blue and chrome with a mack pattern, that thing totally owns all the bonito, mackerel and calicos that come in its path.”

June 2006—Renee, at Redondo Sportfishing, on the pier, says it’s mostly short calicos (kelp bass), sargo and opaleye along with the other small perch and perch-like species under the pier. Mackerel are only so so at the pier. PFIC reports indicate a few sanddabs and lizardfish also being present.

April 2007—The good news is that there are a few legal size kelp bass (calicos) around although most fish of the fish that are caught are under-sized. Some halibut are even present. The bad news is that you have to get through about 4,374,207 senorita to get to them. The cigar-shaped bait stealers are thick and will tear apart almost any bait except for squid/octopus. So use something tough or use artificials. And the usual perch and perch-like species are under the pier—opaleye, halfmoon, blacksmiths, buttermouth, and even a few illegal garibaldi (don’t keep them if you hook them).

March 2008—Kelsey at the Redondo Sportfishing office said the big news recently was a 29.7-pound sheephead taken from the end of the pier. It hit on squid. Another sheepie, a 10-15-pounder, is seen daily hanging under the pier but so far no one has been able to hook it. He said there is also a good calico bass bite and quite a few blue perch (halfmoon).