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San Diego's Ocean Piers

© Louis Bignami

Ocean piers access blue water species rarely seen in bays. Anglers who can manage the distance to generally rougher water, who know how to fish just off the shore break or in deep water and who gear up for conditions do well. In San Diego County ocean piers run from Imperial Beach with its bonus fish tacos all through Ocean Beach, Crystal Pier, and Oceanside Pier. While some of the pelargic species that love warm water such as mackeral or anchovies thin out there's plenty of perch, increasing numbers of white sea bass and a variety of other species as near as your closest pier.

Imperial Beach Pier

With some of the best fish tacos in San Diego and a great ice cream stand on the beach end, 1,500 foot long Imperial Beach Pier offers both the usual beach species like perch, croakers and even the odd halibut just outside the surf line with jack smelt and mackerel from the point the height increases all the way out to the end where there's a few rock habitat species. It's a winner after dark on incoming tides too, but check the regulations.

Ocean Beach Pier

Heavy tackle works best out in the Point Loma Kelp bets at the end of the pier where various bass, croaker and the odd lobster lurk. I prefer the middle of the pier's jacksmelt, mackerel and perch action. There's rather a lot of perch on incoming ties at the shore end of the pier too. TIP: the North Side seems the best bet.

Crystal Pier

If you want lots of perch and a chance at the odd winter halibut this is the spot, and there's even a motel for overnight visits. South side actions best, and I prefer to use worms for smelt, mackerel and perch with a float. Bonito are usually absent in the winter. Just bring a big drop net or pier gaff in case your bottom fishing dredges up a big halibut or, more commonly, a guitarfish.

Oceanside Pier

Arrive at dawn or dark and you can use artificials here. Jigs and big spoons can produce barracuda, mackerel and both sand and white sea bass. Add two or three flies or size 6 hooks baited with marine worm sections and you'll bag smelt and perch. This excellent pier to fish just beyond the shore break early and late in the day too.

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