Ok, gotta make lemonade out of lemons. I was elected to chauffeur a bunch of high school kids to their Junior Prom in Long Beach CA, this Saturday. Well just down the street is the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier (1600 ft + long) and it's open to fishing :D. I'm figuring on taking a Squidder 146 on a 7' pole or a Mitchell 302 on a 9' either with 20 lb mono. Will be fishing at sunset until about 2200 hours. A question to my pier fishing brothers and sisters ??? I haven't fished a pier in about 40 years :-\ Satellite photos show no real underwater structure around the pier, but then again not real high resolution either.....Hey Ron J. you wouldn't happen to have Navy data you could legally share for the area ::)
> Instinct would be to go as far out as possible to fish, but surf casters normally reach no more than 100' off the shore.....should I think about fishing closer to shore? Possibly in the surf zone?
> Bait.....anchovies, sardnes, or squid? Or throw some hard bait, irons, or large Rapala's.
I will only have about 3-4 hours to fish, and really happy just getting out so wont be taking a lot of gear. One rod/reel, deck chair and backpack of drinks and very small assortment of tackle
Bill
If it was me I'd take a very light rig and the smallest sabiki I could find, Kmart has tiny cheap ones. Use a 1/2 kastmaster or other shiny lure as a sinker. Catch some small bait fish and use those for bait for halibut, no need for a long cast, sometimes they lay right under the pier. Start right outside the surf line and work your way out looking for any sign of life. Fish the bait like a carolina rig, sliding egg sinker to a swivel to a 18-28" leader. You can let the bait sit or a few cranks of the handle every minute or so to keep the bait moving a little. The light at night will attract bait fish and the stuff that eats them. You can park on a bench and "clicker" fish too but I'm a.d.d. and need to be doing something, one rod soaking a bait and one you actively fish. A bucket with a rope is handy for seawater to keep the bait alive. Frozen bait will work too but fish it almost like you would the live bait, just keep it moving more.
Plan "B", plant your fanny on a bench, soak some bait while enjoying a cool beverage and enjoy an evening by the ocean.
Two rods max fishing at a pier, a ticket wouldn't be fun.
You're just the man for prom duty but I gotta ask, taser or pepper spray?
Hair/flasher sabiki to catch bait fish or smaller fish.
7/0 J or circle hook with 3 to 5 oz weight to cast it out as a bottom rig.
I put on a mullet head and cast it out and wait and catch smaller stuff with a light dropper rig.
Where's their prom being held? Wilson?
Sheridan, I'm happy I only have boys ;D. But did have a talk with him about Gentleman's behavior.....they booked a room at The Aquarium of the Pacific....seems appropriate for what I have planned......hmmmmm wonder what my chances are of bring a rig in there ;)
Gonna try the stability rig and make bait.....will bring some dead too just in case.....thanks for the quick replies...Bill
Try this Bill ,
http://www.pierfishing.com/msgboard/viewtopic.php?t=21103
Thx....looks to be a lazy time ...but hey...I'm fishing.....report to follow tomorrow am....Bill
Dock cart loaded and ready to head out. Have a Squidder 140 and mitchell 302....gonna have to stop off for some bait just in case the sabiki doesnt produce. Looks like slow fishing and I will be there as low tide turns and starts rising....Bill
(https://i.imgur.com/Ey2akHD.jpg)
Well gathered the kids loaded them in the truck and headed out. Dropped them off at the Aquarium of the Pacific and headed to the Belmont Pier. Stopped for bait. Weather was cool and the pier was crowded. Rigged and baited the Squidder with squid and let'er rip. Wow, still have the educated thumb :o Rigged the sabiki and over the side it went. Good thing I stopped for bait, because the sabiki was a bust. Fished for 3 1/2 hours with just a nibble. Moved to a couple spots up and down the pier but as the fishing report stated, it was slow all over. A sampling of the bait used ran the gamut of mussels, sardine, mackerel, anchovies, and squid. Only saw one white croaker and a jack smelt come over the rail. As night fell, I started seeing glowing UFO's flying off the pier ??? ??? Come to find out the locals are using glow sticks in various colors as a bobber with a baited hook about 24" below. No weights. All in all, a great way to kill 4 hours. Kids had a blast at the prom and dad got to go fishing......Bill
Kids looked great. Mine is in the middle with the red bow tie
(https://i.imgur.com/zgRnfc0.jpg)
Entrance to the Belmont Pier
(https://i.imgur.com/dHrHwM9.jpg?1)
Highlight of the day was an awesome sunset
(https://i.imgur.com/eLVvLLF.jpg)
So you caught any fishies? thats a rather long pier for sure....
Wow! You're killin it Bill!
Living large!
Family & Fishing!
With jealousy, Steve
Nice pictures Bill. I think your kid's bow-tie beats out the guy on the right's lapel flower.
Good looking bunch there Bill, the red bow tie adds a touch of class for sure.
Pier fishing at its finest. You gave it a shot, got in the salt air and a beautiful sunset. Sometimes you get em sometimes you don't but always a worthwhile endeavor
The kids clean up pretty good when there is prom in the air. :D Dominick
Everytime I wear a suit, people talk about how I "clean-up". Sort of a misnomer. I took a shower and put on clean clothing(somewhat sloppy)this AM... Startin to hate that phrase.
I have been really lucky with my family....only trouble any of them got into so far is off reading in an off limits area....so far :P.....the boys have picked some really good friends too. But the wife gave me an ultimatum....you have all this fishing gear Now Use It! :D. Well planning on heading up to Lake Arrowhead for some trout....and yes Steve...Life is Good ;D. Bill