Huntington Beach Pier

Target species

California halibut

Spring through summer on the sand outside the surf line. Live mackerel off the pier is the killer. 22-inch minimum, 5/day south of Pt Sur.

Calico bass + sand bass

Pier pilings hold small calicos + sand bass. Plastics on a leadhead, fished tight. 14-inch minimum, 5/day combined.

California corbina + croaker + barred surf perch

Sand sides year-round. Corbina sight-fishing east of the pier at low summer tides. Sand crabs on Carolina rig.

Pacific mackerel + bonito + jacksmelt

Off the end of the pier. Sabikis for the small bait, surface iron for bonito when they push in.

Leopard shark + bat ray (after dark)

Big bait on bottom off the pier end. Leopard 36-inch minimum, 3/day. Bat rays released.

Tactic notes

Surf coexistence ethic

Huntington Beach is one of California's most heavily-surfed beaches. The water adjacent to the pier (both sides) is in heavy use by surfers from sunrise to sunset most days. Fishing productive windows: first light before surfers arrive, deep night sessions for sharks + rays, flat days when surf is below 2 feet. Casting through a lineup or near surfers is dangerous + disrespectful. Move down the beach if needed.

Wind exposure

West and SW wind blow the pier most afternoons. Mornings before 9 AM are the productive window.

Tide stage

Mid-flood through slack high for halibut. Corbina sight-fishing on the bottom of outgoing through dead low. Sharks come on rising tide after dark.

Modes that work

Pier (main surface), surf-fish (sand sides, with surf coexistence), kayak (launches off the sand in small surf only; heavy surf paddle-out is committing). Boat launches at Huntington Harbour (10 min north).

Access

• Huntington Beach Pier is free public access during the listed hours.
• Metered + pay parking at the pier base, fills early on weekends.
• Restaurants on the pier + main strip.
• Closest tackle: Huntington Beach (5 min walk from pier), with more options across OC.