Huntington Beach Fishing Photos and Information, Huntington Beach, California
 

Huntington Beach, Calif. -- Let's go fishing now, everybody's learning how...come on fishing safari with me in Huntington Beach.  Did you know that fishing is free from California piers?

Pier fishing in Huntington Beach is the most popular pier sport, no doubt. Every day (even on those rare rainy days) you'll see people with their fishing poles throwing a line, trying to catch something.

People who stroll the pier are completely entertained by what types of fish come out of the water. One of the most exciting things is to watch a person struggle strategically with the creature on the other end of the line, trying to see who will win in the battle of wits. Fish sometimes break loose by wrapping themselves around the pier pilings, cutting off the line.  The biggest fish to come out of the water are usually sharks. There's hardly a day you don't see one or several being caught. People gather around and take photos, videos, and stare in amazement. In our civilized lives, we somehow become removed from the ocean and its life, till we see a fish being caught.

Pier fishing is HB's top fishing because it's free. There are California Department of Fish and Game guidelines you must adhere to such as catch & release of certain sizes and types of fish. The directive is to release if you don't plan to use a fish other than just for the sport of fishing itself.

There are place to NOT fish in Huntington Beach. Just because there's a bridge and water doesn't mean it's OK. One such place is the Bolsa Chica ecological reserve and wetlands. That's a protected area that also prohibits, dogs, pets, bikes, and other items that could disturb the habitats of endangered wildlife.

Shoreline fishing requires a license, unless you under 16. And California traditionally offers two free fishing days per year where you can fish on the shore. The most delightful shoreline sportfishing is the grunion run. It has a season, and fishing licenses and rules are in effect.

Huntington Harbour comprised of five manmade islands and many channels to the sea through Anaheim Bay transports boaters and anglers to the ocean where the fishing is great.

While you may see someone throw out a pole to catch a fish in Central Park lakes, the fishing there is bare, compared to ocean fishing.  Many do it just to pass the time of day in a shady spot where you can park your car for free and kick back and feel the afternoon breeze.

The nation's number one sport takes to the waves as you cast a line and try your luck and catching something. Bait & Tackle Shop on the pier rents rods and reels or you can bring your own. 

You can charter a fishing trip out of Alamitos Bay located off Pacific Coast Highway near 2nd Street, Long Beach, or nearby Newport Beach Peninsula near the Balboa Pavilion at Davy's Locker. But why not have some fun fishing off the pier? Locals say the fishing is good. They recommend taking an extra pole, tool. Barracuda, (must be at least 28 inches long to keep), Mackerel and white croakers are plentiful along the Orange County coast. 

Perch, Corbina and Spotfin croakers are on the menu when fishing with blood worms, clams or ghost shrimp.  For companionship and fishing stories, your best bets, by far, are the piers when seeking an inexpensive outing. You will usually find someone fishing the Public Dock on Warner Avenue near the Huntington Harbor Yacht Club, as well.

Additionally, publicly owned jetties or breakwaters that are connected to land, as described above, that have free unrestricted access for the general public and whose purpose it is to form the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor are public piers. Jetties, breakwaters, promenades, sea walls, moles, docks, linings, barriers and other structures that are not the most seaward protective boundary of an ocean harbor, are not public piers. 

Southern District - Southern California Locations Between Point Dume and Dana Point 

Twenty-four locations in this area of southern California have been tested. No restrictions on consumption due to chemicals are considered necessary for the following locations: Santa Monica Pier, Venice Pier, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, Redondo Beach, Emma/Eva oil platforms, Huntington Beach, Laguna Beach, Fourteen Mile Bank, Catalina (Twin Harbor), and Dana Point.