Art of Pier Fishing - Part III

Part III of CaliforniaAngler.com's five-part series on pier fishing ...

Central Coast destinations
A quick look at some favorite Central Coast piers in the Santa Barbara area:

Port Hueneme Pier
Directions: Take Highway 1 and exit Hueneme Road west until you hit the port. Turn left on Ventura Road, left again at Surfside Drive and stay straight until you hit the park.
Notes: Finding bait around Pt. Hueneme is tough, but bring along some anchovies or catch your own live bait and you could have a fun day, or night. The pier is open 24 hours and is better protected than many along the coast, but still offers a chance at thresher or small sand sharks. Crabbing is also decent along with the perch, mackerel, halibut and bonito bite.

Santa Barbara/Sterns Wharf Pier
Directions: Take Highway 101 to Santa Barbara and exit at State Street and head west, following signs to the pier/beach.
Notes: Similar fishing to nearby Port Hueneme and Goleta piers, with decent calico and sand bass bites. Sterns, however, provides a better break from afternoon winds. Both the Goleta and Santa Barbara piers are equipped with lights for nighttime fishing and open 24 hours. Try fishing with large chunks of fresh-cut jacksmelt or anchovies for a chance at a batray or guitarfish.

Goleta Point Pier
Directions: Take Highway 101 north of Santa Barbara and take the UCSB exit to Sandspot Road.
Notes: A hot spot for calico and sand bass, along with your typical surfperch and halibut/sand dabs. If you're not into flatties, try rigging up some large cuts of frozen squid (you can purchase some at local grocery stores) for bigger rays and sharks.

Coming tomorrow, a look at some piers in the San Luis Obispo area.