California · Santa Cruz Island fishable north-shore shelf west of Scorpion SMR · Offshore
Approximately 69.9 miles away
Predicted Tides
Predicted
Rising
Next high tide
Sep 5, 2026, 7:26 AM
In 6 hr 35 min
3.4 ft MLLW
Previous
Low · Sep 4, 2026, 11:49 PM · 0.3 ft MLLW
Following
Low · Sep 5, 2026, 10:14 AM · 3.3 ft MLLW
Tide station at destination
Santa Monica · NOAA 9410840
Predicted Tidal Current
Predicted
No representative tidal-current prediction station is configured for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Fishery Profile
Fishery Overview
Santa Monica Pier surfperch, croaker, and California halibut fishery
SoCal open-coast pier and adjacent surf — not all of Santa Monica Bay and not Marina del Rey. Honest catalog targets are barred surfperch and California halibut, with kelp bass as a pier-piling companion. This is not a kelp-bass destination first and not a spotted-sand-bass primary.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Fishery Targets
Barred surfperch and California halibut are the honest pier/surf fishery. Kelp bass is a piling companion, not the destination class. Spotted sand bass is not listed as a verified Santa Monica Pier primary.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Barred surfperch
Primary
Amphistichus argenteus
No seasonal pulse known
California halibut
Primary
Paralichthys californicus
Also called California flounder
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: JUNE — OCTOBER
Year-round typical presence remains an occurrence class. The encoded window is the labeled peak fishing opportunity, not a legal season.
Kelp bass
Secondary
Paralabrax clathratus
Also called calico bass
No seasonal pulse known
Barred sand bass
Seasonal
Paralabrax nebulifer
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: APRIL — OCTOBER
Typical Seasonal Targets
California halibut — JUNE — OCTOBER
Barred sand bass — APRIL — OCTOBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
How to Fish Santa Monica Pier
Typical September approaches include pier-platform fishing and adjacent surf (licensed) for California halibut.
Pier-platform fishing
Fish the public decks west of Pacific Park and at the west end. Two rods. Obey posted no-fishing zones.
Best for
California halibut
Modes
Shore
Setup
Santa Monica Pier setup
Adjacent surf (licensed)
Incoming tide and sand-crab beds for perch; baitfish signs for halibut. Beach fishing needs a license.
Best for
California halibut
Modes
Shore
Setup
Santa Monica Pier setup
Common Tackle Setups
Santa Monica Pier setup
Light surfperch and halibut gear from the pier. Do not clone Northeast tautog or fluke presentations.
Rod
7–9 ft light-to-medium spinning
Reel
Spinning reel
Main line
10–20 lb braid
Leader
Fluorocarbon leader
Terminal tackle
Small hooks; Jig heads; Dropper loops; Sand-crab or fish-bit rigs
Presentation
A license is not required on the qualifying public pier; the adjacent beach requires a license.
Used for
Pier-platform fishing
Adjacent surf (licensed)
Typical September Lures and Flies
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Minnow-style swimming plug
Lure
California halibut
Shallow to midwater · Steady, twitch, pause
Cast across seams and let the plug track with the current
Soft-plastic paddle tail
Lure
California halibut
Shallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
