Ken is an educator, writer, and former business owner. Born in Indiana (so an Indiana Jones), he’s lived most of his life in California where he has been a fisherman for more than 65 years. He’s been married for 58 years to his better half, his lovely wife Pat, and he’s the father of Mike and Kim, and grandfather to Serena, Adam, Daphne and Katie. He also has six foreign exchange children— Marjaana (Finland), Martin (Denmark), Chris (Truk Island), Monika (Poland), Denisa (Slovakia) and Kimiko (Japan).
Author of Pier Fishing in California, 1st and 2nd editions, and owner/ operator of the Pier Fishing In California website (pierfishing.com). He’s fished on 130 saltwater piers in California and caught 132 different species from those piers. If the Carquinez Strait/Suisun Bay/West Delta piers were included, it would be 137 piers and 143 different species. To his friends and followers he’s earned and is honored by the title of head “Pier Rat” and “Skipper.”
In addition to California, Ken has fished from Indiana and Ohio to North Carolina, Florida, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Foreign locations have included Mexico and Canada. However, given that the majority of his life has been in California, that is where the majority of his fishing has taken place, on piers, in the surf and from rocks, and on fishing barges, private boats and Sportfishing boats.
As well as a book author, Ken’s written for many magazines including Western Saltwater Fisherman, California Angler, Pacific Coast Sportfishing, Western Outdoor News, Fish Rap Newspaper and Fish Taco Chronicles.
He’s also the owner/operator of the fishing blog—kenjonesfishing.com
Ken has been involved with a number of fishery issues in California and has served on a number of committees including the California Bay-Delta Sport Fishing Enhancement Stamp Committee (BDSFES), California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) North Central Coast Stakeholders Group, California Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) Statewide Interests Group (SIG), California Ocean Uses Atlas project for Northern California, Southern California and Central California (NOAA), California Recreational Fish Implementation Team (NOAA), Recreational Fishing Regional Roundtable,(NOAA), and Recreational Fishing Alliance Advisory Board.
United Pier and Shore Anglers of California (UPSAC): Founder, President and Board Member, 2003-Present.
Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC): Past President, Vice President, Board Member, and member.
Ken graduated with a B.S. in Human Relations and Organizational Development from University of San Francisco and a M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Dominican University of California.
His favorite motto is “The Largest Room In The World Is The Room For Improvement.”
Selected articles written by others which reference Ken Jones.
- Pier pressure – ESPN Outdoors, James Swan, Aug 15, 2009
- Captain’s Log: New Angler Center Adds to Allure of Goleta Pier – Noozhawk, David Bacon, Sep 11, 2008
- Fifth Annual Young Anglers Tournament – Sign On San Diego, Ed Zieralski, Sep 29, 2007
- ChronicleWatch / Working for a better Bay Area – SFGate, Jim Herron Zamora, Sep 12, 2007
- Grand stands by the sea – Los Angeles Times, Duane Noriyuki, Jun 12, 2003
- Fishing Season Brings Anglers Of All Ages To The Pier – Coronado Eagle, Sean Caey, Aug 5, 1998
A recent photo from Vancouver, British Columbia
Below — A video done in conjunction with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife — How To Fish A Pier
