Pier Fishing in California - Page 13 of 29 - The Complete Coast and Bay Guide to Shore-Based Fishing

City of Benicia Fishing Pier

Public Pier — No Fishing License Required The memories that I have from my first visit to this pier illustrate or symbolize the dual nature of this area. Shortly after I arrived, a trio of huge, majestic Canadian Geese swam by the pier and then…

Benicia Ninth Street Pier

Public Access Area — Status Unclear — Fishing License May Be Required This small pier (only 125 foot long) adjoins the public launching ramp at the foot of Ninth Street in Benicia. When the ramp was built in 1976, someone with a little foresight decided…

Señorita

Wrasses: Family Labridae Species: Oxyjulis californica (Gunther, 1861); from the Greek words oxy (sharp, for sharp nosed fish) and julis (an old world genus of wrasses), and californica (from California, the location of the first fish studied). Alternate Names: Kelp fish, kelp wrasse, butterfish, iodine…

Blacksmith

Damselfishes: Family Pomacentridae Species: Chromis punctipinnis (Cooper, 1863); from the Greek word chromis (a croaker) and the Latin words punctipinnis (spot fin). Alternate Names: Blue perch, kelp perch, rock bass and black perch. In Mexico called castañeta herrera. Identification: Perch-shaped but not so deep—compressed and…

Sharpnose Seaperch

Surfperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Phanerodon atripes (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880); from the Greek root words phaneros (meaning evident) and odons (tooth) and the Latin words atri (entrance) and pes (base of). Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Embiotocinae. Alternate Names: Blackfoot seaperch and sharpnose surfperch. In Mexico called…

Silver Surfperch

Picture courtesy of Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Surfperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Hyperprosopon ellipticum (Gibbons, 1854); from the Greek root words hyper (above) and prosopon (face, from the upward direction of the face), and the Latin word ellipticum (elliptical, referring to the outline of…

Kelp Perch

Surfperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Brachyistius frenatus (Gill, 1862); from the Greek words brachys (short) and istion (sail), and the Latin word frenatus (bridled). Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Embiotocinae. Alternate Names: Brown seaperch, brown perch and kelp seaperch. In Mexico called mojarra sargacera or perca. Identification: Typical…

Reef Perch

Surfperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Micrometrus aurora (Jordan & Gilbert, 1880); from the Greek words mikros (small) and metr (having a womb), and the Latin word aurora (sunrise). Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Embiotocinae. Alternate Names: Reef surfperch. In Mexico called mojarra de arrecife or perca. Identification: Typical…

White Seaperch

Surfperches: Family Embiotocidae Species: Phanerodon furcatus (Girard, 1854); from the Greek root words phaneros (evident) and odons (tooth) and the Latin word furcatus (forked tail). Family Embiotocidae, subfamily Embiotocinae. Alternate Names: Splittail perch, forktail perch and white perch. In Mexico called mojarra lomo rayado. Identification:…

Longfin Sanddab

Lefteye Flounders: Family Bothidae Species: Citharichthys xanthostigma (Gilbert, 1890); from the Greek word citharichthys (a fish that lies on its ribs or side) and xanthostigma (yellow colored with a pointed bone—referring to the long fins). Alternate Names: Sanddab, soft flounder, Catalina sanddab. Called lenguado alón…