San Clemente Island

[dvo1]

Anyone ever fished close to the piers? I'm out here for a while for work and wondering what's out here. Thanks

[Tunahead]

If you're talking about the NAVY'S PIERS and loading docks at San Clemente Island..
USUALLY NOT. The FIRST THING you need to do before running all the way there..
is CHECK FOR CLOSURES. There's a site..go to San Clemente Island where it LISTS the dates and times of closures for all or which end/areas of the island. We've
fished way inside the big kelps on Pacific Star, BigGame90, many times..but NOT all
the way in by the landing piers. THAT, as in fishing inside the inner coves down from
the buildings...is ONLY when totally open and allowed. The site has a lot of info on
this. I'm sure the many guys on here with Private Boats can ADD A LOT MORE as to
WHERE and how they did inside the landing coves.
AS FOR FISHING IN CLOSE...pretty amazing what you get HAMMERED on in there sometimes
Everything from big Calicos, Barracuda, White Seabass, even Yellowtail..and of course
the infamous BAT RAYS are thick under that huge kelp forest..believe me..

[BigJoe]

Fishing near the pier area of the island is off limts unless you are stationed on the island. There is a large restricted area clearly marked on most maps where you are not suppose to enter at any time.

[tsuriya]

Find one of the Federal Fire guys....Ask em about the " Dancing Gay Fisher" (or close). Maybe they will hook you up.

[dvo1]

I'm actually staying out here 2 weeks at a time and will be fishing from the shore. just wondering if there are any BDer's that have.

[KVH]

I don't know what the laws are there for fishing from the shore, as the general public is not allowed to go ashore. But, as Tunahead said, Calicos, WSB, Yellowtail, Sheephead, etc. Just remember this, whatever it is, it is almost ALWAYS bigger at SCI! Come prepared.

[Hammerhead501]

Hey Guys, I am stationed on the island and the only fishing that is worth doing from the shore is from the pier in Wilson Cove. Ususally you only catch small perch, Sheephead and ocassionally a whitefish or two. Maybe when the water heats up you may get some yellow tail run through there because of all the small fish but not very likely. As alot of you all have said about the limits, we are also quasi controlled by the same limits. We can not fish any where near Nots Pier. I couldn't tell you why, it is just a pier but that is the law/rule/reg. We also are not allowed to fish by the other pier within Wilson Cove because of the sensitivity of the area. I understand that it is frustrating with all of the areas restricted but trust me, it is for your safety. THere are more than enough areas that is openly fishable and accessable. Take care and have fun fishing out there.

[spike]

In Wilson's Coves very fishy. I have had the chance to fish their while taking the Navy out fishing from the Island, with them no spot was off limits.
Bass, Sheep Head, Halibut, Sea bass, all good with in the cove. Some Island residents use small skiffs to fish the cove. We were their 5 nights and would stay on their tanker bouy, eat and drink a shore courtesy of the M.P.'s driving us around.
On the tanker bouy we made squid and caught seabass one night. One navy officer said that often at night squid floats happen at the edge of their pier which have very strong lights illuminating the water.
Fishing the kelplines with live chovy really made the fish in the Cove come alive, some tanker bass and sheep head. Obviously you will not have live bait so maybe buy a varitey of swim baits and some Uni Goop as sent for the baits. Please post pictures when your done.

[rojodiablo]

I have fished the shoreline there in years past; I would recommend the south end of Wilson's cove, near the outer edge of the cove. The water there gets deeper quickly, and you can catch plenty of good calicos and other fish without too much troublw with kelp and rocks. The piers?? Never got near them, other than the pier we offloaded at.

[J Graham]

Originally Posted by dvo1

Anyone ever fished close to the piers? I'm out here for a while for work and wondering what's out here. Thanks

Go over to medical (wilson cove) or the Fedfire guys and get the scoop.

[Hammerhead501]

Hey Jack. Medical is doing fine. I am trying to give these guys the scoop here on the forum. Had to chase a bunch of boats away from the SEAL training area becuase of underwater demo and live fire ranges and some guys get all frustrated about being asked/told to leave. Safety man, safety. Didn't see you at the IDC conference this year. New Orleans was HOT!