What You'll Find at Redondo Beach Pier

Redondo Beach Pier is a working commercial and recreational fishing pier in South Bay, Los Angeles County, stretching about 1,500 feet into Santa Monica Bay. The pier holds a mix of halibut, barred surfperch, queenfish, and jacksmelt year-round, with seasonal runs of bonito and barracuda in summer and fall. The structure itself is divided into a commercial fishing section (closer to shore, where you'll see commercial boats and fish markets) and a public recreational section (the outer half), though anglers fish both areas depending on the time of day and what's biting.

The pier is open to the public during daylight hours, and you don't need a California fishing license to fish from it — that's one of the few places in the state where that's true. The concrete deck is wide and well-maintained, with railings along both sides, making it accessible even on crowded days. Parking is available in the Redondo Beach Marina lot, though spaces fill quickly on weekends and during summer.

Key Takeaways

  • No California fishing license is required to fish from Redondo Beach Pier, but you do need to follow state size and bag limits for each species.
  • Halibut and barred surfperch are the most reliable catches year-round; bonito and barracuda show up reliably in summer and early fall.
  • Early morning (first two hours after sunrise) and the last hour before sunset are the most productive times, especially on weekdays.
  • Bring your own tackle or buy it at the bait shops near the pier entrance; live anchovies and squid are the standard baits that work across most species.
  • The pier can be crowded on weekends and holidays, and commercial fishing activity near the shore end can make those hours less productive for recreational anglers.

Best Times to Fish and What's Biting

Halibut fishing peaks in spring and early summer (April through June), when fish move into the shallower bay waters to spawn. You'll catch them on live anchovies or squid fished on the bottom near the pilings. Barred surfperch bite year-round but are most abundant in fall and winter; they prefer small live baits and will hit the shallower areas near the pier's edges.

Bonito and barracuda arrive in July and stay through September or October, depending on water temperature. Both species are fast and aggressive — they'll hit small live mackerel, sardines, or even artificials like small metal jigs. These fish school up, so when one bites, others usually follow quickly. Queenfish (a small jack species) are present most of the year and bite readily on small live bait or tiny jigs.

Time of day matters more than you might think. The first two hours after sunrise and the last hour before sunset are consistently more productive than midday, when the sun is high and the pier is crowded. Weekday mornings are quieter and often produce better than weekends, simply because fewer anglers are competing for the same fish.

Tackle and Bait Setup

Most anglers at Redondo Beach use light to medium spinning tackle — a 6- to 7-foot rod with a reel spooled with 10- to 15-pound braided line works well for everything from surfperch to bonito. For halibut, a slightly heavier setup (15- to 20-pound line) helps you control the fish in the current and around the pilings.

Live bait is the standard: anchovies and sardines for halibut and bonito, small mackerel for barracuda. The bait shops at the pier entrance (near the restaurants) sell live bait daily, and prices are reasonable. If you prefer artificials, small metal jigs (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) in silver or white work for bonito and queenfish. A simple sliding sinker rig with a 2/0 to 3/0 hook handles most bottom-fishing situations.

Bring a small net or a gaff if you plan to land larger fish — the pier railings are high, and trying to hand-line a 3-pound halibut or bonito over the side is frustrating and often results in a lost fish. Many anglers also carry a small cooler with ice, though the bait shops can hold your catch in their coolers if you ask.

Crowds, Regulations, and Practical Details

Redondo Beach Pier is one of the most accessible piers in Southern California, but that accessibility brings crowds. Weekends and summer afternoons can be packed with tourists, families, and other anglers. If you want elbow room and better fishing, go on a weekday morning or during the off-season (November through March).

California state size and bag limits apply, even though you don't need a license. Halibut must be at least 12 inches; the daily bag limit is four fish. Barred surfperch have a 10-inch minimum and a 20-fish daily limit. Bonito and barracuda are 12 inches minimum with a 10-fish combined daily limit. Check the current regulations with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife before you go, as limits can change.

The pier is open from sunrise to sunset. Parking in the marina lot costs a few dollars per hour or a daily rate; there's also street parking nearby, though it fills up on busy days. Restrooms are available at the pier entrance, and several restaurants and shops line the commercial section, so you can grab food or coffee without leaving.

How to Get There and What to Bring

Redondo Beach Pier is at the end of Torrance Boulevard in Redondo Beach, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. From the 405 Freeway, take the Torrance Boulevard exit west toward the coast; follow it to the marina. GPS coordinates are roughly 33.84°N, 118.39°W if you're using a navigation app.

Bring sunscreen, a hat, and water — the pier offers no shade, and the sun reflects off the water. A small tackle box with extra hooks, sinkers, and line is useful, though the bait shops can supply most of what you need. If you're fishing early morning or late evening, bring a light jacket; the bay can be cool even in summer.

Nearby Alternatives if the Pier Is Crowded

If Redondo Beach Pier is too busy or the fishing is slow, the Redondo Beach breakwater (accessible by walking along the beach) offers similar species and often fewer anglers. The breakwater is rockier and requires more careful footing, but halibut and surfperch bite well there, especially on incoming tides.

Torrance Beach, just south of the pier, is open to shore fishing and holds the same species. Shore fishing requires more technique and patience, but you'll have more space and fewer crowds. The downside is that you're limited to casting distance, so you won't reach the deeper water where larger halibut and bonito often hold.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish from Redondo Beach Pier?

No, you don't need a California fishing license to fish from Redondo Beach Pier. However, you must still follow all state size and bag limits for each species. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website before you go to confirm current regulations.

What's the best bait for halibut at Redondo Beach Pier?

Live anchovies are the top choice for halibut. Fish them on the bottom near the pilings using a simple sliding sinker rig with a 2/0 or 3/0 hook. Squid also works, but live bait produces more bites. The bait shops at the pier entrance sell live anchovies daily.

Can I fish at night from Redondo Beach Pier?

No, the pier is open only during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset). Night fishing is not permitted. Early morning and the last hour before sunset are your best windows for productive fishing within those hours.

How much does it cost to fish at Redondo Beach Pier?

Fishing itself is free, but parking in the marina lot costs a few dollars per hour or a daily rate. Bait and tackle from the shops run standard prices — live anchovies typically cost a few dollars per dozen. There's no pier entry fee.

What's the difference between fishing the commercial section and the recreational section?

The commercial section (closer to shore) is where fishing boats dock and fish markets operate. It can be crowded and chaotic, especially in the morning. The recreational section (outer half) is quieter and better for most anglers, though fish move between both areas depending on the tide and time of day.