What You'll Find at Veterans Park

Veterans Park sits on the Redondo Beach waterfront and gives you direct access to a working fishing pier without the crowds of the main Redondo Pier. The park itself is small—mostly a grassy area with parking, restrooms, and a short pier that extends into Santa Monica Bay. You can fish from the pier year-round, and the structure attracts the same warm-water species that feed around other South Bay piers: mackerel, bonito, barracuda, halibut, and croaker depending on the season.

The pier is less developed than Redondo's main commercial pier, which means fewer tackle shops and restaurants nearby, but also fewer tourists and a quieter fishing experience. The water depth at the end of the pier runs 20 to 30 feet, deep enough to hold fish but shallow enough that you can see structure and baitfish movement on clear days. Parking is free and plentiful, and the park has shade structures if you plan to spend the afternoon.

Key Takeaways

  • Veterans Park pier is open year-round and requires no permit to fish from the public pier structure.
  • Mackerel and bonito are most reliable in summer and early fall; halibut and croaker show up in spring and early summer.
  • Bring your own tackle and bait since there are no shops at the park—the nearest tackle store is several blocks away in downtown Redondo.
  • The pier can get crowded on weekends and holidays, but weekday mornings offer calmer conditions and better light for sight-fishing.

Best Times to Fish and What Species to Target

Summer and early fall (June through September) bring the most consistent action. Mackerel and bonito move into the bay in large schools during these months, and they feed aggressively on small baitfish. You can catch them on small metal jigs, live anchovies, or even feathered rigs if you're targeting mackerel. Bonito are faster and more aggressive—they'll hit moving lures and will test your drag.

Spring (March through May) is when halibut move into the shallows to spawn. They're bottom-feeders and prefer live bait or soft plastics worked slowly along the pier pilings and sandy bottom. Croaker and other bottom fish are also present in spring, though they're smaller and less exciting than bonito or halibut. Fall can be good for barracuda, which are unpredictable but powerful when they show up.

Winter fishing is slower but not dead. Sculpin, perch, and smaller croaker hold around the pier structure year-round. If you're fishing in winter, focus on early morning or late afternoon when light is low and fish move closer to the pier.

Tackle and Bait Setup for Pier Fishing

Bring a medium-action spinning rod (6 to 7 feet) with 15- to 20-pound braided line. Braided line casts farther and gives you better feel for bottom contact and bites. A 12- to 15-pound fluorocarbon leader will reduce visibility in clear water and handle the occasional sharp-toothed fish.

For bait, live anchovies or sardines work best for halibut and larger croaker. You can buy live bait at tackle shops in downtown Redondo or bring frozen anchovies and thaw them at the pier. Small metal jigs (1/4 to 1/2 ounce) in silver or white work well for mackerel and bonito when they're feeding on the surface. If you're targeting bottom fish, use a simple two-hook dropper rig with small hooks (size 6 to 8) and squid or shrimp for bait.

Bring more tackle than you think you'll need. The pier pilings and rocks below attract snags, and you'll lose rigs. A small cooler with ice keeps bait fresh and gives you a place to store your catch if you're keeping fish for dinner.

Parking, Facilities, and Access

Veterans Park has a dedicated parking lot with roughly 50 spaces, all free. The lot fills on weekends and holidays, especially in summer, but weekday parking is rarely an issue. The park has public restrooms, picnic tables, and shade structures, so you can make a full day of it without leaving.

The pier is accessible from the park's main walkway. There's no gate or fee to fish from the public pier, and no permit is required. Dogs are allowed in the park but must be leashed. The pier itself is concrete and in good repair, with railings along the full length—safe for kids and older anglers.

The nearest tackle shop is about a half-mile away in downtown Redondo Beach, so plan ahead if you need to buy bait or replace broken gear. There are also restaurants and a small market within walking distance if you want to grab food or drinks during your session.

Tides, Currents, and Water Conditions

Santa Monica Bay has moderate tidal range—typically 3 to 5 feet between low and high tide. Fish feed more actively during the first two hours of incoming tide and the first hour of outgoing tide. Slack tide (the period between tidal changes) is usually slower, though halibut and bottom fish will still bite.

Current at Veterans Park is generally light to moderate, flowing east and west depending on tide direction. On days with strong wind from the south or southwest, the current can pick up and make bottom fishing harder. Calm mornings are ideal for sight-fishing for halibut in shallow water near the pier pilings.

Water clarity varies with season and recent storms. Summer and early fall typically offer the clearest water, which helps bonito and mackerel see your lures. Winter and spring can be murky after rain, which actually helps bottom fishing since fish rely more on smell and vibration.

Regulations and What You Can Keep

California Department of Fish and Wildlife sets the rules for what you can keep and how many. Mackerel and bonito have no daily bag limit in most cases, but check current regulations before you fish—rules change and vary by species. Halibut has a 10-fish daily limit and a 12-inch minimum size. Croaker and other bottom fish have daily limits that vary by species, typically 10 to 20 fish per day.

You do not need a fishing license to fish from a public pier in California, but you do need one if you fish from shore or a private boat. If you're unsure whether a specific species is legal to keep, ask another angler on the pier or check the CDFW website before you leave home. Fish you keep must be at least the minimum size listed for that species.

Nearby Alternatives and How They Compare

Redondo Pier, about a mile north, is larger and more developed with tackle shops, restaurants, and a higher volume of anglers. It attracts the same species but can feel crowded, especially on weekends. If you want a quieter experience with the same fishing opportunity, Veterans Park is the better choice.

Torrance Beach, just south of Redondo, offers shore fishing along a sandy beach. The fishing is less consistent than the pier, but you have more room to move and can fish different depths by wading. Torrance is better for halibut in spring and early summer if you're willing to cast and retrieve rather than fish stationary from a pier.

If you want to fish deeper water and target larger pelagic fish (yellowtail, white seabass, larger bonito), you'll need to book a half-day or full-day charter boat from Redondo Harbor. Those boats run 3 to 8 miles offshore and cost significantly more than pier fishing, but the species and size of fish are different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a fishing license to fish from Veterans Park Pier?

No. California law exempts fishing from public piers, so you do not need a license to fish from Veterans Park Pier. If you fish from shore or wade into the water, you will need a license.

What's the best time of day to fish here?

Early morning (sunrise to 10 a.m.) and late afternoon (3 p.m. to sunset) are most productive. Fish feed more actively when light is low. Weekday mornings are also quieter than afternoons and weekends, giving you more space and less competition for fish.

Can I keep fish I catch and eat them?

Yes, as long as they meet the minimum size and you stay within the daily bag limit for that species. Mackerel, bonito, and halibut are all good eating. Clean your fish soon after catching them and keep them on ice to preserve quality.

Is the pier safe for kids and beginners?

Yes. The pier has railings, is well-maintained, and has restrooms and shade nearby. It's a good place to introduce kids to fishing. Bring a net to help land smaller fish, and watch young children around the railings.

What should I do if I hook something large I can't land?

Set your drag properly before you start fishing so the line will slip if a large fish runs hard—this prevents the rod from breaking. If you do hook something too strong to land, let it run and break off cleanly rather than fighting it to exhaustion. Other anglers on the pier can offer advice if you're unsure how to handle a particular fish.