Coastal conditions
Shore · California · Southern California coast
Santa Monica Pier is a Southern California ocean-pier fishery extending over open Santa Monica Bay water and adjacent sandy-bottom habitat. Pacific mackerel and bonito are principal pelagic targets, while California halibut and surfperch add bottom and surf-zone opportunity.
Marine Weather Statement
Severity: Minor
Marine Weather Statement issued October 20 at 12:52PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Begins Oct 20, 2026, 12:52 PM · Expires Oct 21, 2026, 1:00 PM
Small Craft Advisory
Severity: Minor
Small Craft Advisory issued October 20 at 3:26PM PDT until October 21 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA
Begins Oct 21, 2026, 11:00 AM · Ends Oct 21, 2026, 8:00 PM
Inexperienced mariners, especially those operating smaller vessels, should avoid navigating in hazardous conditions.
Fair · 55
BetaConditions are fair, but confidence is reduced because some coastal inputs are partial or prediction-based.
Scores are model-specific and are not directly comparable across water types.
Trip conditions only. Target-species activity and seasonal fishery patterns are not yet included.
Consider
Trip conditions may be workable, but important cautions or data limitations remain.
High confidence — Required data sources were available and the key inputs were current.
Evaluates trip conditions using weather, tides, currents, waves, daylight, and active alerts.
Degraded
Coastal conditions are partial, stale, or predictions-only.
Tuesday · 6:00 PM–9:00 PM PDT
Window score
55
Coastal conditions can change quickly. Review official alerts and current conditions before heading out.
Updated Oct 20, 2026, 6:19 PM
NOAA Station selected
Source
Updated 8 min ago
Updated 8 min ago
NOAA Station selected
Water level
Window Oct 13, 2026, 6:19 PM – Oct 20, 2026, 6:19 PM (rolling 168 hours)
Water level over the past 7 days. 1618 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:24 PM · to Oct 20, 2026, 12:06 PM Range 1.3 ft MLLW to 6.4 ft MLLW.
Readings increased over the available period.
1618 observations · from Oct 13, 2026, 6:24 PM · to Oct 20, 2026, 12:06 PM
California · Southern California coast · Shore
Approximately 23.8 miles away
California · Catalina Island shelf west of Isthmus · Offshore
Approximately 43.7 miles away
California · Santa Cruz Island fishable north-shore shelf west of Scorpion SMR · Offshore
Approximately 69.9 miles away
Near high tide
Next low tide
Oct 21, 2026, 12:50 AM
In 6 hr 30 min
0.6 ft MLLW
Previous
High · Oct 20, 2026, 6:02 PM · 4.5 ft MLLW
Following
High · Oct 21, 2026, 7:27 AM · 4.5 ft MLLW
Tide station at destination
Santa Monica · NOAA 9410840
Tidal-current predictions are not available for this destination.
Tidal-current timing can differ from high and low tide timing.
Santa Monica Pier surfperch, croaker, and California halibut fishery
SoCal open-coast pier and adjacent surf. Anglers target barred surfperch and California halibut, with kelp bass as a pier-piling companion.
Static seasonal guidance · Last reviewed Aug 15, 2026
Not a live bite forecast.
Barred surfperch and California halibut are the pier and surf fishery. Kelp bass is a piling companion.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency and editorial sources. About fish illustrations
Barred surfperch
PrimaryAmphistichus argenteus
No seasonal pulse known
California halibut
PrimaryParalichthys californicus
Also called California flounder
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: JUNE — OCTOBER
These fish are present through the year. The peak shown is the main fishing window.
Kelp bass
SecondaryParalabrax clathratus
Also called calico bass
No seasonal pulse known
Barred sand bass
SeasonalParalabrax nebulifer
Currently in a typical seasonal window
Typical seasonal window: APRIL — OCTOBER
Seasonal presence is general guidance and does not indicate current fish activity.
Typical October approaches include pier-platform fishing and adjacent surf (licensed) for California halibut.
Pier-platform fishing
Fish the public decks west of Pacific Park and at the west end. Two rods. Obey posted no-fishing zones.
Best for
Modes
Setup
Adjacent surf (licensed)
Incoming tide and sand-crab beds for perch; baitfish signs for halibut. Beach fishing needs a license.
Best for
Modes
Setup
Santa Monica Pier setup
Light surfperch and halibut gear from the pier.
Used for
Common lure and fly families associated with this month’s techniques.
Minnow-style swimming plug
LureShallow to midwater · Steady, twitch, pause
Cast across seams and let the plug track with the current
Soft-plastic paddle tail
LureShallow, Midwater, Variable · Steady, twitch, jig
Swim steadily through seams or hop lightly near bottom transitions
Bucktail jig
LureShallow, Midwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, twitch, steady, drift
Hop, swim, or drift depending on depth and current speed
Soft-plastic jig head
LureMidwater, Bottom, Variable · Jig, slow, drift
Keep intermittent bottom contact around structure and soft edges
General seasonal guidance, not a live recommendation, product endorsement, or guarantee of success.
City of Santa Monica Pier public fishing platforms. No harbor charter from this pier.
Watch overhead casting and posted no-fishing zones around Pacific Park.
Size limits, seasons, and possession rules change. Verify the current official regulations before fishing.
Editorial and agency sources supporting this fishery profile. Live and predicted conditions use the separate Data Sources section.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Los Angeles County
Shore · California
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Tide predictions, water level, water temperature, wind
Tide station at destination
Regional marine observations
Nearby marine station · 13 mi from destination
Coastal and marine hazard alerts
Planning limitation
Coastal conditions can vary over short distances. Predictions and remote observations are planning information, not guarantees of access or safety.