FishCondishSanta Monica Pier, CA Fishing Report & Live Conditions
Santa Monica Pier, CA fishing report
Santa Monica Pier and the surrounding surf hold a modest but real mix of species through the year, though anglers here should know this is Southern California water — several of those classic East Coast names don't belong in this fishery. Striped bass are the marquee target, running stronger from late fall through spring when cooler water pushes baitfish into the nearshore zone. Halibut, corbina, and yellowfin croaker dominate the surf in warmer months. Bluefish, fluke, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish are Atlantic species and are not present here — targeting them at Santa Monica would be a wasted trip.
For stripers, fish the deeper water off the pier pilings on the incoming tide, especially low-light hours. Live anchovies or fresh cut mackerel fished on the bottom consistently outperform artificials, though swimbaits worked slowly along the sand edge produce when fish are actively feeding. Watch for cooler green water pushing inshore — that temperature drop often signals better striper activity. Corbina and croaker work the surf trough; keep your bait on the bottom right in the wash and move along the beach until you locate a productive trough.
Santa Monica Pier, CA tide times
The closest NOAA tide station to Santa Monica Pier, CA is Santa Monica, Municipal Pier (station 9410840), about 0.1 miles away. The mean tide range at this station is 3.8 ft. Predictions below are referenced to MLLW in local time.
| Date | Tides |
|---|---|
| Sun, Jul 19 | ▲ High 1:05 AM 4.6 ft▼ Low 7:36 AM 0.6 ft▲ High 2:25 PM 4.9 ft▼ Low 8:37 PM 1.9 ft |
| Mon, Jul 20 | ▲ High 2:08 AM 3.8 ft▼ Low 8:10 AM 1.3 ft▲ High 3:14 PM 4.9 ft▼ Low 10:16 PM 1.8 ft |
| Tue, Jul 21 | ▲ High 3:41 AM 3.1 ft▼ Low 8:47 AM 2 ft▲ High 4:07 PM 5 ft▼ Low 11:50 PM 1.3 ft |
| Wed, Jul 22 | ▲ High 5:56 AM 2.8 ft▼ Low 9:37 AM 2.5 ft▲ High 5:03 PM 5.1 ft |
| Thu, Jul 23 | ▼ Low 1:00 AM 0.9 ft▲ High 8:06 AM 3.1 ft▼ Low 10:55 AM 2.9 ft▲ High 5:56 PM 5.2 ft |
| Fri, Jul 24 | ▼ Low 1:50 AM 0.4 ft▲ High 8:58 AM 3.3 ft▼ Low 12:08 PM 3 ft▲ High 6:46 PM 5.4 ft |
| Sat, Jul 25 | ▼ Low 2:30 AM 0.1 ft▲ High 9:25 AM 3.5 ft▼ Low 1:04 PM 3 ft▲ High 7:29 PM 5.6 ft |
| Sun, Jul 26 | ▼ Low 3:03 AM -0.2 ft▲ High 9:47 AM 3.6 ft▼ Low 1:48 PM 2.8 ft▲ High 8:08 PM 5.9 ft |
| Mon, Jul 27 | ▼ Low 3:33 AM -0.3 ft▲ High 10:08 AM 3.7 ft▼ Low 2:24 PM 2.6 ft▲ High 8:42 PM 6.1 ft |
| Tue, Jul 28 | ▼ Low 4:01 AM -0.4 ft▲ High 10:29 AM 3.9 ft▼ Low 2:59 PM 2.5 ft▲ High 9:14 PM 6.2 ft |
Tide predictions from NOAA CO-OPS, regenerated daily. For the live water level, wind, and today's fishing score, open the Santa Monica Pier, CA dashboard.
What's biting near Santa Monica Pier, CA
The species most likely to be feeding the pier, the surfline, and the nearshore water off the beach: striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish. FishCondish grades every hour of the day for Santa Monica Pier, CA and gives each species its own bite forecast, so you can see which window is worth fishing before you load the truck.
Santa Monica Pier, CA fishing FAQ
What fish can you catch at Santa Monica Pier, CA?
The species bite forecast for Santa Monica Pier, CA covers what's likely feeding there, including striped bass, fluke (summer flounder), bluefish, black sea bass, tautog, weakfish, and kingfish — and updates with the live conditions.
What's the best time of day to fish Santa Monica Pier, CA?
Dawn and dusk are usually the strongest windows at Santa Monica Pier, CA, especially when they line up with moving water around a tide change. FishCondish grades every hour of the day so you can pick the best one.
When is the best season to fish Santa Monica Pier, CA?
Spring and fall typically bring the most active fishing along the pier, the surfline, and the nearshore water off the beach as fish migrate and feed heavily, with summer steady for warm-water species. It varies year to year, so check the live score before you head out.
How do I know if it's a good day to fish Santa Monica Pier, CA?
FishCondish combines wind, tide movement, water temperature, pressure trend, and moon phase into a single 1–10 fishing score for Santa Monica Pier, CA, updated in real time — a quick go/no-go read before you make the trip.
Fishing tips for Santa Monica Pier, CA
New to these waters? Start with these beginner-friendly guides: