fishy NorCal piers

I'm looking for a good pier to take my Dad fishing.  why a pier? free helps, and also very stable, I think he'd have a hard time on a boat - unless it was perfect glass, and jetty would be a non starter.

I took him bank fishing on the Sac a few weeks ago, and he really enjoyed that.  Got a tug on his line, and a bunch of follows.

any pier that might produce some fish would be fun, even catching bait fish supplies a tug on the line, bonus points if we could drop a hoop for some crabs.

I would appreciate any recommendations, and what are the target

Thanks in advance,
Brian.

Antioch pier is always loaded with stripers.  That’s my go-to for kids with low attention spans.  Always possible to hook a sturgeon there as well. 

You can also take your dad beach snaring for crabs after this Saturday. 

I am a big fan of Mcnears pier in San Rafael. I've caught some big stripers, bat rays, and sharks there.

Antioch pier is always loaded with stripers.  That’s my go-to for kids with low attention spans.  Always possible to hook a sturgeon there as well. 

You can also take your dad beach snaring for crabs after this Saturday.

Thanks, I'll look into Antioch.  Beach would be challenging though, rough footing and wave action.  His balance and strength are not what they used to be.

I am a big fan of Mcnears pier in San Rafael. I've caught some big stripers, bat rays, and sharks there.

cool

Thanks,
Brian.

Paradise pier in Tiburon too.

Thanks for this thread bbt! My elderly dad lives in So Cal and we recently hatched a plan to charter a small boat and go out fishing with my brothers and nephews/nieces. Then my mom put the kibosh on it. She doesn't think dad can handle it - and she's probably right.

So we downshifted to a pier outing. I saw your thread and it inspired me to make a similar thread on bigwaters edge.

I'll second paradise pier. Beautiful location, and probably the most stable bay area pier I've fished off of. Hard not to hook into a ray if you throw frozen bait. The only downside to the location is that the hill coming to and from the parking lot is pretty steep.

Thanks for this thread bbt! My elderly dad lives in So Cal and we recently hatched a plan to charter a small boat and go out fishing with my brothers and nephews/nieces. Then my mom put the kibosh on it. She doesn't think dad can handle it - and she's probably right.

So we downshifted to a pier outing. I saw your thread and it inspired me to make a similar thread on bigwaters edge.

not sure what part of SoCal but the Imperial Beach pier is very nice, great place to make bait.  Shelter Cove pier is excellent too (SD Bay) and the view is a $1M view.

Antioch is a good one for folks with mobility issues - easy flat paved path to the pier, and the pier is nice and wide.  OK restrooms and cleaning table.  As mentioned, plenty of stripers hang out right there year round.  Anchovies, chicken livers, or pile worms are your best bet for baits for consistent action there.  Prob won't catch any trophies, but I've never skunked there soaking bait.  Sometimes you can catch bluegills in the shallows right by the shore too, but they can be finicky.  I've heard of sturgeon caught there, but haven't seen any, just lots of shaker stripers.  I usually bring a hoop net to help land larger fish - the pier is about 15ft above the water.  I've used it precisely once to help a guy land a 24" striper he hooked with a trout rod, haha.  If you are using heavier gear you are probably fine without, and there are frequently others there who have one too. 

Antioch is a good one for folks with mobility issues - easy flat paved path to the pier, and the pier is nice and wide.  OK restrooms and cleaning table.  As mentioned, plenty of stripers hang out right there year round.  Anchovies, chicken livers, or pile worms are your best bet for baits for consistent action there.  Prob won't catch any trophies, but I've never skunked there soaking bait.  Sometimes you can catch bluegills in the shallows right by the shore too, but they can be finicky.  I've heard of sturgeon caught there, but haven't seen any, just lots of shaker stripers.  I usually bring a hoop net to help land larger fish - the pier is about 15ft above the water.  I've used it precisely once to help a guy land a 24" striper he hooked with a trout rod, haha.  If you are using heavier gear you are probably fine without, and there are frequently others there who have one too.

great feedback guys - much appreciated.  I think we'll target Antioch first - see how that goes.

I'd go to Santa Cruz wharf, where you can fish and eat clam chowder, or other tasty snacks, have a beer get a t-shirt, and maybe catch some bait for fun.

I'd go to Santa Cruz wharf, where you can fish and eat clam chowder, or other tasty snacks, have a beer get a t-shirt, and maybe catch some bait for fun.

Ah yes, fun facts .

I think I am due for a new t-shirt from S.C. 

I'd go to Santa Cruz wharf, where you can fish and eat clam chowder, or other tasty snacks, have a beer get a t-shirt, and maybe catch some bait for fun.

yah, thought about that, but about an hour further each way, not sure if Dad would appreciate the long drive.  Maybe if we spend a weekend sometime.

Thanks,
Brian.