Guiding Fish Caught From a Pier to the Beach

September 3, 2009

Question: If an angler fishing without a license from a public pier hooks a fish and then guides it to the beach end of the pier, can he land that fish while standing with his feet in the sand? (Randy O., Santa Cruz)

Answer: Not legally. The privilege to fish without a license from a public pier applies only to anglers while on the pier. As soon as the angler leaves the pier there are no free passes. Only licensed anglers may fish (or land a fish) from the beach, even if the fish was first hooked while the angler was on the pier.