Here is a list of fish species your likely to encounter fishing from the Balboa Pier. I have listed the different types of bait these fish feed on, as well as the areas at the Balboa Pier you can find these fish.

Chub Mackerel are in these waters all year round. Chub Mackerel feed on cut squid, cut mackerel, cut sardines and cut anchovies. Chub Markerel can also be caught using a Sabiki Rig (feathers on a line). I do best catching Chub Mackerel towards the end of the pier

Corbina are in these waters when the water is warm, usually during the months of July, August September and October. Corbina feed on sand crabs, mussels, and ghost shrimp. My best spot to hook a Corbina -about 1/4 way up the pier, with surf conditions being clear.

Halibut are in these waters during the months of March through June and in September through November. Halibut feed on live Sardines, live Anchovies, live Squid, live Jacksmelt You can also catch Halibut with plastic swim bait, jigs and spoons. Last Halibut I caught (Sept. 2023 mid morning) half way up the pier, he bit on live Jacksmelt and was 23 inches long.

Shovelnose Guitar Fish are plentiful when the water is warm, during the months of July, August and September. Shovelnose Guitar Fish feed on cut squid, cut mackerel, cut sardines, and cut anchovies. Shovelnose Guitar Fish are bottom feeders and are plentiful all along the sea floor.

Jacksmelt can be caught at the Balboa pier all year round. Jacksmelt feed on cut mackerel. You can also catch them with a Sabiki Rig (feathers on a line). I have the best luck catching Jacksmelt towards the end of the pier.

Yellowfin Croaker can be caught at the Balboa pier during the months of April, May, and June. Yellowfin Croaker feed on sand crabs and mussels.

Bonita can be caught at Balboa Pier during the months of June, July, August, and September, Bonita feed on live anchovies, live sardines, live smelt. You can also catch them with metal jigs and spoons, as well as Sabiki Rigs (feathers on a line).

Spotfin Croaker are active in these waters during the months of June, July, and August. Spotfin Croaker feed on mussels, sand crabs, and ghost shrimp. My best spot: In the surf.

I encountered a White Sea Bass in December. I was using a 4" to 5" live Smelt which I caught on a small size 3" live bait Sabiki Rig. I hooked him near the surf at the first "T" on the pier. I was fishing with a 7'8" light to medium rod with a spinning reel with 6lb test. I'm pretty sure the White Sea Bass was a legal size fish, 28". As I hooked the fish and set the hook the fish came up and shook his head attempting to throw the hook. Like I said I was using 6lb test, so I loosened the drag on my reel, unfortunately I loosened the drag a bit to much and the fish went under the pier. My line snagged on the pier and snapped my line. Other than this encounter, I haven't seen to many White Sea Bass. However, they are active in these waters during December.

Sculpin, also known as Scorpion fish, are active in these waters all year round, with a bag limit of (5) five fish. The fish must be at least 10" long. The Sculpin belong to a group of fish called the ground fish. These fish are mostly active at night on the sea floor, hence "ground fish". Sculpin feed on cut bait such as Mackerel. Sculpin are very tasty, however it is best to cook them outdoors, as they have a strong aroma. Caution, if you have never reeled in a Sculpin, these fish have spines on the dorsal fin which are venumes. Those having been poked by one, say it is like being stung by a Scorpion. To remove the hook, hold the fish by it's bottom lip with a pair of long needle nose pillars. With your other hand remove the hook.

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