Pacific Grove Fishing: Rocky Coastlines and Sandy Beaches

Sitting on the northernmost tip of Monterey County is Pacific Grove, a city known for its fresh sea air, breathtaking views, fragrant pines, and sandy beaches. Home of the Monarch Butterfly Habitat Sanctuary and other recreational destinations such as George Washington Park and Pacific Grove Marine Gardens Park, the coastal city keeps giving when it comes to natural beauty. Also known as the Butterfly Town of the United States of America, Pacific Grove is famous for safeguarding wintering monarch butterflies. The quality of life in this small town is exceptional, having a friendly community and a safe environment. Its rocky shorelines are illuminated in the night by the oldest lighthouse on the west coast: The Point Pinos Lighthouse, operating in a Victorian-era building since 1855 up to the present day.

Pacific Grove was founded in 1875 and incorporated in 1889. In the 1890s, it was an artist's haven with Carmel-by-the-Sea and Monterey due to stunning natural outdoor overlooks. It stayed as the last dry city in California until 1969 to celebrate the grand opening of the Pacific Grove Art Center. Until today, Pacific Grove remained to have strict laws on serving alcoholic beverages, tracing back to its religious and gated history. However, the city’s recreational activities are booming, with numerous opportunities for families and friends to do hiking, nature viewing, swimming, kayaking, and fishing.

With Monterey Bay to its northeast and Spanish Bay to its Southwest, Pacific Grove is a game species wonderland to local and visiting anglers. The advantage of it being close to the great Pacific Ocean is felt through its fresh air and mild climate. The city takes pride in its efforts to remain friendly to nature, having many parks around town to cater to all. These parks are available for event reservations to celebrate life and happenings in Pacific Grove and its beautiful people.

Pacific Grove Fishing

Visiting Pacific Grove means getting close to the great Pacific Ocean and huge water bodies like Monterey Bay and Spanish Bay. As an angler, whether beginner or experienced, it is easy to understand that the bigger the sea, the bigger the opportunity for a trophy game. 

The Pacific Ocean significantly affects its nearby water bodies by its rich and healthy marine ecosystem. Migration of fish, growth of plant species, the flow of currents, and movement of the food chain affect all nearby water bodies, even those near the land. There is no denying that the great sea is powerful; after all, the Pacific Ocean is almost one-third of the whole surface of the earth. This means that water bodies like Monterey Bay and Spanish Bay greatly benefit from their strategic proximity to the great sea.

With an area of 449 square miles, Monterey Bay is a haven for anglers that love the thrill, action, and adrenaline of deep fishing, bottom fishing, and trolling. With a beautiful view of clear skies, the bay offers recreational saltwater fishing opportunities all year round. Games to be found in the Monterey Bay include, but are not limited to these species: chinook salmon, blue rockfish, lingcod, Pacific jack mackerel, Spanish mackerel, albacore tuna, and barred surfperch. Squid is also a popular aquatic animal that people fish in the bay. One of the most common techniques that anglers do in Monterey Bay is tuna trolling. While surfcasting on sandy beaches of the shorelines, anglers might snag some halibut, striped bass, surf smelt or night smelt, and walleye surfperch. 

On the other hand, anglers may try to catch some rockfish and cabezon on rocky shores. The nearby Coast Guard Pier in Breakwater Cove Marina, just southeast of Lovers Point Park, offers a good spot for recreational fly fishing. Anglers need to note that the wharf only allows fishing on the north side of the breakwater. For baits, bring some peeled shrimps or shellfish like clams or crabs. Live mullet or anchovies will also do the trick.

Spanish Bay, located southwest of the Pacific Grove, promises game species such as lingcod, blue rockfish, cabezon, rock bass, and striped seaperch. The use of live bait such as mackerel, frozen squid, and anchovies is encouraged to catch lingcod or rockfish successfully. Although these fish species also bite on artificial or dead baits, the strategy or technique plays a significant role. Anglers can do jigging, bottom fishing, and deep fishing in Spanish Bay.

A sport fishing license is necessary when fishing the free waters around Pacific Grove. Many boat operators and stores can provide a license for one day of recreational fishing. However, it is best to look into the city policies when securing one. Since there are many parts in the coastlines of Pacific Grove that are under conservation or management areas, anglers are encouraged to check local regulations and restrictions to get updated information.

Top 10 Fish Species in Pacific Grove, CA

The top 10 fish found in Pacific Grove are rainbow trout, barred surfperch, lingcod, cabezon, chinook salmon, leopard shark, walleye surfperch, striped bass, California flounder, and largemouth bass.

Seasonal Fishing

The best fishing months in Pacific Grove are May to October, where game species are usually most active. Anglers can do deep fishing and bottom fishing in Monterey Bay all year round because of the abundance of fish.

Anglers cast their lines and try salmon fishing from July to October, where the game species are high. Commercial salmon season is from May to August, where anglers can catch the species in Monterey Bay. As for albacore tuna, it is always in season throughout the year. However, the ideal months for anglers to catch this kind of fish would be from late May to early October as it is in high abundance and will most likely bite. Anglers can catch other fish such as lingcod, black cod, and white seabass all year round. Squid can also be caught throughout the year but are in high abundance from April to September. Sardine and anchovy are in high abundance from January to early May and October to December. Meanwhile, early spring offers a good amount of rockfish and leopard sharks.

Fall in Love With Pacific Grove

1. Book a Fishing Guide

Discover the waters of the North Pacific Ocean, Monterey Bay, and more! Be immersed in the sport of fishing and be with nature while angling. Book a local guide and get deeply in love with deep sea fishing! Come to Pacific Grove and catch trophy games with the most spectacular views!

2. Kiss Like the Rocks

Kissing Rock View Point is the perfect place to find peace and escape normal daily life. Gather friends, family, or a loved one for a weekend getaway in this tranquil spot in Pacific Grove. Enjoy the fresh air and take photos with the iconic rock formation in Monterey County! Have fun with friends and family, and maybe even get a kiss from a special someone.

3. Bring Someone Special Closer to Heart

On the eastern edge of Pacific Grove, Lovers Point Park rests with the promise to make people fall in love with breathtaking views of nature. Activities like swimming, surfing, kayaking, and more await to bring couples and even families closer together! Get your paddling game on because Lovers Point Park offers paddleboarding near the shore. With clear waters and occasional sightings of seals and otters, anyone would enjoy a day in Lovers Point Park!