MAGNOLIA PIER

Located at the north end of Magnolia Blvd. in Long Beach, the Magnolia Pier is an “L” shape designed pier approximately 300 feet in total length that juts out into Reynolds Channel. Here you will find anglers fishing around the clock casting and jigging their favorite bait rigs in hope of hot action. The pier as well as the spacious parking lot is well lit for nighttime fishing, which is open to the public free of charge 24/7 year round. The Magnolia Pier has recently gone through some needed renovations, which included a fish cleaning station as well as cutting boards making for a delightful experience among anglers fishing the pier.
The water depth along and straight out from the pier varies from just a few feet to over 25 feet in the deeper holes. On average the water depth is approximately 18 feet. Since the pier juts into Reynolds Channel, the currents can be swift. This is ideal for anglers bouncing light lead head jigs along the bottom in search of stripers and fluke as 3/8- to 1-ounce jigs will drift along the bottom allowing an angler to cover more ground. Anglers looking to keep baited rigs stationary will find 2- or 3-ounce sinkers will hold for the most part; however, depending on conditions, 4- or 5-ounce sinkers may be needed to hold bottom.
The action at Magnolia usually starts with a few flounder by the spring opener with the action increasing as the water continues to warm. By early May, fluke make their presence felt with the action lasting well into October. Mid-May brings cocktail blues and some schoolie striper action for anglers casting tins and plugs. Snappers and some porgies are at the pier for the taking by mid-July. By mid-September into the end of October, it’s anyone’s guess at what maybe on the hook as most of these species of fish will migrate in and out of the bay through Reynolds Channel and in all likelihood go past the pier. Quality winter herring fishing is the real crowd pleaser from the pier as the winter blue backs begin to show by the end of November and often last until March.
Winter, spring, summer and fall the Magnolia pier has it. Now go get it.

Caption: Magnolia Pier is one of the more popular locations for herring on the South Shore.