Pierpoint Landing was a sportfishing, eating and entertainment complex located at the end of Pier A in Long Beach, California, and what is now Pier F. In operation from 1948 to 1972, it was at one time the largest sportfishing operation in the world, attracting two million anglers annually. (Our dad being one of the regulars, as many times as possible on his days off) A Red 57 Ford fits the makes a statement, as a family car cruise on the ocean/bay or out for a nice lunch. Hello, The familiar buildings and noticeable sign high on a pole reminded me of Pierpoint Landing in Long Beach, CA. It was the largest deep sea fishing outlets along the coast and was busy every weekend. Our dad used to go with some of his friends on charters out of Pierpoint Landing. His fishing grounds were in the main channel between Long Beach and Catalina, 22 miles away. The waters are rough, deep and tons of fish were always present. One of my brother’s and my experiences as little kids, was to go with our dad at 2 a.m. for White Sea B***, Albacore and Blue Fin Tuna all around Catalina Island, from West to East and including the back side. Pierpoint Landing was located on the Long Beach City Harbor and attracted a lot of people. It closed in the 70s and remnants are still around from when it opened in 1948. My dad has already started to go on those charter fishing boats from 1948-53. In 1955, since we lived near the newly opened Lion’s Dragstrip, that opened up a new arena for us. But, the thrill of the pole bending almost to breaking and being pulled all around the railing of the commercial fishing boat deck was as exciting as a high performance acceleration run... Especially, if the fish is almost as large as we were at the time. The whole neighborhood got plenty of fresh fish as there were plenty of barbecues firing up when we got home. albacore, tuna, and white sea b*** were the popular fish for great dinners... YR$MV Jnaki The same distinct skyline in both photos… The food was great and a lot of people came on the weekends for their family dinners. The fish dinners at the restaurants were obviously freshly caught from the local boats. Pierpoint Landing was a sportfishing, entertainment area in operation for 24 years. It was at one time the largest sportfishing operation in the world, attracting two million anglers annually. We lived about 10 minutes away on the Westside of Long Beach, but it was his love of all types of fishing. He was not a jetty fishing person, although, in San Pedro, when he was little, he did a ton of breakwater fishing at the old Brighton Beach jetties on Terminal Island, nearby. His love was deep sea fishing with small and really big rigs for all sizes of fish. He told me of catching large Albacore on a tiny trout pole and reel. He also told me of a large Swordfish with his super, thumb-size, thickness pole and huge reel that took both hands to crank for us little guys. In 1960, he graciously gave up ½ of the backyard “Rumpus Room” so we could build our 40 Willys. But, up until then, all of his fishing gear took up ½ of that rear yard building. Pole racks, cabinets full of reels of all kinds, a workbench to rewind/rebuild poles and flies for trout. So, did he go to Pierpoint Landing? If he did not like our family so much, he probably would have lived at Pierpoint Landing. Every week, (on his day off) he went out on a deep sea fishing trip. Our involvement was to go to the east end of Catalina on one trip for White Sea B*** and Albacore. 6 foot swells, a huge current, and a large fishing boat that went up and down did not make a 5th grader feel too good on that trip. But, the fishing was the best. On another trip out of Pierpoint Landing at 2 am, we went around the island to the other side to catch some tuna. That trip was much better, as we caught a ton of fish. The sight of Pierpoint Landing when returning to Long Beach was a wonderful ending to any fishing trip. It is too bad that this place is gone. Note: When our family wanted to go for an outing or drive, Pierpoint Landing was the spot. It was located at the mouth of the LA River near where the Queen Mary is currently located. The little stores kept my mom interested, the fishing tackle shops kept our dad drooling over the new stuff. My brother and I loved the snack bars and hot dog stands. When we were finished with the hot dogs, climbing all over the big jetty rocks, chasing the big crabs was the next activity. As simple as a place can be with one thing as an attraction, fishing. This place was a destination for a lot of families in the So Cal area. In our hot rod cruising days, late at night, this was a nice ocean view parking area with a great view of Long Beach and points South… dark, secluded, and eerie... To impress our dates, we had dinner in an outside dining experience mixed with the nice indoor restaurants. The food? Fresh seafood was the main course… The local landing docks were always busy with the sport fishing boats loaded with fishermen going almost everywhere along the So Cal coastlines and islands. The old, circular, Rainbow Pier and the LB Municipal Auditorium (currently the Sports Arena) are in the background.
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