If you are near Oceanside with the family and looking for something to do that is relatively inexpensive, renting some poles and buying some bait is the way to go. We spent $60 for two poles with hooks and weights already set up, bait, a knife, and I paid $2 extra for a rag - all in all we fished for about three hours and had a great time. Some suggestions: go earlier in the day to find a good spot nearish the end of the pier by the sinks or bathrooms so you can wash your hands when needed. Ask for hot water to help defrost the squid. Bring your own chairs, and a a rag, and if you are really prepared some sanitizing wipes or soap. If you don't bring it, it won't be a big deal- it just makes things easier. I'd also recommend sun screen and a hat with a visor. Other than that- just have fun. It was a blast. On a side note- I read amazing things about the owner and was hoping to meet him but the guy who was working that day was less than friendly or helpful. I would not avoid this place because of him, but he was clearly annoyed by my questions or anyone that stopped him from listening to his podcast. read more

Fishing used to be good but since the fire it isn't good here anymore and consistently sucks

I went fishing and I caught a stingray. It was pretty good. The service was good. The selection looks good. The value is amazing. I did it for free. The value is good. read more

Tried to call and just asked basic information like are you guys open? How's the fishing? The guy was a total D bag on the phone

This store sells about 5 types of frozen bait that you can put some salt water on at a nearby sink to quickly thaw it. Squid was recommended the day I fished there and though leery since this bait is hit or miss (mostly miss) at The Chesapeake Bay in MD it worked well here. Among other things I caught my first shark, a Shovel Head. The bait is reasonably priced, $7 for squid lasted from 0900 to 1700. The store also sells coffee, soup, snacks, clothes, fishing tackle and other things. read more

Wait... this is a real bait store??? haha!! My girlfriends and I were walking on the pier, between the 5 of us we spent $75+ on trinkets, jewelry, and souvenirs!! Everything was so inexpensive and fun! They guy behind the counter was pleasant enough, I think he just found us entertaining though. But he bagged our stuff up individually and pointed out items of interest. It was a really fun "touristy" shopping trip on the pier! Made a bunch of girls happy that day... little did we even realize that it was a real and operating bait shop! #girls CHEERS! read more

Oceanside Pier Bait Store - Oceanside Pier Bait Store - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Oceanside, California

Great experience. The guys working were very nice. We snapped a hook early into our rental and they gave us a new setup. Fish weren't biting but still a great time. read more

So I've never fished in my life...my grandma has wanted to fish for years, so I decided to take my 86 year old grandmother and family to the pier in hopes of giving it a a honest try. And when I mean " honest try" I mean YOLO and heck it. I was fully aware we would be hitting up Harbor Fish & Chips after if anyone needed fish. Prior to this excursion I visited my local Walmart. Considered investing in my own equipment...and then remembered there's a Harbor Fish & Chips. So I decided that my lack of passion and sheer thrill of the journey not the destination meant I shouldn't invest a DIME of my money. The day of, I lugged all our personal belongings to the pier, sat my family down in some beach chairs and marched my happy ass to the Oceanside Pier Bait Shop located on the actual pier. I honestly was kinda nervous at this point, due to my lack of knowledge, I mean...this shop owner could just take one look at me and refuse me service I thought. I wouldn't blame him. I was greeted by a nice young man, seems as though he was related to the shop owner, his first job probably, he was the cutest thing. It's nice to see the youngins' helping out the family business The owner stood by his side (never got his name, very nice gentleman with glasses and white hair.) I adore that man, not only was his customer service fantastic, he actually TRUSTED ME with his rental equipment. The owner took his time to explain each and every detail, a line grew behind me, and he still kept his attention on me, he explained technique, bait, etc. his passion oozed out of him. I felt almost guilty that he trusted me (he had no idea that I had lectured my grandma on the car ride there that if the fish touched me I would jump off the pier.) NOT TO MENTION THE $ it was soooo affordable $14.50 for an all day rental, with all the supplies you may need! Fantastic! Anyways, his parting words were "Good luck, please come back if you need any help!" I felt very comforted by this. To make a long story short I lost a hook, got tangled twice, and made FOUR (4) trips back to the store to get help. Each time he was just enthusiastic as the last. This man should've revoked the rental, he had no idea I was YouTubing how to fish in real time. He was so calm, and patient and I felt as though he wanted me to catch a fish! I came back a final time and he was on a break, a nice man named Jeffery? (Same age? White hair and mustache) was so friendly and helpful as well, he shared the family story and was so welcoming. This is one DAMN GOOD family business. Overall we got the outcome we deserved, no fish. Plenty of bites, just not quick enough to reel them in! Hours spent on the pier but the laughs, and memories will last forever. I'm so happy I decided to rent from Oceanside Pier Bait shop. These guys are the most welcoming, caring and judgement free people. They are so passionate about their business and it shows. For someone who is traveling and needs some equipment, a local looking to fish occasionally or a n00b like me, this is definitely the place to get your stuff! Oh and I forgot to mention they have the CUTEST souvenirs that are so affordable, beach equipment, coffee, tea, snacks everything you'd ever need for a beach day. If I wasn't a local I'd buy one of everything. They also have three pelicans as their neighbors, I'm not joking. I plan on doing some actual research on how to fish, and renting from these guys again. They've truly inspired me. read more

Oceanside Pier Bait Store - Pelican neighbors really draw a crowd. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Oceanside, California

This is a great spot to grab a snack, bait etc the staff is great. This is a very well stocked. Shop.

This is the only store on the pier and I thought it would be crazy overpriced. Wrong! They have drinks, snacks and souveniers, like seashells at starfish starting at 99 cent, not bad at all! I got a few knick knacks, nice service, all good here! Seems like the only place with gifts at this beach, so stock up if you need to! read more

Cutest little Bait and Tackle shop ever! Visited her recently while on a trip Stateside. Located right in the middle of the longest wooden pier in the Western United States and complete with a Pelican named Charlie who likes to perch outside for pictures! If you're anywhere near Oceanside, you simply must stop by! read more

Oceanside Pier Bait Store - Charlie is a real Pelican with his own perch right outside the store! - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Oceanside, California

Says they are open till 10 pm on weekdays but the young guy who works there closes at 630 sharp. Don't depend on them for bait when you fish at night they will be closed. Half star rating for the inconvenience read more

These people here are so nice! They have everything that you need to make your fishing experience one of the best. They WANT to help you remove fish from the ocean!! If you don't come prepared with your own fish, then this the place to come to on the pier. About a halfway walk down the pier, the people who run this shop may seem like they are rushing you, but with one person running the stand and a long line waiting for squids or mussel, you may seem to get a little attitude from the man running the shop. They also have some foods here to dine on if you don't want to go down to Ruby's or McDonalds and grab something from them. Hats and sun screen is also sold here and the huge pickles are yummy!!! read more

Ole' Gully just sits there & cleans himself. Worker/ owner there feeds him sardines. Get a thirst quencher here and of course bait if you're on the pier. loooonnngg walk to Ruby's diner at the end. Sugar free Monsters and Red bulls there, so I was satisFIED! read more

Wonderful fun store! Owner and staff are super friendly and nice! Great place to get your Oceanside souvenirs! Lots of great post cards I've picked up for my friends back in Maine! Love my Oceanside Pier shirts I've bought here! Also their sun hats are awesome! I highly recommend if you visit The Pier you gotta stop here! read more

Awful older man working there. Rudest person in the world. We've bought so much stuff there every time we go and he's always rude. He hates kids. My kids love to stop there and look around and buy many many little things. We've also bought bait a couple of times, trying to teach my 12 year old son to fish (I don't know how either, but I try). Like I said he's always rude, but this last time was the worst. He said he was going to close at 10pm. We got there at 9pm and he started to put everything away. I told him we needed bait please, and he said; "nope I'm closing". So I said, but we only need bait and you close at 10. He got mad and in a really rude way he said "I said no I have to start to put everything away!" My son was so heartbroken, on his response. I honestly felt so bad for him. I just teach him to love, respect and treat everyone with love. And this was just so sad. I don't know why people has to be like that. Honestly I don't like going out anymore. People are rude and it seems as it's getting worse with time. I want to hide him and protect him from people making him feel bad, but in real life you just can't. He felt really bad also, because he has learning disabilities and very few time he finds the strength to talk to someone and buy stuff with the money that he earned, but with this man it's impossible and heartbreaking to see. I will never ever go there again. Awful awful grumpy old man... read more

While walking the pier, I stopped by and had a nice hot cup of coffee, enjoed the pier walk and the coffee, the guy who runs the please is very nice. read more

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This has been one of the most productive piers for fishing I have ever been on. You can catch many different species almost year round including calico bass, sand bass, mackerel, croaker, barracuda, salema, and bonito + many more. The tray bait that the homie sells on the pier is not the best. I would recommend buying some anchovies and use it as bait for a sabiki rig and catch yourself some fresh mackerel for bait and that will catch you almost everything. On the beach you can find sand worms, mussels, and sand crabs that are my number one baits for the pier. Tight lines read more

We've been coming to Oceanside for years. Stopping in for a few souvenirs and talking with the owner is something our kids look forward to every year. Great people, reasonable prices and fun to see the birds. read more

Haven't fished in 20 years, just walked up to this place and paid a total of $11.50 for two hour pole rental (included one free hour) some squid bait, and one rehook/rerig after I got caught up in some seaweed. Easy peasy, the service was very friendly and no one seemed to mind that I absolutely, positively, don't know what I am doing. Had a great time. read more

I grew up in Escondido and fished on the pier which I enjoy. but when it comes to the anchovies they are not good. I prefer to walk to pier view market other then that the shoot is great read more

Oceanside Pier Bait Shop is a great place to buy your souvenirs, bait and tackle. Behind the counter is Betty and she is the nicest and most helpful person with a smile. I usually get to the pier around 6:30 am and Ed the owner opens up at 7 am. Good coffee, good conversation and always friendly! There are tables and chairs to sit and drink your coffee and or take a break while walking the pier. Occasionally a pelican will come bye and dance around in front of the bait shop. Its a great place to come and visit, talk, drink a soda and have a relaxing time.... Also, there prices are real low.........Thanks Ed, Pam and Betty read more

Not a great place to buy bait for fishing. Cheaper and fresher to buy elsewhere and bring to the pier. That said, agreed, good people and fishing rentals reasonable read more