Yes, in general you can use an Alabama (umbrella) rig on a pier. On public piers you may use up to two rods and lines, two hand lines, or two nets, traps or other appliances used to take crabs.
However, there are exceptions to using an Alabama rig due to the number and type of hooks used on the device:
- If you are fishing in San Francisco Bay only one line with not more than three hooks may be used (CCR T14 Section 28.65)
- When fishing for rockfish, lingcod, greenlings, or species listed in CCR T14 Section 28.49 you are limited to one line with no more than two hooks/line.
- When ocean fishing for salmon north of Point Conception you are limited to one line and no more than two single point, single shank barbless hooks (CCR T14 Section 27.80)
For the above exceptions, you will need to modify your Alabama/umbrella rig in order to use it legally.