When you say "Naples Pier" I assume you mean the Veneco pier near Haskells?

Is so, I have had the same experience there time and time again. In fact here's a movie of my buddy hooking up here:
http://gallery.me.com/bpchristensen#100056

Our theory still remains that they are white seabass, because it tends to happen only this time of year and either early in the morning or late at night. The runs are not typical of sharks or skates (like a shovel nose guitarfish).

I have also hear reports of people catching BSB out there, which could also explain the mad runs and twisting through the kelp.

Keep at it and good luck landing it next time! This is why I use 50# braid whenever I fish the kelp out there! :-)