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Yellowtail · Open

Dana Point Kelp Beds

33.45°N · 117.72°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 6 PM
86/100
GOOD

Now 26 · 10 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-8 PM
Tide flooding
14-Day Forecast
Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
Mon
Sep 14
Tue
Sep 15
Wed
Sep 16
Thu
Sep 17
Fri
Sep 18
Sat
Sep 19
Sun
Sep 20
Mon
Sep 21
Tue
Sep 22
Wed
Sep 23
Thu
Sep 24
Fri
Sep 25

24-Hour Conditions

All times PDT

Tap or drag to read any hour

Conditions
Time
10 PM
Now
Score
26
Tough
Tide
4.9 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
1 kn
WNW · steady
Sea state
Choppy
2.8 ft
Air temp
71°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 10 PM. Score 26 Tough. Tide 4.9ft Rising ▲. Current +0.6kn Flood. Wind 1kn WNW G4. Sea 2.8ft Chop. Air 70.5°.
Why this score
Current
Slack
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Yellowtail
Retention open
Daily limit
10 per day
Possession
10 in possession
Size
Minimum 24"
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Open year-round. Minimum size 24 inches fork length, except up to 5 fish less than 24 inches fork length may be taken or possessed.
Other species here
Barred Sand Bass Retention openCalico Bass ClosedCalifornia Sheephead Retention openWhite Seabass Catch & releaseRockfish (Aggregate) ClosedCalifornia Halibut Retention openKelp Bass Retention openCalifornia Scorpionfish Retention open
Always check with CDFW ↗

Source: CDFW · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Yellowtail is best at this spot

Peak seasonCurrently in peak season for Yellowtail
~3 more weeks at peak
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff season
SPOT PROFILE
DEPTH
15-50 ft
Sand
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Flat
Outer Exposed

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

Dana Point Kelp Beds
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 86 · Yellowtail 86 · California Sheephead 86
0006121824
1 kt SW
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
San Juan Rocks
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 86 · Kelp Bass 86
0006121824
1 kt SW
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
Laguna Beach Kelp Beds
Groundfish Management Area —
84
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 84 · Barred Sand Bass 84 · California Sheephead 83
0006121824
1 kt SW
H 10:57 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:52 AM · 0.3 m
Pendleton Artificial Reef (Camp Pendleton Reef)
Groundfish Management Area —
82
Top: California SheepheadPEAK SEASON
California Sheephead 82 · California Halibut 81
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m

Dana Point Kelp Beds sit off the San Diego coast as an outer-exposed sand flat running 15 to 50 feet deep, where kelp structure over open bottom holds a broad mix of nearshore gamefish. Calico Bass peak in June and July here and respond to plastics on leadheads such as swimbaits and paddle tails, while White Seabass move through from March into July and take live squid, sardine, or mackerel worked over the same water. California Halibut hold on the sand from March through June and come to drift fishing with live anchovies, sardines, or swimbaits, and Barred Sand Bass stack up June through August on drifted live bait. Yellowtail and California Sheephead both peak from July into September, the yellowtail on live sardines and mackerel and the sheephead on bottom-fished squid strips, cut squid, and rock crab. Rockfish work the deeper edges of the flat on a dropper loop with squid, mackerel strips, or anchovies.

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