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California Sheephead · Open

Laguna Beach Kelp Beds

33.53°N · 117.78°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 8 AM
84/100
GOOD

Now 82 · 1 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-8 PM
Tide flooding
14-Day Forecast
Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
Tue
Sep 15
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Fri
Sep 18
Sat
Sep 19
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Sep 20
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Sep 22
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Thu
Sep 24
Fri
Sep 25
Sat
Sep 26

24-Hour Conditions

All times PDT

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Conditions
Time
1 PM
Now
Score
82
Good
Tide
4.4 ft ▼
Ebbing
Current
—
Ebb
Wind
5 kn
WSW · steady
Sea state
Choppy
2.8 ft
Air temp
76°
Warm
Weather
Clear
14% cloud
Hour 1 PM. Score 82 Good. Tide 4.4ft Falling ▼. Current -1.3kn Ebb. Wind 5kn WSW G5. Sea 2.8ft Chop. Air 76.3°.
Why this score
Tide
Mid flood
Prime
Light
Low sun
Fair
Swell
2.1 ft
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

California Sheephead
Retention open
Daily limit
2 per day
Possession
2 in possession
Size
Minimum 12"
Gear
Boat-based anglers only.
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Boat-based anglers may retain California sheephead from March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Divers and shore-based anglers are open year-round. Minimum size 12 inches total length.
Season
Mar 1 to Dec 31
Other species here
Lingcod Catch & releaseCalico Bass ClosedWhite Seabass Catch & releaseBarred Sand Bass Retention openRockfish (Aggregate) ClosedCalifornia Halibut Retention open
Always check with CDFW ↗

Source: CDFW · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When California Sheephead is best at this spot

Peak seasonCurrently in peak season for California Sheephead
~1 more week at peak
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff seasonRelease only
SPOT PROFILE
DEPTH
15-50 ft
Rock
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Kelp Reef
Outer Exposed

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

Abalone Point
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 86 · Barred Sand Bass 86 · California Sheephead 86
0006121824
6 kt SW
H 11:40 PM · 1.3 m
L 5:36 PM · 0.2 m
Moro Canyon
Groundfish Management Area —
85
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 85 · Barred Sand Bass 84 · California Halibut 83
0006121824
6 kt SW
H 11:40 PM · 1.3 m
L 5:36 PM · 0.2 m
Muddy Canyon
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: Leopard SharkSHOULDER SEASON
Leopard Shark 86 · Yellowtail 85 · Barred Sand Bass 84
0006121824
6 kt SW
H 11:40 PM · 1.3 m
L 5:36 PM · 0.2 m
Reef Point
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: Leopard SharkSHOULDER SEASON
Leopard Shark 86 · Yellowtail 85 · California Sheephead 85
0006121824
6 kt SW
H 11:40 PM · 1.3 m
L 5:36 PM · 0.2 m

Laguna Beach Kelp Beds is an outer, exposed kelp reef off San Diego, where rocky bottom rises through water running 15 to 50 feet deep. The structure holds Calico Bass, which peak in June and July, alongside California Sheephead peaking July through September and White Seabass through the spring into July. Calico Bass respond to plastics on leadheads worked over the reef, with surface iron and live sardines or anchovies as alternatives, while White Seabass come to live squid, sardine, or mackerel fished along the kelp edges. Rockfish and Lingcod work the deeper rock here, with Lingcod peaking October through February and taken on vertical jigging with heavy iron or metal jigs. California Halibut and Barred Sand Bass move onto the sand margins in the warmer months, both worked by drifting live anchovies and sardines.

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Laguna Beach Kelp Beds is one of the spots we track around Laguna Beach. See every scored spot in California.

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