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California Sheephead · Open

Horseshoe Kelp

33.67°N · 118.20°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 1 PM
84/100
GOOD

Now 24 · 10 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-5 PM
Tide ebbing
14-Day Forecast
Data from: ECMWF + GFS + BlueCaster
Mon
Sep 14
Tue
Sep 15
Wed
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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
24
Tough
Tide
4.9 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
5 kn
WNW · steady
Sea state
Choppy
2.7 ft
Air temp
72°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
70% cloud
Hour 10 PM. Score 24 Tough. Tide 4.9ft Rising ▲. Current +0.6kn Flood. Wind 5kn WNW G5. Sea 2.7ft Chop. Air 71.8°.
Why this score
Tide
Mid ebb
Prime
Swell
2.2 ft
Prime
Light
Sun overhead
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 during this window.
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Boat-based anglers may fish March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026. Minimum size 12 inches total length.
Season
Mar 1 to Dec 31
Other species here
California Barracuda ClosedLingcod Catch & releaseBarred Sand Bass Retention openWhite Seabass Catch & releaseCalifornia Halibut Retention openKelp Bass Retention openCalifornia Scorpionfish Retention open
Always check with CDFW ↗

Source: CDFW · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When California Sheephead is best at this spot

Shoulder seasonShoulder season for California Sheephead
~10 more weeks in shoulder
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff seasonRelease only
SPOT PROFILE
DEPTH
40-120 ft
Rock
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Shoulder
STRUCTURE
Mixed
Inner Protected

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

Horseshoe Kelp
Groundfish Management Area Southern
85
Top: Kelp Bass
Kelp Bass 85 · Barred Sand Bass 84 · California Sheephead 84
0006121824
5 kt W
H 10:51 PM · 1.6 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m
18 Spot (LA Harbor Rockpile)
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 86 · California Sheephead 86
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:51 PM · 1.6 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m
Hump 1.5 km S of Outer Harbor
Groundfish Management Area —
84
Top: California HalibutSHOULDER SEASON
California Halibut 84 · Barred Sand Bass 84
0006121824
3 kt NW
H 10:51 PM · 1.6 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m
Long Beach Light
Groundfish Management Area —
83
Top: California SheepheadSHOULDER SEASON
California Sheephead 83 · Barred Sand Bass 82 · California Halibut 81
0006121824
3 kt NW
H 10:51 PM · 1.6 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m

Horseshoe Kelp is a mixed rock-bottom reef in the inner protected waters off Newport Beach, California, holding structure across depths of 40 to 120 feet. The reef draws California Halibut in spring, with peak movement from March through May, followed by Barred Sand Bass building through the May to July window and California Barracuda running from April to September. White Seabass work the area from February into June, while California Sheephead hold over the rock through the spring and again from July into September, and Lingcod move in from September through January. Drifting live anchovies or sardines covers the halibut and sand bass over the mixed bottom, while bottom fishing squid strips or live shrimp targets sheephead tight to the rock. Deeper stretches near the 120-foot edge suit vertical jigging with heavy iron for Lingcod, and trolling spoons or diving plugs works the barracuda through the warmer months.

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

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