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Leopard Shark · Open

Carlsbad Kelp

33.13°N · 117.35°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 9 AM
84/100
GOOD

Now 25 · 8 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
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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
8 PM
Now
Score
25
Tough
Tide
3.1 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
3 kn
WSW · steady
Sea state
Choppy
3.1 ft
Air temp
71°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 8 PM. Score 25 Tough. Tide 3.1ft Rising ▲. Current +1.4kn Flood. Wind 3kn WSW G4. Sea 3.1ft Chop. Air 70.5°.
Why this score
Tide
Mid flood
Prime
Waves
3.4 ft chop
Prime
Light
Mid sun
Prime

Current regulations

In effect now

What you can keep at this spot today

Leopard Shark
Retention open
Daily limit
3 per day
Possession
3 in possession
Size
Minimum 36"
Annual quota
Not published
Other
Open year-round, at all depths. Minimum size 36 inches total length. Listed under groundfish on source page.
Other species here
California Barracuda ClosedCalifornia Scorpionfish Retention openKelp Greenling ClosedBarred Sand Bass Retention openCalico Bass ClosedCalifornia Sheephead Retention openWhite Seabass Catch & releaseCalifornia Halibut Retention openKelp Bass Retention open
Always check with CDFW ↗

Source: CDFW · synced today

Seasonality

52-week view · today highlighted

When Leopard Shark is best at this spot

Peak seasonCurrently in peak season for Leopard Shark
~1 more week at peak
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Peak seasonShoulder seasonOff season
SPOT PROFILE
DEPTH
100-600 ft
Sand
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Flat
Outer Exposed

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

Carlsbad Canyon
Groundfish Management Area —
84
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 84 · California Halibut 83 · Ocean Whitefish 83
0006121824
3 kt SW
H 10:51 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m
Carlsbad / Agua Hedionda Kelp and Reefs
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 86 · California Sheephead 83
0006121824
3 kt W
H 10:51 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:47 AM · 0.3 m
Del Mar Kelp
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: Kelp Bass
Kelp Bass 86 · Leopard Shark 85 · California Sheephead 84
0006121824
3 kt SW
H 10:49 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
Del Mar / Soledad Canyon Reef
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 86 · California Sheephead 83 · Ocean Whitefish 83
0006121824
3 kt SW
H 10:49 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m

Carlsbad Kelp is an outer, exposed sand flat off San Diego, running from about 100 to 600 feet deep. California halibut hold across the flat and peak from March through June, worked most effectively by drift fishing with live anchovies, live sardines, or swimbaits over the sand. White seabass move through from March into July, with live bait fishing on live squid, sardine, or mackerel the dominant approach across this depth range. Barred sand bass concentrate from June through August and respond to drifting live anchovies, sardines, or squid near the bottom, while California barracuda run April through September and come to trolled diving plugs, feathers, and spoons. The open exposure keeps bait and predators moving through the water column, making live bait and drift presentations reliable through the deeper stretches.

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Carlsbad Kelp is one of the spots we track around San Diego. See every scored spot in California.

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