ReelCaster
Back to map
California Sheephead · Open

Desperation Reef

33.01°N · 118.60°W

Species
tap to switch species
Best score for the day · 9 AM
82/100
GOOD

Now 22 · 8 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-3 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
8 PM
Now
Score
22
Tough
Tide
2.9 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
11 kn
NW · steady
Sea state
Rough
4.8 ft
Air temp
69°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 8 PM. Score 22 Tough. Tide 2.9ft Rising ▲. Current +1.4kn Flood. Wind 11kn NW G14. Sea 4.8ft Rough. Air 69.3°.
Why this score
Tide
Late flood
Prime
Light
Low sun
Prime
Swell
3.9 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 (this seasonal 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
Calico Bass ClosedCalifornia Scorpionfish Retention openCalifornia Barracuda ClosedOcean Whitefish Retention openWhite Seabass Catch & releaseCalifornia 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
1-25 ft
Rock
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Pinnacle
Outer Exposed

Desperation Reef is an outer-exposed rock pinnacle off San Diego, rising through water from 0 to 25 feet deep. The structure holds a strong seasonal lineup: White Seabass peak from March through July, California Halibut from March through June, California Barracuda from April through September, and Calico Bass concentrate in June and July, with California Sheephead and Ocean Whitefish rounding out the summer and shoulder seasons. For White Seabass, live bait fishing with live squid, sardine, or mackerel works the reef edges, while Calico Bass respond to plastics on leadheads such as swimbaits, grubs, and paddle tails fished tight to the rock. Sheephead and Ocean Whitefish come from the bottom, the former on live shrimp, squid strips, and rock crab, the latter on dropper loops baited with squid or cut mackerel. The shallow, broken pinnacle keeps fish oriented to the structure across the tide, so working the rock at 0 to 25 feet stays productive through the peak months.

CUSTOM ALERT
Notify me when Desperation Reef scores 75+
Email free · SMS available with Reelcaster Pro
Got questions?

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

Looking for the full interactive map? Open Explore.