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Leopard Shark · Open

Imperial Beach Flats

32.58°N · 117.15°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 7 AM
86/100
GOOD

Now 25 · 8 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-1 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
3.2 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
2 kn
WSW · steady
Sea state
Rough
3.7 ft
Air temp
69°
Warm
Weather
Overcast
100% cloud
Hour 8 PM. Score 25 Tough. Tide 3.2ft Rising ▲. Current +1.4kn Flood. Wind 2kn WSW G3. Sea 3.7ft Rough. Air 69.1°.
Why this score
Tide
Mid flood
Prime
Waves
3.8 ft chop
Prime
Light
Golden hour
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
Bonito ClosedEnglish Sole ClosedStarry Flounder ClosedBarred Sand Bass Retention openCalifornia Halibut Retention openSpotted Sand Bass Retention openCalifornia Scorpionfish 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
5-25 ft
Sand
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Flat
Outer Exposed

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

Imperial Beach Flats
Groundfish Management Area Southern
85
Top: Barred Sand BassSHOULDER SEASON
Barred Sand Bass 85 · Leopard Shark 84 · Yellowtail 84
0006121824
4 kt W
H 10:44 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:40 AM · 0.3 m
Point Loma Whistler Buoy
Groundfish Management Area —
85
Top: Barred Sand BassSHOULDER SEASON
Barred Sand Bass 85 · California Halibut 82
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:44 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:40 AM · 0.3 m
Point Loma Whistler Buoy
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: Leopard SharkPEAK SEASON
Leopard Shark 86 · California Halibut 84 · Barred Sand Bass 83
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:44 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:40 AM · 0.3 m
Hump at 32.60217, -117.26456
Groundfish Management Area —
86
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 86 · Ocean Whitefish 84 · California Halibut 83
0006121824
4 kt W
H 10:44 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:40 AM · 0.3 m

Imperial Beach Flats is an outer-exposed sand flat off San Diego, running from about 5 to 25 feet deep at the southern end of the county's coastline. California Halibut anchor the fishery here, peaking March through June, when anglers work the sand with drift fishing using live anchovies, live sardines, or swimbaits. Summer shifts the focus to Barred Sand Bass from June through August, taken by drifting live anchovies, sardines, or squid, alongside Leopard Shark that hold near the bottom from June into September and respond to squid, mackerel, or market squid soaked on the sand. Pacific Bonito move through the same months, chased with live anchovies and sardines or by casting surface iron and metal jigs. The open sand bottom also holds Spotted Sand Bass, California Scorpionfish, English Sole, and Starry Flounder, giving the flat a broad seasonal spread across its shallow-to-moderate depths.

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Imperial Beach Flats is one of the spots we track around San Diego. See every scored spot in California.

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