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California Sheephead · Open

San Mateo Point

33.38°N · 117.60°W

Species
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Best score for the day · 2 PM
82/100
GOOD

Now 25 · 8 PM PDT

BEST WINDOW
7 AM-8 PM
Tide ebbing
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
25
Tough
Tide
3.0 ft ▲
Flooding
Current
—
Flood
Wind
2 kn
WSW · steady
Sea state
Choppy
3.0 ft
Air temp
71°
Warm
Weather
Partly cloudy
31% cloud
Hour 8 PM. Score 25 Tough. Tide 3.0ft Rising ▲. Current +1.4kn Flood. Wind 2kn WSW G3. Sea 3.0ft Chop. Air 70.5°.
Why this score
Tide
Mid ebb
Prime
Light
Sun overhead
Prime
Swell
2.4 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
Lingcod Catch & releaseCabezon ClosedBarred Sand Bass Retention openWhite Seabass Catch & releaseLeopard Shark Retention openCalifornia Halibut Retention openKelp Bass 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
20-60 ft
Sand
LAUNCH
Not mapped
PEAK
Peak now
STRUCTURE
Flat
Outer Exposed

Nearby Spots

View all on map →

Other productive spots within easy run

San Mateo Point
Groundfish Management Area Southern
82
Top: Barred Sand BassSHOULDER SEASON
Barred Sand Bass 82 · Yellowtail 82 · California Sheephead 82
0006121824
3 kt SW
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
San Mateo Point
Groundfish Management Area —
85
Top: YellowtailPEAK SEASON
Yellowtail 85 · California Sheephead 82 · California Halibut 81
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
Pendleton Artificial Reef (Camp Pendleton Reef)
Groundfish Management Area —
82
Top: California SheepheadPEAK SEASON
California Sheephead 82 · California Halibut 81
0006121824
2 kt W
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m
Pendleton Artificial Reef (Camp Pendleton Reef)
Groundfish Management Area —
84
Top: California SheepheadSHOULDER SEASON
California Sheephead 84
0006121824
3 kt SW
H 10:50 PM · 1.5 m
L 4:45 AM · 0.3 m

San Mateo Point is an outer-exposed sand flat off San Diego, California, sitting in 20 to 60 feet of water where open bottom shapes the fishing. California Halibut lead the spring run with a peak from March through June, overlapping with White Seabass, which stay active March through July, while Barred Sand Bass fill the summer window from June through August. Drift fishing over the flat with live anchovies, live sardines, or swimbaits covers halibut and sand bass across the sand, and live squid, sardine, or mackelrel worked on the bottom targets White Seabass through their run. As water cools, Lingcod take over from October into February, responding to vertical jigging with heavy iron or metal jigs, and Cabezon hold through November and December on drifted squid strips and swimbaits. Leopard Shark round out the summer from June through September, taken by soaking squid or mackerel on the bottom across the open flat.

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