Book Your Fishing Charter in Dana Point, CA

Discover what inspired author Richard Henry Dana Jr. to describe Dana Point as “the only romantic spot on the coast” when you book a trip to this wonderful beachside city. Situated in the outskirts of Orange County, with easy access to both Los Angeles and San Diego, Dana Point has long been a favorite SoCal destination. It is prevalent  among surfing and water sports enthusiasts drawn to its stunning beaches and peaceful vibe. 

Apart from attracting surfers and water sports enthusiasts, Dana Point also attracts a diverse set of marine wildlife. It is considered the Dolphin and Whale Watching Capital of the World™ and is indeed one of the most scenic places to get a glimpse of these majestic sea creatures. It is also every angler’s dream destination. It offers so many different fishing spots and opportunities that anglers of all levels will indeed find it a worthwhile city to add to their SoCal bucket list.

Dana Point Fishing: A Great Variety of Productive Fishing Spots 

Dana Point is a fishing destination that seems to have it all — shores lined with kelp beds, rocky reefs and jetties, deep seafloor trenches, access to game fish magnet islands, and a developed harbor with a top-notch charter fleet. With its proximity to the Pacific Ocean and fishing-friendly year-round weather, it is a city that should be explored with fishing gear in tow.

Any idea where to start fishing in Dana Point? When in doubt, start from the shore. Visit Doheny State Beach, where fishing from the shore or the jetties will yield corbina, croaker, and mackerel, along with some halibut, calico bass, and occasionally some seabass. If you’re bringing your entire family to fish, then the Dana Point Harbor Fishing Pier should be on your list. This small pier can get crowded near a working harbor, but it does produce some good fishing. The most commonly found species here include white croaker, yellowfin croaker, spotfin croaker, opaleye, rubberlip seaperch, black seaperch, and white seaperch:  some California halibut, Pacific mackerel, calico bass, sand bass, and spotted sand bass. At night, if you head straight to the end of the pier, you might get lucky with some shark and ray species, along with some California barracuda.

Another worthy surf fishing destination is located a mile north of the harbor. Salt Creek Beach is primarily a surfing beach, particularly in the summer; it can yield some pretty good perch and corbina. If you head further out into the water on a boat or kayak, you can even reel in some trophy calico bass and halibut.

Nearshore and deep sea fishing are top-notch in this part of SoCal. Get on a kayak to fish the seamount 14 Mile Bank, which attracts some striped marlin, swordfish, and rockfish. Or, if you dare, you can head further out toward Santa Catalina Island. It’s a hotspot filled with SoCal classics, including calico bass, white seabass, striped marlin, and yellowtail amberjack. It also attracts some shark and tuna species, including blue shark, leopard shark, mako shark, yellowfin, bluefin tuna, and some albacore tuna and skipjack tuna. Sixty miles from the harbor, you’ll find Santa Catalina Island’s sibling island, San Clemente, which attracts plenty of game fish, including tuna, yellowtail, common dolphinfish, and marlin.

Enjoy a Cultured and Educational Trip in Dana Point

1. Enjoy an Interactive Marine-Themed Educational Experience

Visit the Ocean Institute on the harbor and get educated on marine life by viewing the institute’s displays and artifacts and participating in the interactive demonstrations.

2. Appreciate Local Art

See art, meet the artists themselves, and get the chance to learn from them at the seasonal Sawdust Art Festival, which happens every summer and winter.