Cracking the Code: How to Hook the Notorious Sheephead
They have teeth that look like a human’s, they change gender from female to male, and they fight like a bulldog. The California Sheephead is one of the most iconic fish in our local kelp beds. While many anglers catching them by accident while fishing for bass, targeting them specifically is a skill. Known as…
The Offshore Gold Rush: How to Target Mahi Mahi
When the water temps rise off Southern California, the “Gold Rush” begins. Mahi Mahi (Dorado) move into our local waters, often coming within just a few miles of the harbor. Whether you are hopping on a ¾ day boat out of Dana Wharf Sportfishing or running your own skiff from Dana…
The Light-Tackle Rockets: How to Target Bonito out of Dana Point
They vibrate like a jackhammer, run like a tuna, and fight harder than fish three times their size. The Pacific Bonito is the unsung hero of the Southern California coast. Often called “little tuna,” Bonito are pelagic schoolers that invade the waters off Dana Point when the currents warm up. For anglers aboard…
The “Hitchhiker” Rig: Targeting Lingcod
When the rockfish season opens, the sacks at Dana Wharf are usually filled with Vermillion Rockfish (Reds), Boccaccio, and Whitefish. These are great eating fish, but for the serious angler, there is one prize that stands above the rest: The Lingcod. Often called “The Dragon” because of its prehistoric look and mouth full…
The Legend of the Deep: How to Find the Elusive Sperm Whale
Of all the creatures we search for off the coast of Dana Point, none carries quite the same legendary status as the Sperm Whale. Immortalized as “Moby Dick,” this is the largest toothed predator on the planet. While we see Gray Whales by the thousands and Blue Whales by the hundreds, the Sperm Whale remains…
The “Baby Watch” Begins: Preparing for Cow & Calf Season
As we move through the peak of the winter migration, our captains and naturalists are starting to scan the water for something very specific—and very adorable. We are approaching the most heartwarming phase of the Gray Whale season: Cow and Calf Season. While the adult males and females without babies are already starting…
What is a “Mugging”? (And Why You Want It to Happen)
In any other context, getting “mugged” is a bad thing. But in the world of whale watching, it is the absolute dream scenario. If you hear our captain or crew mention that the boat is getting “mugged,” put down your coffee and grab your camera immediately. You are about to experience one of the rarest…
The Great “Turnaround”: When North Meets South on the Whale Highway
If you stood on a highway overpass, you would expect to see cars traveling in both directions. For the last two months, however, the “Gray Whale Highway” off Dana Point has been a one-way street. Virtually every whale we sighted was on a mission, heading south toward the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico. But now,…
Creating Future Anglers: 5 Tips for Your Child’s First Fishing Trip
There is nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they feel that first tug on the end of the line. It is a core memory in the making. But as any parent knows, taking kids on an ocean adventure can also feel a little daunting. Will they get bored? Will they get…
The Hunt is On: Your Guide to Winning the Dana Wharf Halibut Derby
With the rockfish grounds closed for the season, the spotlight at Dana Wharf turns to the undisputed king of the sandy bottom: The California Halibut. Right now, anglers are stepping aboard our boats with one goal in mind: catching a “Barn Door” (a large trophy halibut) and potentially landing on the leaderboard for…
Mastering the Leadhead: Your Secret Weapon for Winter Bass
If you joined us in July or August, you likely spent your time “fly-lining”—tossing a live sardine or anchovy with no weight and letting it swim freely near the surface. That is the go-to method when the water is warm and the fish are chasing bait on top. But now that we are in the…
Don’t Overlook the Sculpin: Why This “Ugly” Fish is a Winter Star
Let’s be honest: The California Scorpionfish (commonly known as Sculpin) is not winning any beauty contests. With its mottled red-brown skin, oversized head, and array of sharp spines, it looks like something prehistoric. However, savvy local anglers know a secret. Beneath that prickly exterior lies some of the most delicious white meat in the ocean….