Skip to primary navigation Skip to content Skip to footer
Back to Dana Wharf Blog

Summer Fishing Forecast: What’s Biting at Dana Wharf This July

a person holding a fish

Summer is in full swing, and there’s no better time to be out on the water in Dana Point. At Dana Wharf Sportfishing, July has delivered excellent variety, strong action, and exciting surprises for anglers of all levels. From surface bites to deeper structure fishing, we’re seeing a wide mix of local favorites and some prized pelagic visitors.

Here’s a look at what’s been biting so far this month — and what you can expect on your next fishing trip with us.

a man holding a fish in the water

Bass Action Is Red Hot

If there’s one thing that’s consistent across all trips this month, it’s bass — and lots of them. Both calico and sand bass are being caught in high numbers, with hundreds more released daily as part of our catch-and-release ethic for short or excess fish.

Just a few highlights from recent days:

  • July 6: 80 calico bass, 112 sand bass, plus 892 bass released

  • July 5: 110 calico, 91 sand bass, 613 released

  • July 4: 120 calico, 74 sand bass, 455 released

The surface bite has been steady in warmer conditions, with calicos favoring fly-lined sardines near kelp and rock structure. Sand bass are showing up in good numbers on deeper rock piles, especially on twilight trips.

a man holding a fish

Pelagics Making a Showing

The big summer favorites — yellowtail, barracuda, and bonito — have started showing up in the counts, with some great opportunities already unfolding.

  • Yellowtail: Landed on multiple days including July 2, 3, 6, and 7

  • Barracuda: Up to 26 caught in one day (July 8)

  • Bonito: Consistent numbers on July 2, 7, and 8

These fast-moving, hard-fighting fish are a blast to catch and a sure sign that warm-water season is ramping up. Be sure to have a surface iron or small megabait rigged and ready when the captain calls out foamers or bird schools.

a person holding a fish in the water

Bottom Fishing Continues Strong

While summer means surface action, the rockfish bite is still productive for anglers looking to fill the cooler.

  • July 9 saw 128 rockfish and 28 red rockfish

  • July 3–5 produced steady counts of whitefish, sheephead, and sculpin

  • Several days also yielded bonus catches like cabezon, halibut, and blue perch

These deeper species are often targeted on the half-day and 3/4-day trips when conditions offshore get breezy. Double-dropper loop rigs with squid or sardine continue to be the go-to.

a person holding a fish

Seasonal Surprises

July has also brought some fun surprises to the rail, including:

  • Halibut landed on July 2, 4, 5, and 6

  • Sheephead up to 35 in a day (June 29)

  • White sea bass on June 27

With warm water pushing in, and bait thick along the coast, we expect more of these summertime treats in the coming weeks.

Final Word: What to Expect for the Rest of July

Based on recent catches, here’s your quick summary forecast:

  • Bass will remain the most consistent bite, especially on surface baits

  • Yellowtail, bonito, and barracuda are likely to increase with warmer water

  • Bottom fishing will continue to produce on mixed-bag trips

  • Early morning and twilight trips may offer the best shot at quality gamefish with cooler temps and less pressure

Ready to Fish?

Whether you’re new to the sport or a local regular, summer is the perfect time to book a trip. Dana Wharf Sportfishing offers a wide range of options, including 1/2 day, 3/4 day, twilight, and even overnight trips — all led by experienced crews who know these waters inside and out.

Join us this July and get in on the action while the bite is hot!

  • Posted in:
Previous Post Next Post