Inside Dana Point harbor - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

TroutBum · 09-14-2018, 10:23 AM

I float tube the harbor and launch from baby beach and fish the boat slips. I use light rods and tackle. Hookup baits work for me...

DanaYakAngler · 09-14-2018, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroutBum

I float tube the harbor and launch from baby beach and fish the boat slips. I use light rods and tackle. Hookup baits work for me...

I launch from the boat ramp and never really explore the back of the harbor. Maybe I should check it out?

Amish Ed · 09-14-2018, 07:46 PM

Dana can be a tough harbor to fish. But, there are fish there. 10lb line max and as others have said, small baits. I'd fish a 3/8oz Coolbaits underspin with a 3" or 4" bait. Have had great luck recently using the Keitech Easy Shiner in Shad. I have the 4" and it is slender. Great bait, but they tear easy. So, in the future I'll be saving them for slow days when the fish are really picky. I've also had good luck this year in general using grubs. On the 1/2oz Coolbaits I like the 4" Kalin's in a variety of colors. If you haven't already, go down to Hogan's in Dana Point, pick their brains about what to use in the harbor. They have a great selection of bass fishing tackle.

Forgot to add my all-time favorite retrieval pattern. 3 cranks then pause until the bait hits the bottom, then repeat. I fished that pattern off the Dana Wharf docks for 3 yrs and and caught lot's of Halibut.

PapaDave · 09-19-2018, 07:46 AM

Dana is a tough harbor to fish, not real big, crowded, lots of traffic.

That said there is sometime a good bite with small halibut and occasionally, legal ones. There are also a population of bass, queen fish, croaker, small barracudas and small white sea bass as well as the occasional leopard shark.

I'd try drifting a plastic and a live bait in and around the private docks, the mouth of the harbor and the mouth of the channel near the party boats.

Or, venture on out to the ocean. If your a little ocean shy, then once you hit the mouth of the harbor head towards the shore line. The area is usually sheltered from the wind and waves. I imagine once you get used to it you'll end up venturing farther out.

Put your time in and you'll find some decent fishing in the area to the south and to the north, as well as the pipeline.

Good luck...

kayakfisherman · 09-19-2018, 08:44 AM

Inside the harbor watch for moving water. Fish the jetties where the wind is pushing bait to. I've seen 40 pound halibut pulled out of there... Good luck

DanaYakAngler · 09-19-2018, 10:29 AM

As always, thanks to everyone on here for their input and advice. It is much appreciated. Think i'm gonna fish off the point this sunday if anyone else is going out, hit me up.

09-14-2018, 07:46 PM	#3
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,903	Dana can be a tough harbor to fish. But, there are fish there. 10lb line max and as others have said, small baits. I'd fish a 3/8oz Coolbaits underspin with a 3" or 4" bait. Have had great luck recently using the Keitech Easy Shiner in Shad. I have the 4" and it is slender. Great bait, but they tear easy. So, in the future I'll be saving them for slow days when the fish are really picky. I've also had good luck this year in general using grubs. On the 1/2oz Coolbaits I like the 4" Kalin's in a variety of colors. If you haven't already, go down to Hogan's in Dana Point, pick their brains about what to use in the harbor. They have a great selection of bass fishing tackle. Forgot to add my all-time favorite retrieval pattern. 3 cranks then pause until the bait hits the bottom, then repeat. I fished that pattern off the Dana Wharf docks for 3 yrs and and caught lot's of Halibut. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

09-19-2018, 07:46 AM	#4
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,462	Dana is a tough harbor to fish, not real big, crowded, lots of traffic. That said there is sometime a good bite with small halibut and occasionally, legal ones. There are also a population of bass, queen fish, croaker, small barracudas and small white sea bass as well as the occasional leopard shark. I'd try drifting a plastic and a live bait in and around the private docks, the mouth of the harbor and the mouth of the channel near the party boats. Or, venture on out to the ocean. If your a little ocean shy, then once you hit the mouth of the harbor head towards the shore line. The area is usually sheltered from the wind and waves. I imagine once you get used to it you'll end up venturing farther out. Put your time in and you'll find some decent fishing in the area to the south and to the north, as well as the pipeline. Good luck... __________________ So long and thanks for all the fish...

09-14-2018, 10:23 AM	#1
TroutBum Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: OC Posts: 62	I float tube the harbor and launch from baby beach and fish the boat slips. I use light rods and tackle. Hookup baits work for me...

09-19-2018, 08:44 AM	#5
kayakfisherman Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 715	Inside the harbor watch for moving water. Fish the jetties where the wind is pushing bait to. I've seen 40 pound halibut pulled out of there... Good luck

09-19-2018, 10:29 AM	#6
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 112	As always, thanks to everyone on here for their input and advice. It is much appreciated. Think i'm gonna fish off the point this sunday if anyone else is going out, hit me up.