Southern California · United States

Dana Point SoCal fishing forecast

61 Good of 100

Dana Point SoCal is a saltwater fishing spot in Southern California, United States. Anglers here target Yellowfin Tuna, Pacific Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail Amberjack. The most productive months are typically July, August, September, October, November.

Quick answer

Best monthsJuly, August, September, October

Top speciesYellowfin Tuna, Pacific Bluefin Tuna, Yellowtail Amberjack

Score now61/100

Local rulesCalifornia

Today’s verdict

Trending down — 3 points below this spot’s 7-day average

Score confidence ±4 points, from 8 live signals

The statistical model disagrees with the physics model here today — treat this score with extra caution.

Helping the score most

Water temperature+25.0Chlorophyll+18.0Waves+9.0

Pressure trend

Pressure stable — fish feeding on their usual rhythm

Next solunar peak

minor 23:36

Current conditions

Live conditions are temporarily unavailable for this spot (last data Aug 23, 2026). Seasonal and regulation info below is unaffected.

Laguna Beach tide chart & times · 24 km from this spot

What the score means at Dana Point SoCal

Dana Point SoCal currently scores 61 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 22.6 °C. 8 forecast signals are active in this score.

Water temperature +25.0: how close the water is to this species mix’s comfort band
Chlorophyll +18.0: plankton density — the base of the food chain
Waves +9.0: swell energy stirring the water column
Wind +8.0: surface chop, oxygen and bait drift
Barometric pressure +3.3: falling pressure often triggers feeding
Moon phase +2.0: lunar feeding rhythm

What’s biting now

The model expects today: pacific-bluefin-tuna, yellowtail-amberjack, pacific-barracuda, kelp-bass, california-sheephead, barred-sand-bass, white-seabass, california-corbina

Bite windows

Moon

Waxing Gibbous · 82% lit

Solunar day rating

50 / 100

Best months for Dana Point SoCal:

Score history at this spot

7 days tracked at this exact location

Best recent day: 2026-08-10, 72/100

1 day(s) at 70+ in the tracked period

About this spot

Water type

Sea

Open coastal saltwater — conditions and safety depend heavily on the live wind, wave, and tide forecast, so check them before you head out.

Access & shore

Fishable from shore · offshore-only

What you can catch

Yellowfin Tuna

Thunnus albacares
Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Thunnus orientalis
Yellowtail Amberjack

Seriola lalandi

Best months by species at Dana Point SoCal

Yellowfin TunaThunnus albacares
Pacific Bluefin TunaThunnus orientalis
Yellowtail AmberjackSeriola lalandi

Typical months; local seasons and closures apply.

Local regulations

California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)

California

Species	Bag limit	Min size	Open season
Yellowtail AmberjackT14 CCR §28.37	10/day	min 61 cm	Jan 1 – Dec 31
Ten fish daily. The 24-inch fork-length minimum carries an explicit exception: five fish under 24 inches may be taken or possessed within the ten.

Licensing:

saltwater-recreational — residents Resident sport fishing licence required. Additional report cards are required for certain species (salmon, sturgeon)., non-residents Non-resident annual, plus 1-day and 10-day options.

FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. California groundfish rules — lingcod, rockfish, cabezon and greenling — are set separately for each of five Groundfish Management Areas, vary by depth, and may be changed in-season by emergency action. White seabass has a seasonal sub-limit south of Point Conception. Always verify the current rules for your area at wildlife.ca.gov before fishing.