Dana reefs - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

andrewtp · 05-11-2012, 08:44 PM

Since NP absolutely sucked today, I need to try something new....Without giving away your honeyhole, can someone give me an idea how to find the reefs off Dana point? I know they are south of the harbor, but roughly how far out and down etc... I plan on launching off Doheny for the shorter paddle

Thanks

Amish Ed · 05-11-2012, 10:50 PM

I like the areas from the pedestrian bridge south. Lots of scattered stuff from all the way inside to like 40'. There's stuff deeper too, just not as easy to find.

andrewtp · 05-12-2012, 12:38 AM

Where's pedestrian bridge? Somebody sent me this pic a while back... look about right?

DanaPT · 05-12-2012, 07:53 AM

Head south. I seem to use the outer harbor wall as the "side-line" and the coast as the other side-line.

As you head south past the San Juan Creek, and the camping spots, and you'll see the hotels, and then a foot bridge. This is all the Doheny State Park area.

This area has sandy/weedy spots, kelp stringers and rock structure. Take care to look at swells/surf report. There is an outer reef that can produce a wave. I suppose a rogue wave could cause problems if you aren't paying attention and caught inside.

have fun.

steveooo · 05-12-2012, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewtp

Where's pedestrian bridge? Somebody sent me this pic a while back... look about right?

That map will give you a pretty good idea. The whole area in front of Capo beach has some nice structure spots. Good action on the bass, and there are some very big halibut that patrol the sandy areas in-between the reefs as well. On a low tide, there will be some reefs that expose themselves. With a low tide and any sort of swell you will also be able to get an idea of where the deeper reefs are, because the water will swirl and discolor around those submerged reefs. Watch out for the swells though. There are some reefs in the deeper water that will cause waves to break even in 50 feet of water. I've had a few pucker moments out there. Just make sure you watch the swells in the reefy areas and you should be fine. Good luck

mrJB · 05-12-2012, 11:09 AM

More...
Zoom In on:
http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/18746.shtml

andrewtp · 05-12-2012, 03:05 PM

Awesome info, appreciate it. Roughly how far of a paddle out of mouth till I find some fishy reefs

. I'll mostly be targeting bass as usual but may put my bait tank to use if I can make bait.

DanaPT · 05-12-2012, 05:30 PM

You can always drop $10 at the bait barge.

I've not tried to make bait in this area, but there is patchy kelp bed south of the red bouie.

good luck, show us some good pics of the adventure.

andrewtp · 05-14-2012, 10:22 AM

Dana was beautiful. Got a super late start, headed out with CheapPelican (Chris) and got there at 430pm. Wind was way up, prob up to 15 mph. Plan was to find the reefs. Found a a few but was too difficult to stay over them with the wind. Caught a healthy calico on a BH in a redish color to break in my new Okuma Serrano reel. Battled the wind back. Didn't get to fish much but am excited to come back when wind is down! Sweet spot for sure, gotta check it out if you haven't yet.

05-11-2012, 08:44 PM	#1
andrewtp Awesome Possum Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 187	Dana reefs Since NP absolutely sucked today, I need to try something new....Without giving away your honeyhole, can someone give me an idea how to find the reefs off Dana point? I know they are south of the harbor, but roughly how far out and down etc... I plan on launching off Doheny for the shorter paddle Thanks

05-11-2012, 10:50 PM	#2
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	I like the areas from the pedestrian bridge south. Lots of scattered stuff from all the way inside to like 40'. There's stuff deeper too, just not as easy to find. __________________ Amish Ed You can't catch it again if it's dead!

05-12-2012, 07:53 AM	#4
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	That looks about right. . . Head south. I seem to use the outer harbor wall as the "side-line" and the coast as the other side-line. As you head south past the San Juan Creek, and the camping spots, and you'll see the hotels, and then a foot bridge. This is all the Doheny State Park area. This area has sandy/weedy spots, kelp stringers and rock structure. Take care to look at swells/surf report. There is an outer reef that can produce a wave. I suppose a rogue wave could cause problems if you aren't paying attention and caught inside. have fun.

05-12-2012, 11:09 AM	#6
mrJB Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: O.C. Posts: 352	More... Zoom In on: http://www.charts.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/18746.shtml __________________ "I Brake for Halibut"

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05-12-2012, 03:05 PM	#7
andrewtp Awesome Possum Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 187	Awesome info, appreciate it. Roughly how far of a paddle out of mouth till I find some fishy reefs . I'll mostly be targeting bass as usual but may put my bait tank to use if I can make bait.

05-12-2012, 05:30 PM	#8
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	You can always drop $10 at the bait barge. I've not tried to make bait in this area, but there is patchy kelp bed south of the red bouie. good luck, show us some good pics of the adventure.

05-14-2012, 10:22 AM	#9
andrewtp Awesome Possum Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Riverside Posts: 187	Dana was beautiful. Got a super late start, headed out with CheapPelican (Chris) and got there at 430pm. Wind was way up, prob up to 15 mph. Plan was to find the reefs. Found a a few but was too difficult to stay over them with the wind. Caught a healthy calico on a BH in a redish color to break in my new Okuma Serrano reel. Battled the wind back. Didn't get to fish much but am excited to come back when wind is down! Sweet spot for sure, gotta check it out if you haven't yet.