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

DanaYakAngler · 09-11-2018, 07:14 PM

Wondering what everybody has been successful with inside the harbor. Despite my username I haven’t done so well the past few times 😪. Although, I have been fishing twilight after work. Any tips would be appreciated!

DanaPT · 09-11-2018, 08:12 PM

Dragging live bait and throwing small plastics can be productive.

DanaYakAngler · 09-11-2018, 08:44 PM

Thank you for your reply. I have mostly been focusing on plastics recently. Mostly hookup baits and underspins. No luck. Haven’t fished live bait in the harbor for a bit tho.

goldenglory18 · 09-12-2018, 06:50 AM

are you using scent on your artificial baits?

MaskedFisherDude · 09-12-2018, 07:10 AM

I have always done well with the drop shot and gulp. Then 3” big hammers. It also depends on where your fishing and if the tide is moving.

DanaYakAngler · 09-12-2018, 07:46 AM

I do use scents, however not every time. I should probably make that a habit. If I fish after work I am at the mercy of the tides as I just get on the water when I can. I try to fish as much structure as possible inside the harbor i.e. slips/pilings of dana wharf fleet, the bait receiver, and certain spots on the breakwall. I have seen alot of videos of people drop shotting the berkley gulps. Worth a shot.

DanaYakAngler · 09-12-2018, 08:00 AM

I always seem to have better luck on an incoming tide inside the harbor. Is that true for you guys? I try to put in time on the water and figure things out on my own, but sometimes like to hear what everyone else is doing. As always, thanks for the replies and feedback!

Ggiannig89 · 09-12-2018, 08:47 AM

I know for me when I fish bays it’s not always about structure. My preferred spots to fish is where I can find an eel grass line where the sand and grass meet. Sometimes I’ll drop down a baitless hook over and over until I can find that situation. Good luck. Or know how to read your fish finder to see the bottom change.

DanaYakAngler · 09-12-2018, 09:04 AM

Unfortunately Dana doesn't have too much eel grass unless I am mistaken. Some here and there but don't think it has too many healthy beds.

DanaPT · 09-12-2018, 02:50 PM

maybe you should try your luck outside the harbor. DP harbor is small & crowded. Most of the fish I've caught in there have been small too.

Not to say there aren't any big fish in there, I just think you'll appreciate the occasional hook up of a bigger fish that will tow you around and/or break you off before you see it. That'll keep you coming back for more.

MaskedFisherDude · 09-13-2018, 07:42 AM

One thing I will say is that 90% of the fish I have caught in Dana are off of rock. I used to tube Dana a lot when I was younger and would launch at baby beach and fish by the yacht club. Now all of the bigger spotties I have caught in Dana have been on pilings with water moving. There is some eel grass back by the ocean institute but it’s not like it used to be. If you are looking to just catch fish 3” big hammers and 3” gulp minnows on a drop shot. Fish the big hammers over the rocks and the drop shot where the rock meets the sand or pitching it to a piling. Hookup baits will probably work swimming them over the rocks I guess. I know we talked about fishing together but unfortunately for me I just had shoulder surgery and will most likely be out for the rest of the year.

DanaYakAngler · 09-13-2018, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanaPT

maybe you should try your luck outside the harbor. DP harbor is small & crowded. Most of the fish I've caught in there have been small too.

Not to say there aren't any big fish in there, I just think you'll appreciate the occasional hook up of a bigger fish that will tow you around and/or break you off before you see it. That'll keep you coming back for more.

Yea, I fish outside when I have more time. When I go after work I tend to stay inside because of time constraints. I hear ya on the outside action tho.

DanaYakAngler · 09-13-2018, 08:59 AM

bummer man, sorry about the shoulder.

TroutBum · 09-14-2018, 11:23 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, 03:02 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, 08:46 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, 08:46 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, 09:44 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, 11:29 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.

09-11-2018, 07:14 PM	#1
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	Inside Dana Point harbor Wondering what everybody has been successful with inside the harbor. Despite my username I haven’t done so well the past few times 😪. Although, I have been fishing twilight after work. Any tips would be appreciated!

09-14-2018, 08:46 PM	#16
Amish Ed Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grants Pass, OR Posts: 1,906	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, 08:46 AM	#17
PapaDave Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Menifee, CA Posts: 1,473	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...

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09-11-2018, 08:12 PM	#2
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	Dragging live bait and throwing small plastics can be productive.

09-11-2018, 08:44 PM	#3
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	Thank you for your reply. I have mostly been focusing on plastics recently. Mostly hookup baits and underspins. No luck. Haven’t fished live bait in the harbor for a bit tho.

09-12-2018, 06:50 AM	#4
goldenglory18 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Seattle Area Posts: 861	are you using scent on your artificial baits?

09-12-2018, 07:10 AM	#5
MaskedFisherDude Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 39	I have always done well with the drop shot and gulp. Then 3” big hammers. It also depends on where your fishing and if the tide is moving.

09-12-2018, 07:46 AM	#6
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	I do use scents, however not every time. I should probably make that a habit. If I fish after work I am at the mercy of the tides as I just get on the water when I can. I try to fish as much structure as possible inside the harbor i.e. slips/pilings of dana wharf fleet, the bait receiver, and certain spots on the breakwall. I have seen alot of videos of people drop shotting the berkley gulps. Worth a shot.

09-12-2018, 08:00 AM	#7
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	I always seem to have better luck on an incoming tide inside the harbor. Is that true for you guys? I try to put in time on the water and figure things out on my own, but sometimes like to hear what everyone else is doing. As always, thanks for the replies and feedback!

09-12-2018, 08:47 AM	#8
Ggiannig89 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: El Cajon Posts: 512	I know for me when I fish bays it’s not always about structure. My preferred spots to fish is where I can find an eel grass line where the sand and grass meet. Sometimes I’ll drop down a baitless hook over and over until I can find that situation. Good luck. Or know how to read your fish finder to see the bottom change.

09-12-2018, 09:04 AM	#9
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	Unfortunately Dana doesn't have too much eel grass unless I am mistaken. Some here and there but don't think it has too many healthy beds.

09-12-2018, 02:50 PM	#10
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,606	maybe you should try your luck outside the harbor. DP harbor is small & crowded. Most of the fish I've caught in there have been small too. Not to say there aren't any big fish in there, I just think you'll appreciate the occasional hook up of a bigger fish that will tow you around and/or break you off before you see it. That'll keep you coming back for more.

09-13-2018, 07:42 AM	#11
MaskedFisherDude Member Join Date: May 2018 Location: Mission Viejo Posts: 39	One thing I will say is that 90% of the fish I have caught in Dana are off of rock. I used to tube Dana a lot when I was younger and would launch at baby beach and fish by the yacht club. Now all of the bigger spotties I have caught in Dana have been on pilings with water moving. There is some eel grass back by the ocean institute but it’s not like it used to be. If you are looking to just catch fish 3” big hammers and 3” gulp minnows on a drop shot. Fish the big hammers over the rocks and the drop shot where the rock meets the sand or pitching it to a piling. Hookup baits will probably work swimming them over the rocks I guess. I know we talked about fishing together but unfortunately for me I just had shoulder surgery and will most likely be out for the rest of the year.

09-13-2018, 08:59 AM	#13
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	bummer man, sorry about the shoulder.

09-14-2018, 11:23 AM	#14
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, 09:44 AM	#18
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, 11:29 AM	#19
DanaYakAngler Senior Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: RSM, Ca. Posts: 113	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.