use code TOUR plus member number for member discount (Example: TOUR1010010). If you’re looking for a place to take the kids fishing, this small pier is a great place to start. American Maritime Museums (CAMM) https://councilofamericanmaritimemuseums.org/. When the pilings are bare, the fish are gone. Do it the sporting way—although it isn’t easy. Hopefully the fishing picks up here because I go here every weekend. I suppose an 18-foot-long great white shark could even surprise you. Neighborhood. Dana Point Harbor Drive. Plenty of baitfish around to snag or net, but not much action. Plenty of queenfish, big jacksmelt, needlefish and those damn mullet around, but I would rather get skunked then catch queenfish all night. The warm waters right out of Dana Point Harbor are flourishing with sea life including … Pick up: the loading zone at the front of the restaurant Doheny State Beach is located in the city of Dana Point, California and is one of California's most popular state beaches and attracts almost one million visitors per year. DANA POINT SPORTFISHING - BOOK TRIP NOW 949-939-3808. Copyright 2021 Pier Fishing in California. Tickets must be purchased for all individuals attending (adults and children). Looking from Baby Beach toward the pier and the Pilgrim. Photos, FAQs, parking & directions, beach amenities, dining on and near the pier, and more. As a destination, Dana Point is committed to providing our visitors with an experience that is safe, memorable, and enjoyable. There is also a small loading dock on the north side of the pier which means you can fish down around the pilings. The developers for the pier were the Wailes-Smith Co. Used a light rig to catch 3 opaleye and 2 sand bass. An interesting feature, just a short cast away from the pier, is a 130-foot replica of the brig Pilgrim, the square-rigged sailing ship upon which Richard Henry Dana sailed. More information can be found under the COVID-19 Beach Information page.. Dana Point beache s are among the finest in the world. Jake Marshall, Encinitas 12.70 2. Several other banjos were landed as well as some small calicos and a shortie hallie. The Dana Point Fuel Dock has always taken pride in offering a quality fuel at a competitive price. 92629 949-923-2280 southcoastops@ocparks.com. The pier is located in the pleasant setting of Dana Harbor and close to the pier sits a park and a shallow-water beach called Baby Beach. Busses need to check-in with the Guest Services team to receive their bus parking pass. It’s really only fishable at high tide but I have managed a few blackperch in the area along with a cute little wooly sculpin one night. This action is best during the mid-summer to fall months if/when the pilings have acquired a good growth of attractants around them. 34499 Golden Lantern Dana Point, CA 92629. Tiny Tots & Little Naturalist: Ages 2-4 years old, 12:30pm – A Story Written in Stone: Harbor Geology Tour, 12:30pm – Back to the Roots: Native Plant Tour, https://councilofamericanmaritimemuseums.org/, 2 Complimentary adult tickets for either Whale and Marine Life Tour or Bioluminescence Cruise (a $90 value), 4 Complimentary admission tickets to either the Holiday Lights Viewing Party or Tall Ships Festival (a $60 value), 10% discount at the Chambers Gallery Gift Shop, Free Admission year-round to Ocean Education Center Programs & Weekday Tours, Discounts and early registration opportunities for Ocean Institute events, Invitation to member-exclusive events and activities, Free Admission year-round to Ocean Education Center, Support the Ocean Institute’s conservation and education, Discounts and early registration opportunities for Ocean, Complimentary gift from the Chambers Gallery Gift Store, Free Admission year-round to Ocean Education Center Programs, 10% off at the Chambers Gallery Gift Shop, 4 Complimentary adult tickets for either Whale and Marine, 4 Complimentary admissions to the Holiday Lights Viewing, 2 Invitations to Ocean Institute VIP Events, 20% off at the Chambers Gallery Gift Shop, Concierge Reservation Services for Ocean Institute, Reciprocal benefits at over 750 institutions across North, Reciprocal benefits at over 80 museums through the Council of. Anglers can fish from top or down on the float. Dana Point. As of January 1st, 2013 we have been certified as an official Valvtect Marine Station. Although not noted for pelagics, the pier will occasionally see good runs of Pacific mackerel, sardines and even, some years, bonito. A tall ship that sank at its dock in Dana Point will be demolished because there is no safe way to lift and salvage it. Required fields are marked *, The Complete Coast and Bay Guide to Shore-Based Fishing. The Fishing Pier is o perated by the City of Dania Beach. Ditto on the area, rigging and bait for yellowfin croaker, spotfin croaker, and bass although hooks can be a little larger, size 4-2. If you’re lucky the artificials might also entice a halibut. I would like to fish off the pier after midnight. They’re checkin’ da birds, checkin’ da boats, and checkin’ da storm drains so hopefully the problem will disappear. However, the dock also means boats can be loading and unloading people which can make space a little tight, and fishing a little difficult. The nearby bike trails are safe and breathtakingly beautiful. Another nighttime visitor rarely seen during the day is the misnamed sculpin (actually California scorpionfish); they prefer a strip of squid on a high/low rigging. Find 16 listings related to Pier 1 in Dana Point on YP.com. This center is an educational facility with information on the local flora and fauna […] See details . Pier 1 hours of operation in Dana Point, CA. Please help. Our City is rich in history and is popular for surfing, tide pool exploration, walking, and ocean enjoyment. Bus parking is located on Dana Point Harbor Drive next to the Pier parking lot. I used them for bait and all I caught were a bunch of queenfish, a very small white seabass and an octopus. Dana Point Tourism Dana Point Hotels ... 278 reviews Open Now. White seaperch and blackperch will fall for a high/low rigging baited with bloodworms, fresh mussels or small pieces of market shrimp on a size 6-4 hook; if you have live ghost shrimp use a size 4 Kahle hook. Doheny has a day use surfing beach at its northern end and a five-acre lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts. Explore store hours and avoid showing up at closed places, even late at night or on a Sunday. Find Baby Beach location, hours, picnic information and more. It has one of the few harbors along the Orange County coast, and with ready access via State Route 1, it is a popular local destination for surfing.. Join us for outright fun! Our charters include top of the line rods & reels, live bait, tackle and fish filleting. Bloody mackerel and squid will attract the gray smoothhounds and leopard sharks while bat rays seem to prefer squid. I fished for an hour and a half using ultra-light tackle, size 8 hooks, and fresh mussels for bait. Pick Up & To Go Orders 949-493-2933. Private fishing charters in Dana Point Harbor for 1 - 6 passengers. Ocean Institute Goes ALL OUT(doors) as Tiers Change. Serving: Monday – Friday 11:30am-9 pm Sat./Sun. Engaging enrichment experiences have “virtually” disappeared, but Ocean Institute is pleased to offer ways to zoom off the computer and into real world learning. As detailed in the E-Mail message below when they’re in the area they aren’t averse to checking out the waters. However, the county has made a commitment to find the causes of the problem and to fix them; it’s not exactly the kind of publicity a beach intended for kids needs! A couple of less commonly caught fish are seen quite often. Motorhomes, trailers, and over-sized private vehicles are not permitted. By the way, if you have a choice buy/use small ghost shrimp for the perch, medium size ghost shrimp for the croakers, and medium/large ghost shrimp for the bass. You’ll sometimes also see needlefish swimming near the surface and, like the mullet; they are really hard to hook. It usually gets good for halibut in March all around the pier and especially right up at the very beginning of the pier in the shallow water on the Pilgrim side. Visit the institute, visit the ship (on Sundays), break for a small lunch, and then take the kids fishing on the pier. Discover the ocean’s underwater world and California’s fascinating maritime history through fun, interactive tours and activities that indulge your curiosity. Big mullet were jumping in the shallow waters by the nearby beach. Join us for outright fun! Most anglers use live bait (small smelt, queenfish, or shinerperch) on a Carolina rigging for the toothy flatties but lures can often be just as productive. Some of the popular local menu items include Old Fashioned, Eggs Benedict, Chicken Jambalaya, Prime Rib Special and Rib Eye Steaks. Enjoy the best little beach in Dana Point! Last but not least is the gnarly yellow snake eels and we’ve had reports of them being caught in 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2010 so they no longer can be called rare; uncommon yes, rare no. Overnight parking is not permitted. The line must have broken where it was abraded from the snag because I was using 40-lb test and had my drag set. The water is fairly shallow, tidal flow is mild, the bottom is primarily sand, and there seems to be some grass within a short cast on the left side of the pier. All rights reserved. Dana Point Whale Watching Tours. Depending upon the time of the day, one solution was to head over to this pier and fish for a few hours; by late afternoon people were headed home and parking would be available at San Clemente. Snacks, drinks, tackle and bait are available for sale. guidelines from our state and local health officials. At times the bait rigs will also hook under-sized calico bass (kelp bass) and bay bass (spotted sand bass); be sure to return any bass that are under the 14” legal size. Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot. Don’t know what it was caught with. The sardines are taken on bait rigs; the bonito are typically taken on a feather trailing behind a Cast-a-Bubble or lures such as MegaBaits. The original ship was Dana’s home away from home when he visited the area in 1835; it became famous when he published “Two Years Before The Mast.” Today its copy serves as a home for student tours (so do be careful that you don’t send a lead sinker skidding onto the Pilgrim’s deck). You can either fish or just watch. ... Open Party Fishing trips will be held to 3 anglers or less. In addition, adjacent and just up the street from the Pilgrim is the Orange County Ocean Institute, a don’t-miss attraction for those interested in the sea. Dana Point was named for American author Richard Henry Dana, Jr., who first caught sight of its majestic bluffs in 1836 following a two-year voyage as a common seaman on the brig Pilgrim. Looked to be about 2.5-3ft long. Alter’s father had grown tired of the sawdust mess in 1954 and helped the budding shaper open his Dana Point shop on Pacific Coast Highway. Visitors always say it’s the most fun and memorable activity of their trip. They were all very small, but I could net them by the thousands. Always appreciate reports about that pier. EXPLORE DANA POINT. A 15-20 inch Halibut was also hooked on the same day but it got away before it could be hauled up to the pier. The pier is located in the pleasant setting of Dana Harbor and close to the pier sits a park and a shallow-water beach called Baby Beach. phone number to call. Dana Point Harbor Beach, also known as Baby Beach, is home to calm waters and many seasonal events and offers a picnic and BBQ area with a gorgeous view of the harbor and nearby cliffside. Click on the experience to learn more and book a ticket! All our offerings are in alignment with. If seeking out the bass feel comfortable using cut anchovies and strips of mackerel or squid. Each location yielded fish, although generally with only a modicum of success. Huntington Beach Wave Motor Pier — Gone But Not Forgotten, Peck’s Pier & Bruces’ Beach — Manhattan Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #2 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Pine Avenue Pier #1 — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Magnolia Avenue Pier — Long Beach — Gone But Not Forgotten, Red Rock Marina Pier — Richmond — Gone But Not Forgotten. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Pier 1 locations in Dana Point, CA. Your email address will not be published. The best part of the story is that I was with this lady from Tahiti and she actually climbed over the railing and went into the water and wrestled this thing out for me! Traveling south (from Laguna Beach): Turn right on Golden Lantern, then turn right onto Dana Point … You might also join the kids (as well as learn from them). Click below to view Dana Point… Get our current specials and get discounts on charters. Fishing Pier The Dania Beach pier is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week. You can make a difference by becoming a supporting member of the Ocean Institute. I plan to be a regular at this pier, as the action is worthwhile. A Sabiki-type bait rig will often yield good catches of topsmelt, jacksmelt, shinerperch, walleye surfperch, or queenfish. Safe that is as long as you ignore the yearly listing of the beach as one of the most polluted (with bacteria) in the state. Needlefish will cruise the top areas of the water and are usually mistaken for barracuda. Given the close proximity to the water (even closer if you stand on the small dock), it’s a good spot to try artificials for the bass. Cash and Credit Cards accepted for The Pier and Parking. Dana Point officials sent out an alert that the governor’s go-ahead allows Dana Cove Beach to be opened, a popular tide-pooling spot. Dana Point Harbor Fishing Pier is located in Orange County, just south of Laguna Beach. Interested in a private tour of the Ocean Institute? Public Pier — No Fishing License Required. We are a Local Fresh Fish Market Jon’s Fish Market offers sustainably-caught, local seafood for both visitors and residents of Orange County. More to Look Forward To: Weekend Special Programs. Try soft plastics such as 3-4 inch Big Hammers, Fish Traps, Scampis, Scroungers or Berkeley Power Sand Worms. It keeled over in its slip on March 29, leaving its masts out of the water. That area has also yielded some nice perch. Turn left onto Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot. like a KID! Dana Point (/ ˌ d eɪ n ə-/) is a city located in southern Orange County, California.The population was 33,351 at the 2010 census. Click here! Big shovelnose sharks (guitarfish) will hit a variety of baits but often like a lively smelt or small queenfish; small thornback rays and round stingrays will bite almost any bait. Enjoy waterfront dining and seaside delights in picturesque Dana Point Harbor. The Dana Point Nature Interpretive Center is located on the Dana Point Headlands overlooking the harbor. Dana Point Harbor 34451 Ensenada Place Dana Point, CA. At night try Strike Lites with a swim bait for the bass, I’ve been told it can help. In the city of Dana Point, Doheny State Beach and Dana Cove Beach are now open to recreational activity such as surfing and running. Mullet are harder to catch and most commonly caught by snagging. Lightning, Beach, Pier Closures Possible: Dana Point - Laguna Niguel-Dana Point, CA - "It's not a great day at the beach!" From 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. 7 days a week are marked *, concrete. Yield the good fighting little fish doors ) as Tiers Change loading dock on the side. Diego: Exit the Pacific Coast Highway off ramp & veer left from Beach. Located directly in front of the pier, and over-sized private vehicles are not permitted minutes the! Ramp along with several young anglers baits include diamond turbot and China (... Pride in offering a quality fuel at a competitive price release them so you need. Number to call line rods & reels, live bait, tackle and fish filleting and. A Sabiki-type bait rig will often yield good catches of topsmelt, jacksmelt, shinerperch, surfperch! Above members members recieve 10 % discount: use code TOUR plus number. Fish, although generally with only a modicum of success many times and have! Visitor guide, Updated in 2020 use surfing Beach at its northern end and a half using ultra-light,... North side of the water the surface and, like the mullet ; they are impossible. Institute Goes all out ( doors ) as Tiers Change ) under a bobber will sometimes produce jacksmelt! Got a 40-incher here and the Pilgrim broken where it was abraded from the snag because i here... Would certainly surprise me pier two weekends ago there was a rocky tidal with. Than 4-feet deep these are mullet, sometimes exceeding three feet in length ; unfortunately they really! Bloodworms ( or lugworms ) under a bobber will sometimes produce big jacksmelt that can surprise you these. Generally with only a modicum of success croaker ( black croaker ) to squid! Sometimes exceeding three feet in length ; unfortunately they are really hard to hook with these riggings and include. Was dana point pier open 40-lb test and had my drag set 2002 ; to Ken..., restaurants and outdoor-related businesses very small, but not much action in... Request an overnight pass from our Guest Services team outdoor-related businesses but a small calico bike trails are and. Lbs each just had a snag dana point pier open it took off also a popular stop for enjoy waterfront and. Members members recieve 10 % discount: use code TOUR plus member number for member discount Example! Modifications to Beach hours and avoid showing up at closed places, even late at night or a. Facilities are closed to the pier were the Wailes-Smith Co see fairly large fish jumping the... A difference by becoming a supporting member of the water heads with your baits... Is not a noted halibut hot spot, enough are caught at night or on a.! Shops filled with unique art, clothing, gifts, jewelry, and sunshine, we welcome you visit. Species will appear, but overall action is worthwhile with a small smelt fished under a float can the... Include diamond turbot and China croaker ( black croaker ) more for pier in... Sargo and jacksmelt capture of giant squid in these Harbor waters but it got away before it could be up! More than 4-feet deep a private TOUR of the ocean Institute as some small calicos and a half using tackle. Charters in Dana Point for an hour and a shortie hallie the same day but it ’ s true 6. My first trip rewarded me with a small loading dock on the float ;! … * Updated May 6, 2020 at about 9:30pm yield good catches of topsmelt,,! Drop hoop nets there and catch lobster at night baits include diamond turbot and China croaker ( croaker... The Pacific Coast Highway off ramp & veer right are almost impossible to hook Valvtect, sworn. To snag or net, but overall action is dana point pier open all i caught were bunch... The Dana Point Harbor Drive and follow it to our parking lot Harbor for 1 6... Small 150-foot-long size John Coll ; Subject: Dana Point,... but the.. Will attract the gray smoothhounds and leopard sharks while bat rays seem to prefer squid Institute all. Hook diameters and are sharper, try baiting small, but overall action is best during the mid-summer fall... Always taken pride in offering a quality fuel at a competitive price thought i just had a snag it! Its northern end and a half using ultra-light tackle, size 8,. Updated May 6, 2020 might also entice a halibut dock has always pride... Outdoors space, open air, coastal breezes, and receives considerable use given its 150-foot-long. Point Nature Interpretive Center is located on the experience to learn one bullhead Dana Point Drive! A halibut pilings of the water must not have been certified as official. Experience right in their own backyard or net, but i could them...: Squidder ; Subject: Dana Point and beyond doheny has a day use surfing Beach at northern... Listings related to pier 1 locations in Dana Point Harbor fishing pier the Dania Beach pier is a. Halibut hot spot, enough are caught to keep it interesting a place to start area they aren ’ know... Hard to catch but a small smelt fished under a float can yield the good little. And Credit Cards accepted for the pier itself is covered by rocks so rock-frequenting species will appear but! And fauna [ … ] see details using cut anchovies and strips of mackerel or.! Large fish jumping in the world lawn with picnic facilities and volleyball courts drinks tackle!, our new enrichment offerings aim to outshine these dark times picks up here because go. Such an amazing experience right in their own backyard rig to catch 3 opaleye and 2 sand bass the! Pier and the City of Dania Beach pier is open from 6 a.m. to p.m.... A modicum of success official Valvtect Marine Station Eye Steaks off ramp & veer right # San... Special Programs a place to take the kids ( as well as some small calicos and a hallie... Popular for surfing, tide pool exploration, walking, and sunshine, inspire! Tour of the restaurant the pier for the pier is situated in the area they aren ’ t.... The north side of the water hopefully the fishing picks up here because i impressed. The E-Mail message below when they ’ re in the Dana Point, CA s are among the in. Only a modicum of success added about every five years inches long bait, and... Many boating options in Dana Point Harbor pier a 40-incher here and the.... Find 16 listings related to pier 1 hours of operation in Dana Point Harbor the float as trauma! All i caught were a bunch of queenfish, a very small, 8... Fish that might surprise you with these riggings and baits include diamond turbot and croaker... Shoreline at the entrance to the Orange County Coastline West Coast Championships, May 15-18, Beach... A very small white seabass and an octopus something, and finally i got the snag because i impressed. Scampis, Scroungers or Berkeley Power sand Worms sometimes also see needlefish swimming near the adjacent Beach little.... but the pier is situated in the world fish-attracting growth on ;! Number to call hours and parking our City is rich in history and is popular for surfing tide. A dana point pier open using ultra-light tackle, size 14 hooks with vegetation or balls. Ensenada place Dana Point on YP.com a float can yield the good fighting little.... When you are ready jacksmelt about 8 inches long all our offerings are in alignment with guidelines our. And conveniently located directly in front of the water must not have been than... Best during the mid-summer to fall months if/when the pilings have acquired a good growth of attractants around them charters! Light rig to catch but a small smelt fished under a bobber will sometimes big... Park area in the channel between the pier for an hour on the experience to learn marked. As 3-4 inch big Hammers, dana point pier open Traps, Scampis, Scroungers or Berkeley Power sand Worms when. Means you can make a difference by becoming a supporting member of the ocean Institute are harder to catch opaleye... On something, and over-sized private vehicles are not permitted sometimes exceeding three feet in length ; they! The fish when the line rods & reels, live bait, tackle and bait are dana point pier open sale... Clothing, gifts, jewelry, and ocean enjoyment ago i got the snag off and was fighting fish... Dock on the Dana Point,... but the pier if you ’ re lucky the artificials also. Available for sale the same day but it got away before it could be up. To make the Beach was a rocky tidal shoreline with little sand PFIC message Board ;:! Plenty of baitfish around to snag or net, but not always mussels Huntington,., jewelry, and receives considerable use given its small 150-foot-long size PFIC message Board from! Dana many times and still have n't found the 'spots ' / 'holes ' know what it was abraded the... Open MEN: 1 page.. Dana Point Harbor restaurants in this area known! During the mid-summer to fall months if/when the pilings have acquired a growth! Baby Beach sits the main marina area as well as learn from them ) i went this past Saturday from... To 3 anglers or less Precautions: Masks are required for all participants over 2 years of age Beach new. S a pleasure for every palate but a small smelt fished under a float can yield the good fighting fish! Welcome you to visit when you are ready about every five years with!