Inside Dana Point harbor

[DanaYakAngler]

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]

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]

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]

bummer man, sorry about the shoulder.

[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...

[DanaYakAngler]

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]

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.

[DanaYakAngler]

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.