Offshore fishing out of Orange County: Dana Point and Newport
Tuna fishing from Dana Point and Newport Beach. The banks in range, how far they are, and what to do when the fish are down south.
Today at Newport
Updated Oct 31, 1:11 pm- Sunrise
- 7:08 am
- Sunset
- 6:01 pm
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 73% lit
Tides
| Sat | 3:43 am | High | 3.4 ft |
| Sat | 6:45 am | Low | 3.2 ft |
| Sat | 1:23 pm | High | 5.4 ft |
| Sat | 9:29 pm | Low | -0.1 ft |
| Sun | 4:03 am | High | 3.8 ft |
| Sun | 8:06 am | Low | 3.2 ft |
| Sun | 1:56 pm | High | 5 ft |
| Sun | 9:40 pm | Low | 0 ft |
NOAA tide station 9410580, feet above MLLW.
Water at the nearest spots
- 14 Mile Bank13 nm SSW73°F
- 267 Spot19 nm S74°F
- Avalon Bank20 nm SW74°F
- 277 Spot26 nm SSW74°F
- 152 Spot26 nm SW73°F
- Catalina Island29 nm WSW74°F
Satellite water temperature. All spots →
Marine forecast
LA, Orange County and CatalinaMarine Weather StatementSW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft
- Tonight
- SW wind 5 to 10 kt. Seas 2 to 3 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 5 seconds and S 2 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.
- Sun
- W wind 10 to 15 kt, becoming W 20 to 25 kt in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft, building to 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 6 seconds and S 3 ft at 15 seconds. Rain likely in the morning, then a slight chance of showers in the afternoon.
- Sun Night
- W wind 15 to 25 kt, becoming NE 10 to 15 kt after midnight. Seas 5 to 7 ft. Wave Detail: W 6 ft at 7 seconds and S 3 ft at 16 seconds.
- Mon
- E wind 5 to 10 kt, becoming SW in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 5 ft. Wave Detail: W 3 ft at 8 seconds and S 3 ft at 14 seconds.
PZZ655 · Inner waters from Point Mugu to San Mateo Pt. CA including Santa Catalina and Anacapa Islands
Orange County boats sit right in the middle of the Southern California Bight. When warm water pushes north, the tuna can be a short run from Dana Point or Newport. When the fish are down off San Diego, OC anglers have a choice: make the long run, or trailer south.
The harbors
Dana Point Harbor has a public launch ramp, a bait receiver and a sportfishing landing. It’s the closest OC harbor to most of the tuna water to the south and west.
Newport Beach has a busy harbor, sportfishing landings and a launch ramp. Newport is a little closer to the 14 Mile Bank and the back side of Catalina.
What’s in range
Straight-line nautical miles from each harbor entrance.
| Spot | Dana Point | Newport |
|---|---|---|
| 267 Spot | 11 nm | 19 nm |
| 14 Mile Bank | 15 nm | 13 nm |
| 209 Spot | 23 nm | 30 nm |
| 277 Spot | 25 nm | 26 nm |
| 312 Spot | 27 nm | 35 nm |
| 181 Spot | 34 nm | 41 nm |
| 289 Spot | 37 nm | 41 nm |
| 182 Spot | 46 nm | 55 nm |
| 43 Fathom Spot | 50 nm | 57 nm |
| 9 Mile Bank | 51 nm | 62 nm |
| San Clemente Island | 52 nm | 52 nm |
| Tanner Bank | 85 nm | 83 nm |
When the fish are close
The water between Dana Point, Catalina and San Clemente Island can turn on fast when warm, clean water moves in. The 14 Mile Bank, the 267, the 209 and the 277 are all within about 30 miles. Bluefin, and in warm years yellowfin, dorado and paddy yellowtail, can be a short morning run away.
When the fish are south
In many seasons the best fishing is off San Diego and in Mexican waters. From Dana Point, the 182 and the 43 are around 50 miles. That’s a long day and a lot of fuel. Many OC boat owners trailer to San Diego for those stretches, or ride a San Diego sportboat.
Work out your range with the rule of thirds →
Tips for Orange County
- Look on the way. On a long run south, keep an eye on the water temperature, birds and paddies. Fish sometimes turn up well before the famous spots.
- Check the island schedule. Navy operations close parts of the water around San Clemente Island at times.
- Plan for the wind. The afternoon northwest wind is often on the nose coming home from the south.
- Paddies count. On warm-water days, kelp paddies between Dana Point and San Clemente Island can hold yellowtail and dorado. How to fish them →
Not for navigation. Distances are approximate straight lines. Check current CDFW rules before you go.