By Paul Lebowitz

Dana Point is magnetic. Each time I visit, that tall dome of rock that projects so boldly into the Pacific Ocean draws me to it. There, below the cliffs, among the jagged boulder gardens formed from bits of the rock that have yielded to the constant gnawing of the hungry sea, I sense the powerful natural forces that converge here. Where wind, tide, waves, and current clash, I connect with the exhilarating primal forces that I can only feel when I’m sitting on my fishing kayak.

But enough of that touchy-feely mumbo-jumbo. If it weren’t for the fantastic fishing, Dana Point wouldn’t be special. The Dana Point area has something for everyone, from the guy who’s tired of being stuck high and dry on the shore, who’s ready to try kayak fishing for the first time, to the most salt-encrusted paddle fishing machine.

Mean, grumpy calicos lurk among the boiler rocks and reefs that line the shore.

Schools of migrating bonito and barracuda boil past the point, where deep water comes close to land. White seabass, the gray ghosts of the kelp beds, make the occasional appearance, as do yellowtail in good years. Halibut and leopard sharks inhabit the sandy stretches of beach south of the harbor. Add sheltered launch sites, quiet water perfect for building up a beginner’s confidence and experience, a convenient live bait receiver, nearby kayak and tackle shops for that last-minute essential, and watering holes to slake your post-fishing thirst, and you’ve got the place Hogan's Bait and Tackle Shop owner Bill Hogan calls “the gateway to kayak fishing.”  

There are three main fishing zones at Dana Point. The first is relatively shallow Dana Point Harbor and its outer breakwall. The second fishing area begins just outside the harbor mouth at Doheny State Beach and extends southward in a sandy arc all the way to Capistrano State Beach and beyond. It’s not all sand. Rocky reefs and small patches of kelp dot the sea floor, providing excellent structure for calico and sand bass. The final zone is north of the harbor near the actual point itself, which many anglers refer to as “the Headlands.” This is the place to look for pelagic gamefish, starting at the fringes of the dense kelp beds that are usually present from the headlands up to Salt Creek. Kayak anglers more interested in big calico bass may prefer the boiler rocks at the foot of the point.

There are two main kayak launch sites at Dana, one in the harbor area and one just outside, so we’ll start our tour there.

The Harbor Area  
Dana Point Harbor is about a mile long, oriented from east to west, with its mouth at the southeastern corner. Power boaters can launch on the east side of the harbor for a fee, but kayakers aren’t allowed to use the ramp. Instead, hand launched craft must put in at what is variously called Baby’s or Mother’s Beach at the far western end. Yes, the paddle to the mouth is a good mile, but at least parking and launching are free.

The alternative launch is just outside the harbor at the foot of the eastern jetty. This is a true beach launch, but they don’t come any easier than this.

Except when a big south swell is running, the surf is typically weak and less than one foot in height. Park at either the metered lot ($1 per hour) or inside Doheny State Beach ($10 day use fee, gates open at 6 a.m.).

Local angler Kevin Joyce cut his kayak fishing teeth fishing the harbor. “It can be excellent, especially in winter,” says Joyce, who claims halibut up to 20-pounds are occasional catches. The most productive areas to try for “flatties” are near the bait receiver and in the mouth of the harbor, especially when the tidal current is flowing. Barracuda are close to a sure bet in the same spots. These are high traffic areas, so be ready to yield the channel to larger, less maneuverable boats. Spread out. Fish can be found throughout the harbor, especially the bass. Try for a slam; a spotted bay, sand, and calico bass. Please keep an eye out for sub-legal white seabass (they must be 28-inches to keep). Release these fragile fish gently.

Simple techniques are productive in the harbor. By far the most popular baits are small 3 to 4-inch plastics fished on light leadhead jigs. 1/4 –ounce should be plenty of weight for most circumstances. Simply cast the bait out and retrieve it slowly. For a change of pace, try trolling a Rebel Fastrac or a Berkley Frenzy crankbait. There’s no telling what will climb on. Prefer live bait? You’re in luck, because Dana’s Everingham Brothers receiver is one of the best for kayakers.

South Along the Beaches to the Capo Reefs
Kayak anglers who are ready to leave the shelter of the harbor are in for a rare treat: a bit of exclusive water. A no-motor zone coinciding with the Doheny Beach Marine Park runs southeast along the shoreline for nearly two fishy miles. All of it is open for fishing with the exception of the intertidal zone (the area between the mean high tide and low water lines). Don’t be fooled by the sandy appearance of the beaches.

Rocky reefs dot the bottom, forming a productive matrix. Target halibut in the sandy patches between the reefs, or look for sand and calico bass on or near the rocky stretches. There are some big bass here. While competing in the 2004 Kayak Sportfishing (KSF) tournament, Tim Torchia caught a calico that weighed over 11 pounds.

A fishfinder is helpful for identifying the reefs, but an attentive pair of eyes works nearly as well. Look for the isolated stringers of kelp. They mark a rocky bottom. But be careful around the reefs when a big swell is rolling. Some of them break unpredictably.   

KAYAK ANGLERS at Doheny State Beach make final preparations before "challenging" the surf. Except when a south swell is pumping, the launch zone at the base of Dana Point Harbor's eastern jetty is as calm as they come.

DANA POINT HARBOR is a great fishery in its own right, with halibut and bass to fall back on if the conditions outside are too rough.

KAYAK FISHING the boiler rocks at the foot of the headlands is exhilarating, with a promise for bass much larger than this one hooked and released by Team Okuma staffer John Pawlak.

THE CAPO reefs south of Dana Pt. Harbor are known for large calico bass and the odd sheephead.

Mark Ezell of Hook1 Kayak Fishing Gear calls Dana Point home. When fishing the reefs, Ezell prefers to toss rootbeer grubs or paddle-tail plastics in Halloween or smelt patterns. The techniques are similar to those used in the harbor. Just gear up a bit for the bigger calico bass, with 4 to 6-inch plastics on ¾-ounce to 1.5 ounce leadhead jigs.

Going North to the Headlands
The paddle to the Headlands is a minimum of two miles. It’s a worthwhile effort, particularly for a shot at the gamefish that migrate past the point. Finding a white seabass or yellowtail is always a long shot. From spring to fall, try slow trolling a live bait along the kelp edge. When successful, the results can be spectacular. A beautiful example is Gabe Martin’s 55-pound white seabass at this year’s KSF tournament. If barracuda and bonito are up on the surface boisterously chasing bait, try tossing a small surface iron or shiny spoon such as a Luhr Jensen Krocodile past the boiling fish, and then retrieve it through the commotion for fast-paced action.

There are calicos and sand bass here too, among the kelp or around the boiler rocks. For “potholing” in the kelp (dropping baits through openings in the canopy), Hogan recommends a Zoom Fluke in the Baby Bass or Smoking Shad pattern. Lace it onto a light ¼ to ½ -ounce bullet jig. According to Hogan, most fish will hit this combo on the fall.

The best I saved for last, but it is not for everyone. Remember the rock gardens that sit at the foot of the Headlands? Bruiser bass lurk there among the foam and surge. It takes strong nerves to venture up close enough to the boiler rocks to get at these calicos. Before giving it a try, you should be experienced enough to understand the significant risk of being hurtled onto the rocks, perhaps wrecking expensive gear or even bashing your brains out. Solid kayak handling skills are a must. Keep your head on a swivel and wear your PFD. If the waves are too big, try another day.

Yet again I’ve ended up at the Headlands. I’m sure there is more to the attraction of that enduring dome of rock than sentiment. The fishing that Hogan calls “pretty phenomenal” owes its existence to the natural forces that collide here at Dana Point. The ancient hunter in me senses it. Do you hear it too?