January 20, 2026
When the rockfish season opens, the sacks at Dana Wharf are usually filled with Vermillion Rockfish (Reds), Boccaccio, and Whitefish. These are great eating fish, but for the serious angler, there is one prize that stands above the rest: The Lingcod. Often called “The Dragon” because of its prehistoric look and mouth full of razor-sharp
January 20, 2026
Of all the creatures we search for off the coast of Dana Point, none carries quite the same legendary status as the Sperm Whale. Immortalized as “Moby Dick,” this is the largest toothed predator on the planet. While we see Gray Whales by the thousands and Blue Whales by the hundreds, the Sperm Whale remains
January 20, 2026
As we move through the peak of the winter migration, our captains and naturalists are starting to scan the water for something very specific—and very adorable. We are approaching the most heartwarming phase of the Gray Whale season: Cow and Calf Season. While the adult males and females without babies are already starting to turn
January 20, 2026
In any other context, getting “mugged” is a bad thing. But in the world of whale watching, it is the absolute dream scenario. If you hear our captain or crew mention that the boat is getting “mugged,” put down your coffee and grab your camera immediately. You are about to experience one of the rarest
January 20, 2026
If you stood on a highway overpass, you would expect to see cars traveling in both directions. For the last two months, however, the “Gray Whale Highway” off Dana Point has been a one-way street. Virtually every whale we sighted was on a mission, heading south toward the warm lagoons of Baja, Mexico. But now,
January 20, 2026
There is nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they feel that first tug on the end of the line. It is a core memory in the making. But as any parent knows, taking kids on an ocean adventure can also feel a little daunting. Will they get bored? Will they get
January 17, 2026
With the rockfish grounds closed for the season, the spotlight at Dana Wharf turns to the undisputed king of the sandy bottom: The California Halibut. Right now, anglers are stepping aboard our boats with one goal in mind: catching a “Barn Door” (a large trophy halibut) and potentially landing on the leaderboard for our annual
January 17, 2026
If you joined us in July or August, you likely spent your time “fly-lining”—tossing a live sardine or anchovy with no weight and letting it swim freely near the surface. That is the go-to method when the water is warm and the fish are chasing bait on top. But now that we are in the