Dana Wharf Sportfishing Trips in Dana Point, CA

Where is Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching?

Dana Wharf Sportfishing is located in Dana Point, Orange County, halfway between Los Angeles and San Diego on the beautiful Southern California coast (at 34675 Golden Lantern, Dana Point, CA 92629). It’s about 30 minutes south of Disneyland, an hour south of Los Angeles and Long Beach, 30 minutes north of Oceanside, and an hour north of San Diego.

Am I required to have a fishing license?

Anglers (guests who will fish) ages 16 and above are required by law to have a fishing license unless they will not fish at all during the trip. If you do not have one yet, you must purchase a one-day license prior to departure.

How early should I arrive to check in before the trip?

Please arrive 45 minutes prior to departure. This will allow time for checking in, as the fishing trips generally leave right on time.

What happens if it rains?

Fishing boat sails rain or shine. Rain is usually not a problem. The fishing crew is more concerned with wind and sea conditions—not necessarily bad during the rain. In fact, some of our best conditions can be on a rainy day. Please dress appropriately for the weather.

What happens if there is inclement weather?

In the case of inclement weather, the sportfishing activity may get canceled up to an hour before departure time. In such rare cases, management will reach out to reschedule on the soonest available date or receive credit for future use.

Are children allowed?

Yes, all ages are welcome to join. However, please consider the length of the fishing trips and how young children's attention span and concentration will respond to those.

Am I guaranteed to catch a fish?

Dana Wharf can guarantee fishing but not catching. The crew will do everything within their means to put you where the fish are but cannot control what does or does not bite the hook.

Do we need to keep the fish we catch?

While you are welcome to keep any legal-sized fish (within the scope of your acquired fishing license), Dana Wharf promotes catch and release and responsible conservation of our natural resources. You may also give your legal-sized fish to another angler if you so choose.

Can I sell the fish I catch?

Unfortunately, no. It is considered a violation of the "recreational sport fishing" rules protected by law. Selling your catch from this trip will result in legal repercussions.