How far is the paddle from Dana Harbor to Salt Creek?
 

How far is the the distance from Dana Harbor to Salt Creek, I have never fished that area before and would like to venture out this weekend. Also do you guys launch from the sand at Salt Creek?

A little over a mile I think.

That's not too bad at all, how about the kelp is it really thick? If i fish the Calico's at night would I have to paddle instead of use my Mirage Drives?

That is wrong.
It ia 3/4 a mile from the launch ramp to the end of the jetty. 2.5 to the whistler and 3.7 to the ritz. Add another half mile roughly from Baby beach.

thick enough to walk on :D

http://www.bigwatersedge.com/bwegall.../DSC_02091.JPG

How about launching Beach Launching from Salt Creek?

Access is a bitch and it is a real surf beach not a protected launch like the shores.

There is beach access at Monarch via the Montage but parking isnt easy and the hill is big.

Anyone been fishing out there lately? Any dope regarding bait/squid in the area?

3.7 from the launch, the kelp is very thick. There are channels through the kelp but you would never see them at night. Not condusive to the mirage drive but you could retract that and paddle.

Google maps distance tool:

Launch ramp to harbor entrance = .5 mile
Harbor entrance to San Juan Rocks (Headlands) = 1.5 miles
San Juan Rocks to Salt Creek Beach = 1.25 miles

Total one way = 3.25 miles

Add .8 miles if you launch from Baby Beach


The kelp at the point is thick although a little brown this time of year. I was out there last weekend and schools of bait fish are plentiful. You can see lots of Calico and Kelpfish down to about about 20'-25' visibility into the water.

Lots of Dolphins out there, sea lion pups are plentiful, and even 3 whales passed inside the kelp line while I was there.

Opps was thinking about highlands, never been to salt creek.

Thank you for your help guys I am going to launch either Friday or Saturday evening and troll the kelp line 4 miles is not too harsh since every time I hit La Jolla I do 12-15mi average. I just started fishing the Dana Area in January so I am still a noob to the area. The halibut fishing I have down lock I've caught over 20 legals this past few months fishing weekends. I want switch it up and venture out and try for some other species Threshers, Calico's, if I get lucky Seabass.

add wind and swell and those miles add up. It can be a trek.

When going out at dark, I stay close to break wall north to outside of big boilers. Here, I usually take the drive out and paddle over very heavy patches of kelp until I break on through to the other side.

+1. Be mindful of wind and current, especially at night. It's not out of the question and fishing could be very productive. The paddle back can be grueling at times

Yep, it's taken me up to an hour to paddle 1.5 miles from harbor to headlands with headwinds and swells. If I stop for a breather then I just lose ground quickly so once I commit it's a non-stop trek. Only 25-30 minutes coming back though with wind to my back. Paddling a barge has it's drawbacks.

it's calling for s-se winds Friday and Sat night so coming back my take some effort.

That May/June eddy while nice and cool along the coast, really sucks w that SE wind right up the beach. If it blows for 12-18+hours the crosschop screws surfing too and everyone complains.

But consider the alternative we just saw. Late Apri/early May Santa Ana? No thanks.

The above distances are pretty accurate depending on launch point, whether you cut inside or go around San Juan rocks, and location at Salt Creek. During average conditions of wave/swell it takes a little over an hour to get there. Kelp is thick- easier to peddle through during high tide and/or a strong current that lays down fronds. Good luck

Can you launch/land at Mussle Cove which is just north of Salt Creek? I've never been there, I'm just looking at it on Google Maps.