Right now: 92 for California halibut, goTap or drag along the water to move through the next 36 hours
California halibut, hour by hour
Each float is an hour. The deeper it rides, the better the bite. The strip underneath runs daylight, dusk and dark; the red rule marks the best window. Click any hour to read it.
92Mon
92
88
883 am
88
78
786 am
78
92
889 am
88
88
9212 pm
92
92
883 pm
88
88
926 pm
88
88
889 pm
88
88
88Tue
92
92
883 am
88
88
886 am
88
88
929 am
88
88
Go, 85+Worth the trip, 70+Marginal, 55+Sit it out
Right now
Water
72°F
California halibut range 55–72°
Wind
5 mph
From the northwest
Light
Dark
Sunrise 7:09 am
Sky
Partly Cloudy
No rain expected
Air
65°F
NWS hourly forecast
Barometer
Steady
Measured, last 3 hours
Moon
100% lit
Full
What’s biting
Each species is scored against its own water-temperature range and tide preference, then wind, weather and warnings. The rules are California regulations for these waters.
California halibut prefers incoming tide. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Inside California halibut's active range. Holds 4–60 ft down.
Keep
22" minimum · 5 a day
Open. Keep fish within the limits. 22" total length minimum. 5/person/day south of Point Sur (Monterey County); 2/day north of it. Open year-round.
Barred surfperch prefers incoming tide. Light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed. Above barred surfperch's active range (50–68°F) — fish move deep. Holds 1–12 ft down.
Keep
10 a day
Open. Keep fish within the limits. No minimum size. 20/person/day in combination of all surfperch (shiner perch separate), with no more than 10 of any one species. Open year-round.
Solunar tables are a popular heuristic. A peer-reviewed test found they don’t predict catch on their own, so here they only nudge the score when the tide or moon already agree. How the score works
Fishing report
No current report covers these waters.
We only show reports an agency has published, with their date. California CDFW has the state’s fishing pages.
A long, open sand beach west of Point Dume, with no pier: strictly surf fishing. Barred surfperch year-round and California halibut in the warmer months.
Public spots within 40 miles, with the same 36 hours of floats.
Mon
3 am
6 am
9 am
12 pm
3 pm
6 pm
9 pm
Tue
3 am
6 am
9 am
Santa Monica State Beach19 mi · CaliforniaBest today 8 am to tomorrow 12 pm
92Go
Redondo Beach29 mi · CaliforniaBest today 8 am to tomorrow 12 pm
78Worth the trip
Questions people ask
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Zuma Beach?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Zuma Beach you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Zuma Beach?
Zuma Beach is listed on this site for 2 commonly-targeted species: Barred Surfperch, California Halibut. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Zuma Beach?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Zuma Beach against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Zuma Beach have?
Zuma Beach has shoreline / wading access. There is no pier or boat ramp at this location.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Zuma Beach?
state agency regulations apply at Zuma Beach. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Zuma Beach tidal water?
Yes. Zuma Beach sits on tidal water with a NOAA tide station nearby. Today's high/low timing is in the tide chart on this page.
Press / anywhere to search. Towns list the closest spots.