Everything You Need to Know for a Seamless Trip
Planning your fishing adventure with California Dawn Sportfishing? Our Policies & FAQs page provides all the essential information to ensure your trip is safe, enjoyable, and stress-free. From check-in times and cancellation policies to fishing licenses and gear rentals, we’ve got you covered.
Check-In & Boarding
Check-in is onboard no later than 5:15 AM. Boarding begins as early as 4:15 AM, but the boat departs promptly at 5:30 AM.
Missing the boat will result in a full fare charge to the card on file.
Fishing Licenses & Regulations
All passengers over the age of 16 are required to have valid California Sport Fishing license, no stamps or validations are needed for fishing.
A “crab trap validation” is required for our crab combos when using traps.
Visit the Department of Fish and Wildlife website to purchase yours. Licenses are checked before we leave the dock.
Cancellation & Refund Policy
We ask that all changes or cancellations are made a minimum of 48 hours prior to the trip for parties of 5 or less. Parties of 6 or more is 1 week.
Any empty spots on boat due to cancellations within this window will result in full fare charges to the credit card on file.
Why do you need my Credit Card Information?
Card information is securely stored for retrieval in the event your party does not show or cancels within the final 48-hour window. Any empty spots will result in a full fare charge to the card on file.
A $0.01 “Pending” charge may appear in your account once your reservation is made. This transaction is for validation purposes only and will be released within three (3) business days.
Can I Bring a Cooler?
Small, personal size coolers are allowed. Passengers are reminded to use discretion when choosing the right cooler for their trip. Remember, we are working with limited space.
Our crew reserves the right to ask passengers to condense and return oversized coolers to their vehicle prior to departure.
A good rule of thumb, “if its big enough to need wheels, its too big for the boat.”
What Should I Bring?
For full day fishing trips, please consider bringing:
- Camera or phone for pictures
- Sunglasses & sunscreen
- Jacket or windbreaker (dress in layers)
- Medications, including motion sickness remedies
- Fishing license
- Cash for gratuities, fish cleaning and/or tackle
Can I Bring My Own Tackle?
You are welcomed to bring your own tackle. However, we do suggest purchasing what is available onboard. We are targeting these fish sometimes 7 days a week and know what’s working. Remember, it is our job to steer you in a productive direction.
How Much is Gear and Tackle?
Gear rental (rod & reel) is $20. Tackle prices will vary $8-$30, depending on species targeted.
Are Children Allowed?
Our fishing trips are a great way to get new anglers hooked!
Although there is no set minimum age, we do ask that each party has adequate adults to tend to the younger ones. While our crew is there to help and give guidance, they are not responsible for the care of children onboard.
What Could I Catch?
BAY: Halibut, striped bass, white sea bass, sharks, and salmon
ISLANDS: Lingcod and rockfish
OCEAN: All species
We will be “fishing” and not “catching.” Have realistic expectations of what you’ll go home with. Catching fish depends on a number of things: type of trip booked, conditions (water temp, currents), bait, tackle, the fish themselves, and luck.
Leave those expectations on the dock, fish responsibly, and most importantly… have fun!
What To Expect
Expect to have a great time! The California Dawn crew is one of the best in the fleet. Our trips promptly depart the landing at 5:30 am (you need to be there no later than 5:15 am), and return in the neighborhood of 4:00 pm, depending on fishing and weather conditions.
Our deckhands perform fish fileting for a small fee per fish.