Dana Landing FAQ Page

Q: I've booked my charter, but what do I need to bring with me?
A. Our charter boats are equipped with all of the fishing tackle and equipment you could possible need, but if you would like to bring your own equipment, you may certainly do so.

Regarding clothing, we suggest you dress in layers as early mornings tend to be chilly, but as the day progresses, the temperatures rise. Sunblock and a hat are essential even on cloudy days, and we always recommend bringing a camera so to capture those favorite moments of the trip. For footwear, flip flops are not recommended due to their slippery nature. Boots are definitley more suitable, but if you do not have boots, we recommend something with a non-slick sole that can get wet. For those going on overnight trips, there is a shower on the boat, so plan on bringing a towel if you would like to clean up on the way in.

Q: What if I do not have my own equipment?
A. We offer rentals by the day at our Dana Landing location. Prices are as follows:
Bay Rod/Reel: $7/day
Ocean Rod/Reel: $10/day
Trolling Rod/Reel: $20/day

Q: What can I do to prevent seasickness?
A: Seasickness is a form of motion sickness characterized by a feeling of nausea experienced after spending time on the water. It is typically brought on by the rocking motion of the boat. Over-the-lcounter and prescription medications are recommended as well as ginger capsules and motion sickness wristbands. lThose suffering from seasickness often find relief by:
llllll-keeping their eyes directed to the fixed shore or horizon
llllll-lying down on their backs and closing their eyes
llllll-avoiding alcohol and fatty and/or spicy foods
llllll-moving into a position where fresh air is blowing on to their face
llllll-sucking on crystallized ginger, sipping ginger tea or taking a capsule of ginger
llllll-moving to the boat's center of gravity
llllll-drinking plenty of water

Note: Unlike with a hangover, succumbing to nausea normally does not relieve the symptoms, and once started, is often difficult to stop.

Other Questions:

Q: What kinds of permits do I need to fish in Mexico?
A:If you will be fishing on a boat in Mexico, you will need to obtain a fishing license for all members who will be lpresent on the boat. Day, Week and Year licenses are available.

Fishing License Costs:
One Day: $20
One Week: $40
One Year: $65
(prices subject to change)

You can purchase licenses from Dana Landing or directly through Conapesca:
Oficina de Pesca
2550 Fifth Avenue, Suite 15
San Diego, CA 92103
619-233-4324 telephone
619-233-0344 fax
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am to 2 PM
Note: Conapesca only accepts money orders or cashiers’ checks in the correct amount. All money orders and cashiers’ checks should be made out to Oficina de Pesca. Click here for the application

Noted Regulations for fishing in Mexican waters:
-In order to operate a boat that carries fishing equipment in Mexican waters, it is necessary to hold a personal
fishing license for everybody aboard the boat regardless of age and fishing status. A fishing license is not lllllllrequired when fishing from land
l-Only one rod or line with a hook per person is permitted in the water, but there is no restriction against the
number of replacement items
-The fishing license allows capture of fin fish only. It does not allow capture of any mollusks or crustaceans,
land their capture by anyone is strickly prohibited. Totuava, turtles and marine mammals are under protection of
the Ministry and may not be captured at any time.
-To capture bottom fish, up to four hooks on a vertical line may be used
-The use of electric reels is restricted to disabled fishermen only, after written authorization from the Ministry
lbefore use

Bag and Possession Limits:
-In ocean waters and estuaries the limit is a total of ten fish per day, with no more than 5 catches of a single llllllspecies, except of the species of marlin, sailfish, swordfish and shark of which only one specimen of either is llllllallowed and which counts as five toward the overall 10 fish limit, or dorado, roosterfish, shad or tarpon, of llllllwhich only two samples of each species are allowed, and which count as five toward the overall 10 fish limit
-Limit on inland bodies of water (rivers, lakes, dams, etc) is five fish per day, whether of a single species or in llllllcombination
-Underwater fishing is limited to five fish per day, using rubber band or spring type harpoons, and only while llllllskindiving
-There is no limit to the practice of “catch and release” as long as the fish that exceed the bag limit be llllllreturned to their environment in good survival condition
-Where sportfishing is conducted from boats out at sea for longer than three days, the bag limit will be the llllllequivalent of three times the amounts mentioned above

Violations:
-It is illegal to capture and maintain alive any fish for ornamental purposes
-It is prohibited to receive any financial gain from the product obtained through sportfishing
-It is prohibited to dump trash, litter or substances that harm the aquatic flora or fauna, whether on lakes, lllllllriver banks, shores or oceanic waters
-It is prohibited to collect shells, corals, sea anemones and snails, or to disturb the original ecosystem llllllenvironment
-It is prohibited to practice sportfishing 250 meters or less from swimmers
-It is prohibited to use artificial lighting to attract large quantities of fish
-It is prohibited to discharge firearms in Mexican waters
-Fish caught under a sportfishing license may not be filled aboard the vessel from which is was caught
-It is requested that all unusual activities, occurrences, or record catches to be reported to the nearest llllllOficina de Pesca, or to its representation in San Diego, CA in order to ensure the preservation of natural llllllresources for the continued enjoyment of all fisherman

Q: What kinds of licenses do I need to fish in California?
A:lCalifornia Fishing Licenses 2011
Annual Sport Fishing Licenses
Resident Sport Fishing:$43.46 Required for a resident to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, invertebrates, llllllamphibians or reptile in inland or ocean waters. Additional stamps and report cards are required for certain llllllspecies and areas.
Nonresident Sport Fishing: $116.90 Required for a nonresident to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, llllllinvertebrates,lamphibians or reptile in inland or ocean waters. Additional stamps and report cards are llllllrequired for certain species and areas.

Short Term SportFishing Licenses Fee Description
lOne-day Sport Fishing License: $14.04 Allows a resident or nonresident to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, llllllinvertebrates, amphibians or reptiles in inland or ocean waters. Additional stamps or report cards are required llllllfor certain species or areas. One-day sport fishing licenses are exempt from the Ocean Enhancement Stamp llllllrequirement.
Ten-day Nonresident Sport Fishing License: $43.46 Allows a nonresident to take fish, mollusks, crustaceans, lllllinvertebrates, amphibians or reptile in inland or ocean waters for ten consecutive days. Additional stamps and lllllreport cards are required for certain species and areas.

Stamps and Report Cards Fee Description
Ocean Enhancement Stamp: $4.89 Allows an angler to fish in ocean waters south of Point Arguello (Santa llllllBarbara County). An Ocean Enhancement Stamp is not required when fishing under the authority of a One or llllllTwo-Day Sport Fishing License.
Colorado River Stamp: $3.09 Allows an angler to fish from a boat or other floating device on the Colorado River llllllor adjacent waters forming the California-Arizona border.

Click here for a list of all other licenses sold by DFG

Q. Who needs a sport fishing license?
A. Any person who is 16 years of age or older must possess a sport fishing license when taking any fish, shell fish, lreptile, or amphibian in California (Fish and Game Code, Section 7145). www.leginfo.ca.gov/calaw.html Fish and llllllGame Code Section 86 defines "take" as hunt, pursue, catch, capture, or kill, or attempt to hunt, pursue, llllllcatch, capture or kill.

Q. Do I have to wear my fishing license?
A. Yes. Every person, while engaged in taking any fish, amphibian or reptile, shall display their valid sport fishing llllicense by attaching it to their outer clothing at or above the waistline so that it is plainly visible, expect when lllllldiving as provided in Section 7145 of the Fish and Game Code (Section 700, Title 14, of the California Code of llllllRegulations CCR)

Q. How long is an annual sport fishing license valid?
A. Licenses are valid for a calendar year (January 1 through December 31)

Q. Should I leave the Application for Duplicate License attached to the back of my Annual Fishing lllllLicense?
A. No. Separate it from your fishing license and keep your Application for Duplicate in a safe place.

Q. How do I replace a lost or destroyed current fishing license?
A. You may obtain a Duplicate Fishing License by surrendering your current years Application for Duplicate to most lLicense Agents and all DFG License Sales Offices and paying the appropriate fee. If you lose your Application llllllfor Duplicate or Duplicate Sport Fishing License, you must purchase a new license at full fee. If you lose any lllllladditional stamps or cares, they must be purchased again at full fee.

Q. What type of Fishing Licenses, Report Cards and Stamps are available or required?
A. You can find this information by visiting the DFG web site

Q. Do I have to buy an annual license if I am only going to fish a couple of days?
A. No. You can purchase a One or Two-Day Sport Fishing License valid for fishing both ocean and freshwater. llllllNonresidents can also purchase a Ten-Day Nonresident Sport Fishing License.

Q. Can I get a refund on my fishing license?
A. No. Fishing licenses are considered valid and in use from the time of purchase and the fees cannot be refunded.

Q. Can I purchase a Lifetime Fishing License?
A. Yes. California residents may purchase lifetimes fishing license. You can find information about the lifetime lllllllicense application process at www.dfg.ca.gov/licensing/lifetime/lifetime.html

Q. Can I purchase a fishing license for my friend?
A. Yes. You must fill out his/her name and address on the license application. Your friend must fill in the remaining license information and sign the license before fishing (Section 705, Title 14, of the CCR)

Q. Is a fishing license required while fishing from a public fishing pier in ocean waters?
A. No, but it must be a public fishing pier. However, beginning March 1, 2007, a Sturgeon Fishing Report Card will lbe required to take a sturgeon from public piers in ocean waters.

A "public pier" is defined in the sport fishing regulations as a publicly owned man-made structure that has the llllllfollowing characteristics: is connected, above the mean high tide, to the main coastline or to the land mass of lllllla named and charted natural island; has unrestricted free access for the general public; and has been built or llllllcurrently functions for the primary purchase of allowing angling access to ocean waters. Even though licenses, stamps, and most report cards are not required while fishing from a public pier, all otherlregulations (including minimum sizes, bag limits, and seasons) apply.