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Old 11-28-2018, 11:53 PM   #1
Smolt
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1000 steps beach

I am thinking of checking out Laguna beach, anyone ever dived here? Any specific tips on where to look around? I think I saw some kelp on the north side at the end of the beach, anything around the south or further out?
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Old 11-29-2018, 11:37 AM   #2
Xylophone
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Re: 1000 steps beach

I'm not too familiar with the area but you might want to look into your local MPA boundaries.
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Old 11-29-2018, 04:31 PM   #3
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Re: 1000 steps beach

http://www.ocmarineprotection.org/recreation.html
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Old 11-29-2018, 05:17 PM   #4
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Re: 1000 steps beach

Yup, cool thanks. Its just south of the protected zone
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Old 11-29-2018, 07:26 PM   #5
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Re: 1000 steps beach

1000 steps is outside the protected zone. You can spearfish there and catch lobster, no other inverts allowed.

I would rate it a decent but not amazing dive spot. It tends to hold better conditions than most of the spots to the south. There are enough nice calico bass there that on a good weather day you can expect to see some nice ones. But like all the hard-hit beaches, the bass are skittish in proportion to their size, so getting nicer fish is often a real challenge, which can be enjoyable actually.

You'll find an occasional random hali out in the sand straight off the rock outcroppings, but I do mean random and occasional.

Sheephead mostly small, with the occasional bruiser, just like everywhere else.

It is an OK spot for spotfin/corbs, there are far more consistent spots but it can occasionally hold big schools.

For me, I only dove that spot when I literally wanted to do the stairs for exercise.
But keep in mind I just shoredove it a couple dozen times. I'm not one of these guys with 20 years experience who knows every inch of every spot. But I do think my description matches what the average diver would experience.

Pros:
+Parking often difficult during peak hours, esp in summertime, but FREE!
+Bass give a good challenge and hone the hunting skills, feels like an accomplishment to shoot a good one
+Generally better vis than major spots to the south

Cons
- heavy pressure
- it's not the best spot around for any particular fish, nor is it the best sightseeing for those dives when you're basically snorkeling with a speargun
- it seems like it's literally a thousand stairs (which can also be a pro if you're looking for a leg workout)
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Old 06-20-2019, 01:10 PM   #6
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Re: 1000 steps beach

Went to 1000 steps yesterday and there was a "NO FISHING" footnote added to the sign. Can anyone verify the validity of this?
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Old 06-20-2019, 03:36 PM   #7
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Re: 1000 steps beach

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Went to 1000 steps yesterday and there was a "NO FISHING" footnote added to the sign. Can anyone verify the validity of this?
It should be legal still
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Old 06-20-2019, 07:02 PM   #8
Bob Ballew
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Re: 1000 steps beach

I could be wrong, but, last I heard, the good ladies on the city council made the whole city a preserve under the city Municipal Code..?
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Old 06-21-2019, 10:10 AM   #9
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Re: 1000 steps beach

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I could be wrong, but, last I heard, the good ladies on the city council made the whole city a preserve under the city Municipal Code..?
I don't think they have authority over the water, right?
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Old 06-21-2019, 10:43 AM   #10
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Re: 1000 steps beach

That is correct. This tactic has been done in the past. Bark, but no bite. Only state or federal authorities can designate areas no fishing.
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Old 06-21-2019, 10:59 AM   #11
jimglover1
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Re: 1000 steps beach

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I could be wrong, but, last I heard, the good ladies on the city council made the whole city a preserve under the city Municipal Code..?
A bunch of people that probably never go there making decisions for me? I've been fishing and diving there for nearly 40 years. It's like losing a best friend.
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Old 06-21-2019, 11:05 AM   #12
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Re: 1000 steps beach

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So the only places in all of Orange County are Crystal Cove and Corona Del Mar? wow.....
Salt Creek and Dana Strand are still an option...
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Old 06-21-2019, 11:19 AM   #13
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Re: 1000 steps beach

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A bunch of people that probably never go there making decisions for me? I've been fishing and diving there for nearly 40 years. It's like losing a best friend.
Hi Jim - Only State or Federal authorities can designate an area no fishing. And can be confirmed by contacting Fish and Wildlife. City Board cannot close an area.
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Old 06-21-2019, 11:57 AM   #14
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Re: 1000 steps beach

Thanks Vic. I appreciate the clarification and encouragement.
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Old 06-22-2019, 11:09 PM   #15
Bob Ballew
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Re: 1000 steps beach

...Since most of my diving is at the islands, I was a bit rusty on mainland regs...But, according to my online research, a good chunk of Laguna is a no take zone...It shows a State Marine Reserve (red-no take) from Abalone Point south to Goff island and a State Marine Conservation Area (purple-no take) from Goff south to Table Rock...which I recall, the good ladies of the city council were responsible for implementing some years back. Aliso Creek, where I dove many a competition meet is also closed...
...North of the city limits (north end) up to Corona Del Mar is a SMCA (blue) zone but, take is allowed and south of Laguna from Table Rock to 3 Arch bay is a SMCA with take allowed down to the Dana Pt. headlands....All still in effect as far as I can tell...I dove Corona Del Mar beach for halibut this week, but, the s/w swell stirred up the sand on the south facing beaches, creating almost 0 vis...did see a couple of tails disappearing into the gloom near the breakwater...
...Since my boat is in front for some maintenance, I dug out my F&W Guide to the Southern California Marine Protected Areas off the Parker, and boom...there it is, on pages 38-40.... Boy, would I love to dive lobster on the Montage Resort reefs (illegal)....
...All divers, new and old, should truck it over to the nearest F&W office and pick up a copy of the Guide...just might save some of you an expensive fine, a wasted day in court and possible loss of dive gear....

Last edited by Bob Ballew; 06-22-2019 at 11:38 PM.
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