Thursday, August 6 · NOAA station 9410840 (Santa Monica)
Updated 3:33 AM PT
Tide now
2.7 ft
▲ Rising · 0.2 ft/hr
Next high
4:39 AM
2.8 ft · in 1h 5m
Next low
8:12 AM
2.4 ft · in 4h 38m
Fishing score
54 /100
Good
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| Day | Tide | Time | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Aug 6 | High | 4:39 AM | 2.8 ft |
| Thu, Aug 6 | Low | 8:12 AM | 2.4 ft |
| Thu, Aug 6 | High | 3:53 PM | 5.5 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | Low | 12:02 AM | 0.6 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | High | 7:03 AM | 3.0 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | Low | 9:45 AM | 2.8 ft |
| Fri, Aug 7 | High | 5:05 PM | 5.9 ft |
Today in Santa Monica, high tide arrives at 4:39 AM (2.8 ft) and again at 3:53 PM (5.5 ft), and low tide bottoms out at 8:12 AM (2.4 ft). That's a 3.1-foot swing — a gentle neap-cycle swing, so focus on dawn and dusk rather than mid-tide current.
The sun rises at 6:09 AM and sets at 7:50 PM, under a last quarter (45% illuminated). With the moon near a quarter phase, tidal movement is on the mild side this week.
Tomorrow starts with a low tide at 12:02 AM (0.6 ft) — see the 7-day outlook below to plan the week.
Best windows today
strong outgoing tide · dusk bite window · light wind
Last Quarter
45% illuminated
Neap tides — gentler water movement. Fish the dawn and dusk windows.
68°F
Overcast
Today
75° / 67°
Best: 11:30 AM–1:30 PM
Fri, Aug 7
74° / 65°
Best: 4:00 AM–6:00 AM
Sat, Aug 8
85° / 73°
Best: 4:00 AM–6:00 AM
Sun, Aug 9
84° / 73°
Best: 4:00 AM–6:00 AM
Mon, Aug 10
85° / 73°
Best: 5:00 AM–7:00 AM
Tue, Aug 11
84° / 73°
Best: 5:30 AM–7:30 AM
Wed, Aug 12
81° / 72°
Best: 5:30 AM–7:30 AM
California Corbina
Menticirrhus undulatus
Season: June – September
Baits: Sand crabs, Bloodworms, Ghost shrimp
Sight-fish skinny water at first light on an incoming tide. Long fluorocarbon leaders — corbina are famously picky.
California Halibut
Paralichthys californicus
Season: April – September
Baits: Live anchovies, Swimbaits, Hair raisers
Drag baits slowly along sandy bottom near structure edges. Slow retrieve — halibut ambush from below.
Spotted Bay Bass
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
Season: Year-round
Baits: Plastics on leadheads, Small swimbaits, Ghost shrimp
Hit dock pilings, riprap, and eelgrass edges on moving water. A 3-inch plastic on a ¼ oz head is the bay standard.
Leopard Shark
Triakis semifasciata
Season: May – October
Baits: Squid, Mackerel chunks, Midshipman
Soak fresh bait on the flats during an evening incoming tide. Steel or heavy mono leader, circle hooks for a clean release.
Barred Surfperch
Amphistichus argenteus
Season: Year-round, best in winter–spring
Baits: Sand crabs, Gulp! sandworms, Motor oil grubs
Carolina rig in the first trough behind the shorebreak. Follow the tide in — perch feed where sand crabs wash out.
Matched to the species feeding at Santa Monica right now.
Rods & Combos
Shoreline Pro 11' Surf Rod Combo
Two-piece graphite surf rod with a sealed 6000 spinning reel — the do-everything beach setup.
Line & Leader
GhostWater Fluorocarbon Leader — 15 lb
Nearly invisible underwater — the difference-maker for picky corbina and seabass.
Terminal Tackle
Surf Standard Carolina Rig Kit
Sliders, beads, swivels, and hooks — 40 rigs' worth of the classic surfperch setup.
Accessories
BeachAnchor Sand Spike — 2 pk
32-inch heavy PVC rod holders. Plant your spread and watch the tips.
High tide in Santa Monica today is at 4:39 AM (2.8 ft) and again at 3:53 PM (5.5 ft), measured at NOAA station 9410840 (Santa Monica).
Low tide in Santa Monica today is at 8:12 AM (2.4 ft).
Today's best fishing window at Santa Monica is 7:00 PM–9:00 PM (rated Excellent, 83/100), driven by strong outgoing tide, dusk bite window, light wind. The score blends tide movement, dawn/dusk light, moon phase, wind, and water temperature.
In August, the most active species at Santa Monica are California Corbina, California Halibut, Spotted Bay Bass, Leopard Shark. See the species section above for baits, techniques, and seasons.
Predictions come directly from NOAA CO-OPS harmonic predictions for station 9410840 (Santa Monica) and are the same data used in official tide tables. Actual water levels can vary with storms and barometric pressure, so treat predictions as planning guidance, not navigation data.
Santa Monica Bay is Los Angeles' front-yard fishery. Summer mornings bring corbina cruising the shorebreak, the pier produces mackerel and halibut, and artificial reefs a short distance out hold sand bass and sculpin year-round.