SLO County Fishing Report — July 8, 2026
Wednesdaygauge Port San Luis / Morro Bay · NOAA 94121101 place
There is a newer report: SLO County Fishing Report — November 15, 2026 →
Verdicts by place
Morro Bay & Cayucos surf
RoughSmall craft advisory; NW 15-30 kt and 6-11 ft seas into Thursday
Lake Nacimiento
Good762.4 ft51% capacity
Spotted bass on topwater from first light to ~9 AM
Tides for the day
| 5:10 AM high | 3.0 ft |
|---|---|
| 10:14 AM low | 1.8 ft |
| 5:17 PM high | 5.4 ft |
- range
- 3.6 ft
- sunrise
- 5:56 AM
- sunset
- 8:20 PM
Predictions from NOAA Tides & Currents. 14-day calendar →
By water
from the report- Current Level 762.4 ft, 196,168 AF (51% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 8.
- Spotted Bass Active on topwater early morning, then switching to finesse presentations
- Largemouth Bass Holding near rocky structure
- Crappie Near docks and submerged brush
- Catfish Active in evenings and mornings
None listed.
- Change from yesterday -0.17 ft
- Best Bets Early morning topwater bite (first light to ~9 AM). Focus on points, rocky banks, and areas with shad activity. When the topwater bite slows, switch to drop-shot rigs and Neko rigs in 5-20 feet of water.
Marine forecast
seaswindas written in the report
- Today
- seas
- 6–9 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
becoming 25-30 kt in the afternoon
- Tonight
- seas
- 8–11 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
- Thursday
- seas
- 7–9 ft
- wind
- NW 15–25 kt
becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon
- Thursday night
- seas
- 7–10 ft
- wind
- NW 20–30 kt
Full report2 min read ›
Coastal Conditions — July 8, 2026
The buoy off Santa Maria read NW 22-25 knots, gusting 29, with 8 ft seas at 7-8 seconds. That is short, steep water for a small boat or a surf rod.
Current Conditions (Buoy 46011 — Santa Maria)
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Wind | NW 22-25 knots (gusting to 29 knots) |
| Wave Height | 8 ft |
| Wave Period | 7-8 seconds |
| Water Temperature | 59.7°F (NDBC 46011, Santa Maria) |
| Air Temperature | 57°F (14°C) |
Marine forecast
Small craft advisory in effect through late tonight.
Today: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 25-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 6-9 ft
Tonight: NW 20-30 kt, seas 8-11 ft
Thursday: NW 15-25 kt, becoming 20-30 kt in the afternoon, seas 7-9 ft
Thursday night: NW 20-30 kt, seas 7-10 ft
NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard, zone PZZ645 (Point Piedras Blancas to Point Sal), issued 238 AM PDT Wed Jul 8 2026.
Friday drops to NW 10-20 kt with 5-7 ft seas, and Saturday is forecast light with 4-6 ft seas.
Surf Fishing Outlook
With 8 ft seas at the buoy, the beaches at Morro Bay and Cayucos are not safe to fish. If the wind eases as forecast, Saturday afternoon or evening may be the first window.
Lake Nacimiento
Current Level: 762.4 ft, 196,168 AF (51% of capacity), CDEC NCM, Jul 8.
Change from yesterday: -0.17 ft
Target Species:
- Spotted Bass — Active on topwater early morning, then switching to finesse presentations
- Largemouth Bass — Holding near rocky structure
- Crappie — Near docks and submerged brush
- Catfish — Active in evenings and mornings
Best Bets: Early morning topwater bite (first light to ~9 AM). Focus on points, rocky banks, and areas with shad activity. When the topwater bite slows, switch to drop-shot rigs and Neko rigs in 5-20 feet of water.
Lake San Antonio
Current Storage: 748.0 ft, 189,144 AF (57% of capacity), CDEC ATN, Jul 8.
Bass are most active early and late, then go deep in the midday heat. Catfish are still biting on warm evenings.
Santa Margarita Lake
No current report available.
Lopez Lake
No current report available.
Lake levels from CDEC (NCM, ATN). Ocean conditions from the NWS forecast for zone PZZ645 and NDBC Buoy 46011.