San Diego Guide · Activities
San Diego Fishing
Charters & Sportfishing
From calico bass in Mission Bay to bluefin tuna 50 miles offshore — San Diego is one of the premier sportfishing destinations in the world. Here are the captains and landings our local team recommends.
60+
Species to Target
Year-Round
Fishing Season
Half-Day to 3 Weeks
Trip Lengths Available
Filter by trip type
⭐ San Diego Legend
Fisherman’s Landing
📍 2838 Garrison St, Point Loma
San Diego’s most storied sportfishing operation — running trips since 1971. Their massive fleet handles everything from half-day coastal trips to 3-week long-range expeditions chasing bluefin and yellowfin tuna all the way to the Revillagigedo Islands. Daily live fish counts let you check what’s biting before you book. Every crew member holds a USCG Master credential. This is ground zero for serious San Diego sportfishing.
Why We Recommend Them
Largest fleet on the West Coast — from half-day boats to long-range vessels sleeping 25+
Live fish counts published daily at fishermanslanding.com — know what’s biting before you go
Most accessible pricing — open party trips from $75/person, no private charter required
Book online 24/7 via their reservations portal — no phone tag required
Since 1935
H&M Landing
📍 2803 Emerson St, Point Loma
San Diego’s oldest sportfishing landing, operating since 1935. H&M runs everything from half-day local trips to multi-day Mexico excursions. Their fleet includes dedicated boats for Coronado Islands runs, overnight yellowtail trips, and multi-day offshore adventures. They also host several named tournament boats out of their docks.
Family Pick
Seaforth Sportfishing
📍 1717 Quivira Rd, Mission Bay
Located right in Mission Bay — closest major landing to Mission Beach and Pacific Beach vacation rentals. Seaforth has a 17-vessel fleet with free parking year-round and a dockside tackle shop. They run half-day, ¾-day, full-day, and multi-day trips. The most convenient option for guests staying nearby who want a quick, organized fishing trip.
Top Family Charter
Coletta Sportfishing
📍 2580 Ingraham St, Mission Bay
Captain Chris Coletta brings 40+ years of experience and a genuine love of introducing families to the sport. Two fully equipped private boats (Wanu & Swell Chaser, up to 6 guests each) with private bathrooms, comfortable cabins, and kid-friendly setups. Consistently 5-star across every review platform. Also runs lobster hoop netting trips October–March — a total bucket list experience.
Offshore Specialist
Pelican Sportfishing
📍 Mission Bay, San Diego
Captain Shaun Uyeda runs a premium private charter aboard his 30′ Blackman Billfisher, rigged with Simrad electronics, Seeker rods, and Daiwa reels. Up to 4 guests for inshore and offshore trips targeting yellowfin, bluefin, mahi-mahi, yellowtail, and more. Live bait and fish cleaning included. One of FishingBooker’s consistently top-ranked San Diego charters.
Widest Selection
Fishing Charters of San Diego
📍 San Diego Bay
Two-boat private operation offering the widest range of trip lengths in the city — 3-hour through 1.5-day options. Their flagship Double Down (custom-built sportfisher, up to 6 anglers) has a massive bait tank and full walk-around deck. The Apex (36′ Hatteras, twin Cummins diesels) handles offshore runs comfortably. Captain Brian has a loyal repeat clientele and multiple 5-star reviews citing limits of 50 fish.
34 Yrs Experience
Diamond Dogs Sportfishing
📍 San Diego
Captain Al holds a USCG Master credential and brings 34 years of local San Diego fishing knowledge to every charter. Known for finding fish when others can’t — clients consistently rave about his pre-trip communication and his ability to read the water and conditions. Private offshore charters targeting yellowtail, tuna, dorado, and halibut.
Inshore Expert
Risen Tide Sportfishing
📍 San Diego Bay & Inshore Waters
Specialist in San Diego Bay and protected inshore waters — the ideal pick if you want a relaxed, scenic fishing experience without heading far offshore. Targeting spotted bay bass, halibut, corvina, and calico bass in calm waters. Perfect for beginners, families with small children, or guests prone to seasickness who still want to catch fish.
Overnight Trips
Ironclad Sportfishing
📍 1677 Quivira Rd, Mission Bay
Two-boat operation based at Seaforth Marina in Mission Bay. The Ironclad is a 38′ Topaz sportfisher (new engines 2023, sleeps 5 overnight, up to 6 guests day trips) — clients rave about hot meals aboard and non-stop action. The Todo O Nada is smaller and more agile for faster inshore runs. Captain Frank actively hunts fish rather than grinding one spot, earning a loyal repeat following.
Luxury Yacht
Osprey Yacht Charters
📍 San Diego Bay
The premium end of San Diego sportfishing — a 62′ custom-built sport fisher on welded marine plate alloy aluminum, designed by naval architect Tom De Groot. Captain Art Ponce’s crew holds four all-time records at the Avalon Tuna Club at Catalina Island. Snacks, drinks, lunch, and fish cleaning all included. Half-day through 1.5-day offshore trips for big game — billfish, tuna, mahi.
From Our Local Team
Tips Before You Book
Get Your Fishing License First
California requires a license for everyone 16+. Buy online at wildlife.ca.gov — one-day licenses are available. Some charters include the license in their fee, so always confirm when booking. Fines for fishing without a license are steep.
Book Early in Summer
The best private charter captains book up weeks — sometimes months — ahead from June through October. If you have a target date in mind, book as soon as you know your travel plans. Open-party boats at the landings are easier to get last-minute.
Plan for Sea Sickness
Take Dramamine or Bonine the night before and morning of. Eat a light breakfast, avoid alcohol, and stay on deck watching the horizon. If your group is prone to motion sickness, book an inshore or bay trip with Risen Tide or Seaforth instead of an offshore run.
Handling Your Catch
Most private charters will clean and bag your fish (tip your deckhand well!). Bring a cooler to take it home. Our Mission Beach rentals have full kitchens — there’s nothing better than cooking what you caught that morning for dinner.
What to Wear & Bring
Layer up — mornings on the water are cool even in summer. Bring SPF 50+ sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, non-slip shoes (mandatory — no flip flops on a boat), and snacks unless your charter provides them. Most charters supply all fishing gear.
Know the Difference
Open Party boats at the landings are shared trips — affordable and social, great for solo anglers. Private charters rent the whole boat for your group — you control the schedule, species, and trip length. For families or groups of 4+, private charters often make more sense.
Plan by Season
What’s Biting & When
San Diego’s position where cold and warm Pacific currents meet means remarkable variety year-round. Here’s what to target each season from our local waters.
Winter
December – February
Rockfish & Lingcod — excellent nearshore bottom fishing year-round.
Calico Bass — consistently active in the kelp beds close to shore.
Spiny Lobster — hoop netting season runs Oct–mid March. A bucket list night trip.
Calico Bass — consistently active in the kelp beds close to shore.
Spiny Lobster — hoop netting season runs Oct–mid March. A bucket list night trip.
Spring
March – May
Halibut — peak season for big flatfish in the bay and nearshore areas.
Calico & Sand Bass — heating up rapidly as water temperatures climb.
Bluefin Tuna — begin appearing offshore in late spring. Season’s first run.
Calico & Sand Bass — heating up rapidly as water temperatures climb.
Bluefin Tuna — begin appearing offshore in late spring. Season’s first run.
Summer
June – August
Yellowtail — most sought-after inshore San Diego fish. Peak season action.
Bluefin & Yellowfin Tuna — world-class offshore fishing at its best.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) — exciting topwater action on day trips offshore.
Bluefin & Yellowfin Tuna — world-class offshore fishing at its best.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi) — exciting topwater action on day trips offshore.
Fall
September – November
Albacore Tuna — excellent runs through September offshore.
Yellowtail — still biting strong around the Coronado Islands.
White Seabass — one of the most prized fall catches in San Diego waters.
Yellowtail — still biting strong around the Coronado Islands.
White Seabass — one of the most prized fall catches in San Diego waters.
Stay steps from the water.
Our Mission Beach and Pacific Beach vacation rentals put you minutes from Seaforth and every major launch point — with full kitchens to cook your catch that night.