Fishing Charters in San Diego, CA

San Diego offers remarkable variety. Local half-day trips produce calico bass, sand bass, rockfish, and halibut around kelp beds and reefs. Overnight and multi-day trips target yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, yellowtail, dorado (mahi-mahi), and wahoo. San Diego Bay itself holds spotted bay bass, halibut, and corbina. Long-range trips (3-16 days) reach Mexican waters for trophy yellowfin and wahoo.

San Diego fishes year-round. Summer and fall (June-November) are peak season when warm water pushes north, bringing tuna, yellowtail, and dorado within range. Spring (March-May) is good for calico bass, halibut, and white seabass. Winter offers excellent rockfishing and occasional bluefin tuna. Long-range trips to Baja run year-round with peak seasons varying by species.

Half-day open-party boats run $50-$80 per person for local kelp fishing. Full-day trips cost $150-$250 per person. Overnight trips to offshore banks range from $300-$500 per person. Multi-day long-range trips to Mexican waters start at $1,500-$2,500 per person for 3-day trips and go up to $4,000-$6,000 for extended voyages. Private charters run $1,200-$2,500 for a full day.

Yes. California requires all anglers 16 and older to have a valid California sport fishing license, even on a charter boat. A one-day non-resident license costs $19.14 and a two-day license is $28.03 (as of 2025-2026). Many charter landings sell licenses on-site, or you can purchase online from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. A Mexican fishing license is also needed for long-range trips south of the border.