The Best Deep-Sea Fishing in San Diego
Attention anglers: If you’ve been looking for the ultimate deep-sea-fishing destination, your hunt is over. San Diego has long been renowned by fisher-folks of every skill level as being a particularly rich environment for hooking some of the most impressive sport fish anywhere in North America.
So if you’re planning to head out on the water and do battle with your next big haul during your visit, here are some great options to help you make the most of your expedition.
A Festival of Fish
The first thing any fishing enthusiast headed here needs to know is that they’ve made a great decision. There is arguably no better spot on the West Coast for dropping your hook. Because of the particularly mild year-round climate here, there’s ALWAYS something biting, no matter when you visit. So you simply can’t go wrong planning a trip.
Splendid Seafood
If you’re one of those folks who likes to plate up your catch, you’re in luck. There’s a lot of good eatin’ out there. The waters off the coast of San Diego are rich with California halibut, schools of rockfish, yellowtail amberjack, giant white seabass, and the truest test of any fisher’s fighting skills — tuna.
Time for Trophies
Feeding the crew is one thing. But bragging rights are something else. So if you’d like to grab that pier photo next to a real monster of a catch, there are few places better than San Diego to visit. The largest yellowtail ever caught here was more than 91 pounds. A local fisherman hauled in a 321-pound bluefin tuna last year, and another San Diegan recently hauled in a blue marlin that weighed in at a mind-blowing 662 pounds!
Terrific Tackle
If you’re headed in from out of town and don’t want to fly or drive with your gear, San Diego has your back. Many shops in the area are happy to offer bait, tackle, and assorted other gear to visitors. Just stop by Fathom Bistro, Bait & Tackle, Angler’s Choice Tackle, Point Loma Sportfishing, Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop, or H&M Landing, and let the experts take care of all your needs.
Head out on the Water
So, you’re geared up in every sense of the term and ready to head out. Time to find a charter! Good thing you’re spoiled for choice around here. San Diego is home to no end of world-class fishing guides, all ready to take you to their favorite spots and turn you loose on the local sea life population. Some local favorites include:
- Pacific Dawn Sportfishing: Fish from the deck of a 59′ boat that can accommodate up to 24 passengers. The craft features custom, air-conditioned bunks, a full galley, two restrooms (including showers) and a friendly, experienced crew.
- Captain Clowers Charter and Guide Service: Offering year-round trips to San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, La Jolla, and Point Loma. Captain Clowers specializes in hauling in tuna, dorado, marlin, and wahoo.
- H&M Landing: H&M has been hauling in huge catches since 1935. In addition to offering a variety of charters, H&M also has a bait and tackle shop right on-site in case you’re venturing out on your own.
- El Gato Sportfishing: El Gato makes use of high-tech fish-spotting gear to locate the biggest schools of fish. High-capacity fuel tanks aboard mean all-day charters are available for groups of up to 6.
- Point Loma Sportfishing: Point Loma focuses on larger species like bluefin, and yellowtail. This charter offers avid anglers a wide variety of available times, and trips from which to choose.
No matter what you’re after, chances are San Diego has it in store. Go get ‘em!