Best Fishing Charter in San Diego
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targeting Bluefin Tuna and YellowtailSmall group experience with maximum 4 guests aboardYearround fishing opportunities with peak season MayNovember
Ready to chase some serious fish without leaving California waters? This full-day offshore charter with Awol Sportfishing puts you right in the action zone where bluefin tuna and yellowtail cruise the deep Pacific. We're talking about a real deal fishing trip here – no passport required, just you, your crew of three buddies, and some of the most productive waters on the West Coast. Our captain knows these grounds like the back of his hand, and while peak season runs May through November, don't count out the off months. Fish gotta eat year-round, and we're out there finding them when conditions line up right.
This isn't your typical party boat situation. With just four anglers max, you've got plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our crew. We're heading to the offshore grounds where the big boys hang out – sometimes that's 15 miles out, other times we might push 30 or more depending on where the fish are showing up. The boat's rigged with top-shelf tackle and electronics, but the real advantage is having a captain who reads the water and adjusts the game plan on the fly. You'll spend your day working different depths and techniques as we chase schools of tuna and hunt for kelp paddies holding yellowtail. Don't expect to just sit back and relax – when we're on fish, it's all hands on deck and the action can get intense fast.
We run a mix of trolling and live bait fishing depending on what's working. For bluefin, we're often pulling cedar plugs and feathers in the spread, looking for that telltale boil behind the boat. When we mark fish on the sonar or spot them working bait on the surface, we'll switch to live sardines or anchovies on circle hooks. The gear's built for battle – we're talking 40 to 80-pound class tackle because these fish don't mess around. Yellowtail love working the kelp edges, so we'll position the boat and drop baits into the zone where they're feeding. The crew handles all the net work and gaff duties, but you'll need to bring your A-game when it comes to fighting these fish. Bluefin especially will test your endurance and technique, so listen up when the crew gives you pointers on pump and wind.
The bluefin tuna fishing here is world-class, plain and simple. These aren't the 20-pounders you might catch closer to shore – we're targeting fish in the 40 to 100-pound range, with occasional monsters pushing even bigger. They show up in different sizes throughout the season, with smaller "footballs" arriving first and the real giants following later in summer and fall. Bluefin are built like torpedoes and fight like they're angry about being hooked. They'll make blistering runs that'll have your drag screaming and test every knot in your rig. What makes them special is their strength and stamina – a good bluefin will give you a 20 to 30-minute battle that'll leave your arms burning.
Yellowtail are the other crown jewel of San Diego offshore fishing. These amberjacks are pure muscle and attitude, typically running 15 to 40 pounds in our waters. They love structure and current, so we'll work kelp paddies, underwater seamounts, and temperature breaks where bait concentrates. Yellowtail hit hard and immediately head for cover, so you need to turn them quick before they wrap you up in kelp or cut you off on structure. They're also notorious for their last-minute runs right at the boat – just when you think you've got them whipped, they'll see the gaff and take off on another screaming run.
Yellowfin tuna round out the target list and bring their own brand of excitement. These fish are speed demons with incredible endurance, often found in the same areas as bluefin but sometimes requiring longer runs to find. They typically run smaller than bluefin in our local waters – think 20 to 60 pounds – but what they lack in size they make up for in pure athleticism. Yellowfin will sound deep and stay down, making you work for every inch of line you get back. They're also excellent table fare, which makes the fight even more worthwhile.
Summer dates disappear fast for good reason – that's when all three species are most active and the weather's most predictable. But here's the insider tip: some of the best fishing happens in the shoulder seasons when the crowds thin out and the fish are less pressured. Our crew stays plugged into the fishing reports and fish forecasts, so we'll give you the straight scoop on conditions before you head out. With only four spots per trip, you're guaranteed personal attention and plenty of fishing time. Pack your sunscreen, bring plenty of water, and get ready for some serious arm-burning action. The fish are out there – now it's time to go get them.
Get ready to chase Bluefin Tuna aboard our reliable 28-foot Boston Whaler! This center console fishing machine packs dual 250HP Yamaha engines that'll cruise at 43 knots, getting you to the productive waters fast. Built in 2009 and perfectly maintained, she's equipped with everything serious anglers need - fish finder to mark the schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The spacious layout comfortably handles 4 fishermen with plenty of room to fight those big Yellowtail and Bluefin. Even has an onboard head for those long offshore days. Our experienced crew knows where the fish are biting year-round, though May through November is prime time for trophy-sized Bluefin. Summer slots fill up quick, so book early if you want to experience some of San Diego's best offshore fishing action without needing your passport!
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of San Diego fishing - these monsters average 130 pounds on the Pacific side but can reach 400+. They're torpedo-shaped powerhouses that'll dive 3,000 feet and run at 43 mph. We target them in deep, open water during our peak season from May to November. What sets them apart is the fight - nothing compares to that initial run and deep dive combo. Plus, the meat is worth more than gold at sushi markets. They're warm-blooded, so they handle our cooler water just fine. We usually troll to locate schools, then switch to live bait or chunk. Here's the key: use heavy tackle but let them run initially. Try to muscle them early and they'll just go deeper and break you off.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfins are the workhorses of our tuna fishing here - most average around 60 pounds but they can push 200+. These fish cruise the upper water column in open ocean, usually within the first 300 feet. They're built like torpedoes and can hit 50 mph, making for some serious drag-screaming runs. Peak season runs May through November when the water warms up. Guests love them because they fight hard, taste amazing (second only to bluefin for sashimi), and you can actually find them reliably. We typically troll spreads or chunk bait to bring them up from deeper water. Local trick: when the bite gets tough, switch to smaller baits. These fish can be picky, and downsizing often turns the day around.
Seriola LalandiThese yellowtails are some of the most fun fighters you'll find around San Diego waters. Most run 15-25 pounds, but we see 40+ pounders that'll test your arms. They cruise kelp beds and rocky structure from Catalina to the Coronados, especially during our warm summer months. What makes them special is that aggressive strike and the way they peel line on that first run - pure adrenaline. The meat is outstanding too, prized for sushi and grilling. We usually find them 20-100 feet down near structure. Pro tip: when you hook one, let it make that initial run without putting too much pressure. Fight them too hard early and they'll dive straight into the kelp and break you off every time.
San Diego