Full Day Offshore Fishing - San Diego Giants
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting tuna, dorado, and yellowtailPrivate charter accommodates up to six guests maximum capacityExperienced crew provides drinks, snacks, and professional guidance
Ready to fish from dawn to dusk in some of Southern California's most productive offshore waters? This 12-hour private charter takes you and up to five buddies far beyond the kelp beds where the real monsters live. We're talking yellowfin tuna, bluefin tuna, dorado, and yellowtail that'll test your drag and make your arms burn. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish while keeping you fed with snacks and cold drinks all day long. This isn't some half-day tourist trip – we're heading out before sunrise and coming back when the sun's setting, giving you maximum time in the strike zone.
Your day starts early – we're talking 5 AM departure to beat the crowds and hit the prime morning bite. The Bluebill will cruise out 15-30 miles offshore depending on where the fish are showing up on sonar and temperature breaks. You'll spend most of your time in 200-2000 feet of water, where the big pelagics cruise and feed. The crew handles all the navigation, rigging, and net work – your job is to hang on tight when something serious grabs your bait. Expect long runs between spots, but that's part of offshore fishing. The downtime gives you a chance to hydrate, grab some snacks, and get ready for the next round of action. Weather permitting, we'll chase temperature breaks, kelp paddies, and bird activity where the bait concentrates.
We run a spread of 6-8 lines when trolling, using everything from cedar plugs and feathers to large swimbaits and live bait when available. The boat's equipped with Shimano and Penn reels loaded with 40-80 pound test, depending on target species. For tuna, we'll troll at 6-8 knots, covering ground until we mark fish or find feeding activity. When we locate schools, we'll stop and chunk or throw iron – that's when things get crazy fast. Live bait fishing happens with sardines or mackerel when we can net them, using circle hooks and fluorocarbon leaders. The crew will coach you through fighting technique, especially important on longer battles with bigger fish. Don't worry if you've never caught anything this size – they'll walk you through proper pumping and winding to land your fish without breaking you off.
Mahi mahi show up best from late spring through early fall, especially around floating kelp paddies and debris lines. These fish are pure adrenaline – they'll jump, run, and put on a show that'll have you grinning ear to ear. Most dorado we're seeing range 10-25 pounds, with the occasional bull pushing 40. They hit everything from trolled lures to live bait, and they're fantastic eating too. Yellowtail amberjack are year-round residents but really turn on during summer and fall months. These bruisers will test your drag system and make long runs toward structure. Expect fish in the 20-40 pound range, with some reaching 50-plus pounds during peak season. Yellowfin tuna are the bread and butter of San Diego offshore fishing, available most of the year with peak action from summer through late fall. These speedsters can reach 30+ mph and will spool you if your drag isn't set right. Most fish run 15-60 pounds, but we've seen some real cows over 100 pounds this year. Bluefin tuna are the holy grail – these fish are incredibly strong and smart. When they're here, usually late fall through spring, they'll test every piece of gear you have. Kelp bass might seem out of place on an offshore trip, but we often find them around deep structure and submarine canyons, providing steady action between the bigger pelagic bites.
San Diego's offshore fishing is world-class, and this 12-hour private charter gives you the best shot at connecting with fish of a lifetime. You're getting a full day with experienced crew who know how to find and catch these offshore species. The boat's equipped with top-shelf gear, fish-finding electronics, and everything needed for a successful day. Add in drinks and snacks to keep you going strong, plus the flexibility of a private charter to fish your style, and you've got a recipe for an epic day on the water. These long-range day trips book up fast, especially during prime season. Give Bluebill Charters a call and lock in your dates – your next personal best is waiting out there in the deep blue.
The fully restored Shaw 49' Sportfishing boat "Bluebill" is your ticket to San Diego's best offshore fishing grounds. This classic 1993 vessel got a complete makeover in 2024 and packs a serious 650HP Lugger engine that'll cruise you out to the deep blue at 15 knots. Built for up to 6 anglers, she's loaded with everything you need for a full day chasing Tuna, Dorado, and Yellowtail - including a top-notch fish finder and radar to locate the hotspots. Stay comfortable with A/C, a full kitchen, and even a bed for those who need a quick rest between bites. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility of the action, while the icebox and fridge keep your drinks cold and catch fresh. With GPS navigation and a clean head onboard, you can focus on what matters most - landing that trophy fish in San Diego's premier offshore waters.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of tuna fishing - these silver and blue giants average around 130 pounds but can push well over 200. They're warm-blooded fish that can handle both cold and tropical water, diving as deep as 3,300 feet. Peak season runs spring through fall when they're feeding heavily. These are serious fighters with powerful runs and deep dives that'll test every piece of your tackle. The meat is legendary - rich, buttery, and perfect for sushi. We usually find them near offshore islands and deep feeding areas. My go-to technique: troll during dawn and dusk when they bite most aggressively, and always use snap swivels so you can change rigs quickly when the bite gets hot.
Paralabrax ClathratusKelp bass are the bread and butter of local fishing - olive-green fish with distinctive calico spotting that typically run up to 15 pounds and about 2 feet long. They live in the kelp forests from 8-200 feet deep, with the bigger fish holding in deeper, rockier spots. Fishing's good year-round, but May through October really turns them on. They're scrappy fighters that make a great introduction to saltwater fishing, plus they taste excellent. The challenge is keeping them out of the kelp once hooked - they'll dive straight back into cover. Use braided line to cut through kelp if needed, and the moment you feel that strike, apply steady pressure to turn their head away from structure. Brown and olive lures work best since they match their natural diet.
Coryphaena HippurusDorado are some of the most beautiful fish you'll see out here, with their brilliant golden sides and electric blue-green backs. They put on quite a color show when you first boat them. Most run 15-29 pounds, though we've seen some push 40+. You'll find them around floating kelp paddies and debris in the warm months, usually in the top 100 feet of water. They're incredible fighters - fast, strong, and they love to jump. The meat is fantastic too, firm and mild, perfect for the grill. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep that bait skipping on the surface to mimic a flying fish - that's what really gets them fired up and brings the whole school to the boat.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the speed demons of the deep - torpedo-shaped fish that can hit 50 mph with those distinctive bright yellow fins trailing behind. Most of what we catch runs around 60 pounds, but they grow much larger. These warm-blooded fish cruise the upper 300 feet of offshore waters year-round, following bait schools. They're absolute powerhouses on the line with blistering runs that'll burn your drag. The meat is top-shelf - think high-end sashimi quality with that rich, meaty flavor. We target them by trolling spreads or chunking when we mark fish deep. Best tip I can share: when nothing's biting on the troll, switch to jigging. Sometimes you need to get down to their level to trigger a bite.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are the bulldogs of San Diego fishing - pure muscle and attitude packed into 15-25 pound packages, though we see plenty of 40-pounders too. You'll spot them by those bright yellow fins that give them their name. They hang around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and structure, usually anywhere from 20-200 feet deep. Summer's prime time when the water warms up around Catalina and San Clemente islands. These fish are fast swimmers and tough fighters that'll test your gear and your arms. The meat is prized in Japan for sushi, so they make excellent table fare. Here's the trick: when you hook one, don't horse it in too fast or it'll dive straight back into the kelp and cut you off. Steady pressure wins the day.
San Diego, CA