San Diego's Premier Mexican Inshore Adventure
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Full-day fishing trips targeting Yellowtail, White Seabass, and RockfishAll equipment, live bait, and Mexican permits includedSmall group charters with maximum four guests
When you're looking for some serious fishing action in San Diego waters, Bubba Jean Sportfishing's Mexican Inshore and Coronado Islands charter is where the magic happens. This isn't your typical harbor cruise – we're talking about a legitimate 9 or 12-hour fishing adventure that takes you into productive Mexican waters where the fish are bigger, hungrier, and more willing to play. With only 4 anglers max on board, you get the personalized attention and prime fishing spots that make the difference between telling fish stories and actually landing them.
Your day starts early because the best fishing happens when most folks are still hitting the snooze button. We'll cruise south from San Diego toward the Mexican Inshore waters and around the Coronado Islands, where the underwater structure and current breaks create perfect ambush points for gamefish. The water here is deeper and cleaner than what you'll find closer to shore, which means better visibility for the fish and better action for us. Captain Bubba Jean knows these waters like his own backyard – every rock pile, kelp bed, and drop-off that holds fish. The boat's equipped with top-notch electronics to mark schools and structure, plus we've got all the rods, reels, tackle, and live bait you need. Don't forget your unexpired passport or passport card since we'll be crossing into Mexican waters – it's required and non-negotiable. A California fishing license is also mandatory, so grab that ahead of time if you don't already have one.
Depending on what's biting and where we find them, we'll be using a mix of techniques that work best in these waters. Live bait fishing is king out here – nothing beats a fresh sardine or mackerel on the right rig when yellowtail are cruising the kelp edges. We'll also be throwing iron jigs, especially the heavier stuff that gets down fast in the deeper water around the islands. When the white seabass are schooled up, slow-pitch jigging with lighter tackle can be absolutely deadly. For halibut, we'll drop down with live bait on sliding sinker rigs, working the sandy bottoms and transition zones. Shark fishing means bigger baits, heavier gear, and a lot more patience – but when a thresher takes off with 300 yards of line, you'll understand why people get addicted to it. The crew provides all the gear, but if you have favorite rods or reels, feel free to bring them. Just make sure they can handle fish in the 20-50 pound range because you never know when something big decides to eat your bait.
Lingcod are the bullies of the bottom, and around the Coronado Islands, they grow to impressive sizes. These aggressive predators love rocky structure and won't hesitate to grab a large bait or jig. They're ugly as sin but fight hard and taste even better. Best chances are during the cooler months when they move into shallower water to spawn. The fight isn't spectacular, but the steady pull and head-shaking will test your tackle and technique.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the bread and butter of Southern California fishing, and the Mexican waters consistently produce bigger fish than what you'll find north of the border. These golden rockets are built for speed and endurance, making long runs and testing your drag system. Spring through fall offers the best action, especially when the water warms up and baitfish schools move in. A 20-30 pound yellowtail on appropriate tackle is as good as fishing gets – they're smart, strong, and absolutely delicious on the dinner table.
Pacific Halibut might not win any beauty contests, but they're the ultimate prize for bottom fishing enthusiasts. These flatfish can reach impressive sizes in deeper waters, and the Mexican Inshore areas hold some real doormat-sized specimens. They're ambush predators that lie buried in sand waiting for baitfish to swim overhead. The bite is often subtle – just a gentle tap-tap before they swim off with your bait. Once hooked, bigger halibut fight with surprising power, using their flat bodies like underwater sails.
Pacific Barracuda are the speed demons of the inshore waters, with razor-sharp teeth and lightning-fast strikes that'll wake you up in a hurry. They're visual feeders that love shiny lures and moving baits, making them perfect targets for cast-and-retrieve fishing. Summer and early fall bring the best barracuda fishing when schools move into the area chasing baitfish. They're not huge fish, but they make up for size with attitude and aggressive strikes that happen so fast you barely have time to react.
Thresher Shark encounters are what separate the Mexican Inshore experience from typical local trips. These prehistoric predators use their elongated tail fins to stun schools of baitfish before feeding. When a thresher takes your bait, you're in for a fight that can last over an hour. They're acrobatic fighters that jump, run, and test every knot in your tackle system. Threshers are around year-round, but summer months often provide the most consistent action when they follow baitfish schools closer to the islands.
With only 4 spots available per trip, this isn't the kind of charter where you can wait until the last minute to make up your mind. The Mexican Inshore and Coronado Islands consistently produce fish when other areas are slow, which is why serious San Diego anglers keep coming back to Bubba Jean Sportfishing. You'll get everything you need for a successful day – tackle, bait, ice, permits, visas, water, and snacks – plus the local knowledge that makes the difference between hoping for fish and actually catching them. Whether you choose the 9 or 12-hour option, you're looking at a full day of fishing the kind of
Get ready to fish the productive waters off Mexico and the Coronado Islands aboard our well-equipped 28' Albemarle Cruiser. This 1999 sportfishing boat runs on reliable twin 240HP Yanmar engines that'll get you to the fishing grounds at a comfortable 24-knot cruise. With room for up to 4 anglers, you'll have plenty of space to work the rails without crowding. The boat comes loaded with everything serious fishermen need - fish finder to mark schools, GPS and radar for safe navigation, plus an icebox and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. Between fishing sessions, relax in the cabin with a bed, kitchen, toilet, and multimedia system. We provide all tackle, live bait, ice, Mexican permits, bottled water, and snacks. Just bring your passport and California fishing license. Depending on the season, you'll target Yellowtail, White Seabass, Halibut, Rockfish, and various shark species in these rich Pacific waters.
Ophiodon ElongatusThese gnarly-looking fish are bottom dwellers that love rocky reefs and kelp beds around 30-300 feet deep. Despite the name, they're not actually cod but greenlings with massive heads and razor-sharp teeth. Most run 15-25 pounds, but we've seen 40+ pounders come up from the deeper structure. They're aggressive fighters that would rather battle than flee - makes for exciting hookups. The meat is excellent, firm white fillets that grill beautifully. Lingcod are year-round residents, but spring through fall gives you the best action when they're more active. Here's a local trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to their rocky home or they'll wrap you up and break off every time.
Sphyraena ArgenteaPacific barracuda are silver bullets with attitude - sleek predators that put on aerial shows when hooked. These toothy speedsters typically run 8-12 pounds and stretch 3-4 feet, cruising near the surface around kelp beds and structure. They migrate up from Baja during late spring and stick around through fall, with the biggest fish showing in spring and autumn. What makes them special is their aggressive strikes and acrobatic fights - they'll jump, tail-walk, and thrash like crazy. The meat is firm and tasty when fresh. They hunt by sight, so they're most active during daylight hours in clear water. Here's the key: they love the chase, so keep your lures or bait moving. A slow, steady retrieve that mimics a wounded baitfish will trigger their predatory instincts every time.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the giants of the flatfish world, and landing one is always a memorable fight. These bottom huggers live on sandy and muddy bottoms from 100-600 feet deep, using their camouflage to ambush prey. Most fish we see run 20-40 pounds, but 100+ pounders aren't uncommon. They're strongest during summer months when they move shallower to feed before heading deep to spawn in winter. The meat is pure white, flaky, and considered some of the best eating fish in the ocean. Being demersal fish, they require patience - it's mostly a waiting game on the bottom. Local tip: use a 1-2 pound sinker to get down fast, then lift and drop your rod tip every few minutes to create movement. That action triggers strikes from halibut that might otherwise ignore stationary bait.
Alopias VulpinusThresher sharks are the ocean's most unique predators, using their whip-like tails to stun schools of baitfish before feeding. These powerful fighters average 200-300 pounds and can stretch 12-16 feet, with that distinctive tail making up half their length. They patrol open water 40-60 miles offshore, usually in 100-400 feet over continental shelves during late spring through fall. The fight is something special - they're fast, strong, and sometimes leap completely out of the water. While catch-and-release is the norm, the experience of battling one of these apex predators is what brings people back. Best fishing happens when water temps hit 60-70 degrees and baitfish are thick. Pro tip: look for bird activity and bait balls on the surface - that's where threshers will be hunting underneath.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail are fast, powerful swimmers that'll test your drag system when they make their signature long runs. These beauties average 15-25 pounds but 40+ pounders show up regularly, especially during summer when warm water brings them north from Baja. They cruise kelp beds and rocky structure, usually hanging deeper during the day. The bright yellow tail and fins make them easy to identify, and the firm, mild meat is perfect for grilling or sashimi. Peak season runs April through October when water temps warm up. They're aggressive feeders but smart - live bait works best. Pro tip: when you hook one, let them make their initial run without too much pressure. Fight them too hard early and they'll dive straight into the kelp.
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