Full Day Offshore Fishing Adventure in San Diego
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Full day offshore fishing targeting tuna, mahi mahi, and yellowtailTwelve-hour trip includes breakfast, lunch, and non-alcoholic beveragesSmall group experience with maximum six guests per charter
Picture yourself battling a hard-charging yellowfin tuna 20 miles off the coast of San Diego while the sun climbs over the Pacific horizon. That's exactly what you'll get with California Sport Fishing Co.'s extended full day charter – a proper offshore fishing adventure that targets some of the most sought-after pelagic species in Southern California waters. We're talking about a serious 12-hour fishing marathon that starts before dawn and keeps you on the bite until sunset, all within 30 miles of Mission Bay where the big fish roam.
This isn't your typical half-day harbor cruise – we're running a world-class operation that gets you to the productive offshore grounds where the real action happens. You'll meet us at the dock at 5:30 AM sharp (yeah, it's early, but that's when the fish are most active), and we won't see shore again until 5:30 PM. The boat accommodates just 6 anglers, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention from our experienced crew. We've got your meals covered with a hot breakfast to fuel up before the action starts and a satisfying lunch to keep your energy up during the midday bite. Plus, we stock non-alcoholic beverages throughout the day, so you can stay hydrated while working those reels. The best part? No passport required – we stay in U.S. waters where some of the Pacific's top-rated fishing grounds deliver consistent action.
Our approach centers around proven offshore trolling techniques that have been putting fish in the boat for decades. We run a spread of lures at various depths and speeds, covering water efficiently to locate schools of tuna, mahi, and yellowtail. The crew provides all the tackle you need – heavy-duty conventional reels spooled with 50-80 lb test line, matched with 6-7 foot rods that can handle the punishment these fish dish out. We're talking circle hooks on fluorocarbon leaders, cedar plugs, jet heads, and live bait when conditions call for it. The captain reads the water like a book, watching for bird activity, temperature breaks, and bait schools that signal feeding fish below. When we mark fish on the sonar, we'll switch to vertical jigging or live bait fishing to capitalize on the bite. Don't worry if you're new to offshore fishing – our crew will coach you through everything from setting the hook to fighting technique.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna are the crown jewel of Southern California offshore fishing, and these waters consistently produce some of the best bluefin action on the West Coast. These powerful fish range from 20-pound "rats" to 200-pound giants that will test every ounce of your strength and endurance. Bluefin are most active during the cooler months from fall through early spring, but we see them year-round in these productive waters. What makes them so special? Their incredible speed and stamina – a hooked bluefin will make blistering runs that strip hundreds of yards of line in seconds, then turn around and do it again. The meat is absolutely premium, perfect for sashimi if you decide to keep one for the table.
Yellowfin Tuna bring a different kind of excitement to the mix, typically running smaller than bluefin but making up for it with sheer aggression and acrobatic fights. These 15-60 pound speedsters are renowned for their willingness to bite and their habit of traveling in schools, which means when you find one, you'll often find many. Summer and fall are prime time for yellowfin, when the water temperatures heat up and bait becomes abundant. They're customer favorites because they fight hard, taste great, and provide consistent action throughout the day.
Mahi Mahi (dorado) are the most colorful characters in our offshore lineup, literally changing colors from brilliant gold to electric blue and green during the fight. These 10-30 pound acrobats love to jump and put on a show that'll have you reaching for your camera between battles. Peak mahi season runs from late spring through early fall when they follow warm water currents and floating debris where baitfish congregate. What anglers love most about mahi is their aggressive nature – they'll often stay with hooked fish, meaning multiple hookups are common when you find a school.
Yellowtail Amberjack round out our target list as the local bruisers that know every rock and kelp forest from here to Mexico. These 15-40 pound bulldogs are trending as one of the most popular Southern California species because they combine the fighting power of tuna with the cunning of bass. They're most active during the warmer months and are famous for their initial powerful runs followed by dogged, head-shaking battles near the boat. Yellowtail are excellent table fare and provide some of the most consistent action in our waters.
This extended full day charter represents the best value in San Diego offshore fishing – you get 12 full hours on the water, all meals included, and access to some of the Pacific's most productive fishing grounds with an experienced crew that knows these waters inside and out. Whether you're a seasoned angler looking to tangle with trophy-class tuna or a newcomer wanting to experience world-class offshore fishing, this trip delivers the complete package. The 6-angler limit ensures you'll get the personal attention and fishing time you deserve, while our early departure gets you to the prime fishing zones when the bite is hottest. Don't wait – the best offshore fishing days book up fast, especially during peak seasons when the tuna are running thick and the mahi are jumping.
Step aboard the "Hot Reeling," a serious 54' Mediterranean fishing machine built for tackling San Diego's offshore waters. This beauty handles up to 6 anglers and comes loaded with outriggers plus all the gear that serious fishing demands. When you're chasing tuna, mahi mahi, and yellowtail in these Pacific waters, you want a boat that delivers. The Hot Reeling packs fish finders to locate your targets, GPS and radar for navigation, plus air conditioning to keep you cool during those long fights. Between fishing spots, grab a cold drink from the onboard fridge or catch some rest in the cabin. The flybridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting bird activity and bait balls, while the full galley means hot meals during your 12-hour adventure. With a clean head and comfortable sleeping quarters, you're set for the full offshore experience from Mission Bay to the productive grounds 30 miles out where the big fish roam.
Coryphaena HippurusThese stunning fish are pure eye candy with their golden sides and electric blue-green backs that flash like neon underwater. Once you boat one, they put on a color show that'll have everyone reaching for their phones. Most mahi run 15-29 pounds and about three feet long, though the bigger bulls can push 40+ pounds. They love hanging around floating kelp, debris, or anything drifting on the surface in 100-500 feet of water. Summer through fall is prime time when the water warms up. What makes them special? They fight hard, taste amazing grilled or as sashimi, and those colors are something you'll never forget. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, don't bring it in too fast - where there's one mahi, there's usually more. Keep a second rod ready because they often travel in schools.
Thunnus OrientalisThese are the heavyweight champions of the tuna world - we're talking fish that can hit 200+ pounds and stretch over six feet long. Most of what we catch runs 50-150 pounds, but that's still a serious fish. Bluefin cruise the open ocean in 800+ feet of water, constantly on the move. They show up best during summer months when baitfish are thick. What draws people to target them? The fight is legendary - these things can strip 300 yards of line in seconds at 20+ mph. Plus, the meat is worth its weight in gold, literally some of the finest sashimi-grade tuna you'll find. My advice: use live mackerel or sardines and be patient. When you get a bite, tighten that drag gradually - slam it too hard and they'll either break you off or throw the hook. It's a chess match with a fish that's smarter than most people think.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of the tuna family - fast, strong, and absolutely beautiful with those bright yellow fins that give them their name. Most fish we see run 20-80 pounds, though the big ones can push 200+. They cruise the upper water column in 100-300 feet, constantly hunting schools of bait. Summer through early fall is when they really turn on around San Diego. What makes them special? They're lightning fast at 50 mph, fight like freight trains, and the meat is top-shelf sashimi quality - rich, red, and buttery. Yellowfin are also year-round biters, unlike their finicky bluefin cousins. Local tip: when trolling, use a cedar plug or rigged ballyhoo behind the boat. If you mark fish deep but nothing's biting up top, drop a jig down to them. These fish are aggressive feeders once you find the right depth and bait combination.
Seriola LalandiYellowtails are the bulldogs of Southern California fishing - not the biggest fish out there, but pound-for-pound one of the strongest fighters you'll tangle with. They average 15-25 pounds with those distinctive bright yellow fins and tails. You'll find them around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and structure in 60-200 feet of water. Summer is prime time around San Diego when they move up from Baja to feed. Why do people love fishing for them? They bite almost anything you throw at them and make blistering runs that'll test your drag. The meat is excellent - buttery and perfect for sashimi or grilling. Pro tip: when you hook one, don't horse it. Let the fish tire itself out because if you try to muscle it up too fast, it'll dive straight back into the kelp and cut you off. Patience pays off with these scrappy fish.
San Diego