Bay Trips in San Diego with Kraken Sportfishing
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Threehour inshore fishing trip in Mission Bay watersTarget bass, halibut, and local bay speciesAll equipment, drinks, and snacks included onboard
Sometimes you don't need a full day on the water to scratch that fishing itch. Our 3-hour bay trips in Mission Bay are perfect when you want to wet a line without the commitment of an offshore adventure. We'll get you hooked up with some solid inshore action targeting bass, halibut, and whatever else is biting in the bay. With gear, drinks, and snacks all taken care of, you just need to show up ready to fish. These trips book up fast because they hit that sweet spot - quality fishing without eating up your whole weekend.
Mission Bay is San Diego's fishing playground, and we know every productive corner of it. You'll be fishing with just three other anglers, so there's plenty of room to move around and everyone gets personal attention. The bay stays pretty calm most days, making it perfect for newer anglers or anyone who gets queasy in bigger swells. We launch right from the bay, so no long boat rides - you'll have lines in the water within minutes. The structure here is fantastic with plenty of rocky points, sandy flats, and kelp edges that hold fish year-round. Don't let the "bay fishing" tag fool you though - we regularly hook into fish that would make any angler smile.
We fish light to medium tackle on these bay runs, which makes every catch more fun. You'll be working with spinning gear loaded with 15-20 pound test, perfect for the inshore species we target. Live bait is king out here - we'll have fresh sardines, anchovies, or whatever the fish are eating that week. We'll also throw some plastics and iron when the bite calls for it. The technique varies with conditions and what's showing on the fish finder. Some days we'll anchor up on structure and let the bait work, other times we'll drift the flats or work the kelp edges. The beauty of bay fishing is the variety - you might be bottom fishing for halibut one minute and throwing surface iron for bass the next.
Sea Bass are the bread and butter of our bay trips, and San Diego's population is as healthy as it's been in years. These fish love the rocky structure around the bay, and they'll hit both live bait and artificials. You'll find them in 15-40 feet of water, often relating to kelp or hard bottom. They're scrappy fighters that make great table fare, and there's nothing like watching one come up from the depths with that distinctive silver flash. Best action usually happens early morning or late afternoon when they move up to feed.
Lingcod might seem like an odd target for bay fishing, but Mission Bay's deeper channels and rocky areas hold some solid fish. These ambush predators sit tight to structure, waiting for an easy meal. They're not the prettiest fish in the ocean, but they fight hard and taste even better. Lingcod fishing is all about getting your bait right on the bottom near rocks or kelp. When one grabs your bait, you'll know it - they hit like a freight train and don't give up easy.
Pacific Bluefin Tuna showing up in the bay is always a bonus, and it happens more than you'd think. These fish follow bait schools right into the shallows, especially during warmer months. When the bluefin are around, you'll see birds working and bait jumping everywhere. They're incredibly strong fighters that will test your drag and your arms. Even the smaller bay bluefin pack serious power - a 20-pound fish will feel like 40 when it makes its first run.
Yellowfin Tuna also cruise into bay waters when conditions are right, usually chasing schools of sardines or mackerel. These fish are pure muscle and speed, known for long, screaming runs that'll have you questioning your knot-tying skills. They're also fantastic eating - sashimi-grade meat that's hard to beat fresh off the hook. When yellowfin move into the bay, it's usually a feeding frenzy that creates some of the most exciting fishing of the year.
These half-day bay trips are perfect for testing the waters with Kraken Sportfishing or when you need a quick fishing fix. The small group size means you'll get the attention you deserve, whether you're learning the ropes or fine-tuning your technique. Mission Bay produces fish year-round, but every day is different - that's what keeps us coming back. With everything provided except your fishing license, all you need to do is show up ready for some quality time on the water. These trips fill up quick, especially on weekends, so don't wait too long to secure your spot.
Jump aboard our well-equipped motorboat for some quality time chasing bass and halibut around Mission Bay. This fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need - a solid fish finder to mark your targets, GPS to keep you on the productive spots, plus an ice box and refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. The onboard toilet means you can stay out longer without cutting the action short. With room for 4 anglers, it's perfect for a small crew looking to wet some lines without dealing with crowded party boats. All your tackle, bait, drinks and snacks are covered, so just bring yourself and get ready to bend some rods in San Diego's productive inshore waters.
Ophiodon ElongatusLingcod aren't actually cod - they're ugly, toothy greenlings that love rocky structure throughout San Diego's deeper waters. Females can push over two feet while males stay smaller, but both pack a nasty attitude and will fight rather than flee. You'll find them from 30 to 300 feet, usually sulking in dark rocky holes waiting to ambush anything that fits in their massive mouth. They're cannibalistic and will eat other lingcod without hesitation. Best part? They bite year-round and aren't picky - live bait, dead bait, jigs, whatever. The meat is fantastic eating with firm white flakes. Here's the trick: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and get them away from the rocks quickly. They're not fast swimmers, but they know every crevice down there.
Thunnus OrientalisPacific bluefin are the ultimate prize fish - torpedo-shaped speed demons that can hit 10 feet and over 900 pounds, though most we see run 4-7 feet around 130 pounds. These silver bullets cruise the open Pacific at 12-20 mph, traveling thousands of miles between Asia and California. You'll find schools in 800+ feet of water offshore. The meat is world-famous - single fish have sold for millions at Japanese auctions. Summer and fall bring them closer to San Diego waters. What makes them special is the combination of size, speed, and fight that can last hours. They're easily spooked, so stealth matters. My go-to technique: use live mackerel or herring on heavy tackle, and be ready for a marathon battle. These fish have the endurance to match their reputation.
Centropristis StriataSea bass around San Diego typically run about a foot long and 9 pounds, though we've seen some push 26 inches. These dark, stocky fish love hanging around hard bottom areas near jetties and structure in the bay. They're aggressive feeders with serious teeth that'll hit everything from squid strips to soft plastics. What makes them fun is they fight harder than their size suggests and taste amazing - you'll see them on high-end restaurant menus for good reason. They spawn January through July, making spring and early summer prime time. Since they travel in schools, once you find one, there's usually more around. Pro tip: when using jigs, let them hit bottom then work them slow - sea bass are lazy hunters that prefer easy meals.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin tuna are built for speed with their torpedo bodies and signature bright yellow fins. Most run around 60 pounds, but they can push 400+. These warm-blooded fish cruise at 50 mph in the upper water column, usually within 300 feet of the surface. They're found year-round in our warm Pacific waters, with peak action in summer and fall. What makes them special is they're almost as good eating as bluefin but way more affordable - perfect for sushi or steaks on the grill. They're aggressive feeders that'll hit trolled lures, jigs, or poppers. When they're finicky, try chunking with cut bait to bring them up from the depths. The key is matching whatever baitfish they're feeding on - anchovies, sardines, or mackerel usually do the trick.
San Diego, CA