San Diego Charter Fishing | Seasonal Offshore Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12hour offshore charter targets tuna, marlin, and yellowtailLuxurious vessel accommodates up to 5 guests seasonallyDeep Pacific waters offer encounters with ocean giants
San Diego's deep Pacific waters hold some of the best fishing on the West Coast, and this 12-hour offshore charter puts you right in the thick of it. We're talking about a serious day on the water – leaving the harbor before dawn and pushing out to where the big fish live. This isn't your typical half-day trip; it's a full commitment to chasing trophy species that most anglers only dream about. The seasonal nature of this charter means you're hitting the water when conditions and fish migrations align perfectly, giving you the best shot at multiple species in a single outing.
This 12-hour adventure starts early – we're talking 4:30 AM departure to maximize our fishing time. The boat heads straight for the offshore grounds where water temperatures and baitfish concentrations create perfect hunting conditions for pelagic species. With just 5 anglers max, you'll have plenty of room to work and won't be fighting for rail space when the bite gets hot. The captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, reading sonar, watching for bird activity, and positioning the boat where the action is. No meals are provided, so pack a cooler with plenty of food and drinks – trust me, 12 hours flies by when the fish are biting, but you'll need fuel to keep your energy up for those long fights.
This offshore fishing relies heavily on trolling techniques, covering water to locate active schools of tuna, mahi, and other pelagics. The boat runs multiple lines at different depths and distances, using everything from cedar plugs and feathers for tuna to larger lures for marlin. When we mark fish on the sonar or spot feeding activity, we'll switch to live bait – sardines, mackerel, or whatever's running fresh. The tackle is built for battle: heavy spinning reels with 40-80 pound test, conventional reels for trolling, and circle hooks to ensure solid hookups. The crew handles the technical stuff like rigging and boat positioning, but you'll be doing the heavy lifting once that rod bends over. These offshore species make long, powerful runs, so be ready for 20-30 minute fights on the bigger fish.
Mahi Mahi, or dorado as locals call them, are absolute dynamite on the line. These brilliant gold and green fish love structure and floating debris, often traveling in small schools. They're most active during warmer months when water temps hit the mid-60s and above. What makes mahi special is their acrobatic fighting style – expect multiple jumps and direction changes that'll test your drag settings. They're also fantastic table fare, making them a favorite among anglers who like to eat their catch.
Yellowfin Tuna are the bread and butter of San Diego offshore fishing, particularly from late spring through fall. These fish are built for speed and endurance, capable of stripping 200+ yards of line on their initial run. Yellowfin typically show up in 15-50 pound range out here, with occasional larger specimens pushing 60+ pounds. They school heavily and feed aggressively on sardines and anchovies. The key to success is getting your bait down quickly when you find a school – they're notorious for shutting down if they get spooked.
Bluefin Tuna are the holy grail of Southern California offshore fishing. These are seriously powerful fish, often ranging from 20 to over 100 pounds in local waters. Peak season runs from late spring through early fall, but they can be unpredictable. Bluefin require finesse – light leaders, smaller hooks, and perfect bait presentation. When you hook one, prepare for the fight of your life. They dive deep, make blistering runs, and will test every knot and connection in your setup.
Lingcod might seem out of place on an offshore trip, but San Diego's deep structure holds some impressive specimens. These bottom dwellers lurk around rocky pinnacles and drop-offs, ambushing baitfish with their massive mouths. While not as flashy as the pelagic species, a 15-20 pound lingcod puts up a solid fight and provides excellent eating. They're most active during cooler months and respond well to large swimbaits or live squid bounced near structure.
Pacific Bonito are often the first species to show up during a trip, and while they're smaller than tuna, they're scrappy fighters that can save a slow day. These fish love to feed on the surface, creating explosive strikes when they hit trolled lures. Bonito school heavily and can provide non-stop action when conditions are right. They're excellent bait for larger species and also make for great sashimi when handled properly.
This seasonal offshore charter books up fast, especially during peak migration periods when multiple species are moving through San Diego waters. The 12-hour format gives you the best chance at a variety of species and allows time to travel to the most productive grounds. With only 5 spots available, you're getting a premium experience with personalized attention from the crew. Remember to bring your fishing license, plenty of food and drinks, sunscreen, and layers for changing conditions. The offshore bite can turn on at any moment, and when it does, you'll be in the right place with the right captain to make the most of it. Don't wait on this one – seasonal opportunities like this are exactly what separates good fishing trips from legendary ones.
Jump aboard our 32-foot Boston Whaler 305 Conquest and chase the big ones in San Diego's deep Pacific waters! This well-equipped fishing machine seats up to 5 anglers comfortably and runs on twin 250HP Mercury Verados that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast at 30 knots. The boat's loaded with everything serious fishermen need - fish finder to locate schools, GPS and radar for navigation, plus an icebox and full refrigerator to keep your catch fresh and drinks cold. When you need a break from fighting fish, kick back with the onboard entertainment system or grab some shade with the air conditioning. There's even a kitchen, bed, and head for those long 12-hour offshore runs targeting monster Tuna, Yellowtail, Mahi Mahi, and Marlin. This seasonal charter puts you right where the action is, and the spacious deck gives everyone room to work their lines without getting tangled up.
Thunnus ThynnusBluefin are the holy grail of our offshore fishing - massive, powerful fish that can exceed 300 pounds in local waters. These chrome rockets are built for speed and endurance, featuring that distinctive torpedo shape and incredible strength. They roam deep blue water from 50-500+ feet, often near offshore banks and temperature breaks. Peak season runs summer through fall, with evening and morning bites typically strongest. What makes them legendary is the combination of brute power and being the ultimate sashimi fish - a single large bluefin can be worth thousands at market. These fish require heavy tackle and serious skill; they'll make smoking runs and deep dives that test everything. Local secret: when you find feeding bluefin, live mackerel or sardines work better than lures. Keep your drag smooth and be ready for a marathon fight.
Ophiodon ElongatusDon't let the name fool you - lingcod aren't actually cod, they're greenlings with attitude. These bottom dwellers have massive heads packed with sharp teeth and can reach 30+ pounds, with females growing much larger than males. You'll find them hugging rocky reefs and kelp beds from 30-300 feet, where they ambush prey from their rocky lairs. They bite year-round, but winter through spring during spawning season can be hot. What guests love is their aggressive nature - they'd rather fight than flee, making for exciting battles on medium tackle. The white, flaky meat is excellent eating too. Pro tip: use heavy braided line since they live in rocky structure, and once you hook up, get them away from the rocks fast. They'll try to wrap you up every time.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are some of the most colorful fish you'll hook offshore. Mahi average 15-29 pounds but can hit 40+ inches, and they're pure eye candy with their bright blues and greens that shift colors when they come out of the water. You'll find them around floating debris, kelp lines, and current breaks in the upper water column. Summer through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb. What makes them special? They fight hard with long runs and acrobatic jumps, plus the meat is top-shelf - firm, white, and perfect for the grill. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, keep it in the water and look around for the school. Mahi travel in groups, so where there's one, there's usually more waiting.
Sarda LineolataPacific bonito are the scrappy fighters of our local waters - smaller tuna relatives that pack serious attitude. These striped speedsters typically run 3-8 pounds and rarely exceed 25, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight. You'll find schools feeding near the surface from inshore kelp beds out to 100 miles offshore. June through November gives us the best bite when they're actively feeding. Guests love them because they're willing biters that put up battles way above their weight class. They're also great for smoking or making into fish cakes. The trick with bonito is finding actively feeding schools - look for diving birds and surface commotion. Live anchovies on light tackle work magic, but bonito feathers and spoons behind a cast bubble will also fire them up when they're hot.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our offshore fleet - sleek, powerful fish that average 60 pounds but can push 200+ in our waters. These torpedo-shaped speedsters cruise the upper 300 feet of blue water, often mixed with dolphin schools or around kelp paddies. Best fishing runs spring through fall when bait concentrates offshore. What makes them special is the combination of raw power and world-class table fare - yellowfin sashimi rivals any restaurant. They'll test your tackle with blistering runs hitting 50 mph. The key out here is watching for bird activity and bait balls on the surface. When you find feeding yellowfin, switch from trolling to chunk bait or jigs. Keep the boat moving slowly through the school and match your bait to whatever they're eating.
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