4-Hour San Diego Bay Halibut & Seabass Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
4hour familyfriendly bay fishing targeting halibut and seabassCalm waters perfect for beginners with all gear providedMaximum 6 guests with scenic San Diego skyline views
Looking for a laid-back fishing adventure that won't beat you up? This 4-hour San Diego Bay charter delivers exactly what you're after. We'll cruise the protected waters of the bay and venture just outside to the nearby inshore grounds where halibut, white seabass, and barracuda call home. Perfect for families, first-timers, or anyone who wants to catch fish without dealing with rough seas or long boat rides. With everything provided – bait, tackle, ice, and cleaning – you just show up ready to fish.
This top-rated charter keeps things simple and fun. We'll meet at the dock and head out into San Diego Bay's calm waters, making it perfect for kids or anyone who gets queasy on bigger swells. The protected bay gives us consistent fishing conditions, and when we do venture outside, we're never far from shelter. You'll be fishing light tackle, which means more fight from every fish and less work hauling in heavy gear. The boat holds up to 6 anglers comfortably, so there's plenty of elbow room whether you're bringing the whole family or a small group of friends. Between the fishing action, you'll get postcard views of the San Diego skyline and often spot sea lions, dolphins, and pelicans working the same waters we're fishing.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what's biting and where we find the fish. For halibut, we'll anchor up over sandy bottom and fish live bait on the deck – usually anchovies or sardines on sliding sinker rigs. White seabass and kelp bass love structure, so we'll work the kelp edges and rocky areas with swimbaits, live bait, and sometimes iron jigs. Pacific barracuda are speed demons, so when they're around, we'll troll small lures or cast surface irons for some exciting topwater action. All the gear is provided, but if you've got a favorite rod or reel, feel free to bring it along. We use circle hooks for conservation and better hookups, and our tackle is sized perfectly for these inshore species – strong enough to handle a big white seabass but light enough to make a keeper-sized halibut feel like a monster.
Kelp Bass: These bronze beauties are the bread and butter of San Diego inshore fishing. They hang around kelp beds, rock piles, and structure year-round, though spring through fall gives you the best action. Kelp bass are scrappy fighters that'll test your drag and make multiple runs toward cover. Most fish run 2-5 pounds, but don't be surprised if you hook into a 6-pounder that'll give you a real workout. They're curious fish and often travel in schools, so when you find one, there's usually more around.
Spotted Bass: The spunkiest fighter pound-for-pound in these waters. Spotted bass love the same areas as kelp bass but tend to be more aggressive and willing to hit lures. They're smaller on average – most run 1-3 pounds – but what they lack in size, they make up for in attitude. These fish will absolutely smoke your drag and jump like mini-tarpon. Spring and summer are prime time, especially around dawn and dusk when they're actively feeding in shallow water.
Striped Bass: The heavy hitters of the group. San Diego's striped bass run bigger than their northern California cousins, with fish in the 10-20 pound range fairly common and occasional monsters pushing 30-40 pounds. They're seasonal visitors, typically showing up in late winter through spring, following bait schools into the bay. Stripers are powerful fish that'll test your tackle and your technique – they make long, bulldogging runs and know how to use their size to their advantage.
Pacific Halibut: The ultimate inshore prize fish. These flatfish are masters of camouflage, laying perfectly still on sandy bottom until an unsuspecting bait drifts overhead. Halibut fishing requires patience – you might wait an hour between bites – but when one grabs your bait, you'll know it. They hit hard, then try to bulldoze toward the bottom using their broad, flat bodies like a underwater sail. Most bay halibut run 15-30 inches, but every season produces some real doormat-sized fish that'll have you talking for years. Summer and early fall are peak season when they move into shallower water to feed.
This customer-favorite trip fills up fast, especially on weekends and during peak fishing seasons. The combination of calm water, diverse species, and family-friendly timing makes it perfect for just about any angler. Whether you're looking to introduce kids to fishing, want a relaxing morning on the water, or just need a fishing fix without committing to a full day, this 4-hour adventure delivers. Remember, all bait, tackle, ice, and fish cleaning are included – just bring snacks, drinks, sunscreen, and your fishing license. Book your spot now and get ready for some world-class inshore action right in San Diego's backyard.
Meet Lady Grace, your 36-foot Grand Banks trawler ready to take you and 5 friends on a comfortable San Diego Bay fishing adventure. This beautifully restored boat runs on twin 120 HP diesels that'll get you to the halibut and seabass spots without burning through fuel. The spacious layout gives everyone room to cast without bumping elbows, while the flybridge offers killer views of the bay and downtown skyline. Down below, you've got a full galley, head, and even a bed if someone needs a break from the action. The fish finder will help locate those bottom-dwelling halibut, and when you hook into a white seabass, there's plenty of deck space to fight it properly. Keep your drinks cold in the fridge, store your catch on ice, and let the GPS guide you to productive waters. Whether you're bringing kids for their first fishing trip or just want a laid-back day targeting Pacific barracuda, Lady Grace handles the calm bay waters like a dream. All your tackle and bait are sorted, so just show up ready to fish.
Paralabrax ClathratusAlso called calico bass, these scrappy fighters are perfect for our bay trips. They typically run 2-4 pounds with that distinctive olive-green color and white rectangular spots along their backs. You'll find them hanging around kelp beds and rocky structure in 10-60 feet of water. Spring through fall gives you the best action, especially during their spawning season from May to September when they feed heavily. What makes kelp bass fun is their immediate dive back to cover once hooked - they'll test your drag and keep kids engaged with steady action. The meat's solid eating too. My tip: the second you feel that strike, keep steady pressure and work them away from the kelp. They love anchovies and sardines, but anything brown or olive-colored works great in these bay waters.
Hippoglossus StenolepisThese flatfish are the doormat prizes of our trips - literally lying flat on sandy and muddy bottoms waiting to ambush prey. In our bay waters, most halibut run 5-15 pounds, though bigger ones patrol the deeper channels. They're bottom huggers, preferring 20-100 feet where they blend in perfectly with the sand. Summer months give you the best chances as they move into shallower feeding areas. What guests love is the surprise factor - that steady pull that suddenly turns into a heavy bend in your rod. Plus, there's no better eating fish in the ocean - firm, white fillets that make any dinner special. The key to halibut is patience and keeping your bait on bottom. I use a sliding sinker rig with live bait and just let it sit. When you feel that tap-tap-pull, count to three before setting the hook - they need time to turn that bait around.
Micropterus PunctulatusThese feisty bass average 1-3 pounds and put up a solid fight, diving deep rather than jumping like their largemouth cousins. You can spot them by the dark rows of spots along their sides and that connected dorsal fin. They love hanging around rocky structure and gravel bottoms in clearer water - perfect for our bay's deeper channels. They school up more than other bass, so when you find one, there's usually more nearby. Best fishing happens in warmer months when they're actively feeding on crayfish and small fish. What guests love is their aggressive strike and the way they bend your rod on light tackle. They're excellent table fare with firm, white meat. Pro tip: once you catch one, work that same area thoroughly. Unlike largemouth bass, these guys stick together and won't spook as easily from the same spot.
Morone SaxatilisStripers are the kings of our bay trips, with those distinctive seven dark stripes running down their silver sides. Most fish we catch run 10-30 pounds, though bigger ones cruise these waters. They love structure - jetties, drop-offs, and anywhere baitfish gather. You'll find them in moving water throughout the bay, often near the surface at dawn and dusk. They're active year-round here, but spring and fall give you the best shots when they're feeding heavily. What makes stripers special is their powerful runs and the way they fight in open water - no hiding in cover like other bass. Plus, they're fantastic eating with sweet, flaky white meat. My go-to trick: watch for birds diving or baitfish jumping. Stripers push bait to the surface, creating those feeding frenzies that make for fast action on live anchovies or sardines.
San Diego, CA