5.0(2 Reviews)Premium 10-Hour Tuna and Yellowtail Offshore Charter
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday offshore charter targeting Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna speciesExtended 10hour trip reaches distant fishing grounds offshorePrivate charter accommodates up to six guests with gear included
When you want to chase the big fish that make San Diego waters legendary, this private 10-hour charter with Wild Goose Fishing Charters is your ticket to the best offshore action. Captain Ray and his crew know these waters like the back of their hand, and with a full day on the Pacific, you'll hit the prime fishing grounds where bluefin tuna, yellowfin, yellowtail, and mahi mahi cruise the deep blue. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking serious fishing time for serious anglers who want to maximize their chances at trophy fish.
Your day starts early – we're talking pre-dawn departure to make the most of those productive morning hours when the fish are feeding. With 10 hours on the water, Captain Ray can take your group of up to 6 anglers way offshore to spots that shorter trips just can't reach. We're not stuck fishing the same crowded areas near shore – we've got the fuel and time to hunt down the active schools of tuna and yellowtail that move with the currents and baitfish. The boat comes fully rigged with top-quality gear, so you don't need to worry about bringing anything except your food, drinks, and maybe some extra sunscreen. The crew handles everything from setting up the spread to gaffing your fish – you just focus on the fight.
This charter runs a mix of trolling and live bait fishing depending on what's working best. We'll start by covering water with a trolling spread – heavy tackle setups with lures that mimic flying fish and mackerel, the main forage out there. When we mark fish on the sonar or spot birds working, that's when we switch to live bait. The crew keeps a constant supply of fresh sardines, anchovies, or mackerel in the bait tanks, and nothing beats a kicking live bait for getting those big tuna to commit. You'll be fishing with 30-50 pound tackle most of the day – heavy enough to turn these fish but light enough that you'll feel every head shake and run. The boat's equipped with outriggers, downriggers, and all the terminal tackle you need, from circle hooks to heavy fluorocarbon leaders.
"Started fishing with Captain Ray 5 years ago. His knowledge of how to fish, where to fish, tactics of fishing are off the charts. The guy lives and breathes fishing. Every charter has been a success. It is something we look forward to every year." - Logan
"Warning: do not book with Wild Goose if you don't want to have a ton of fun and catch a bunch of fish. We booked an 8 hr offshore trip with Wild Goose for our group of six. We were happily greeted in the wee hours of the morning by Captain Ray and his first mate Ernie. They already had the boat gassed up and all the gear setup. We brought a few soft coolers to keep us fueled and hydrated for the day, grabbed some bait and were fishing by the time the sun came up. Ray and Ernie were awesome. Our group can get a little rambunctious and they were cheerful and enthusiastic throughout the whole trip. They are both really proactive during the trip, which made things easier and more enjoyable for us. Captain Ray always found great fishing spots (we went to 4-5 different spots during the trip) and Ernie made sure we always had fresh bait and all our lines in the water. By the end, the six of us caught eight fish and had a few others hooked. We were all novice fisherman and the crew helped coach us so that we had some technique and were able to reel in some big tuna. Overall, wouldn't change a single thing about the trip or our experience. Will be recommending Wild Goose to all my San Diego buddies and booking additional trips in the future." - Chance
Mahi Mahi are the speedsters of the offshore world, and when you hook into a bull dorado, you're in for a show. These fish hit hard and immediately go airborne, throwing spray and putting on an acrobatic display that'll get everyone on the boat excited. San Diego's mahi season typically runs strongest from summer through early fall, and they love hanging around kelp paddies and debris lines. Bulls can push 30-40 pounds, and their electric colors – that brilliant gold and green – make them one of the most beautiful fish you'll pull over the rail. Plus, they're fantastic eating, so you'll want to keep a few for the dinner table.
Yellowtail Amberjack are the ultimate gamefish – strong, smart, and absolutely relentless fighters. These fish will test your drag system and your arms, making long runs toward the bottom and using their broad sides to fight you every inch of the way. San Diego yellowtail fishing is best from spring through fall, with fish ranging from 15-pound "firecracker" yellows up to 40-pound bruisers that'll make you question your gear choices. They're structure-oriented, so we'll often find them around underwater pinnacles, kelp forests, or temperature breaks where they ambush schools of sardines and anchovies.
Yellowfin Tuna represent the pinnacle of offshore fishing in San Diego waters. These fish are pure muscle and speed, capable of runs that'll strip line off your reel faster than you thought possible. Local yellowfin typically range from 15 to 60 pounds, with the occasional cow tuna pushing even bigger. They're most active during the warmer months, often traveling in schools with dolphins or feeding under bird activity. When a yellowfin takes your bait, there's no mistaking it – the initial run will have your rod bent double and your drag screaming. They fight all the way to the boat and never give
Meet "The Goose" – your ticket to San Diego's best offshore fishing grounds. This 37-foot walkaround is built for serious anglers who want to chase bluefin tuna, yellowtail, and mahi mahi in deeper waters. Twin FPT diesel engines get you to the fish fast, while the 360-degree fishability means everyone gets prime access to the action. The marlin tower gives your captain perfect visibility to spot feeding birds and bait schools, while FURUNO electronics and fish finders keep you on top of the hottest spots. Six anglers fish comfortably with plenty of elbow room, plus an enclosed helm keeps you out of the elements during long runs. The 6-scoop bait tank keeps your sardines lively, and when you hook into that trophy bluefin, there's room to fight it properly. Air conditioning, full galley, and onboard head mean you stay comfortable during those marathon 10-hour sessions. USCG-inspected and fully equipped with radar, GPS, and all safety gear – because the only thing better than landing fish is doing it safely.
Thunnus AtlanticusBlackfin are the smaller cousins in the tuna family, but what they lack in size they make up for in fight and flavor. These guys usually max out around 20-30 pounds, making them perfect for lighter tackle fishing. While they're more common in the Atlantic, we do see them occasionally in our warmer months when conditions are right. They prefer the upper water column in blue water, often mixed in with other tuna species. What's cool about blackfin is they're scrappy fighters that won't give up easily - pound for pound, they're as tough as any tuna out there. The meat has that rich, red tuna quality that's excellent for grilling or raw preparations. Since they've got sharp eyes, I always recommend scaling down your leader - try 30-pound fluorocarbon instead of heavier stuff. They can be spooky, so a more subtle presentation often makes the difference between getting bit and going home empty-handed.
Coryphaena HippurusThese golden beauties are what make offshore trips memorable. Mahi typically run 15-29 pounds around San Diego, though we see some pushing 40+ on good days. They're surface dwellers that love hanging under floating kelp, debris, or anything that creates shade in blue water. Summer through fall gives us our best shots when the water warms up and they move closer to our local grounds. What makes mahi special is that amazing color show - they'll flash electric blues and greens when hooked, then cycle through this wild light display as you fight them. The meat is fantastic too - firm, white, and mild. Here's a local trick: when you hook one, leave it in the water for a bit. Mahi are schoolfish, so that hooked fish will often call in its buddies, and you can get multiple hookups if you're ready with a second rod.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of our offshore fleet - fast, strong, and built for speed. Most of what we catch runs 30-80 pounds, though the bigger models can hit 100+. These torpedo-shaped fish cruise the upper water column in blue water, usually 15-30 miles offshore where the water temperature is right. They're around year-round but peak in late summer through fall. What draws people to yellowfin is that blistering run when hooked - they can hit 50 mph and will test your drag system for sure. The meat quality is outstanding too, perfect for searing or sashimi. They school with dolphins and birds, so we're always watching for surface activity. My advice: when you hook up, tighten that drag gradually as the fish tires. Start too tight and they'll snap you off on the first run. Too loose and you'll never get them up from 200 feet down.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail are the bulldogs of our local waters and one of our most reliable targets. These fish typically run 15-25 pounds, but don't let that fool you - they punch way above their weight class. You'll find them around Catalina, San Clemente Island, and the local kelp beds, especially during summer when warm water brings them up from Baja. They live near structure - rocky reefs, kelp forests, anywhere baitfish gather. What makes yellowtail so popular is that raw power when hooked. They'll make long, screaming runs toward the rocks, testing every knot and connection. Plus, they're prized in sushi bars for good reason - that rich, oily meat is perfect for the grill or raw preparations. Pro tip: when fighting a yellowtail, keep steady pressure but don't horse them. Let them run, then work them back slowly. Trying to muscle them up just makes them fight harder.
5.0 out of 5.0Started fishing with Captain Ray 5 years ago. His knowledge of how to fish, where to fish, tactics of fishing are off the charts. ...
Warning: do not book with Wild Goose if you don’t want to have a ton of fun and catch a bunch of fish. We booked an 8 hr offshore...
San Diego