Private 12-Hour Offshore Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
12-hour offshore charter targeting Bluefin and Yellowfin TunaExtended time allows reaching outer banks for premium catchesAll fishing gear included with 6-guest capacity limit
When you're serious about putting quality fish in the cooler, this extended offshore charter gives you the time and range to make it happen. Wild Goose Fishing Charters runs this 12-hour deep sea adventure specifically for anglers who want to chase the big pelagics that San Diego waters are famous for. We're talking Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, and other prime species that require patience, skill, and most importantly—time on the water. This isn't a quick run to the kelp beds; we're heading to the outer banks where the real action happens, and we'll stay out there until we find what we're after.
This charter is built for anglers who understand that the best fishing often happens when you've got the flexibility to follow the fish wherever they're biting. With 12 hours at our disposal, we can run further offshore than shorter trips allow, hitting spots that day boats simply can't reach. The extended timeframe means we're not rushing back to the dock when the bite turns on in the afternoon—a common scenario that shorter charters miss entirely. You'll be fishing with a maximum of 6 anglers, so there's plenty of room to work and everyone gets their shot at the action. The boat comes equipped with all the tackle you'll need, from heavy conventional setups for the big tuna to lighter gear for working the smaller pelagics. Just bring your fishing license, plenty of food and drinks for the long day, and be ready for some serious fishing.
We'll be running a mix of techniques depending on what we're marking and where the fish are holding. Trolling is our bread and butter for covering water and locating active schools—we'll pull spreads of cedar plugs, feathers, and larger lures to draw strikes from tuna and dorado. Once we find them, we switch to live bait fishing with sardines or anchovies, which is deadly effective on these pelagic species. The boat carries heavy conventional reels spooled with 40-80 pound test for the big bluefin, plus lighter setups for yellowtail and smaller tuna. When conditions allow, we'll also work jigs and surface iron, especially around kelp paddies or temperature breaks where fish tend to concentrate. The extended trip time means we can afford to work spots thoroughly instead of making quick passes, and we'll adjust our approach based on what the fish finder shows us and how the fish are responding.
Mahi Mahi, or dorado as we call them locally, are absolute fighters that'll test your drag and put on a spectacular aerial show. These fish typically run 15-30 pounds in our waters, with larger bulls pushing 40+ during peak season. Summer through fall is prime time for dorado, especially around floating kelp paddies and debris lines where they ambush baitfish. What makes them so exciting is their aggressive nature—they'll hit everything from trolled lures to live bait, and once hooked, they go ballistic with jumps and long runs. The meat is top-notch too, making them a favorite for both the fight and the table.
Yellowtail Amberjack are another staple that keeps anglers coming back year after year. These fish average 20-40 pounds but can reach 60+ pounds for real trophy specimens. They're most active spring through fall, and they love structure like kelp beds, seamounts, and rocky areas. Yellowtail are notorious for their powerful initial runs and their ability to find every piece of structure to wrap your line around. They're incredibly line-shy, so we often fish them on lighter 25-30 pound test with fluorocarbon leaders. The extended trip time gives us multiple opportunities to work different yellowtail spots throughout the day.
Yellowfin Tuna represent some of the finest offshore fishing San Diego has to offer. These fish can range from school-size 15-25 pounders to massive 100+ pound giants that'll test every piece of equipment on the boat. Peak season runs late summer through early winter, though we see them year-round in deeper water. Yellowfin are incredibly fast and powerful—their initial run can strip 200 yards of line before you can blink. They often travel in schools, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. The meat quality is outstanding, whether you're grilling steaks or making sashimi.
Blackfin Tuna are smaller than their yellowfin cousins but pound-for-pound they're some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters. Typically running 10-25 pounds, they make up for their size with pure speed and endurance. These fish are more common during warmer months and they're often found mixed in with yellowfin schools or around bait concentrations. Blackfin are perfect on lighter tackle—they'll give you an honest fight without requiring the heavy gear needed for larger tuna species. They're also excellent eating and perfect for anglers who want to experience tuna fishing without the equipment-busting power of the bigger species.
This 12-hour offshore charter represents serious value for dedicated anglers who want to maximize their chances of success. The extended time on the water, combined with the boat's ability to reach prime offshore grounds, gives you opportunities that shorter trips simply can't match. Whether you're targeting trophy bluefin, loading up on yellowfin for the freezer, or looking to experience the variety that San Diego's offshore waters provide, this trip delivers. With Wild Goose Fishing Charters' local knowledge and commitment to putting you on fish, you're setting yourself up for the kind of day that becomes the standard by which you measure all future fishing trips. Don't wait—prime offshore fishing windows fill up fast, and the best dates book weeks in advance.
Meet "The Goose" – your ticket to serious offshore action in San Diego waters. This 37-foot walkaround is built for hardcore fishing with 360-degree fishability, so you can work every angle when the tuna are running hot. Twin FPT diesels get you to the outer banks fast, while the marlin tower gives you the high vantage point to spot feeding birds and boiling water. The enclosed helm keeps you comfortable during long runs, and with FURUNO electronics, radar, and fish finders, you'll stay on top of the bite even when conditions get tricky. The 6-scoop bait tank keeps your sardines lively, and there's plenty of deck space for up to 6 anglers to battle bluefin without getting tangled up. When you need a break from the action, grab a cold one from the fridge or icebox, catch some tunes on the sound system, or cool off with the AC. The onboard head and galley mean you're set for those marathon 12-hour trips chasing yellowfin to the horizon. USCG-inspected and fully insured – this boat is ready to put you on the fish when they're biting deep.
Thunnus AtlanticusWhile blackfin aren't common in San Diego waters, when they do show up during warmer El Niño years, they're a treat to catch. These smaller tunas max out around 30 pounds but typically run 8-15 pounds - perfect for lighter tackle. They prefer warm water above 68°F and usually stick close to continental shelves in blue water. Being the smallest of the tuna family, they make up for size with attitude, putting up scrappy fights with quick runs and sharp direction changes. The dark body with yellow highlights makes them easy to identify, and the meat is surprisingly good for their size - great for the grill or sashimi. When targeting them, downsize everything - they've got sharp eyes and spook easily. Try small hooks, light fluorocarbon leaders, and scale down your baits. Vertical jigs work well when you mark them deep.
Coryphaena HippurusDorado are some of the most colorful fish you'll target on our long-range trips. They typically run 15-30 pounds, though we see bigger bulls pushing 40+ during peak season. These fast-growing fish live around floating debris, kelp patties, and current breaks in the upper water column. Summer through fall gives us the best action when water temps climb above 70°F. What makes them special is that light show they put on when hooked - flashing gold, green, and blue before settling into that beautiful golden color. They fight hard with lots of jumps and long runs. The meat is excellent eating too - firm, white, and mild. Pro tip: when you spot one, stick around and work the area thoroughly. Dorado usually travel in schools, so where there's one, there's often more.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the bread and butter of our offshore game, typically running 20-80 pounds with occasional triple-digit fish that'll make your day. These torpedo-shaped speedsters cruise the top 300 feet of blue water, often 20+ miles offshore where the water's clear and deep. Peak season runs June through October, but we find them year-round in our warmer waters. What sets them apart is pure speed and endurance - they can hit 50 mph and fight for an hour straight. The meat is top-shelf sashimi quality, second only to bluefin. They school up and feed aggressively on bait balls, making for some explosive surface action. My go-to technique is chunking with live sardines when the bite gets tough. Get them feeding behind the boat with small pieces of bait, then drop back a hooked sardine on light line.
Seriola LalandiYellowtail are the bruisers of our local waters, averaging 15-25 pounds with occasional 40+ pounders that'll test your arms. You'll find them around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and underwater structure from the surface down to 200 feet. They're most active during summer when warm water pushes up from Baja, especially around Catalina and San Clemente Islands. What draws people back is the fight - these fish are incredibly strong swimmers that'll make long, powerful runs toward structure. The yellowish fins give them away, and the meat is prized for sushi-grade quality. They're not picky eaters, but live bait works best. Here's the key: once you hook up, don't let them get back to the rocks. Use heavy tackle and steady pressure to turn their head - if they reach structure, you're probably done.
San Diego