Fishing in San Diego 2024

Summer is marked by the long-awaited sportfishing season in San Diego

Best time: April–October

San Diego's coastal waters allow many kinds of inshore and offshore fishing—whether you are an expert or a beginner. In San Diego, you can fish from the shoreline, a pier, from a kayak or any kind of boat. Usually, it takes about 20 minutes to get from San Diego Bay to some of the most productive fishing grounds in the world.

San Diego has a well-deserved reputation of the epicentre of Southern California sportfishing, as this area is blessed by warm ocean currents attracting migratory tuna and other tropical species.

You can go fishing year-round in San Diego and come back with a catch. However, the peak season for sportfishing is summer. April and October offer the largest number of seasonal species available. That's when anglers line up all the way from Baja to the Channel Islands, fishing for bluefin and yellowfin tuna as well as huge dorado species.

San Diego hosts Southern California’s biggest sportfishing fleet, boats of all sizes are in business during the whole summer for fishing trips lasting from a couple of hours to a couple of weeks.

Practical info

When is the best time to catch bluefin and yellowfin tuna in San Diego?

While San Diego's fishing season lasts all year round, the peak season to catch bluefin and yellowfin tuna are between April and October. These months are popular among anglers, due to the plethora of seasonal species available for offshore or inshore fishing. Although, summer months attract more visitors because many boats are available to take fishing trips which can range from a few hours to a couple of weeks.

Which fishing opportunities are possible from San Diego's coast?

San Diego's coast provides various fishing possibilities, including fishing from the shoreline, piers, boats, and kayaks. Inshore fishing is feasible throughout the year, perfect for beginners, while offshore fishing is available for experts. The famous Southern California sportfishing is the most popular offshore fishing activity during summer months. San Diego's waters are rich in various fish species such as mackerel, dorado, yellowtail, tuna, and many others.

What are some locations for sportfishing in San Diego?

There are numerous options for sportfishing in San Diego. San Diego Bay, La Jolla, Point Loma, Mission Bay, and Oceanside Harbor are popular spots with access to different fish species. Visitors can join organized fishing trips arranged by local sportfishing companies or try renting boats to explore offshore fishing locations outside the coastline. Kayak fishing is another option for inshore waters in San Diego.

Which fish species are quite common for catching in San Diego's waters?

A variety of fish species such as yellowtail, calico bass, bonito, mackerel, and rockfish are accessible all year round in San Diego's coastal waters. But during the summer season, tropical offshore waters attract migratory fish species such as tuna and dorado which can grow up to notable sizes, providing enjoyable challenges for anglers. Additionally, halibut, bass, swordfish, and shark are some other commonly caught fish species in San Diego.

What is the usual range of fishing trip durations in San Diego?

Fishing trips in San Diego may vary in duration from a few hours to a couple of days depending on the fishing type and target species. The party boats available can take a large number of passengers and provide fishing trips lasting up to a full day. Private boats are also an option that allows customized trips according to a visitor's preferences, ranging from a few hours to multiple days. Kayak fishing trips range from a few hours while other fishing trips may last longer.