Find a Fishing Buddy in San Diego
California
San Diego is the sportfishing capital of the West Coast. The long-range fleet leaves from here for tuna, and even a half-day trip can put you on yellowtail, calico bass, and halibut along the Point Loma kelp. In the warm months the offshore bite for bluefin and yellowfin tuna and dorado can be world-class within range of a day boat, while the kelp beds and bays hold calico (kelp) bass, sand bass, halibut, and the occasional white seabass all year. MyFishingBuds connects San Diego-area anglers so you can split a private charter, share a panga on the bay, or find a partner for the next tuna trip when the fish show up offshore.
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When to fish San Diego
The inshore fishery — calico bass, sand bass, halibut in Mission and San Diego Bays — runs all year, best in spring through fall. The offshore tuna season is what San Diego is famous for: bluefin can show as early as spring and hold into fall or even winter, and yellowfin and dorado fill in from mid-summer through October when warm water pushes up from Mexico. Yellowtail bite the Point Loma kelp and the Coronado Islands spring through fall. Winter slows offshore but rockfish (opening seasonally) and bay halibut keep the local fleet busy.
→ Today's best fishing times in San Diego (sunrise, sunset & moon)Top species
- 🎣 Yellowtail
- 🎣 Bluefin Tuna
- 🎣 Yellowfin Tuna
- 🎣 Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
- 🎣 Calico Bass (Kelp Bass)
- 🎣 California Halibut
Where to fish
- 📍 Point Loma kelp beds
- 📍 La Jolla
- 📍 Coronado Islands
- 📍 Mission Bay
- 📍 Offshore banks (9-Mile, 425)
Local tips for San Diego
The Point Loma landings — Point Loma Sportfishing, Fisherman's Landing, and H&M Landing — run open-party boats from half-day inshore trips to multi-day long-range tuna runs, and they are the cheapest way to sample the fishery. Mission Bay is the best spot for a kayak or small boat: halibut on the flats and calicos along the jetties. Note that fishing the Coronado Islands means crossing into Mexican waters — you need a Mexican fishing permit for that trip. For a first tuna run, go with a buddy who has done it; the tackle and technique are specialized.
🪪 California fishing license
Anglers fishing in San Diego need a valid California fishing license. Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our complete state-by-state guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
See California license prices →San Diego fishing FAQ
Do I need a fishing license to fish in San Diego?▾
Yes, for anglers 16 and older fishing from private boats or shore. However, ocean party boats (the Point Loma sportfishing fleet) carry a one-day license you can buy onboard, so you do not need your own license for those trips. See our California license guide for current annual and short-term prices.
When is tuna season in San Diego?▾
Bluefin tuna can show as early as spring and hold into late fall; yellowfin tuna and dorado are typically mid-summer through October when warm water moves up from Mexico. The exact timing shifts every year with water temperature, so it pays to fish with a buddy who tracks the reports and the fleet.
Do I need a Mexican permit to fish the Coronado Islands?▾
Yes. The Coronado Islands lie in Mexican waters, so any trip there requires a Mexican fishing permit (and passengers should carry ID). Many San Diego charter and party boats that run the Islands handle the permits for you — confirm when you book.
What can I catch from shore or a kayak in San Diego?▾
Mission Bay and San Diego Bay hold California halibut, spotted bay bass, and calico bass around the jetties and flats — ideal for kayaks and small boats. Shore anglers fish the Ocean Beach Pier, Crystal Pier, and the La Jolla shoreline for surfperch, bass, halibut, and the occasional yellowtail off the kelp.
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