Mahi-Mahi Fishing in San Diego
California
Mahi-Mahi is one of the species anglers target most around San Diego, California. MyFishingBuds matches you with local anglers who chase Mahi-Mahi on Point Loma kelp beds and La Jolla so you can share a boat, split costs, and learn the water faster.
57 anglers on MyFishingBuds are targeting Mahi-Mahi.
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Mahi-Mahi at a glance
- Scientific name
- Coryphaena hippurus
- IGFA record
- 87 lbs
- Max length
- 72 in
- Preferred water temp
- 72–84°F
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)Where to fish for Mahi-Mahi in San Diego
- 📍 Point Loma kelp beds
- 📍 La Jolla
- 📍 Coronado Islands
- 📍 Mission Bay
- 📍 Offshore banks (9-Mile, 425)
🪪 California fishing license
Anglers targeting Mahi-Mahi in San Diego need a valid California fishing license. Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our complete guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
California fishing license cost 2026 →Mahi-Mahi in San Diego: FAQ
Do I need a fishing license to catch Mahi-Mahi in San Diego?▾
Yes. Anglers fishing in San Diego need a valid California fishing license (with the right freshwater or saltwater privileges for where you fish). Resident, non-resident, and short-term options are all available — see our California guide for current 2026 prices and direct purchase links.
When is the best time to fish for Mahi-Mahi near 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.
How do I find a Mahi-Mahi fishing buddy in San Diego?▾
Create a free MyFishingBuds profile, set Mahi-Mahi as a target species, and pick San Diego as your area. You'll be matched with nearby anglers who target the same species and fish a similar style, so you can plan a trip, share a boat, and split the costs.
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