Ocean fishing charters have been a mainstay of the Southern California coastal lifestyle for many generations. Boats ranging in size from a mere 25 feet, big enough for perhaps four anglers, to upwards of 100 feet with room for dozens of fishers, ply our waters virtually every day of the year, except in the worst weather, which of course, is rare.
You will find charter boats just about anywhere there is an anchorage or marina, including Los Angeles, Long Beach, Dana Point, San Diego and other locations and most day fishing charters on smaller boats typically last around four hours.
Having easy access to fishing grounds along the coast without the hassle of owning or maintaining a boat adds to the satisfaction we feel when we take off to the Channel Islands or just a few miles off the coast on a fishing charter to haul in a nice, big catch of ocean fish. Yellowtail, tuna, white seabass, halibut, barracuda, lingcod and sheepshead are just some of the species you can expect to find biting your hook and giving you a bit of fighting action before you haul up the beast and land it on deck.
While there are dozens of fishing tour operators along the SoCal coast, a handful stand out among the most highly rated. In Los Angeles Harbor, where fishing tours tend to be a bit less expensive than elsewhere, ROGEZAC Sportfishing ranks at the top of the list on Fishbooker.com. Capt. Roger has over 30 years’ experience and takes up to four anglers to Catalina or up to six individuals closer to the coast on his 30-foot Steiger Craft boat. The vessel carries four Shimano Baitrunner spincast rigs for beginners and heavier rigs for experienced anglers.
Capt. Harry owns and operates a 30-foot Don Blackman Billfisher boat that can safely take up to four anglers on coastal day fishing tours. Unlike some other charters, Capt. Harry supplies guests with rods, reels and other essential fishing tackle, all of which are carefully curated specifically for the species and sizes of fish you can expect to catch along the coast.
In Long Beach, Nemo Charters offers both weekday and weekend trips, which are priced the same but with times geared to the needs of each angling party. Their 21-foot Bayliner can take up to four anglers, and all rods, reels, tackle and bait are included in the package.
Capt. Ryan of Southern California Adventure in Long Beach operates a 42-foot cruising yacht complete with fishing gear, live bait and amenities, including a full galley for preparing food and berths for guests who need to take a nap. You can bring beer and wine aboard, but not spirits, and you are asked to keep alcohol consumption within reasonable limits.
For a fishing trip almost guaranteed to yield a nice haul, sign up for a day with Dana Wharf Sportfishing. Although they have been taking large groups out on Sum Fun for many years, they recently added another large sport fisher, San Mateo, to their fleet. Try your hand at catching your limit of mahi mahi, Pacific barracuda, cod, halibut, lingcod, white seabass, bonito, California sheephead, vermilion snapper, calico bass, scorpionfish, rockfish and more. Bring along the kids, and remember to drink in moderation during the cruise.
Hop aboard a posh, 32-foot Bayliner with Capt. Steven Locken at RockenReel Sportfishing in Dana Point for fishing inshore waters. All fishing tackle and bait are provided with the price, which is very affordable. If you need to take a break, you may enjoy the snacks and beverages provided or crash on a large, comfortable berth.
Whether you want to fish, go whale watching or take a day trip to Catalina, Capt. Nick Miraglia of Dana Point Custom Fishing Charters will see your needs are met aboard his 39-foot Luhrs, which can accept up to six guests. Not only are snacks and beverages provided, but crew will clean your catch. If you have never caught a fish before, this is the boat where beginners catch marlin – wow!
San Diego Bay is well known as a popular nexus for fishing and ocean travel, offering virtually every oceanic experience imaginable, with fishing being one of the most popular. Diamond Dogs Charters ranks among the most popular providers of fishing charters along the Southern California and Baja coasts. Capt. Al makes sure your sportfishing and eating needs are met, even providing electric fishing reels for deep fishing and swordfish. Bring along the kids, too! The vessel carries life vests for everyone, ranging from child to large adult.
Risen Tide Sportfishing, owned and operated by Capt. Eric Risen, is ready to put together a coastal fishing voyage to meet your specific desires, whether you want to fish inside the calm waters of San Diego Bay or try your skills in nearby coastal waters on his Skeeter SX240 bay boat. The boat features high-tech fishing finders and other electronics, so you are almost guaranteed to haul in a nice catch with Capt. Risen.
Although the fishing vessels and skippers listed here are among the most highly rated, dozens of other dependable, high-quality fishing charters can be found along the SoCal coast. Expect to pay anywhere from $400 to $750 for four hours for a party of up to four individuals on a fishing vessel measuring roughly 25 to 40 feet. Larger parties will cost more, but the boats are also generally larger, more stable in a seaway and equipped with more amenities, such as a wash basin for cleaning fish, larger bathrooms with flush toilets and so on.
Of course, you also will need a valid California Sport Fishing License with “Sport Ocean Enhancement Validation” to fish in California coastal waters. To qualify for the license, you will need to prove you have lived in California for at least six months, which is easily documented by your California Driver License. The total cost of the 2024 fishing license with sport ocean validation is $68.87, a small price when you consider all the fish you can catch in a year.
Get your fishing license, find the fishing charter best designed to meet your needs and catch lots of fish!
