In the world of saltwater sportfishing, comfort can make or break the experience, especially for first-timers, children, or those prone to seasickness. For anglers departing out of Oceanside, one charter stands apart not only for its family-friendly approach but also for offering a smoother ride than anyone else around. Captain Chuck White, owner of Pacific Venture, operates the only six-pack charter boat in Southern California equipped with a Seakeeper gyro stabilization system — a cutting-edge technology that reduces up to 90% of the vessel’s roll. For families and novice anglers alike, this innovation turns what might have been a rocky, nauseating ride into a stable and enjoyable day on the water.
At its core, the Seakeeper is a highly engineered marine gyroscopic stabilizer that fights against the natural side-to-side rocking motion of a boat. The system works through a steel flywheel, spinning at thousands of revolutions per minute inside a vacuum-sealed sphere. When the boat begins to roll with the waves, the gyroscope shifts on hydraulic bearings, creating a counteracting force that pushes back against the motion in real time. The effect is dramatic: the boat holds a steady plane instead of lurching from side to side, giving passengers the feeling of balance even in choppy seas.
For larger yachts and commercial vessels, this technology is becoming increasingly common, but on small passenger boats it’s still rare — and for good reason. The units are expensive, installation is complex, and few operators see them as essential. Captain White, however, believed the investment would pay off for his clientele. “75% of my passengers are people who only go fishing once a year. I went for a test ride in a small boat in San Diego and I could tell how stable the boat was with it on. Many people charter the boat just because of their worry about being seasick,” he explained.
That decision has since become a defining feature of the Pacific Venture experience. Families who might otherwise hesitate to try a fishing charter are often amazed by how steady the boat feels once underway. “WOW is the answer,” White said, describing the reaction he usually hears from first-time passengers. “You can feel the boat kick back to hold level plane. Normally it will take half the roll out of the boat. I can’t say it stops seasickness, but it is a BIG help. Even when I travel alone on the boat I run it — because why not be comfortable?”
The benefits go beyond comfort. A stable deck means children can move about more safely, anglers can stand without bracing themselves against the rails, and even beginners feel confident enough to focus on learning how to cast and reel rather than worrying about their balance. The Seakeeper runs quietly below deck and requires no passenger input; once switched on, it continuously monitors and adjusts, making the stabilization process seamless and invisible. In short, it creates the kind of controlled environment that turns hesitant guests into repeat customers.
Pacific Venture Charter Service has been operating out of Oceanside since 1992, building a reputation for private fishing charters that are as welcoming to beginners as they are rewarding for seasoned anglers. “In 1992 I started chartering my boat from Oceanside Harbor — 33 years,” White said. “This year is the third year in a row I have been awarded Best of Oceanside for Sportfishing by the Oceanside Award Program.”
The vessel itself is designed with comfort and practicality in mind. “37′ Uniflite Sportfisher, custom modified in 1998 by adding 5.5′ of length to the fishing deck. We are limited to 6 passengers by the Coast Guard,” White said. The boat offers amenities that help create a homey, welcoming atmosphere: “Onboard we have a stand-up restroom, galley, sofa that seats 4, table that seats 4, 2 bunks, and an enclosed covered bridge that seats 4 plus the captain. We provide coffee and bottled water and all fishing tackle. They need to buy a fishing license if they are 16 years and older.”
Pacific Venture focuses on inshore trips — shorter runs that keep families close to shore while still offering exciting fishing opportunities. This direction reflects both Captain White’s personal comfort and his mission to make sportfishing accessible for everyone. “I have run offshore overnight charters for many years but now I am quite comfortable doing day trips where I am at home at night,” he said. “We enjoy teaching rookies, young and old people how to enjoy the sport of fishing. Our boat has more room on the fishing deck than most yachts.”
That hands-on, beginner-friendly service is a hallmark of Pacific Venture. “First we show them how to hold the pole. We will start them out with sinkers to start. After they are comfortable with that we will show them how to cast. We bait their hook, we take the fish off the hook, take their picture with the fish, then let it go if they do not want to keep it. We keep the catch on ice. We also filet the fish and give it back in a zip lock bag,” White explained.
Rather than chasing pelagic giants offshore, Captain White and his crew target approachable inshore species like calico bass, sand bass, sheephead, halibut, rockfish, and barracuda. This makes for steady action and a rewarding catch rate without requiring long, fuel-intensive travel or intense physical demands. It also opens the door to shorter trips — perfect for kids or busy families looking to fit a little ocean time into a packed summer schedule.
White’s lifelong connection to boating helps fuel his passion for creating memorable experiences on the water. “I got my first power boat in 1955. A 12′ skiff. For a year I lived on a 42′ Trawler with my wife and two daughters — a 6 month old and 5 year old,” he recalled. Decades later, that passion translates into a charter service known for blending comfort, technology, and personal attention.
Charters are all-inclusive, providing everything from tackle and bait to snacks, coffee, and bottled water. The only thing anglers need to bring is a valid California fishing license, which can be purchased online before the trip. For those planning a special occasion, the charter also accommodates custom excursions, including whale watching, coastal cruising, and support services for at-sea events or marine research.
And for those located farther north in Southern California seeking the same kind of beginner-focused experience, Marina del Rey Sportfishing offers a similarly friendly and accessible introduction to saltwater angling. Based out of 13759 Fiji Way on the Marina’s Main Channel, this operation has been part of the harbor since its earliest days. As owner Rick Oefinger explained, “Marina del Rey Sportfishing was one of the first viable businesses in Marina del Rey. They pretty much opened the harbor, and Marina del Rey Sportfishing was here. We’ve been through a couple of different ownerships over the last 60-almost-years. But I came to Marina del Rey in 1990 and bought a boat that was ready out of here. It was an opportunity to start a business and take the landing over, in ’96 or something like that, and I just jumped in and took over the lease and we’ve been going since then under my stewardship and we’ve been doing really well.”
Today, the operation remains as welcoming as ever. “Beginners and first timers and families and singles and couples and gals and guys come on our boats all the time, and our boats are staffed with professional crews. Our company is really rock solid. We’ve got a core group that’s been together for years on all the boats, and we’re just really good at taking care of people and giving the basic instructions,” Oefinger said.
Being based in Marina del Rey means the clientele is as diverse as the city itself. “You can imagine being in Marina del Rey, we get people from all over the world who come out and just want to spend some time on the water in the Pacific Ocean, and maybe catch a fish in the process. So we do a really good job of instructing, and people should never be shy or nervous about coming out. And we have everything you need here, too.”
That convenience is part of the draw. “Unlimited live bait is included, they carry fishing licenses, and they have tackle available to rent. All of our boats have wonderful licensed, inspected A-grade galley aboard serving fresh wholesome food and ice cold or hot drinks,” Oefinger noted.
Most trips are designed to keep things simple and comfortable. “The bulk of our trips are half-days, which are 4-and-a-half, five-hour trips. Most of the time we were fishing within about 15 miles of Marina del Rey in the Santa Monica Bay, and we won’t venture too far from home. You [beginners] can feel perfectly comfortable going on any one of our trips.”
And while he now leaves most of the skippering to his team, Oefinger still occasionally takes the helm. “Sometimes they let me out [to captain the boat] but I have to have permission to run my own boats anymore,” he laughed. “The young guys do a really good job, they’re all great.”
Whether you’re fishing from Oceanside with Pacific Venture or heading out from Los Angeles with Marina del Rey Sportfishing, Southern California offers a wide range of opportunities for beginners to enjoy their first saltwater fishing adventure. Both operations provide hands-on support, a gentle learning curve, and comfortable rides that transform a first trip into a lasting love for life on the water.
To book a trip with Pacific Venture Charter Services, visit pacific-venture.com or call (760) 435-0045. For Marina del Rey Sportfishing, head to mdrsf.com to reserve a spot.
