San Diego

[gbb]

Heading to San Diego next Wed. for 5 days, wife has a conference. I would like to go out fishing for a half a day while there. Can any one recommend a charter boat?

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: San Diego

If you are a fly fisherman you may want to find a charter that caters to fly fishing for great whites, if it isn't the wrong time of year. Went there with the wife had a convention, was going to look up a guide that flyfished for great whites they are of the smaller size 4-6 feet that apparently hang out there. Make a long story short it rained every day that we were there with heavy seas so did not get to go fishing.

Hope you have a blast.

 

[gbb]

Re: San Diego

Wish I knew how to fly fish, that really sounds like a good time.

 

[QC]

Re: San Diego

It looks like it is just starting to transition to more of a summer pattern. It is still early for the more warm water fish to be coming up from Mexico, but there does appear to be the beginnings of a Yellowtail bite which is one of our most sought after local fish. Later in the year we start to see Dorado (Mahi-mahi), but too early for that. Try here: http://www.sportfishsandiego.com/

All of the half day boats are going to be about the same IMHO, just depends on who gets on the bite that day if there is one. I have a friend who goes after shark, but you won't see that with the half-day charters. If there are Yellows happening, that's what they will be chasing. Great fish for eating and 6 lbs and up are mega fighters. I am jinxed, I don't go out much, but I still have not boated one. We'll see some Barracuda and some small bass mixed in. Also some Bonito, but they have been sporadic and are considered junk for eating by many. They really fight though as they are basically a small tuna.

Have fun!! I'll check with my SD friends on their favorite boats for the heck of it.

 

[gbb]

Re: San Diego

Do you know if any of the boats are close to the convention center? If I have to take a cab not no big deal. With the wife busy, I will have some free time to fish. Thanks for the link.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: San Diego

All the San Diego Bay charters are off Shelter Island, which is a quick 2 or 3 mile cab ride up Harbor Drive from the Convention Center.

I am partial to H&M Landing, but truthfully for a 1/2 or 3/4 day, they are all the same. When looking up charters or rentals, make sure they are on San Diego Bay, not Mission Bay, those are different Bays

As was earlier mentioned, right now--around May to July--is, unfortunately, as close as we get around here to a "slow season" as regards fishing. Spring spawn is over, and Fall spawn is some time off. And Yellowtail are much more likely the closer you get to August/September.

1/2-day trip will go maybe 2-3 miles out, around the kelp beds. Those are going to be quite slow right now unless--as was also mentioned--YT are in close; and that's a serious crapshoot right now.

As the captain is going to spend a lot of time chasing around for fish this time of year, I would strongly suggest a 3/4-day trip to the Coronado Islands (Mexican waters). It will cost you more, but you will get much more fishing time and be more likely to find something to catch, whether that be calico, sand bass, or YT.

 

[duff]

Re: San Diego

you can fish from Embarcadero pier is free to fish from if you have your own gear with you or shelter island pier no fishing liscense required. any of the charters for 1/2 or 3/4 would be about the same. there is also a guide I would recommend http://www.thefishicon.com/fish-with-james/

great guy lots of knowledge of bays or lakes.

hope this helps

Duff

 

[ajgraz]

Re: San Diego

duff makes a good point; if you aren't looking to spend a lot of money, pier fishing is free (no license needed). But you'll be doing way more fishing than catching, if you know what I mean. And you'd be catching 90% small mackerel.

BTW, if you want to get the scoop from the true locals, check out:
www.sdfish.com

 

[gbb]

Re: San Diego

Thanks Guys, think I'm going to do a 1/2 day trip with HM