Epic 12-Hour San Diego Offshore Fishing Adventure

Published Date: July 17, 2025
Fishing

San Diego
$1,100 - $6,500 price range
Updated Date: November 1, 2025

Summary

Get ready for an epic day of fishing off the San Diego coast with California Sport Fishing Co. We'll leave Mission Bay at 5:30 AM and spend a full 12 hours on the water chasing some of SoCal's most exciting catches. Within 30 miles of shore, we'll be targeting bluefin and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, and yellowtail. The summer waters bring these big game fish close to home, so no passport needed for this offshore adventure. Our boat takes up to 6 guests, perfect for giving everyone plenty of room to land the big one. We'll keep you fueled up with breakfast, lunch, and drinks provided. Whether you're an experienced angler or trying offshore fishing for the first time, our guides will make sure you have the best shot at hooking into some trophy fish. By the time we dock at 5:30 PM, you'll have stories and hopefully some fresh fish to take home.

Epic 12-Hour San Diego Offshore Fishing Adventure

Rods Bent, Reels Screaming

3 big fish caught during fishing tours in CA

Family 12 hour offshore trip

Two blackfin tuna fish caught in San Diego

Randy and Ruby with two beautiful YFT

Blackfin tuna, 36-inch fish, fishing in CA

Paul with a beautiful school grade BFT

Nate posing with a monster Bluefin

San Diego's Ultimate Offshore Fishing Adventure

Hey there, fellow anglers! Ready for the fishing trip of a lifetime? You're in for a real treat with this extended full-day guided fishing trip off the coast of San Diego. We're talking about some serious offshore action here – Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Amberjack are all on the menu. Trust me, as someone who's been fishing these waters for years, this is the kind of trip that'll have you telling stories for months.

What to Expect on the Water

Alright, let's break it down. We're pushing off from the dock at the crack of dawn – 5:30 AM sharp. I know, I know, it's early, but trust me, it's worth it. We'll be out on the water for a full 12 hours, giving you plenty of time to land that trophy catch. We're talking about exploring up to 30 miles offshore, right where the big boys like to hang out. And don't worry about packing a lunch – we've got you covered with breakfast and lunch on board, plus all the non-alcoholic drinks you need to stay hydrated. Oh, and here's a bonus – no passport required for this trip!

Top Catches This Season

So what's biting out there? Well, let me tell you, when the water heats up, it's like a pelagic paradise. We're targeting some real heavy-hitters: Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowtail. These are the kind of fish that'll make your arms ache and your heart race. We'll be using a mix of techniques depending on what's working best – trolling, live bait fishing, maybe even some kite fishing if conditions are right. Our boat's equipped with top-notch gear, but if you've got a favorite rod you want to bring along, by all means!

Why Anglers Keep Coming Back

Look, I've been guiding trips like this for years, and I can tell you, there's nothing quite like the thrill of hooking into a big tuna or watching a Mahi Mahi light up the water with those electric blue colors. But it's not just about the fish – it's about the whole experience. The sun rising over the Pacific, the salty breeze in your face, the camaraderie with your fellow anglers. And with a max of 6 guests on board, you're guaranteed plenty of personal attention and prime fishing spots. It's the kind of day that reminds you why you fell in love with fishing in the first place.

Species You'll Want to Hook

Let's talk about the stars of the show, starting with the Mahi Mahi, or as we sometimes call 'em, Dorado. These guys are like the acrobats of the sea – they'll jump, they'll run, they'll do everything they can to throw that hook. They're most active in the warmer months, and let me tell you, there's nothing like seeing that flash of gold and blue come up beside the boat. Plus, they're delicious if you're looking to take some fish home for dinner.

Next up, we've got the Pacific Bluefin Tuna. These are the bruisers of the bunch. We're talking about fish that can easily top 100 pounds, and they fight like their life depends on it. They're usually hanging out in cooler, deeper waters, so we might have to work for them, but man, when you hook into one of these, you'll know it. They're most abundant from late spring through fall.

The Yellowtail Amberjack, or just Yellowtail as we call 'em, are another favorite. These guys are like freight trains – when they hit, they hit hard and they don't stop running. They love structure, so we'll be looking for kelp paddies or underwater banks. They're around pretty much year-round, but summer and fall are prime time.

Last but definitely not least, we've got the Yellowfin Tuna. These are the speedsters of the tuna world. They're not usually as big as the Bluefin, but what they lack in size they make up for in pure, blistering speed. When a school of Yellowfin gets fired up, it's like nothing else – the water just explodes with activity. They start showing up in good numbers as the water warms up in late spring and stick around well into fall.

Time to Book Your Spot

Alright, let's wrap this up. If you're looking for a world-class offshore fishing experience right here in San Diego, this is it. We're talking about a full day on the water, targeting some of the most exciting gamefish in the Pacific. With everything provided – from gear to meals – all you need to bring is your sense of adventure and maybe a camera to document your catches. These trips tend to fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait too long to lock in your spot. Trust me, whether you're a seasoned angler or this is your first time going after the big ones, this is a trip you won't forget. So what are you waiting for? Let's get you out on the water and into some fish!

Learn more about the species

Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish

Mahi Mahi are a blast to catch off San Diego. These colorful fish average 15-30 pounds but can get up to 50. Look for them near floating debris or weed lines, especially in warmer months. They're fast swimmers and put up a great fight on light tackle. Mahi love to chase flying fish, so skipping baits on the surface is a good bet. For the best action, keep an eye out for frigate birds - they'll often lead you right to the fish. Mahi are also excellent eating, with a mild, sweet flavor that's great grilled or as sashimi. Pro tip: if you hook one, leave it in the water. The rest of the school will often stick around, giving you a shot at multiple fish.

Pacific Bluefin Tuna

Pacific Bluefin are the prized catch in our waters. These monsters can top 1,000 pounds, though 100-200 pounders are more common here. They show up off San Diego from spring through fall, usually in deeper offshore waters. Bluefin are incredibly powerful and can swim over 40 mph, so be ready for a serious fight. They're highly sought after for sushi, often fetching crazy prices in Japan. To land one, you'll need heavy-duty gear and plenty of stamina. Chumming with live bait like mackerel or sardines can get them fired up. Once hooked, take it slow and steady - these fish have incredible endurance. It's a bucket list fish for many anglers, both for the challenge and the bragging rights.

Yellowfin Tuna

Yellowfin tuna are a summertime staple off San Diego. These sleek, powerful fish average 30-60 pounds but can top 200. Look for them in the upper 300 feet of water, often associating with porpoise schools. They're incredibly fast swimmers, capable of 50 mph bursts. Yellowfin put up an amazing fight, making long runs and acrobatic jumps. They're also prized for sushi and grilling. To catch them, try trolling with cedar plugs or skirted lures. When you find a school, switching to live bait like sardines can be deadly. Here's a pro tip: if the fish are being finicky, try "chunking" - cutting up pieces of bait and tossing them overboard to draw the tuna up. It's an exciting fishery that keeps anglers coming back year after year.

Yellowtail Amberjack

Yellowtail are a local favorite here in San Diego. These hard-fighting fish typically run 15-25 pounds but can get up to 40. You'll find them around kelp beds, reefs, and other structure, often in 50-200 feet of water. They're most active in summer when our coastal waters warm up. Yellowtail hit hard and run fast, so be ready for some screaming drags. They're great eating too, popular in sushi or grilled. Live bait like sardines or mackerel works well, but you can also catch them on jigs or surface irons. Here's a local trick: if you see bait getting nervous on the surface, cast beyond it and retrieve quickly. Yellowtail often chase bait to the top, creating exciting topwater strikes.

About the Hot Reeling

Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6

Manufacturer Name: Detroit

Maximum Cruising Speed: 12

Number of Engines: 2

Horsepower per Engine: 800

Hop aboard for a full day of offshore action in the waters off San Diego. We'll set out early at 5:30 AM, giving us plenty of time to chase after some of SoCal's most prized catches. Bluefin and yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, and yellowtail are all on the menu, and we'll be fishing within 30 miles of Mission Bay. No need to worry about food - we've got breakfast and lunch covered, plus drinks to keep you hydrated throughout the day. This 12-hour trip offers ample opportunity to reel in some impressive fish and soak up the Pacific sunshine. Best of all, you won't need a passport for this offshore adventure. Grab your sunscreen and join us for a proper day out on the water - we'll have you back at the dock by 5:30 PM with some great stories to tell.

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