Best Times & Seasons to Fish San Diego (Complete Guide)
San Diego is one of the best fishing destinations on the west coast. Knowing when certain species of fish bite can make a huge difference in your success and enjoyment.
Fishing in San Diego is good year-round, though it tends to peak between April to October. Winter fishing in the San Diego area tends to be the slowest fishing time of the year.
| Fish Species | Best Seasons to Catch Them in San Diego |
| Tuna | July through October |
| Bonefish | Mornings; June through August |
| Yellowtail Amberjack | April through September |
| California Halibut | May through October |
| Starry Rockfish | October to December |
| Vermillion Rockfish | March through June |
| White Seabass | March through June |
The weather is great all year round making the fishing to be great all year, too, with many species calling San Diego Bay, and the surrounding waters, home. The problem comes, however, from not knowing the terrain and which spots house the biggest fish. That’s what I’m hoping to help you with within this article.
Best Time to Fish San Diego
Many local anglers consider April to October to be the best time to fish in San Diego. Though the waters in San Diego Bay only drop to 59 feet, just outside the bay the waters quickly drop to several thousand feet deep, making it the perfect home for large fish.
With its warm climate all year round, the fish tend to come around San Diego and stay there, many species never migrating out. That has made for a great and diverse fishery population and made San Diego a great place to catch world-class fish.
The islands around San Diego Bay tend to be a complete fishing destination in themselves. If venturing to one of the many islands, they tend to peak from May to September, with some species able to be caught well into the late fall and winter months.
San Diego Species Breakdown: Best Times
San Diego Bay is home to some of the world’s best species. Here we break down some of the most popular and when during the year they tend to peak.
California Halibut
What makes the halibut, and specifically the California Halibut, so popular is its taste. Plus, they are found in large supply around the Bay.
May through October is when this species peaks and you can expect to find them in shallower waters around rocks and eelgrass beds.
Also, you’re likely to have the most success when fishing during the early morning hours as they are able to come into areas during high tide, they normally wouldn’t have access to.
For a complete breakdown of the best time to catch halibut, please check out this helpful article.
White Seabass
Though not a bass at all, the white seabass is another popular fish found around San Diego. Though they average in the 20-pound range, they have been known to tip the scales at 80+.
Another point that makes the white seabass such a popular fish is that they are found everywhere, from the bays inshore to the deepwater offshore. They spawn between March and June, making this the perfect time to go for them.
Rockfish
Many species of rockfish can be found in the waters around San Diego. Though they are similar in many ways, the two most popular species of rockfish in San Diego are starry and vermillion rockfish.
Starry rockfish peak between October and December while vermillion peak from March to June. Look for them around rocky embankments and the rocky bottoms and, the deeper you go, the bigger they’ll be.
Tuna
Tuna is just as popular in San Diego as they are in any other part of the world. July through October is when these fish peak in San Diego.
The species found around San Diego range from Yellowfin and bigeye all the way to the larger bluefin tuna. Catalina and San Clemente islands tend to be where many find success as the waters in this area are some of the deepest around San Diego.
Yellowtail Amberjack
This is perhaps the most popular species found around San Diego with two major parts of water being the prime source: the Southern California and Baja California waters.
Each location brings its own kind of amberjack fishing. Southern California waters tend to bring more seasonal fish with fewer sticking around after spawning while Baja amberjack tend to be larger and more likely to be around all year. The peak season for amberjack is April to September.
Bonefish
If you’re fishing in the flats and shallow waters of San Diego, chances are you’re going after bonefish. While they are a great fish to catch, bonefish peak only for a short time in San Diego.
The peak season for bonefish is April and Mar, though they can be spotted up till October, depending on the conditions.
Recommended Fishing Charters in San Diego
These San Diego-based charters have earned great reviews from anglers and will offer you a tremendous service. The captains are knowledgeable, friendly, and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Type of Fishing Offered |
| Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters | Backcountry, Nearshore & Inshore |
| Zenmar Offshore Action | Backcountry, Nearshore & Inshore |
| San Diego Charters | Inshore & Offshore |
| Pelican Sportfishing | Inshore & Offshore |
| Risen Tide Sportfishing | Inshore & Offshore |
Best Time of Day to Fish San Diego
The morning hours are, by far, the best time of day to fish in San Diego. As you stroll the beaches in the morning, you’ll notice line after line of anglers setting up on the shore.
As you walk the docks, fishing charters are launching towards the deep waters early in the morning to get to the fishing waters just as the bite is heating up.
That being said, it is extremely likely you will have a successful fishing trip no matter what time of the day you go out.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish near Ensenada, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
San Diego Fishing & Tidal Impacts
Tides have a large impact on the fishing around San Diego, both on a daily and monthly basis. Each day, as the tides change, the activity level of the fish increases.
This is because the movement of the water stirs up debris and small fish from the bottom which, in turn, gives the larger fish more to eat.
Tides also have a large effect on the shallower waters as high tide offers the best opportunity to fish these eaters. As San Diego Bay is 59 feet deep at its lowest point, high tide is when you’ll find the most activity in the Bay.
Tides change monthly, as well. As the moon goes through its phases, this has an effect on how much the tides change. A full moon means the tides are higher than during other times of the month.
Top Fishing Spots in San Diego
Imperial Beach Pier
Imperial Beach Pier is one of the top-rated fishing piers in San Diego. It is 1,491 feet long and goes out into waters around 20 feet deep.
Because of its length, it offers a vast array of fishing opportunities. Closer to the shore you can catch surfperch, corbina, and croaker, with the occasional rockfish and seabass. Further out you will likely catch the occasional barracuda, as well as bonito and mackerel.
Mission Bay
Halibut, bay bass, and corvina are just a few of the species you can expect to find in Mission Bay. Though not a deep-sea fishing attraction, Mission Bay is perfect for families as the shorelines are clean and accessible while any amenity you could ever need is within walking distance.
And, though small boats are a popular way to fish Mission bay, throwing a line from the shore is just as likely to bring success.
La Jolla
La Jolla is the epitome of year-round fishing. The kelp forests make an excellent source of barracuda and calico bass, not to mention the bountiful supply of halibut, lingcod, and yellowtail.
Though there are local charters you can hire to fish La Jolla, you are just as sure to have success on your own, the fishing here is that good. It’s also popular among kayak fishermen as the waters are calm most all year.
Catalina & San Clemente islands
If Deep Sea fishing is what you came to San Diego for, these islands are likely to be your destination. They are home to the largest fish in San Diego and some of the largest in all of the Pacific.
You can find large tuna, dorado, and yellowtails, not to mention sharks and marlins as well. You will need a full-day trip, though, as these islands are 70 miles from San Diego Bay. It is worth it, though, as you will truly have the fishing experience of a lifetime.
Coronado Islands
The Coronado Islands are likely to be the first stop you make on a long-range, multi-day fishing charter as they are just over the Mexican border. While that means added expense and preparations, which include a passport, the fishing here is incredible.
The fish here are enormous and include yellowtail, dorado, and tuna just to name a few. And, as the climate is great all year round, the fishing here is great any time of the year.
For a complete breakdown of the best deep-sea fishing spots in California, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in California, please check out this helpful guide.
Booking Fishing Charters in San Diego
Though it’s easy to rent a boat and go it alone, to have the most success in your fishing trip, you’ll want to book a fishing charter with a local captain who knows where the fish will be.
Plus, many charters provide the licensing and other requirements needed to fish in San Diego, ensuring you’re not breaking any laws when doing so. But when should you book a charter?
In this section, we’re going to explore when to book your fishing charter and what other details you should pay attention to.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Rosarito, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
Best Season to Go
Many consider the Spring and summer months to be the best seasons to fish in San Diego, and they would be right. This also is the busiest tourist time of the year, meaning the competition for a good fishing charter is fierce.
However, San Diego is a true year-round fishery. This means if you have the flexibility to plan your trip outside of the summer months, you are sure to have just as much success.
Also, the winter tends to bring large numbers of tourists escaping the cold weather of the north. This is especially the case during the major holidays. This also tends to make the fishing charters more expensive as the demand spikes again. Keep this in mind when planning your trip.
Morning Vs. Afternoon
You’ll find many charters allow you to pick which time you want to disembark. This is especially the case with half-day charters. And while anytime is a great time to fish, there are some differences between fishing in the morning verse the afternoon.
Low-light times tend to be the best to find sports fishing species the most active. This means in the early morning and late evening, as the sun is rising and setting respectively, is when you are more likely to have the best success.
The low light allows for a more aggressive feeding tactic, making the fish more likely to strike your bait. Late Morning and early evening also tend to coincide with the tidal change, which is another extremely active time for fish.
Trip Length
There are three main lengths of trips you will find in fishing charters around San Diego: half-day, full-day, and multi-day. Let’s break down each one.
Half-Day
As we mentioned earlier, San Diego is close to some of the deepest waters of the Pacific. This equals less travel time to some of the hottest locales. This makes half-day trips especially popular in San Diego as they tend to be very fruitful while not requiring a full day spent on the water.
That being said, there are some species you won’t be able to target while on a half-day trip simply because the fight time of the larger species is longer than what a half-day would allow.
Full-Day
Full-day fishing charters are extremely popular, making them expensive but well worth the money considering the types of fish you will be able to target.
A full-day trip can range from 8-12 hours on the water, depending on which species you’re targeting that day. Also, while you have the ability to control your launch times with a half-day trip, full-day charter captains often leave the dock at first light, between 6 and 7 in the morning.
Multi-day Trips
Though not as popular of an option as the other two, multi-day trips are available in San Diego. Often, these multi-day charters are designed to take you into the waters of Mexico, offering an entirely new and unique fishing experience, as well as some beautiful scenery.
If you are planning to take a multi-day charter into Mexican waters, you will need a valid passport and additional Mexican Fishing Licenses. The license is often covered by the charter, but the passport will need to be taken care of well in advance.
For a complete breakdown of the best water temperature for flounder, please check out this helpful article. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish Baja, please check out this helpful article.
Storms & San Diego Fishing
The climate in San Diego is the closest to perfection in all of the states. The highs average in the high 70’s while the lows average in the 50’s, with very little rainfall.
This means storms have a minimal impact on fishing plans, though that doesn’t mean it isn’t possible. Many plan fishing trips to San Diego simply because the climate is so predictable.
Is winter fishing bad or good in San Diego?
In short, yes, the fishing in San Diego is great during the winter season, but that’s more because there really isn’t a winter season in San Diego.
Sure, there is a slight cool down when compared to the low 80’s of the summer, but the climate in San Diego is stable all year round. This is also why many come to San Diego during the winter season to enjoy fishing in a warmer climate.
Halibut are a likely candidate for winter fishing, as well as tuna. Plus, rockfish are everywhere and are sure not to disappoint. The problem, though, is finding an available charter. That’s why booking in advance is a must.
Night Fishing in San Diego
Night fishing is especially popular in San Diego on the vast array of piers in the area. The artificial light will draw in larger fish to the shallower waters looking for an easy meal. The full moon is another popular time when you will see charters in masses launching towards the deeper waters looking to land a large marlin or tuna who’s using the added light for hunting.
Shore fishing
Not everyone can afford the hire a fishing charter. Thankfully, the shore fishing in San Diego is just as good as going to the deep, at least in terms of the number of fish you can catch. The pier system in San Diego is one of the best in the country with piers jetting out nearly half a mile into the bay.
This puts you right about waters 20+ feet deep. In the bay, that’s deep. And that makes for some great fishing, especially if the size isn’t what you use to determine success. Halibut and rockfish are popular among pier fishermen, not to mention the smaller barracudas and yellowtail.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch fish in San Francisco, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best time to fish Los Angeles, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the cost of San Diego fishing charters, please check out this helpful article I wrote. For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Dana Point, please check out this helpful article I wrote.
