I wish that the summer fishing season could last forever. It’s normal to get the big bluefin Blues once the bite shuts down, especially after all the fun we have had this summer. But just because winter is coming it doesn’t mean you have to stop fishing. There are still some good opportunities to fish during the winter. In this article, I will show you some of the best ways to scratch that fishing itch and deal with Summer fishing season withdrawal.
Our half-day trips Fish every single day twice a day,
Liberty full-day Coronado Islands trips
Winter halibut tournament
Pacific Queen’s Punta Colonet & Baja Coast 1.5 Days
Long-Range Fishing Trips
Hoop-netting for lobster
San Diego Bay Fishing
Ocean Beach Pier
Winter time fishing is not as exciting as a wide open Yellowfin Tuna bite, but there are still plenty of opportunities to dust off your rods and get into the action. Many of our customers this year round. Just because it’s January doesn’t mean you can’t go catch yellowtail in Mexico, read on and we will show you some of the best trips.
half-day trips aboard any of the half-day boats or a great opportunity catch some fish during the winter.
if you are visiting from out of town, to take advantage of our harsh 60-degree winter days, there are some good opportunities for you to go sportfishing.
You might not get to take part in the legendary tuna bite, but half day trips are very fun for beginners and families, if you are just visiting and want to fish, be sure and check out these trips.
Unfortunately, there is a closure for Rockfish in December, but the season opens again in January.
Half-day trips run $77 if you need a license and Rental otherwise the trip is $55 every Monday tickets are only $35 and kids will fish free every Sunday.
Every year we hold a halibut tournament aboard our half-day boat the Dolphin.
The tournament runs every Wednesday during the winter months.
$10 of every ticket sold goes into the jackpot!
We had an awesome turnout last year and the winning angler Michael Lagarosa one $3,100 45 pound halibut. Read about the tournament here
The winter months are generally a great time for halibut fishing!
The Liberty runs weekend trips to the Coronado Islands around February. This is a great opportunity to get out there for a shot at some Yellowtail, Calico bass, lingcod, halibut and maybe even the occasional white seabass.
Upfront fishing at the Coronado's is not as good as during the summer but it’s still a blast to go throw a surface iron and catch some Calico Bass and it sure beats not going fishing.
Liberty trips cost $155 and leave at 5:30 am. A passport is required! If you would like to learn more about the process to fish legally in Mexico check out our previous post
One thing to look forward to during the winter months is California Spiny Lobster season.
There are many ways to catch Lobster, you can go hoop netting from the Ocean Beach Pier, you can hoop net from a kayak, or you can go diving for them.
For the best hoop netting experience, you need a boat. If you don’t have access to a boat, we offer we offer hoop netting charters during the winter. On these trips don't have to worry about any of the hassles.
These trips are a great time to relax on the water and potentially catch a delicious lobster dinner. Hoop netting is done during the night when the lobsters are most active.
One of the most popular trips in the winter time is the Pacific Queens weekend Punta colonet 1.5 day run. These trips head down the Baja Coast, targetting Yellowtail, Lingcod and Halibut. If you’re itching to pull on a bigger fish, this may be the trip for you.
In past years even a few Bluefin tuna have shown up.
These trips leave Friday night and fish all day Saturday and return to the dock early Sunday morning.
These trips usually fill up pretty fast, because the demand for good fishing in the winter time is high.
If you are looking for an epic wintertime adventure, a long-range trip might be for you. Long-range trips in the winter generally run anywhere from 8 to 23 days.
During the winter months, you can look forward to targeting world record class Yellowfin tuna and Wahoo. You will fish famous location such as the Revellagaido Islands, Clipperton Atoll, Guadalupe Island and Point Eugenia.
Long-range trips are quite expensive, but they are the experience of a lifetime. If you have never been long-range fishing, this is something you have to do at least once.
The accommodations are top-notch and the fishing is absolutely amazing. Learn more about these trips here
If open party charter fishing trips aren’t your thing, Mission Bay is a great place to go during the winter months. You can go fishing for Corvina, Spotted bay bass, and Halibut.
I spent a good portion of my childhood catching spotted bay bass off the docks. Some people even consider Mission Bay to be a winter fishing Paradise.
If you don't have access to a boat, you can rent one for a pretty low price. There are also plenty of anglers that fish from a kayak. there is a pretty vibrant kayaking community in San Diego learn more about that here
San Diego Bay is a great option for winter time fishing. It is personally one of my favorite places to fish when I'm not going on longer trips.
I have caught halibut up to 30 lb from the bay. Also, there is a great Corvina bite, Spotted bay bass, mud Marlins or bat rays and the occasional Calico Bass and Barracuda.
If you have a boat or a kayak, there are a multitude of good spots in the bay between the pillars right off the north island military base.
If you don’t have access to a boat, fishing off the docks this works great as well. You can also go fishing off of the pier near the Kona Kai club and Marina.
The OB fishing pier is one of the more productive Piers to fish off of in San Diego. There is also the added benefit of not needing a fishing license. You can catch Calico bass, Halibut, Mackerel, Barracuda the occasional Lingcod & Sheephead.
If you are used to fishing open party trips or charters, this option may not be for you.
