There are many reasons you may have decided to become a Carefree Boat Club member: knowing you are saving money, having the freedom to enjoy the water without many of the responsibilities that accompany boat ownership, and one of the more popular reasons, being able to catch lobster and fish to enjoy for dinner! Whether you catch a fish or lobster or just sit in the boat that is bobbing tranquilly on the sea enjoying these moments of communing with nature, the moments you spend on our Carefree boats will be the ones that hold you through times you are landbound. As lobster season comes to an end on St. Patrick’s Day, however, you may be feeling you have nothing to look forward to as the season does not begin again until the first week of October. But as any good fisherman knows, one season’s ending is just the beginning of another season, and bluefin and rockfish season is now in session!

Rockfish Season

Although rockfish season is year-round when fishing from the shore, if you are planning on getting in your Carefree Boat Club and trying to catch some for your dinner, it is important to know that the season for boat-anglers does not begin until March 1st. Those who are new to fishing in the San Diego waters may be unsure as to what rockfish can be used for, but we can tell you that you have had it many times before, you just did not know it! Its most popular use is in fish tacos, tasting even more delicious when it is deep fried, as do most things in life, but it is also commonly used in ceviche and bouillabaisse. The simplest recipes require nothing more than baking or steam frying and finished off with your favorite sauce.

But where can you find rockfish as you begin your sea journey? The San Diego area has plenty of places where rockfish like to hide, including the pipe off Point Loma. Check out the fishing, and if your luck is good and you finish early, why not take a little tour of the Point Loma Lighthouse or the Juan Cabrillo National Monument located just down the road? The freedom to explore our Carefree Boat Club members enjoy is just another reason our club has become so popular! Other popular rockfish spots include the hard bottom of Mission Bay (at least 60 to 80 feet deep) and the area known as Wreck Alley and Sunken Harbor, located just a few miles off the coast of Mission Bay.

Bluefin Season

Bluefin tuna season is a little later in the year, generally beginning in June, but over the last month, bluefin has already begun to make an appearance, so there is no need to wait around for the more prolific months of summer. Sushi lovers know that the taste of bluefin tuna is well worth the high price often charged but catching it yourself gives you personal satisfaction as well as saving you money! In Asian countries, this particular fish is so highly sought after, the wealthy have paid over a million dollars for a single fish, but our Carefree Boat Club members know that with the right pole, reel, and line, they can catch the big fish for a fraction of the cost!

Bluefin’s demand is high right now, so if you want to catch one, you have to go out to the deep seas and be patient; known to be shy and finicky, this is one fish that definitely puts
up a fight and will not be jumping into the boat—that’s a good thing, considering that the largest bluefin was recorded as weighing 1347 pounds and was over 12 feet long! The average bluefin is much smaller and weighs far less (about 500 pounds and 6 feet long) and will provide enough sushi or sashimi to keep your family happy for months to come.

Saving Money and Having Fun

When you consider that the average fishing charter for bluefin can run about $1500 for just one trip, it becomes even more clear as to why our Carefree Boat Club is so popular! Pay a one-time initiation fee and annual dues (or monthly if you want to break down the cost into smaller bites) and you have unlimited access to ALL our boats! Try out a pontoon boat with the family, a sailboat with the love of your life, or, of course, a fishing boat and head to the deep waters to catch the much loved and unbelievably delicious bluefin tuna. Become a member today and discover all the joys of boat ownership without the responsibility and cost!