Visitors and residents alike come to California’s coastal towns to rest, relax, recharge, and enjoy the ocean, beaches, and all the fun activities the West Coast has to offer. The fall months bring those tourists looking for a warmer climate to enjoy the outdoors when the weather begins to chill. While many visitors will dress in bathing suits and gather beach gear for a day on the shore that includes swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and other water and sandy fun, others are searching for their next big fish story. Pack your bags and make sure your fishing gear makes the packing list and head out for a fishing trip of a lifetime in San Diego. Don’t forget to secure a California fishing license and brush up on local rules and regulations before hitting the water. Keep reading our fall fishing guide San Diego tips and more!
Types of Fish
Before you head out, you’ll want to check your local fishing report for the most up-to-date news on what’s biting and where. When fishing the waters of San Diego during the fall, you can hook fish from “A to Z” including albacore, bluefin, wahoo, yellowtail, and more. Ask the staff at Carefree Boat Club, or a bait and tackle shop when you stock up on supplies before heading out.
Shelter Island Pier
Go where the fish are biting. Shelter Island Pier always has some great San Diego fishing both in the water and out during the fall. After you’re done on the water, head to the pier and find beautiful waterfront for long walks, a swim, sunning on the sand, and other California beach activities. You’ll want to check out the shopping, dining, and other activities at the pier that will keep you busy if you want to stay a while longer. Include a stop by Fathom Bistro Bait & Tackle offering San Diego craft beers, homemade sausages, and other delicious eats when you need a mid-day snack or post-trip celebration. While you’re out, expect other boats, including U.S. Navy ships.
Water Activities
In addition to the variety of boats you have to choose from to create your perfect San Diego fishing trip on the waters, membership at Carefree Boat Club means the water fun never has to end. If you’ve caught your limit for the day, or need a beak or bite to eat, head back in to the marina and exchange poles and bait for stand up paddleboards, tubes, wakeboards, water skis, inflatable docks, and other water toys to make your day on the water one to remember. There are also nearby restaurants and attractions. If your ultimate fishing trip is done, but you can’t resist boating the waters of San Diego a little more, reserve a different boat like a tritoon, cruiser, or double-decker pontoon.
Fleet Week San Diego
Enjoy a fun way to get to know more about San Diego’s military life. Join in the festivities of one of San Diego’s largest military events. You’ll see military displays, high tech equipment in the Innovation Zone, and get to see inside active Navy and Coast Guard ships. There’s also plenty of live music, food, and fun for everyone. The 2021 celebration takes place November 4-11 at the Broadway Pier and Port Pavilion in San Diego.
Maritime Museum of San Diego
At some point during your own San Diego maritime adventure, make sure to take some time to learn about San Diego’s maritime history. The Maritime Museum of San Diego is a great place to learn about the city’s maritime history. See historic sea vessels, board museum-ships and submarines, and browse permanent and temporary exhibits that reflect everything the industry means in San Diego and the surrounding area. Get a glimpse of everything maritime history, commerce, and exploration that makes San Diego a unique part of sea life. You can even opt to take a historic bay cruise for an additional fee.
San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival
Head downtown to Embarcadero Marina Park North for a delicious demonstration. The week-long event is one of the most talked about weeks in the foodie community. The festival brings together domestic and international wineries, craft beer and spirits producers, local culinary legends and nationally recognized celebrities, and more. The 2021 festival takes place the week of November 7-14 and ends with the Grand Tasting Finale.
Bayshore Bikeway
Stretch your legs a bit after sitting on the boat all day. San Diego and the surrounding area is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, no matter what time of year it is. Whether it’s hanging at the beach, fishing, golfing, hiking, or whatever else sparks your interest, there’s plenty of outdoor fun to be had. Rent a bike and wander the paved 24-mile Bayshore Bikeway trail that wanders around San Diego Bay. You’ll pass locales like Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, and Coronado, historical sites, attractions – and plenty of beautiful oceanside scenery. Hop off and wander on foot or spend some extra time at any destination along the path.
Fall Fishing in San Diego
Once you seek out the best locations to cast a line this fall, you’ll want to make sure you can get to your chosen spot, settle in, and have everything you need to catch your next big fish story. That includes a fishing boat that can handle the waters of the San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, as well as carry your whole crew and all of your gear. Have all those bases covered – as well as some others you might not have thought of – with a membership to Carefree Boat Club. There are locations all across the U.S., including San Diego, that have the boat you need whenever you need it. Avoid the hit-and-miss availability of small rental companies that may not have what you need, and the hassle of storage, maintenance, trailering, covering, and cleaning, as well as fees like insurance and mooring that come with owning your own boat and transporting it long-distance between locations. Reserve a boat in San Diego or any of our locations and it will be ready for your use each time you show up at our marinas during your reservation period.
Contact us today to book your next great fall San Diego fishing trip!