As the rest of the country begins to bundle up in warm sweaters, build fires in the fireplace, and sip pumpkin spice everything, we in San Diego are experiencing a slightly different fall—especially our Carefree Boat Club members! Now is the time to get on the list for your favorite fishing boat and hit the bays and deep ocean waters that surround our piece of paradise for hours of sportsman fun. Yes, it is fall fishing season! The weather is practically guaranteed to be perfect, the sun is nearly always shining, and if there is anything better than sitting on a seat at the edge of your boat, reeling in a big one, well, we really can’t think of it at this minute!
Because you are a member of the Carefree Boat Club, all you have to do is grab your rod and reels, step on to the vessel of your choice, and cast off with no worries of maintenance problems or dock fees or insurance payments not made. If you haven’t made the decision to become a member yet, this guide to the fun you can have while fishing in the San Diego waters in the fall may give you the gentle nudge you have been needing!
Inshore San Diego Fishing
Ok, it isn’t really a secret that the entire coast off San Diego is known for some of the best fishing in the world. All you need to do is get in the water and point your boat in any direction and you are practically guaranteed to catch your daily limit! As a matter of fact, you may toss back more than you keep, as you realize you really don’t have the room to keep all the California halibut you caught in the bays and inshore waters of San Diego, no matter how large your freezer is back home! The season for halibut ends in October, so if you are hungry from some pan seared fillets, don’t wait too long! Also offering a plentiful catch in the inshore waters from October through December is the starry rockfish, a vibrant redfish featuring spiky dorsal fins and offering a deliciously smooth taste. These fish tend to swim in schools near the rocks, (which is obviously where their name came from) and because they swim in schools, if you catch one, you can pretty much count on there been many more to follow!
Offshore Fishing
Adventure lovers know that the real thrill of fall fishing comes when you head out to deeper waters, pulling in the big game that you mostly won’t find closer to home. Offshore fishing is what the San Diego waters are best known for! Feel the ocean breezes and the spray of saltwater against your face as you head out to the home of yellowfin and bluefin tuna—again, early in the fall, as their season lasts from July to October—and prepare to match wits with these monstrously delicious fish! The bluefin can grow up to 1000 pounds (and if you catch one that size, we would LOVE to see the pictures!) while the yellowfin variety generally only grows to 400 or 500 pounds. These tunas frequent the waters around Catalina and San Clemente Islands, so pack a cooler with food and beverages, slather on some sunscreen, and push that throttle forward for a day of sun, water, and battles with the big fish who are just as determined to stay out of your boat as you are determined to get them in!
Other fish you can find in the waters surrounding these islands include dorado (mahi mahi) and calico bass, also known as kelp bass. Both of these fish are delicious, so be sure to not throw them back if you find them on your line, but don’t plan on specifically catching either, especially the calico bass; this fish is known for being one of the toughest of all fighting fish, and you are guaranteed to use up most of your energy! The calico has a year-round San Diego fishing season, but the dorado peaks in late July, which is another reason you shouldn’t count on catching any during your fall fishing expedition offshore. Get on our list for an overnight or two and lose yourself in the beauty of the sea as you experience what the professional anglers have known for years: There is no better way to spend your life than dropping a line in the waters off the San Diego coastline!
Sign Up Today
There are many reasons for signing up to become a member of the Carefree Boat Club, and if the fall fishing season hasn’t convinced you, trust us, we will find something that catches your interest! Sign up today!
