Bonito Fishing Charters In California

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Recently Booked Bonito Fishing Charters In California

Damn Good

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Local Excursion - 42’ Hershine

100% (1)
42 ft 1 - 12 People From $175 / person
Damn Good

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Local Excursion - 31’ Chris Craft

NEW
31 ft 1 - 6 People From $167 / person

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in Newport Beach

Full Day Catalina Island

NEW
25 ft 1 - 4 People From $400 / person

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Long Beach

Long Beach Nearshore Adventure

NEW
21 ft 1 - 6 People From $100 / person

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Coastal Banks Thriller

NEW
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $600 / person

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Oxnard

Santa Cruz Island Adventure

NEW
22 ft 1 - 3 People From $325 / person

Most Popular Types of Bonito Trips in California

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond to provide you an incredible trip, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and about empowering people to find the perfect-match guide for the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

Choose your trip by skill level

More Bonito Fishing Charters In California

Captain JT is an expert when it comes to sportfishing off of Santa Rosa, also known as Outer Island! Your fishing trip will begin in the morning when the winds are low and the seas calm. On this trip, you'll be able to choose which species you'll target, and can select from wide range of fish, including Rockfish, Halibut, Bonito, Lingcod, Barracuda, Calico Bass, California Sheepshead, and more. These species inhabit the whole water column, from Barracuda up top to Halibut and Rockfish on the bottom. Many of these species are excellent eating, and Captain JT actually specializes in ikejime, a Japanese technique for quickly and humanely killing fish that also ensures the quality of the meat by preventing rigor mortis and cortisol build-up. He's happy to demonstrate the technique, and any keepers you want will be dispatched using this method. When you book a trip with Captain JT, you'll go aboard his 22' center console vessel and get after it! This state-of-the-art boat features a 150HP Yamaha engine, with a full suite of electronics including GPS, sonar, radio, and more, plus bait wells and ice boxes for your catches. Captain JT truly wants to make your time on the water special. Before the trip, he will get a sense of what’s important to your crew. If you have kids, be assured they will have a blast learning about fishing, what it is like to captain a boat and be on the sea. Let him know what you want to catch and he'll do what he can to put you on your target! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Oxnard

Santa Rosa Island Run

NEW
22 ft 1 - 3 People From $362 / person

The offshore banks that lie off the coast of Southern California down into Northern Baja, provide a great opportunity to catch big game fish with a fly rod. From the Coronado Islands for yellowtail and Bonito to the outer offshore banks for yellowfin tuna, yellowtail, and Dorado. These offshore fisheries will consist of searching out the ocean for kelp paddies that can hold yellowtail and Dorado and at times, yellowfin tuna. These paddies give you the chance to find fish that are holding in the upper water column. On these offshore trips, you'll be fishing rods that are 10wt up to 13wt, depending on what species and size Captain Mark has you targeting that day. All offshore fly trips include all fly rods, leaders and flies, chum, teasers. No need to bring anything other than your fishing license, lunch, snacks, and beverages! Captain Mark will have a cooler with ice and waters for you to drink and use for storing those food and beverages as well. Be prepared for cool mornings on the run out to the fishery. Recommended to have some lightweight clothing to wear as the day goes on. Average sea conditions can be a little bumpy to having a heavy wind swell. Most winds are in the afternoon and the ride home can be bumpy. Be prepared for all weather conditions. Read More

Deep Sea Fishing Charter in San Diego

Offshore On The Fly SoCal

NEW
30 ft 1 - 4 People From $495 / person

This trip is one in a million. After leaving the dock in San Diego, you'll cruise offshore to the Coronado Islands, a barren group of rocky outcrops that are home to millions of migratory birds and tons of sea life. This area is one of the most productive fisheries in California, attracting pelagic predators such as Tuna as well as nearshore species such as Barracuda, Yellowtail Amberjack, Rockfish, and more. Captain Sam is an expert when it comes to hooking fish out here, so you can cross your fingers for the trip of a lifetime! Because there are so many species to target, you'll mix it up with several different fishing techniques. That could include trolling for Barracuda and Mahi, which love fast-moving baits and lures, and bottomfishing for Rockfish and Amberjack, which hang out near undersea structure, and even letting out some kites to hit surface-feeding Bluefin. Captain Sam will take everything into account, from the season to the weather to your preferences, and do whatever he can to get you on the fish. Captain Sam runs these trips on his brand new 2022 29-foot Defiance center console which is the ideal vessel for bombing it down to the Coronado Islands and bouncing around honey holes. With twin 300 Yamahas strapped to the back of that bad boy, you can get to the fishing grounds in dependable comfort. Since she can easily cruise up to 30 knots cutting through chop like butter, there is almost nowhere for the fish to hide from this beauty. She's decked out with a full suite of electronics, plus a comfortable forward cabin providing shade and protection for the surf. Everything you need for a great trip is provided for you. Just remember to wear proper clothing and bring some sun protection, a cooler with some snacks and drinks, and a California Fishing License. You'll also need your passport, because this trip will take you into Mexican waters. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Coronado Island Fishing Adventure

NEW
29 ft 1 - 5 People From $339 / person

Captain JT is an expert when it comes to sportfishing off of Santa Cruz! Your fishing trip will begin in the morning when the winds are low and the seas calm. On this trip, you'll be able to choose which species you'll target, and can select from wide range of fish, including Rockfish, Halibut, Bonito, Lingcod, Barracuda, Calico Bass, California Sheepshead, and more. These species inhabit the whole water column, from Barracuda up top to Halibut and Rockfish on the bottom. Many of these species are excellent eating, and Captain JT actually specializes in ikejime, a Japanese technique for quickly and humanely killing fish that also ensures the quality of the meat by preventing rigor mortis and cortisol build-up. He's happy to demonstrate the technique, and any keepers you want will be dispatched using this method. When you book a trip with Captain JT, you'll go aboard his 22' center console vessel and get after it! This state-of-the-art boat features a 150HP Yamaha engine, with a full suite of electronics including GPS, sonar, radio, and more, plus bait wells and ice boxes for your catches. Captain JT truly wants to make your time on the water special. Before the trip, he will get a sense of what’s important to your crew. If you have kids, be assured they will have a blast learning about fishing, what it is like to captain a boat and be on the sea. Let him know what you want to catch and he'll do what he can to put you on your target! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Oxnard

Santa Cruz Island Adventure

NEW
22 ft 1 - 3 People From $325 / person

Join Captain Bai on an unforgettable 12-hour deep sea fishing expedition in the pristine waters of San Diego, CA. Setting sail aboard his 29-foot Grady White vessel, you'll embark on an exhilarating adventure targeting a diverse array of species, including Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowtail Amberjack, Bonita, Skipjack Tuna, and Mahi Mahi. San Diego Fishing Trips don't get more thrilling than this! Captain Bai brings his wealth of experience and local knowledge to ensure a successful and rewarding fishing experience. Whether you're a seasoned angler or a novice, he'll provide expert guidance and top-tier equipment to help you reel in your dream catch. Our San Diego Tuna Trip takes you to the renowned 9 Mile Bank fishing area, renowned for its abundance of prized game fish. The deep, nutrient-rich waters of this region make it a hotbed for trophy-sized catches and memorable moments. Book your adventure today with Captain Bai for an epic deep sea fishing experience that will leave you with stories to tell for years to come. Don't miss out on the opportunity to explore the rich marine life of San Diego's waters while enjoying the thrill of the hunt. Join us for an unforgettable day on the open sea! Read More

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Coastal Banks Thriller

NEW
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $600 / person

If you've been wanting to explore the excellent fishing off Long Beach, CA, this trip with Captain Kevin might just be for you. On this nearshore trip, you'll fish the rocks, reefs, and keep forests right off the coast. Depending on the season and the weather conditions, you'll be able to target fish across the entire water column, from Pacific Barracuda near the top to Calico Bass in the middle, plus Seabass and Yellowtail Amberjack towards the bottom. With so many different species out there, you'll switch up the techniques quite a bit. That can include lures on light tackle, drifting, bottomfishing, and more. Captain Kevin will make sure you're hooked up with the right tackle for the job! Captain Kevin runs his trips on a 21' Bayliner center console that's perfect for nearshore fishing. She's driven by a 150-HP Mercury engine, and is decked out with amenities to make your trip as comfortable and successful as possible. Everything you need for a great trip is provided for you. Just remember to wear proper clothing and bring some sun protection, a cooler with some snacks and drinks, and a California Fishing License. Get out there and have a blast! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Long Beach

Long Beach Nearshore Adventure

NEW
21 ft 1 - 6 People From $100 / person
See All Bonito Trips in California

Everything to Know About Booking a California bonito fishing charter

What are the best bonito fishing charters in California?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 9 bonito trips in California, and the most popular trips in the area are Local Excursion - 42’ Hershine guided by Nathan, Full Day Catalina Island guided by Matt, and Santa Cruz Island Adventure guided by JT.

Our guides in California are rated a 5 out of 5 based on 2409 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are licensed, insured, and vetted by our team. You can access their reviews, click through trip photos, read bios to get to know them, and preview trip details like species, techniques, group sizes, boat specs and more.

The most popular cities to book a Bonito charter in California are San Diego, Oxnard and Long Beach.

Looking for kid friendly bonito guides in California? Check out our beginner and family friendly bonito guides in California.

What types of bonito fishing charters are common in California?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular for bonito in California as well as nearshore fishing.

The most common fishing techniques in California are trolling, bottom fishing, and heavy tackle fishing but light tackle fishing and jigging are popular as well.

How much do California bonito fishing charters cost?

for bonito in California prices can range anywhere from an affordable $600 to $2,400, but the average price for a half day trip for bonito in California is $830. The average price for a full day trip for bonito in California is $1,526.

What month is best for bonito fishing in California?

The most popular season for bonito fishing in California is summer, and most anglers book their trips 31 days in advance.

Do I need a California fishing license for bonito and what are the bag limits for bonito in California?

See here for more information on fishing licenses in California, bag limits for target species, and fishing season regulations in California. When in doubt, your fishing guide will always know the right rules and regulations in California.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

  • ★★★★★
    Great trip wonderful time. We caught an astonishing variety of fish! Everyone had a great time.

    John H. with Shaun U. of San Diego, California

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time on our trip with Captain Nathan’s crew! Noah was our skipper, and Nick was the deckhand. They were both helpful and engaging, and always there to lend a hand. Would definitely recommend for both beginner and experienced anglers!

    Elena G. with Nathan B. of San Diego, California

  • ★★★★★
    Bobby was our captain and he treated myself, my son and my grandson like we owned the boat. He was very professional and courteous and answered all our questions. He gave us choices which no other service has in the past. This was much appreciated and I plan on returning again.

    John P. with Shaun U. of San Diego, California

The Best Places to Fish in California

What's biting in California?

View Bonito Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

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See All Bonito Trips in California