Damn Good Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Check real-time availability and compare rates on California live bait fishing fishing trips. Confidently book your next day on the water.

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Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Long Beach

4 Hour PM Fishing Experience

100% (10)
35 ft 1 - 5 People From $850
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

Champion Bluefin Adventure

100% (1)
29 ft 1 - 5 People From $3,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Nearshore San Diego

NEW
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Coronados Half Day Trip

100% (2)
37 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,500
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in Los Angeles

6 Hour Local Fishing

100% (10)
35 ft 1 - 5 People From $1,000
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in Marina del Rey

Marina Del Rey Fishing Trip

100% (8)
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100

Top Cities for Live Bait Fishing in California

Top Types of Live Bait Fishing Trips in California

Top Species for Live Bait Fishing in California

“Our Damn Good Guides go above and beyond, and we’ve handpicked every single one. We’re passionate about the outdoors and look forward to getting you out on the trip of a lifetime, every time.”

Jonathan and Attison   |   Co-founders   |   Austin, Texas

More Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Coronado Island Fishing Adventure

100% (1)
29 ft 1 - 5 People From $1,693
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Coronado Islands Expedition

100% (2)
28 ft 1 - 5 People From $1,895
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in San Francisco

San Francisco Crabbing - Nov/Dec

100% (3)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Los Angeles

6-Hour Los Angeles Mixed Bag

NEW
32 ft 1 - 5 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

Offshore Tuna Chase

NEW
38 ft 1 - 6 People From $3,800
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore Fishing in Richmond

Marin Salmon Fishing

NEW
30 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,150
See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California

Need a Place to Stay?

Everything to Know About Booking a California live bait fishing charter

Why should I book a live bait fishing charter in California with Captain Experiences?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 43 live bait fishing trips in California, and the most popular trips in the area are 4 Hour PM Fishing Experience guided by Harry, Champion Bluefin Adventure guided by Sam, and Nearshore San Diego guided by Leng.

Our guides in California are rated a 4.92 out of 5 based on 6411 verified reviews on Captain Experiences.

All guides on Captain Experiences are 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.

Looking for kid friendly live bait fishing guides / fishing lessons in California? Check out our beginner and family friendly live bait fishing guides in California.

What types of live bait fishing charters are common in California?

Deep Sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing for live bait fishing in California as well as nearshore fishing and inshore fishing.

The most commonly sought after species for live bait fishing in California are: 1. yellowtail amberjack, 2. halibut, 3. rockfish, 4. barracuda, and 5. calico bass.

How much do California live bait fishing charters cost?

Prices for live bait fishing in California can range anywhere from about $1,000 to $3,600, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in California is $1,034. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in California is $2,392.

Is booking a fishing guide worth the money?

Hiring a guide provides a number of benefits and many choose to book a fishing guide for a combination of experience, local knowledge, convenience, and cost-effectiveness.

Working with experienced fishing guides who know the best local spots and techniques can dramatically increase your odds of a great day. Having someone who is on the water every day and knows the area like the back of their hand is going to give you the best chances of success.

Booking a guide is also more cost effective, especially if you only get out a handful of times per year. When you consider all of the costs you would incur on your own such as the price of a boat, maintenance, insurance, gas, high-quality gear and tackle, repairs, and more, you’ll find that DIY is sometimes not worth the expense.

Even if you’ve got a great setup already in your home waters, booking a guide also provides a great opportunity to experience new techniques, new locations, or even a chance at a new target species to knock off the bucket list.

What month is best for on a live bait fishing charter in California?

The most popular season to go on a live bait fishing charter in California is winter, and most anglers book their trips 34 days in advance.

Do I need a California fishing license and what are the bag limits 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

  • ★★★★★
    Jeremy was our captain for the nearshore fishing trip in Long Beach California. The trip was wonderful and he got us onto fish and even fillet’ed them for us. Everything was provided and their communication was great. I highly recommend a fishing trip with them!

    Craig G. | March 2, 2026

    Trip: Long Beach Nearshore Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Three words only. White Sea bass. Giant freaking fish. JT is dope. I’ll be back. I highly recommend! lol seriously though, JT is a great captain and a great guy. He had us on the fish immediately, in February! We caught lots of fish and even landed a 64.6 pound White Sea bass!! Can’t wait to book with him again in August!

    James A. | February 11, 2026

    Trip: Santa Cruz Island Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    Could not have asked for a better time. Harry and crew were amazing and exceeded everyone's expectations. Already looking forward to the next trip out.

    Joanie W. | February 2, 2026

    Trip: 11 Hour Catalina Rockfish & Lobster

  • ★★★★★
    Jackson was our captain and it was a blast, he put us on them. Season wasn't in for sheepheads so we had to toss him back, you can bet we will go with him again

    Derrick J. | January 31, 2026

    Trip: Marina Del Rey Fishing Trip

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great experience. Hank and Patrick were very helpful and knowledgeable. There were 3 generations of men on this trip and we all had a blast.

    John R. | January 5, 2026

    Trip: 4 Hour PM Fishing Experience

Other Fishing Techniques in California

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How are fishing conditions in California?

View California Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

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See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California