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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4.97/5 Average Rating

Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

Deep Sea Fishing

NEW
28 ft 1 - 4 People From $2,500
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Premier Trip

100% (5)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,200
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing in San Francisco

San Francisco Crabbing - Nov/Dec

100% (5)
33 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,680
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

Coronado Islands 10 Hr

100% (2)
31 ft 1 - 4 People From $2,400
Hot Trip
people are viewing this trip.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in Los Angeles

11 Hour Catalina Fishing Experience

100% (16)
35 ft 1 - 5 People From $2,000
Veteran Operated
This trip is managed by a veteran of the US armed forces.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Lake Fishing in Clearlake

Clear Lake Ultimate Bass Fishing

100% (5)
20 ft 1 - 3 People From $540

Top Cities for Live Bait Fishing in California

Top Types of Live Bait Fishing Trips in California

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Damn Good Guides

You will only find quality, vetted guides on Captain Experiences, and we know them all on a first-name basis.

Damn Good Guides

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Our US-based team is available 24/7 to help you with any questions or concerns.

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We want to keep everyone safe, so if the weather is bad we'll work with you to reschedule at no cost.

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4.9 / 5 Average Rating

We hand pick our Damn Good Guides, and our network spans across North America and beyond.

4.9 / 5 Average Rating

“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

Top Species for Live Bait Fishing in California

More Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

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

Nearshore Fishing in Long Beach

Long Beach Nearshore Adventure

100% (14)
20 ft 1 - 4 People From $600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

14 Hour Trip – Trophy Tuna

100% (2)
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $4,300
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea Fishing in San Diego

3/4 Day 8 Hr Trip

100% (2)
31 ft 1 - 8 People From $2,400
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Island Charters - PASSPORT REQUIRED

100% (2)
34 ft 1 - 6 People From $2,925
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Local Offshore - 42’ Hershine

86% (7)
42 ft 1 - 12 People From $1,610

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

Our guides are Damn Good Guides, which means they’re vetted by our team of outdoor experts who know them on a first-name basis. We hand pick each and every one of them, and our network spans all across the US and beyond.

The proof is in the pudding, and we’re incredibly proud of our 4.9 / 5 average review score. Hit the button below to see more trip options:

Everything to Know About Booking a California live bait fishing charter

What are the best live bait fishing charters in California?

The best live bait fishing charters in California are:

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

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 48 live bait fishing trips in California, and the most popular trips in the area are Deep Sea Fishing guided by Dan, San Francisco Bay Premier Trip guided by Craig, and San Francisco Crabbing - Nov/Dec guided by Craig.

Our guides in California are rated a 4.97 out of 5 based on 9511 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, inshore fishing, and river 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 $900 to $3,800, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in California is $1,216. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in California is $2,702.

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 summer, and most anglers book their trips 21 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 guide will always know all the relevant rules and regulations in California.

Recent Reviews

  • ★★★★★
    Carl went above and beyond. Put us on some good fish and showed us some new techniques. Had a lot of fun, thanks Carl.

    James N. | October 2, 2026

    Trip: Clear Lake Ultimate Bass Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    Capt. Harry and Alec were incredible. Just a fantastic day on the water. Caught our limit of bass within the first couple hours and continued to pull in a couple Bonito as well. These two know how to make a day of fishing on the ocean even better.

    Troy A. | September 2, 2026

    Trip: 6 Hour Local Fishing

  • ★★★★★
    JT got us the fish we were looking for: California Sheephead, Lingcod & Rockfish. JT is knowledgeable & knew exactly where to look.

    Ryan J. | July 30, 2026

    Trip: Santa Cruz Island Run

  • ★★★★★
    Absolutely packed with knowledge, taking us to some of the best spots. Fishing trip so successful we had to return half of our catches so we didnt go over limit. I will be recommending to friends, family, and my future trips. 10/10. He knows all the spots.

    Jovan V. | July 25, 2026

    Trip: Sunrise Fishing Trip For Up To 6

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience! JT was very professional and informative. I would Definitely recommend him in the future. Thanks Pete N

    Pete N. | July 6, 2026

    Trip: Santa Cruz Island Run

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Last updated: October 11, 2026

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See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California