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Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Easily find a California fishing guide that fits your needs. Confidently book your next day on the water.


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Recently Booked Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Fishing in San Francisco

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Francisco

San Francisco Crab Trip (Only Available November/December)

NEW
33 ft 1 - 6 People $$
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in San Diego

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Full Day Local Offshore

NEW
31 ft 1 - 5 People $$$
Fishing in San Diego

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Coronado Islands Expedition

NEW
28 ft 1 - 5 People $$$
Fishing in San Francisco

Inshore, Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Francisco

San Francisco Bay Premier Trip

100% (1)
33 ft 1 - 6 People $$$
Fishing in San Diego

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Coronados Half Day Trip

NEW
37 ft 1 - 6 People $$$
Damn Good
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in San Diego

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

Full Day Local Offshore - 42’ Hershine

NEW
42 ft 1 - 12 People $$$

Most Popular Types of Live Bait Fishing 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

More Live Bait Fishing Charters In California

Fishing in South San Francisco
Fishing in South San Francisco
Fishing in South San Francisco
trip description for Oyster Point Rocks and Reef Trip in South San Francisco

Join Captain Stephen on this awesome California bottomfishing adventure, where you'll drop lines for all kinds of classic Pacific species, including Halibut, Rockfish, White Seabass, Lingcod, and more! These fish inhabit the lower regions of the water column, where they feed on sea critters living on the bottom. You'll drop lines down over rocks, kelp beds, and structure, looking for bites from big bottomfish. These fish can get huge, so prepare for a big-time fight! Every species has different tactics when it comes to getting free, so pay attention to Captain Stephen's advice as you reel in your trophy! You'll be aboard a 22' fishing vessel that's built to handle anything that the Pacific can throw your way. She's comfortable and has a roomy deck for lots of fishing action! With Captain Stephen at the helm, you're in great hands, so all you need to do is hook fish! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in South San Francisco

Oyster Point Rocks And Reef Trip

NEW
22 ft 1 - 4 People $$
Fishing in Long Beach
Fishing in Long Beach
Fishing in Long Beach
trip description for Long Beach Nearshore Adventure in Long Beach

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 $$
Fishing in Oxnard
Fishing in Oxnard
Fishing in Oxnard
trip description for Santa Rosa Island Run in Oxnard

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 $$
Fishing in Dana Point
Fishing in Dana Point
Fishing in Dana Point
trip description for Dana Point Half Day Excursion in Dana Point

Whether you're new to fishing the Pacific Coast or already an experienced angler, this half-day trip with Captain Anton is a guaranteed blast. This area, between Dana Point and Catalina Island, 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, Rockcod, and more. Captain Anton is en expert when it comes to hooking fish out here, and he'll make sure to put you right on the fish. On this trip, you'll focus on the nearshore shelves and reefs, dropping lines to hook up Rockcod, Calico Bass, White Seabass, and Yellowtail. There are also opportunities to pull in a Halibut as well! You'll be fishing aboard his 36' Blackman sportfisher. She's a real beauty, and features a large bait capacity, a refrigerated fish-hold for your keepers, Furuno side-scanning sonar, depthfinder, bunks, full onboard bathroom, and a kitchen with a Keurig coffee maker! Plus, she has a wide deck to give you plenty of room to fight the fish. Captain Anton will provide everything you need for a blue-ribbon day out there! Just bring proper clothing and your California fishing license and you'll be set to go. Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Dana Point

Dana Point Half Day Excursion

NEW
36 ft 1 - 4 People $$$
Fishing in San Diego
Fishing in San Diego
Fishing in San Diego
trip description for San Diego Half Day Roundup in San Diego

From the inshore bays to the deep offshore water, San Diego is a saltwater angler's paradise. Get out there and discover these diverse fishing grounds with Captain Andrew, and put your fishing skills to the test! On this trip, you'll be able to target a diversity of nearshore species, making this a great trip for people who want to do it all! You'll drift and bottomfish for Pacific Barracuda, Calico Bass, Rockfish, and Yellowtail Amberjack. These fish are fun for anglers of all levels, and are excellent eating as well! Because there are so many species to target, you'll mix it up with several different fishing techniques. Depending on the season, weather, and your fishing preferences, Captain Andrew will make sure that you're equipped with the right gear and tackle to get the job done. You'll be out there aboard Andrew's 28' Boston Whaler center console. She's a sweet boat for deep-sea fishing, and runs twin Yamaha engines with a combined 50o horsepower. Everything you need for an epic day will be provided; all you need to bring is sun protection, your California Fishing Licenses, and a smile. Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in San Diego

San Diego Half Day Roundup

NEW
28 ft 1 - 5 People $$
Fishing in Los Angeles
Fishing in Los Angeles
Fishing in Los Angeles
trip description for 6-Hour Los Angeles Mixed Bag in Los Angeles

This full-day trip is designed to make the most of the world-renowned fishing off the coast of Los Angeles, CA. Here, cold Pacific currents make this area a perfect environment for catching big fish, and you'll be able to hook up a number of species including Barracuda, Calico Bass, Halibut, Sheephead, Rockfish, White Seabass, and more! Captain Tom is an expert angler, and he'll put you right on top of some of the best fishing grounds in the state. You fish the bottom for Rockfish and Halibut, troll for Barracuda, and drift for Bass and other species. Whatever you want to catch, Captain Tom is here to help you do it. You'll get out there aboard a 32' Luhrs sportfisher, purpose-built to handle anything the Pacific can throw your way. Originally built in 1995, she's been equipped with twin Yanmar 315HP engines. Electronics include radar, GPS, full radio communications, and more. Plus, she has outriggers for trolling, a restroom, and way more. Everything is provided for you, including rods, reels, bait, and tackle. Just bring some sunscreen and your California Fishing Licenses and you'll be good to go! Read More

Nearshore Fishing Charter in Los Angeles

6-Hour Los Angeles Mixed Bag

NEW
32 ft 1 - 5 People $$$
See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California

Everything to Know About Booking a California live bait fishing charter

What are the best live bait fishing charters in California?

Our Damn Good Guides currently offer 25 live bait fishing trips in California, and the most popular trips in the area are San Francisco Crab Trip (Only available November/December) guided by Craig, Full Day Local Offshore guided by Nathan, and Coronado Islands Expedition guided by Andrew.

Our guides in California are rated a 4 out of 5 based on 2541 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 Live Bait Fishing charter in California are San Diego, San Francisco and Dana Point.

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 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. rockfish, 2. halibut, 3. yellowtail amberjack, and 4. calico bass.

How much do California live bait fishing charters cost?

for live bait fishing in California prices can range anywhere from about $865 to $2,644, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in California is $1,000. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in California is $1,893.

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 fall, and most anglers book their trips 40 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.

How are fishing conditions in California?

View California Fishing Reports from our damn good guides.

Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?

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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:

See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California