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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4.96/5 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

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, Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Coronado Islands Adventure

NEW
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $2,250
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

Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

Coastal Waters Fun!

NEW
29 ft 1 - 4 People From $1,600
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Nearshore Fishing in Bodega Bay

Bodega Bay Roundup

NEW
28 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,800
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

Top Cities for Live Bait Fishing in California

Top Types of Live Bait Fishing Trips in California

What makes Captain Experiences Damn Good?

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

Experts Available 24/7

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

Experts Available 24/7

100% Weather Guarantee

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

100% Weather Guarantee

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, Nearshore Fishing in Los Angeles

6 Hour Local Fishing

100% (15)
35 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,100
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% (15)
35 ft 1 - 5 People From $2,000
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

Deep Sea, Nearshore Fishing in San Diego

San Diego Nearshore / Offshore Trip

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

Nearshore Fishing in Ventura

Island Adventure

100% (7)
22 ft 1 - 3 People From $975
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

Inshore, Deep Sea, Nearshore in Long Beach

Sunrise Fishing Trip For Up To 6

100% (11)
22 ft 1 - 12 People From $685

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 49 live bait fishing trips in California, and the most popular trips in the area are 14 Hour Trip – Trophy Tuna guided by Aaron, Coronado Islands Adventure guided by Leng, and Coronado Islands Expedition guided by Andrew.

Our guides in California are rated a 4.96 out of 5 based on 8293 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 $910 to $3,920, but the average price for a half day trip for live bait fishing in California is $1,217. The average price for a full day trip for live bait fishing in California is $2,692.

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 23 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

  • ★★★★★
    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

  • ★★★★★
    We had Captain Jeremy take us out “near shore” and had an amazing time. It was just two adults and my son who’s 10. He was great with all of us, kept us fishing, enjoyable to talk to, and we caught a variety of fish. We all wanna go again with Jeremy.!

    Rebecca F. | June 24, 2026

    Trip: Long Beach Nearshore Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    We had a great time and captain JT put us on fish all day. From the moment we put our rod in the water we were bringing in the fish. He explains everything to us and worked with us on the boat. It was the best experience I could have hoped for and one that me and my some will never forget. I will definitely be booking another trip with captain JT.

    Anthony J. | June 4, 2026

    Trip: Island Adventure

  • ★★★★★
    JT knows the spots! Super good guy. He takes the time to make sure you understand and learn while also limiting out! If you want an active day of catching and not just fishing, JT is the guy to book with

    Samuel L. | May 22, 2026

    Trip: Santa Cruz Island Run

  • ★★★★★
    Great experience ! We took my son and his friend on a bday fishing trip . The crew was great with the kids ! Thank you 😊

    Hodaya D. | May 9, 2026

    Trip: Marina Del Rey Fishing Trip

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Last updated: July 15, 2026

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See All Live Bait Fishing Trips in California