Top California Fishing Charters

A hands-on coastal experience awaits with the Bay Area Guided Crab Snaring Trip. This 3.5-hour adventure teaches you the art of catching Dungeness and rock crabs using top-rated Durasnare gear while soaking up the stunning Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Enjoy personalized instruction from experienced guides, who ensure you learn to rig, bait, and cast a crab snare like a pro. The excitement doesn’t stop at catching; savor a full catch-and-cook experience where your catch is cleaned and prepared for you right on-site or for you to take home. Perfect for beginners and seasoned anglers alike, this trip offers a memorable day on the water. No fishing license or experience is required. All equipment will be provided with the purchase of this trip.

Set sail on a fishing adventure aboard the RedRum, a 24’ sport fisher designed for intimate groups of up to 6 anglers. With a full walk-around design, you'll have the perfect platform to reel in the catch of the day in Catalina's premier fishing spots. This charter includes a knowledgeable captain who will guide you through the fishing process and fillet your catch for you to take home or have cooked at a local eatery. Enjoy the thrill of fishing in crystal-clear waters while sipping on complimentary soft drinks and soaking up the sun.

NO LICENSE REQUIRED! NO BOATS! WE SUPPLY ALL GEAR! YOU WILL ACTUALLY LEARN! YOU WILL KNOW HOW TO FISH! Engage in a unique pier fishing adventure in Oakland. This immersive experience combines hands-on fishing training with ecological education from a local expert. Participants will master essential fishing techniques while targeting local species like Striped Bass and Halibut. With a focus on both skill development and environmental respect, this outing ensures an engaging day by the water, where you can enjoy fishing without the hassle. Perfect for learning the art of fishing in the picturesque San Francisco Bay, this experience offers you the chance to create lasting memories while connecting with nature.

Try your hand at catch-and-release fishing on the San Diego pier, with none of the hassle of renting equipment or lugging around poles. An expert fishing instructor brings all the gear, bait, and tackle you need and offers pro tips to get started and increase your chances of catching fish, rays, and even small sharks right from the Pacific Ocean.

This guided kayak fishing tour stands out by focusing on sunrise or sunset—when fishing is best and the lake is at its calmest. With a direct beach launch, small groups, and hands-on instruction, guests spend more time fishing and less time waiting, all while enjoying some of the most scenic conditions Lake Tahoe has to offer.

Spend half a day fishing the waters of San Diego on your own private fishing charter for up to passengers. This experience is geared to everyone, from experienced anglers to those who want to try their hands at fishing for the first time. Your captain will participate as little or as much as you wish, and all fishing gear and tackle will be provided.

Immerse yourself in the outdoors and enjoy a catch-and-release fly fishing experience with this private guided half-day tour. Ideal for both beginners and more experienced anglers, your guide will customize the tour to your and your group and provide instruction at the appropriate pace. All necessary gear provided, including rods, reels, flies, waders, and boots.

Look for whales as they migrate through the waters of the Pacific Ocean off of California on this whale-watching cruise from Monterey. Your naturalist guide shares commentary about the whales and their habitat as you search for gray whales (most common), humpback and blue whales, and other marine life such as dolphins and sea lions during your cruise.

The Experience: Striped Bass Hunting – Tides, Physics & The Strike This is not a relaxing day of sitting around. This is a hands-on, deep-dive masterclass in hunting Striped Bass from the pier. Guided by "Salty," a Mariners Specialist, you will learn to bypass the tourist traps and master the specific mechanics required to land a trophy in heavy current. Most charters just hand you a rod and hope for the best. We don't operate on hope. Guided by "Salty," a Mariners Specialist, you will learn a "Hunter-Gatherer" approach to targeting Striped Bass that blends modern physics with generational Native knowledge. You leave with the muscle memory of the retrieve and the knowledge to rig your own gear. You aren't just catching a fish; you are becoming an angler.

We set sail on a 45 foot, teak filled sailing yacht- Named, Song of David. One of the largest and most comfortable sailboats in the Oceanside harbor. We cater to guests from many of the five star hotels in the area. We serve an upscale experience with Charcuterie and Champagne as an option. Ask about our three and four hour extended experiences. We set sail and begin looking for dolphins and whales. The bow of the boat has been fitted with a special dolphin seat so that you can actually sit over the top of the playful dolphins below. The memories gained abord the Song of David will last a lifetime.

Join "Salty," a Bay Area Native, for a masterclass in DIY Crabbing that you literally cannot get anywhere else. Why? Because we don't just use standard gear. You will gain exclusive access to Salty’s Custom Trap Design—a proprietary, fail-proof system invented by the owner and found in no store on earth. We teach you the active Rod & Reel Snare method for the fight, but we also deploy my custom traps to guarantee the haul. You will learn the engineering behind why commercial traps fail and why my design delivers. This is a chance to see a local trade secret in action. Book now to witness the difference. . The "Secret Weapon" Reveal: You will operate Salty’s custom-designed crab traps. These are engineered by hand, strictly unavailable in retail stores, and designed with a unique geometry that outperforms standard commercial pots. You will learn the DIY mechanics of why they work and how to upgrade your own gear.

Fly Fishing the World famous Truckee River, which flow out of Lake Tahoe is a great experience not only for beginners, but experts alike.

Each trip is different. You can see are: pods of dolphins, families of sea otters, and whales breaching. These sights make for once in a lifetime opportunities. Learn kayak safety and fishing strategies. Use the fishing strategies to catch fish. Find the fish and adjust the bait presentation.

Here is exactly what makes this unique: The "Live Bait Chain": Halibut ignore dead bait. We don't buy frozen anchovies. You will learn to master the Sabiki Rig, catching your own live Shiner Perch, Smelt, or Anchovies right from the pier. You learn the entire food chain: catch the bait to catch the beast. Rigging: Halibut teeth and gill plates slice weak lines. Using Salty’s background in Non-Destructive Inspection, you will learn to build a bulletproof Carolina Rig. You will learn to check leaders for microscopic abrasions that lose trophies, ensuring your gear holds when it counts. "Mental Sonar" (Reading the Floor): We teach you to visualize the bottom topography using the "Dragging Retrieve". You will learn to feel the transition from mud to sand to rock, identifying the "ambush holes" where Halibut hide. The hardest skill in fishing. You will learn to distinguish the "tap-tap" of a Halibut from a snag, mastering the discipline of "feeding the fish" before setting the hook.

San Diego is famous for its bay, so get out on it and catch some fish with this small group tour. This is an economical choice, so you’re not renting the entire boat yourself, but sharing it with your group of 10 max. No need to bring tackle and bait because all your fishing gear is provided for you. Your captain will even take you to the best spots to catch a fish.

We explain the details and intricacies of catching all kinds of crab off of a rod and reel. Equipment, bait and all the essentials will be provided so all you have to do is show up! We will meet at one of the most stunning piers where a fishing license is not required. This location is easy to learn and teach your guests one the most unique and best West Coast past times that will have you reeling back for more!

This is the most fun you will ever have catching lobsters. Hang out on the boat and pull up traps full of lobsters. Each guest can catch up to 7 lobsters of legal size. We also experience something different and super cool on every trip. This is a private charter, and you can have up to 6 people.

We have top-of-the-line 2025 Bennington pontoon. It has all of the latest and greatest features. Including lie down lounger, eating table, 250 hp, double Bimini and many add-ons at a small extra cost.

Step onto the pier in Tomales Bay and learn crabbing the way locals do—simple, hands-on, and ridiculously fun. We’ll bait and set hoop nets, then check them together as the bay reveals what’s been crawling below. Along the way you’ll learn the “why” behind the rules: how to measure for legal keepers, handle crab safely, and read tides and habitat so you’re not just hoping—you’re understanding. This is a pier-based adventure, so it’s beginner-friendly and great for kids, with all gear provided. Expect salty air, curious seabirds, and that electric moment when the net breaks the surface and everyone leans in. If conditions allow, we’ll wrap with practical tips for keeping your catch fresh and cooking it at home—so you leave with memories and real skills you can repeat.

Scheduling must be booked 1 month in advance. This is a 12+hr day. "Everyone complains about the rain. But the rain brings the Sturgeon. We have 4 spots for this weekend. Who wants a dinosaur?" Battle with "Dinosaurs": You will target White Sturgeon—prehistoric fish that have existed for 200 million years. You will learn the specific "Pulley Rigs" and heavy leader setups required to land a fish that can weigh over 100lbs without snapping the line. Safe Handling of Dangerous Game: You will learn the professional protocols for landing and handling sharks and rays. This includes how to safely de-hook a Stingray without contacting the barb, and the "Tonic Immobility" technique to calm a shark for safe release. When fighting big fish, one weak knot spells disaster. You will learn to inspect your terminal tackle using Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) standards—the same rigor used in military applications—to ensure your gear holds up to the fight.

Learn the intricate skills of crabbing right from the Pacific shoreline in San Francisco. This hands-on experience teaches you how to catch Dungeness and Rock Crabs without needing a boat. Under the guidance of seasoned instructors, including crabbing enthusiast Evan, you'll master the use of snares and rods, and discover how to prepare your catch. Enjoy the thrill of catching crabs while surrounded by stunning coastal views, making it an ideal outing for groups, families, or anyone eager to connect with nature and the ocean's bounty.