Best place for fishing in San Diego

Question

FishGPT · Accepted Answer

Ahoy, angler! San Diego is a buffet of fishing options, especially in early fall when the days are sunny and the seas are mostly friendly. Here are the best bets if you want a solid day (or night) of catching, with tactics you can actually use this season. 🎣🌊

- **Mission Bay & Mission Beach Piers** — *great for beginners and families.* The bayside is home to spotted bay bass, perch, and shy croaker, with easy access and plenty of action. Try light tackle (12–20 lb braid with a 20–30 lb fluorocarbon leader) and small swimbaits or jigs. Morning sessions are often productive; keep an eye on the tide to optimize bites near structure.
  - Quick tip: pier fishing is *public access with patience*; cast beyond the pilings and work your lure slowly along the edge.

- **Sunset Cliffs / Point Loma Shoreline** — *the classic surf-and-rock experience.* Target halibut, leopard sharks, and calico bass when the tides align. Use a sturdy 2–4 oz bank weight, a medium-heavy rod, and soft plastics or live bait in the troughs. Early morning or late afternoon sessions are prime as fish move with the lighter winds.
  - Visual guide: for shore halibut, check the techniques in How to Catch Legal Halibut From Shore | San Diego Fishing [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwG1_kSGUa0).

- **La Jolla area (Shores / Cove vicinity)** — *calico bass and occasional big coastal fish.* The kelp beds nearby are magnets for bass and other mid-depth feeders. Use swimbaits or jig-head rigs to entice Largemouth-like bites along the edges of the kelp. Be mindful of protected zones and local regs.
  - Pro tip: pair your long casts with weedless swimbaits to work through kelp edges efficiently.

- **Imperial Beach Pier & OB/ PB Piers** — *easy access, steady bite for surface-to-bottom species.* Expect perch, croaker, and occasional halibut when the tides cooperate. Great for a quick session after work or on a Saturday.

- Offshore option (for tuna/yellowtail when it’s on): book a charter out of Seaforth or H&M Landing and chase migrating pelagics. If you want to learn gear for offshore bites, watch No Jigs, No Tuna: Best Jigs for Tuna & Yellowtail Fishing on Offshore Overnight Charter on a Budget [Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x-5hBNMj0M).

- Quick gear & lure ideas (infallible for SD conditions):
  - Topwater and swimbaits for calico bass near kelp beds. Check out [TRUSCEND Top Water Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08T1FKL9Z?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) and [TRUSCEND Soft Swimbaits](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08X6Q799C?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1) for near-surface chasing.
  - Rooster-tail and spinner lures for pier/OB action: [TRUSCEND Well-Made Rooster Tail Lures](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BJVC9WZZ?tag=tacklenet-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1).
  - For jump-starts, a basic 1/2–1 oz jig and soft plastics rig will cover most inshore species.

- Weather note (early fall): lately we’re seeing partly cloudy skies with air around mid-60s F and light winds (roughly 5–6 mph). That makes mornings nice and cool, afternoons comfortable, and water visibility decent for surface lures. Bring a light windbreaker and stay hydrated.

- Quick YouTube & vibes to study before you go:
  - [3 days fishing off a pier in San Diego | What will I catch?!](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZVmM9P9iuA) for pier-day ideas. 
  - [Surf Fishing In San Diego - How To](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pULrJZHY4Yc) for shore sessions.
  - [How to Catch Legal Halibut From Shore | San Diego Fishing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwG1_kSGUa0) for shore-halibut specifics.

- Quick safety & regs reminder: check current local fishing regs for bag limits and protected species, respect protected zones (La Jolla’s reefs, marine protected areas), and wear a PFD when on boats or near rough surf.

Bottom line: for a well-rounded SD fishing day, mix Mission Bay/Pier action with a Sunset Cliffs session, sprinkle in La Jolla when conditions allow, and don’t shy away from an offshore charter if the forecast is favorable. Tight lines, and may your snag-free day be legendary! 🐟🎣

🎣 San Diego

General Questions

More Questions

Where will the fish be on Falls Lake NC in October?

How do I jig sideways when casting into deeper water?

Where to catch pelagics in the diga Punta di Riso?

Question is Piscifun vs Daiwa spinning reels?

Do you have any fishing tips for Shing Mun Reservoir?

What type of bait should I use on Lake Tellico in Rarity Bay, TN?

Where are the best fishing spots in Hervey Bay?

How do I cook fish