10 Top San Diego Fish Species
Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Boatsetter Team
Fishing in San Diego is incredibly popular, and considering the diverse species of fish you can catch both inshore and offshore, it’s no wonder why. In fact, everything from monstrous marlin to small sand bass can be caught in its nearby waters. That’s because San Diego offers both deep sea fishing action just off the coast and inshore fishing in San Diego Bay. So, which species top the angling charts? Let’s take a peek at the top 10 picks, with five for offshore and five for inshore.
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Top Offshore Fish Species in San Diego
1. Bluefin Tuna
Tuna fishing has been getting better and better in recent years, and these top-tier predators get as much or more attention than any other species in the ocean when they come within range of San Diego. Check out Tuna Fishing in San Diego: 10 Tips for Catching Bluefin to get the scoop on how to get ‘em on the line.
2. Calico Bass
Although these fish don’t get very large (a 10 pounder is considered a trophy) they’re good eating, can be found near shore so long cruises aren’t necessary to catch them, and they’re good fighters that are usually willing to bite.
3. Mahi-Mahi
This prolific pelagic predator is one of the most common gamefish you’re likely to encounter offshore. Be sure to keep a sharp eye out for weed paddies and flotsam, which mahi-mahi often congregate around.
4. Mako Shark
The waters of south California are famous for producing epic mako sharks, including some topping 1,000 pounds and one caught in 2013 that weighed an astonishing 1,323 pounds. If you want to go mano-a-mano with a shark the size of a car, this is the place to make it happen.
5. Yellowtail
A favorite at sushi restaurants and kitchen tables, yellowtail are a prized species which can be found both offshore in open waters and close to land near kelp forests or rocky drop-offs. When you’re after yellowtail look for terns wheeling and diving, which are often trying to pick off baitfish the yellowtail have chased to the surface.
Top Inshore Species in San Diego
1. Bonefish
The population of bonefish found in San Diego Bay consists mostly of small fish in the one- to three-pound range, but they’re popular among catch-and-release anglers looking for a challenge. The species is different from, but closely related to, the famed bonefish so popular among east coast and Caribbean flats fishermen. In both cases they’re known for being amazingly hard-fighting and punching well above their weight.
2. Corvina
This species is a member of the croaker family that looks very much like the popular speckled sea trout found along the East and Gulf coasts, but without the specks. They don’t get very large and a five-pounder is considered a whopper, but corvina are also considered an excellent fish to eat thanks to their mild flavor.
3. Croaker
Croaker get their name from their ability to “talk” by rubbing a muscle against their swim bladder. There’s a handful of different species (white, yellowfin, and spotfin), which can grow to varying sizes, but most that anglers catch are panfish of up to a few pounds. These fish are quite popular because they’re one of the most common catches among shoreline and pier anglers. Tip: they love eating bits of sand crab.
4. Halibut
Few fish can rival California halibut for their popularity on the dinner plate, so it’s no wonder they make this list. They can also get fairly large (though not nearly as large as the Pacific halibut found farther north) and are known for putting up a tough fight. If you want to target halibut remember to keep those baits close to the bottom, where these flat fish lurk.
5. Sand Bass
While sand bass don’t get very big (a five-pounder is huge) they’re excellent eating, bite willingly, and are found throughout the bay and inshore waters in great numbers. They’re popular among anglers simply because so often sand bass are what’s biting, and those who fish with artificials enjoy targeting them since they readily strike small jigs and swimbaits.
When you’re ready to go fishing in San Diego, remember that there are plenty of interesting species you can target beyond these top 10. California sheepshead, white sea bass, leopard sharks—the list goes on and on, and anglers fishing in San Diego have plenty to choose from.
For more information on the aquatic activities available here, also see Dock ‘n’ Dine: Best Waterfront Restaurants in San Diego to Get to by Boat, Boating in San Diego: Everything You Need to Know, and 14 Water Activities to Do in San Diego.
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