Sport Fishing in San Diego Ultimate Guide

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What is Sport Fishing?

Sport fishing is a type of fishing in which the aim is to catch a fish for enjoyment rather than for food. Sport fishing is done in saltwater, freshwater and even on ice. Sport fishing can be done in various types of bodies of water, from salt water to fresh water and even on frozen lakes or rivers. It does not necessarily need to be performed as a competitive sport with an objective as simple as catching more fish than the other guy, but it's often counted as such if the participants keep score. 

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Catch-and-release fishing is a type of sport fishing where the participant catches and releases their catch back into the wild instead of keeping it alive on a boat or shore while they reel in another one. The sport of surf fishing or shore fishing is catching fish from the shoreline, generally below the high tide mark. Some inshore species may be caught from piers, jetties, and bridges although some are sought after in more distant waters. 

Darting refers to a technique used by anglers who use light tackle to catch small fish using a dart. Which is a shape with a sharp pointed tip on one end and either a round or blunt end on the other. It is typically used to catch bait fish like mullet and menhaden, but can also be used to spear small fish, squid, and crustaceans.

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Basic Facts about Sport Fishing in San Diego

San Diego is located in California and is known for its bay fishing. The bay is an enclosed coastal body of water that’s connected to the ocean, with a narrow opening to allow the exchange of fresh water, salt water, and organisms between the two bodies. Although it’s only about 20 square miles, there are many different types of fish you can catch in this small space. The best days are Tuesdays and Wednesdays; however, it can also be productive on Thursday and Friday mornings or any time before noon. 

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Some days will be better than others if you want to catch specific fish like perch or anchovies. The best fishing days in San Diego are Tuesday and Wednesday. The bay can also be productive on Thursday and Friday morning or anytime before noon. Some days may be better than others if you want to catch specific fish like perch or anchovies. 

The bay is also known for its shark fishing. It’s an endangered species so there are only a few places where you can still catch them. Some people say the best place to go is near Oceanside, while others say the best spot is off of San Diego Bay Island.

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Equipment and Skills Needed for Sport Fishing in San Diego

Sport fishing is an activity that many people enjoy in the San Diego area. Whether you are looking to catch fish from the pier or from a boat, there are many equipment and skills needed for sport fishing in San Diego. The key items that you should bring along with you on your fishing trips are a pole and reel set-up of choice, a baitcasting reel setup for saltwater like fly rods, what are some good lures for catching fish in saltwater and other basic necessities. Such as a net, tackle box and fishing license

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Many different types of bait can be used to catch fish including worms, pieces of shrimp, and live fish. Some people like to use little pieces of bread or dough balls as bait for casting their fishing lines out into the water. If you're fishing at the pier or in public areas there are also many food options for you to use as bait such as french fries, hot dogs and even coffee. 

There are many types of fishing equipment that can be used from a boat and the pier. In terms of your boat, there are two types of boats that you can use in San Diego and they are inshore or offshore boats. The inshore boats are shorter and have a shorter range. The offshore boats are longer and have a higher range. These boats typically come in four to six different sizes so it's best to talk with your fishing charter about what size boat you should get.

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Best Places & Times to Catch Fish in San Diego County

Fishing spots in San Diego County can be a whole lot of fun. Just make sure to go at the right time so you are not wasting your time or catching fish that will not taste good. First, let's look at the water temperatures of San Diego County. 

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Well, the best time to fish for most fish species is when the water is around 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit. The best way to check this is by looking at any local fishing forecasts available online or by calling your nearest marine fisheries office. When the water is at such a temperature, you will generally catch larger fish and because the water is so warm, you are less likely to get a fin-takable hook as well. 

As for what fish to catch, there are some species that can be caught during almost all times of the year. These include mackerel, sardines and needlefish. For more information, contact your nearest marine fisheries office. Catch species of fish during the different months in San Diego County:

January: Bass, bluefish, croaker, halibut, mackerel and Mahi Mahi.

February: Barracuda, catfish and carp.

March: Dungeness crab, mackerel, red snapper and trout.

April: Dungeness crab and sardines.

May: Croaker, mackerel, mullet, mussels, opaleye and perch.

June: Croaker, Dungeness crab, mackerel and sheepshead.

July: Croaker July to November are good months for fishing with the exception of September. This is the period when a large concentration of bait fish migrates into San Diego County to spawn. For September, contact your nearest marine fisheries office for more information.

August: Croaker, mackerel and red snapper.

September: Black drum, dungeness crab, mackerel, opaleye and trout.

October: Barracuda and bass.

November: Barracuda, bonito, mackerel and perch.

December: Dungeness crab, mackerel and trout.

Top 10 Spots To Catch The Best Fish In Southern California

This article is about the best fishing spots in southern California. A list of 10 places near me to go sport fishing in San Diego County: 

  1. Mission Bay Park
  2. Coronado Island
  3. Shelter Island
  4. Carmel Valley Marina
  5. Tijuana Slough Industrial Park
  6. Del Mar Boat Basin
  7. Cardiff Boat Basin
  8. Sunset Cliffs
  9. Ocean Beach Fishing Pier
  10. Cuyamaca Rancho State Park

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