Tuna fishing out of San Diego: a local guide
San Diego is the closest SoCal port to most tuna water. Where to launch, which banks are in range, sportboats vs your own boat, and when to go.
Today at San Diego
Updated Oct 31, 1:11 pm- Sunrise
- 7:04 am
- Sunset
- 6:00 pm
- Moon
- Waning gibbous, 73% lit
Tides
| Sat | 3:21 am | High | 3.7 ft |
| Sat | 6:48 am | Low | 3.3 ft |
| Sat | 1:24 pm | High | 5.7 ft |
| Sat | 9:25 pm | Low | 0.1 ft |
| Sun | 3:54 am | High | 4 ft |
| Sun | 7:59 am | Low | 3.4 ft |
| Sun | 1:56 pm | High | 5.3 ft |
| Sun | 9:38 pm | Low | 0.2 ft |
NOAA tide station 9410170, feet above MLLW.
Water at the nearest spots
- 9 Mile Bank11 nm WSW76°F
- South 9 Mile Bank12 nm SSW76°F
- 178 Spot13 nm W76°F
- Coronado Islands18 nm S · MX76°F
- 182 Spot24 nm W74°F
- 302 Spot24 nm SW · MX76°F
Satellite water temperature. All spots →
Marine forecast
San Diego coastal watersWind SW 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft
- Tonight
- Wind SW 10 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: SW 1 foot at 4 seconds, W 1 foot at 12 seconds and SW 3 ft at 14 seconds. Rain.
- Sun
- Wind NW 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: NW 3 ft at 5 seconds, W 1 foot at 12 seconds and SW 3 ft at 15 seconds. Rain in the morning, then a chance of showers in the afternoon.
- Sun Night
- Wind NW 10 to 15 kt with gusts to 20 kt. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: W 2 ft at 4 seconds, W 1 foot at 14 seconds and SW 3 ft at 15 seconds. A slight chance of showers in the evening.
- Mon
- Wind E 10 kt...becoming W in the afternoon. Seas 3 to 4 ft. Wave Detail: E 1 foot at 4 seconds and SW 3 ft at 16 seconds.
PZZ740 · Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 10 nm
If you want to catch tuna in Southern California, San Diego is the place to start. More tuna water is within a short run of Point Loma than of any other harbor in SoCal, and the Mexican banks that hold fish in many seasons are right next door.
Getting on the water
Your own boat. San Diego Bay and Mission Bay both have public launch ramps, including Shelter Island in the bay. On a summer weekend, get there early. The ramps and the bait receivers get busy before dawn.
Live bait. The bait receivers near the harbor entrance sell sardines and anchovies by the scoop. Get bait first, then head out.
Sportboats. San Diego has one of the biggest sportfishing fleets on the West Coast, running out of Point Loma and Mission Bay. Trips run from half days to overnight and multi-day trips. For tuna, overnight and 1.5-day trips are the usual choice, because they put you on the water at first light far offshore.
What’s in range
Straight-line nautical miles from the San Diego harbor entrance. MX means Mexican waters, where everyone on board needs a Mexican fishing license.
| Spot | Distance |
|---|---|
| 9 Mile Bank | 11 nm |
| 178 Spot | 13 nm |
| Coronado Islands MX | 18 nm |
| 182 Spot | 24 nm |
| 302 Spot MX | 24 nm |
| The Corner | 30 nm |
| 425 Bank MX | 29 nm |
| 371 Bank MX | 31 nm |
| 43 Fathom Spot | 38 nm |
| 60 Mile Bank MX | 64 nm |
| San Clemente Island | 65 nm |
| Tanner and Cortes Banks | ~96 nm |
When to go
Bluefin usually show off San Diego first, often by May, and in many years the season runs well into fall. In warm years, late summer brings yellowfin, dorado and paddy yellowtail. Some winters have bluefin too. Month-by-month guide →
Mexican waters
A lot of San Diego’s tuna fishing happens across the line, at the Coronados, the 302 and beyond. Buy Mexican licenses for everyone aboard before you leave, keep the boundary on your plotter and know the rules for bringing fish home. What you need →
Tips for San Diego
- Start close. On many days the 9 Mile Bank and the 178 have fish within an hour of the dock. Check them before making a long run.
- Watch the wind. Afternoon northwest wind can make the ride home rough, especially from the outer banks.
- Fish the low light. The first hour of daylight is often the best bite.
- Carry four rigs. Fly-line, sinker rig, jig and surface iron. The four rigs →
Not for navigation. Distances are approximate straight lines. Check current CDFW and Mexican rules before you go.