Huge Fleet Offers Many Opportunities

The San Diego Sportfishing Council likes to boast that this city has “the largest and most modern sportfishing fleet in the world.”

What it is really bragging about is the fact that sportfishing is big business here, for two obvious reasons: The city rests on shores of the Pacific Ocean near many fertile fishing areas such as the kelp beds off Point Loma, the Coronado Islands and the rich waters off Mexico. And San Diego is a major tourist destination.

But area landings do not cater solely to out-of-towners. Anyone can board a boat, any day of the week, year-round.

Trips range from five hours to several days (usually to points off Mexico). The half-day cruises anchor near the Point Loma kelp beds where the main catch is calico bass (usually in the three- to seven-pound range). The cost is $18, but there are hidden fees. Rod-and-reel rental is an additional $5, and a bait fee of $1 will be charged once you board the boat.

A three-quarter day, or nine-hour, trip to the yellowtail-rich Coronado Islands will cost $25. Boats leave daily at 7 a.m. and return around 4 p.m.

A full day at the islands requires a departure in the early evening and bunking on board before fishing the next day and runs $50.

Multiday trips go for $150 per day.

There are four main landings in San Diego: H&M;, Point Loma Sportfishing, Fisherman’s Landing, and Lee Palm Sportfishers. Lee Palm specializes in long-range outings.

All sportfishing enterprises are listed in the yellow pages under “fishing parties.”