September 2025 — San Diego: Offshore tuna continues, wahoo building toward Baja. September is a early fall month with water in the 70-74°F range — continued offshore action; dorado peak; yellowtail still strong. Here’s the full breakdown of what’s biting, where to fish, and the most productive tactics.
What’s Biting — September 2025
Primary targets this month: Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Yellowtail, Calico Bass.
Dorado
Dorado (mahi) on the offshore in late summer/early fall, the kelp paddies, and floating debris. Find a kelp paddy or any floating debris; bonus fish around the long-range tuna boats. Live or cut bait, small skirted lures, and even fly tackle.
Yellowfin Tuna
Yellowfin tuna on the offshore 60-180 mile grounds in summer/fall (long-range trips), the U.S./Mexican border banks, and El Toro Bank. Chunking (cut sardine, butterfish) at anchor, live bait drifting, or trolled feathers and cedar plugs. Heavy stand-up tackle (50-80 lb class) for the bigger grades.
Yellowtail
Yellowtail on the Coronado Islands, the 9 Mile Bank, the 14 Mile Bank, and the kelp lines off La Jolla and Point Loma — May through October peak. Live mackerel, sardines, or anchovies on 4/0-6/0 circle hooks. Slow-trolled or fly-lined. Heavy enough tackle (40-50 lb) to keep them out of the kelp.
Calico Bass
Calico Bass on the kelp beds and rocky structure along the entire San Diego coast — Point Loma, La Jolla, Coronado. Plastic swimbaits (3-5″ MC Swimbaits, Big Hammer), live anchovies, or jigs around kelp and rock. Light tackle (15-25 lb) on spinning or baitcasting gear.
Water Conditions & Patterns
Water temperatures are running 70-74°F. Continued offshore action; dorado peak; yellowtail still strong. San Diego tides are 4-6 feet — significant for kelp and bay fishing. Bay halibut bite best on the moving tide. Kelp fishing for calicos peaks on slow current as kelp lays back. Offshore tuna driven by water temperature and current rather than tide.
Check the NOAA marine forecast and tide charts before launching. Wind direction often matters more than wind speed for inshore fishing — clean water beats churned water nine times out of ten.
Tactics & Tackle for This Month
- Water temperature is everything. Yellowtail like 64°F+, white seabass like 60-65°F squid spawns, bluefin tuna 68-72°F.
- Live bait priority. Bait quality determines success — buy active anchovies and sardines from the bait barge, use them quickly.
- Long-range season. Multi-day trips on big boats access the best offshore fishing.
September Outlook
Transition month — snook season reopens, false albacore arrive, bait migrations begin.
Regulations Reminder
Tuna: NOAA HMS permit required. Strict size and bag limits — verify current NOAA rules. Yellowtail (CA): 24″ fork length minimum, 10 per day. Always verify current state regulations before each trip — slots, bag limits, and seasons change.
Local Resources
Bait & Tackle: Fisherman’s Landing tackle (Point Loma, 619-221-8500); H&M Landing (Point Loma); Squidco (Chula Vista); Discount Fishing Tackle (multiple SD locations).
Public Boat Ramps: Shelter Island Boat Launch (Point Loma — main public ramp), Mission Bay (Dana Landing, De Anza), Glorietta Bay (Coronado), Chula Vista Marina.
Charter Fishing: $200-$300/person walk-on day trips (Fisherman’s Landing, H&M Landing); $1,200-$2,500 private nearshore/Coronado Islands; $2,500-$6,000+ long-range overnight trips.
More San Diego Resources
San Diego Fishing Guide · San Diego Seasonal Calendar · All San Diego reports →
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