The waters off the San Diego coast and continuing south to the Baja peninsula are among the best in the world for deep-sea fishing. Every summer, the warm waters along the Pacific coast attract large and varied schools of fish. Areas as close as three and extending to 10 miles offshore include catches of calico bass, sand bass, white sea bass, barracuda, mackerel and dorado. By venturing out 60 to 80 miles you will find albacore, bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, big eye tuna, skipjack and yellowtail. The deeper you go, the bigger the fish you're likely to hook. The average tuna or yellowtail weighs in at 15 to 30 pounds, but it's not unheard of for anglers to reel in a 300-pound monster. A 388-pound mammoth yellowfin tuna was caught in 1977 off the San Diego coast, setting an "all tackle world record" that still stands today.

Where and When to Go:

If you're ready catch your dinner or a trophy you have a number of option to choose from. The San Diego area offers numerous sport-fishing tour operations to take you. Local commercial tour operators offer a variety of trips, from half-day tours to three-week adventures to destinations like the Coronado Islands, just off the Baja coast. During the winter months the water temperature lowers and the fish head south and tours follow. From December to late spring, tours sail all the way down to Cabo San Lucas on the southernmost tip of Baja, or even farther.  Most sport-fishing tours provide rods and other essential gear as part of the overall fee.  You'll likely get assistance and advice from the crew as you battle with your catch. Crew members can help you boat even the toughest warriors from the water. For Baja trips, you'll need to purchase a separate Mexican fishing permit in addition to a U.S. license. Most tours assist with licenses and permits.