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Top 6 Fishing Charters in Santa Barbara

Are you looking for a fun and exciting fishing experience? If so, consider booking a fishing charter with one of the many reputable companies in Santa Barbara.

Close up of fisherman holding fishing rod. Beautiful sun light on background

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced fisherman, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The great thing about fishing charters is that you can customize your trip to fit your specific needs and interests. So, what are you waiting for? Book your charter today!


Santa Barbara Sportfishing Charters

Phone: 805-637-3425
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Welcome to Santa Barbara Sportfishing Charters. They want to make your time in Santa Barbara extra special with a fantastic half-day coastal fishing charter.

Your time aboard “Loose Cannon”, their custom-built 36′ fishing boat, will be an adventure you, your family and friends will talk about for years.

Captain Tony is a professional fisherman with 1000’s trips in the Santa Barbara waters. He knows the best fishing spots and loves sharing his passion with both kids and adults alike.


Santa Barbara Sea Charters

Phone: 805-896-0541
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pro angler holding a fish he has caught in deep fishing

At Santa Barbara Sea Charters, they offer a variety of custom charter experiences, from Sportfishing, Whale Watching, Sightseeing, Corporate Events, Transportation, Filming, and Photography.

To simply experience the joys of exploring and cruising the coastline or around the Santa Barbara Channel.

​Enjoy the thrill of sport fishing found in Santa Barbara’s pristine waters. Tour the beautiful Santa Barbara coastline or the Channel Islands from the ocean. Take an offshore excursion to go whale watching and see the unparalleled wildlife found in their waters.

Enjoy your time with family, friends, or business associates. They accommodate all ages – from the novice angler to the most experienced, from kids to great-grandparents.


Island Cats Charters

Phone: 805-294-0013
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They offer private and semi-private scuba and freediving to the Channel Islands, Santa Cruz, and Anacapa. Their experienced captains will take you to the best spots on the islands.

Prefer to stay dry? Allow them to shuttle you quickly and in comfort to view sheer cliffs, crystal clear coves, and spectacular views from the island vantage point.


Adventure Boat Charters Santa Barbara

Phone: 805-450-3483
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Welcome to Adventure Boat Charters Santa Barbara located in Santa Barbara Harbor since 2018. They provide Coastal dolphin cruises, sunset cruises, whale watching, island cruises, and Fishing trips.

You can spend the day at Santa Cruz Island relaxing and enjoying the views, the marine life, snorkeling, Paddleboard, hike, and exploring in a small private way.

Their experienced captains, crew, and abundance of sea life around guarantee you will have an amazing experience. Some activities require your own equipment but rentals can be available upon request as well.


Jonathan Davis Fishing

Phone: 805-478-4935
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Jonathan Davis Fishing is owned and operated by Captain Jonathan Davis in the heart of wine country on California’s beautiful central coast.

Captain Jonathan “Jonny” Davis is a full-time fishing guide and licensed U.S.C.G Charter Boat Captain with years of guiding experience in California and Alaska on both fresh and saltwater.

Captain Jonny wants to share his enthusiasm, knowledge, and passion for fishing with you and offers freshwater fishing trips for anglers of any age and skill level at any of our spectacular lakes here on the central coast.


Stardust Sportfishing

Phone: 805-963-3564
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Jason Diamond started Stardust Sportfishing in 1995. With the help of a good friend, he bought the Stardust and brought it to the Sea Landing in Santa Barbara, CA.

Jason has built Stardust Sportfishing as the premier fishing destination for the Santa Barbara Coast & the Channel Islands. Known for excellent customer service, friendly crew, awesome food, and even better fishing.

Jason loves getting first-timers out on the water for their first fishing experience, he expertly gets them on the fish and creates a memory to last a lifetime.


Santa Barbara Fishing Charter FAQs

How much is a fishing charter in Santa Barbara?

The average price in Santa Barbara for a half-day fishing trip of about 4 hours is around $500, and the price of a full-day trip will run you about $1000. 

Of course, there are many factors that may play into the cost of your Santa Barbara fishing experience like the number of anglers in your party, trip length, the type and size of the boat, as well as the fishing technique you’ll be using. 

What are the top species of fish to catch in Santa Barbara?

Guides in Santa Barbara target a number of popular fish species, so it all depends on where you want to fish and what you want to catch. 

Some Santa Barbara fishing charters will take you to explore the inshore areas like bays and flats for smaller game fish such as redfish, trout, snook, and tarpon. 

On the other hand, you can book a deep sea fishing charter that will target larger game fish like marlin, grouper, mahi-mahi, red snapper, and maybe even swordfish. 

What’s the difference between deep sea, inshore, and offshore fishing in Santa Barbara?

There are many different ways to experience fishing in Santa Barbara. When it comes to fishing guides, you typically have three options: inshore, offshore, and deep sea fishing charters. 

Inshore fishing means you’ll be staying in relatively shallow waters, fishing back bays, grass flats or within a few miles of the beaches for popular sport fish species.  The method is usually casting lures or using live baits. 

Offshore fishing is basically the same as deep sea fishing where the charter boat will take you out to open water where it gets much deeper.  Depth could range from 100 feet up to a few thousand feet deep.  You will target fish species like tuna, mahi-mahi, marlin, snapper and grouper.  Typically the method of fishing is trolling, but sometimes you can deep drop bait onto reefs or shipwrecks.  

Can You Keep Your Catch?

Most of the time, yes! If you’re wondering about keeping the fish you catch on your charter, then don’t worry because you will almost always be allowed to take your fish home.

Usually, the charter crew will fillet your fish for you once you arrive back at the dock, so that you can simply take it home and cook it up any way you like.

Depending on the guide you book, they may even take you to a nearby restaurant that will cook your catch for you in a number of different ways, as well. 

Which fishing charters in Santa Barbara are good for families?

If you’re planning a fishing trip in Santa Barbara for the family, you should make sure that the charter caters to families, especially if you are bringing children along. 

Luckily, many captains and their crew will be happy to accommodate families with children, and lots of them take pleasure in teaching kids all about fishing. 


Final Thoughts

Looking for a fun day out on the water? Why not go fishing with one of Santa Barbara’s many fishing charters?

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced angler, there’s something for everyone. So grab your friends and family and book a charter today! You won’t regret it.

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