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Monterey, California

Monterey Fishing Charters

8 charter captains and guides fishing from Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz, listed A to Z with their boats, trip types and published prices. Call the captain directly – we never take a commission.

8 captains and guides4 publish prices
See the captainsMonterey conditions

The captains

Monterey fishing charters and guides, A to Z

Trip types, species and prices are shown as each operator publishes them. Ask the captain what fits your group, and confirm prices before you book.

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The one City Spotlight for Monterey sits here, above the A to Z list, labeled Featured. Only for captains who pass our listing rules. How it works

Chartle Charters

Santa Cruz Harbor, 333 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Taylor Gene, 34 ft Hatteras Sportfisher (twin 250 hp Cummins)Up to 6 guests

NearshoreOffshore

Targets: Chinook salmon, Albacore, Bluefin tuna, Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish, White seabass

King Salmon (8 hr), from $1,800Nearshore Ultra Light (4-6 hr), from $1,620Live Bait Trip (8 hr), from $1,700
(831) 252-1777Website

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Chris' Fishing and Whale Watching

Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA

Star of Monterey (65 ft), Check Mate (56 ft Blanchard), Caroline (56 ft Delta)

NearshoreParty boat

Targets: Rockfish, Lingcod, Halibut, Chinook salmon, Sand dab, Dungeness crab

Rock & Ling Cod Fishing, adult weekday $120Rock & Ling Cod Fishing, adult weekend $130King Salmon Fishing Trip, adult $150+2 more on their site
(831) 375-5951Website

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Stagnaro Sport Fishing

Check-in 1718 Brommer St; boats at F Dock, West Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor

Velocity

NearshoreOffshoreParty boat

Targets: Rockfish, Lingcod, Sand dab, Chinook salmon, Albacore

Santa Cruz Deep Sea Cod Fishing Trip (approx. 7 hr), adult $131Deep Sea Half Day Cod (5 hr), adult $108Nearshore Half Day Cod (4.5 hr), adult $88+4 more on their site
(831) 427-0230Website

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Listed alphabetically – this is not a ranking. Updated October 2026. How we list · Update or remove a listing

Trip types

Deep sea, inshore or party boat in Monterey?

How the 8 operators listed here split by the trips they run. Not sure which fits? Read inshore vs offshore fishing.

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Deep sea and offshore boats

Offshore and deep sea trips run past the beaches to reefs, wrecks, ledges and open water for bigger fish. Expect longer runs, more swell and longer trips – full days are common.

Usually after: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Halibut, Rockfish.

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8

Inshore and bay guides

Inshore trips fish calm bays, flats, marsh and the passes close to land. Short runs, smaller boats and steady action make them the usual pick for kids and first-timers.

Usually after: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Rockfish, Halibut.

Inshore fishing charters in Monterey: all 8 guides →

3

Party boats

Party boats (head boats) sell spots per person, bait and tackle included. They are the cheapest way onto the water, and the crew helps beginners.

Usually after: Rockfish, Lingcod, Chinook salmon, Sand dab.

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Today on the water

Conditions in Monterey right now

Next high tideLive

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NOAA Monterey

Next low tideLive

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NOAA Monterey

Water temperatureLive

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NOAA Monterey

Wind nowLive

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National Weather Service

Air pressureLive

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National Weather Service

SunriseLive

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Sunset after load

Live from NOAA tide station 9413450, the National Weather Service. Tide times are predictions. Sunrise and moon are calculated for Monterey.

Full tide table and what is biting: Monterey fishing report.

Seasons

What is biting in Monterey, month by month

The main months for each fish, so you can match your dates to what you want to catch.

SpeciesJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rockfish
Lingcod
Cabezon
Chinook salmon
Sand dab
Albacore

Shaded months are the main season or open season for each fish, from the state wildlife agency or local captains’ own published calendars. Seasons and limits change – check current rules before you go. Sources: wildlife.ca.gov, stagnaros.com.

Know before you go

Fishing in Monterey: local notes

Santa Cruz and Monterey fall in CDFW's Central Groundfish Management Area (Pigeon Point to Point Conception); in 2026 rockfish and lingcod are closed Jan 1-Mar 31 and open at all depths Apr 1-Dec 31

Source: wildlife.ca.gov

Stagnaro party boats check in at 1718 Brommer St and load at F Dock in the West Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor; a $2 per-passenger Port District fee has applied since June 1, 2023

Source: stagnaros.com

Monterey party boats run from Old Fisherman's Wharf; Chris' group charters to Point Sur add $500

Source: chrissfishing.com

2026 fall ocean salmon season south of Pigeon Point (Monterey and south) ran Sept 1-30 with a 20 in minimum and 2-fish bag (no coho)

Source: wildlife.ca.gov

Lingcod must be at least 22 in and lingcod fillets at least 14 in with skin attached; copper rockfish limit is 1 per person

Source: wildlife.ca.gov

Questions

Monterey fishing charter questions

How many fishing charters are in Monterey?

We list 8 charter captains and guides fishing from Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz, A to Z – not ranked.

How much is a fishing charter in Monterey?

4 of the 8 operators listed here publish prices – you will see them on each listing. Prices depend on trip length, the boat and how far offshore you go, so confirm with the captain.

What fish can you catch in Monterey?

The species Monterey captains list most often are Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Rockfish, Halibut, Albacore and Dungeness crab. In October, the season calendar above shows Rockfish, Lingcod, Cabezon, Albacore in season.

Do I need a fishing license on a charter in California?

Ask the captain when you book: in many coastal states a licensed charter boat covers its paying passengers, but not in every state or on every trip. A California resident annual license is $64.54 and a nonresident annual license $174.14. California fishing license prices and rules.

Does Gone Fishing HQ take a commission?

No. You book with the captain directly by phone or on their own website, and they keep 100% of the trip price.

More in California: San Diego · Dana Point · San Francisco · Bodega Bay · Lake Tahoe.

From the blog: Bluefin Tuna Charters: Where and When

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