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Monterey, California
Inshore Fishing Charters in Monterey
8 inshore guides in Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz that fish the bays, flats and passes, listed A to Z with their boats and published prices. Call the guide directly – we never take a commission.
The guides
Monterey inshore fishing guides, A to Z
Every guide here lists inshore, bay, flats or backcountry trips on its own published trip menu. Confirm the trip, the price and what is included before you book.
Barbarossa Fishing
Santa Cruz
Targets: Chinook salmon, Tuna, Halibut, Rockfish, Lingcod
Chartle Charters
Santa Cruz Harbor, 333 Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Targets: Chinook salmon, Albacore, Bluefin tuna, Halibut, Lingcod, Rockfish, White seabass
Chris' Fishing and Whale Watching
Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA
Targets: Rockfish, Lingcod, Halibut, Chinook salmon, Sand dab, Dungeness crab
J&M Sport Fishing
Old Fisherman's Wharf, Monterey, CA
Targets: Rockfish, Lingcod, Chinook salmon, Dungeness crab
Santa Cruz Coastal Charters
Santa Cruz Harbor, S Dock Slip 5, 333 Lake Ave., Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Targets: Chinook salmon, Halibut, White seabass, Rockfish, Lingcod, Dungeness crab, Albacore
Stagnaro Sport Fishing
Check-in 1718 Brommer St; boats at F Dock, West Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor
Targets: Rockfish, Lingcod, Sand dab, Chinook salmon, Albacore
Tied and True Fishing Guide and Charters
North Harbor Santa Cruz, X-11 Dock, 7th Ave. and Brommer St.
Targets: Chinook salmon, Halibut, Bluefin tuna, Lingcod
Waypoint Sport Fishing
Santa Cruz Harbor
Targets: Chinook salmon, Rockfish, Lingcod, Halibut
Listed alphabetically – this is not a ranking. Updated October 2026. All 8 operators: Monterey fishing charters.
What to expect
Inshore fishing in Monterey at a glance
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.
- Trip lengths these guides publish: Full day (8 hours or more) – 1; Half day (about 4 hours) – 1.
- Fish they list most: Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Rockfish, Halibut, Albacore, Dungeness crab, Bluefin tuna, White seabass.
- In season in October: Rockfish, Lingcod, Albacore (see the Monterey season calendar).
- Group size: most of these boats that publish a limit take up to 6 guests.
Inshore fishing follows the tide. The Monterey fishing report shows today’s tide times, wind and the best fishing times, and how to read a tide chart explains what they mean.
Questions
Inshore charters in Monterey: questions
What fish do inshore charters target in Monterey?
The fish these guides list most often are Chinook salmon, Lingcod, Rockfish, Halibut, Albacore, Dungeness crab. What bites depends on the month – see the season calendar.
Is inshore or deep sea fishing better in Monterey?
Inshore trips are calmer, shorter and better for kids and first-timers; offshore trips run farther for bigger fish and take more time. Monterey also runs offshore trips: 5 offshore boats. Inshore vs offshore explained.
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.
For captains and guides
Your boat, listed free. No commission, ever.
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