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California Fishing Guides

You Choose the Guide, leave the Fishing Experience to US

California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
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CHOOSING A CA FISHING GUIDE NEAR ME

The sport of fishing can seem tricky at first, especially for new anglers or beginners. But that doesn’t have to be the case always. With just a little knowledge, you will know what gear to buy, fishing license information, and all the techniques needed to catch and land your favorite fish. This is easy comes from hiring local California fishing guides, maybe only once if choose wisely.

The guide service will save you countless dollars on buying unnecessary equipment and cut your learning curve in half, all from one trip. By hiring a useful fishing guide service, you’ll be able to get on the water and teach your family and friends, and be catching fish by the following weekend.

Featured Local California Fishing Guides

Local California Fishing Guides

Meet our TEAM of Local Northern California Dedicated Anglers.

Jared, fishing trips for experienced angler with fly fishing guides

Jared Van Groningen

Jared Van Groningen ★★★★★ 5 2 reviews
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Jared born and raised in Manteca, California, started fishing at an early age. Fished striped bass and slowly transitioned to trout, then finally in love with bass. Honing his skills on California Delta, Motherlode lakes [Read More]

Aaron Britt, Northern California the best fishing for catching fish

Aaron Britt

Aaron Britt ☆☆☆☆☆ 0 0 reviews
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Aaron Britt is a Professional Bass angler that grew up in Northern California. He is within an hour of some of the most prestige fisheries Oroville, Clear Lake, California Delta, Lake Berryessa, and Lake Shasta  [Read More]

fly fishing trips in northern California, where catching fish on first fishing trip in normal

Your Name Here!

California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
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Capt Your Name we add your complete bio here which connects with your exclusive single guide page. As a professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all  [Read More]

Capt John Miller is a full-time smallmouth bass fishing guide out of Erie, PA with 15+ years professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all of his clients [Read More]

Capt Tom Goodrich a local fishing charter captain in Erie, PA area and surrounding water. Specialize in Walleye fishing, but well versus in catching smallmouth bass, Lake Trout, and more. [Read More]

Meet our TEAM of Local Southern California Dedicated Anglers.

Use fly fishing guides in Northern California for next trip for amazing day

Your Name Here!

California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
5 1
Capt Your Name we add your complete bio here which connects with your exclusive single guide page. As a professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all  [Read More]

Capt John Miller is a full-time smallmouth bass fishing guide out of Erie, PA with 15+ years professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all of his clients [Read More]

Capt Tom Goodrich a local fishing charter captain in Erie, PA area and surrounding water. Specialize in Walleye fishing, but well versus in catching smallmouth bass, Lake Trout, and more. [Read More]

Trips Large groups, we have boats give us a call for a great trip

Your Name Here!

California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
5 1
Capt Your Name we add your complete bio here which connects with your exclusive single guide page. As a professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all  [Read More]

Capt John Miller is a full-time smallmouth bass fishing guide out of Erie, PA with 15+ years professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all of his clients [Read More]

Capt Tom Goodrich a local fishing charter captain in Erie, PA area and surrounding water. Specialize in Walleye fishing, but well versus in catching smallmouth bass, Lake Trout, and more. [Read More]

Good experience for travelers, beginners or advance anglers wanting tours

Your Name Here!

California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
5 1
Capt Your Name we add your complete bio here which connects with your exclusive single guide page. As a professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all  [Read More]

Capt John Miller is a full-time smallmouth bass fishing guide out of Erie, PA with 15+ years professional angler with incredible experience and knowledge to share with all of his clients [Read More]

Capt Tom Goodrich a local fishing charter captain in Erie, PA area and surrounding water. Specialize in Walleye fishing, but well versus in catching smallmouth bass, Lake Trout, and more. [Read More]

Fishing Northern California | Premier Calif Fishing Guides

There are many different opportunities for fly fishing guides in northern California waters that will be accessible to any angler. Our NorCal fishing guides can schedule a boat trip specifically for you. Fly fishing guides target salmon, rainbow trout, steelhead, and yes bass too. All of our fishing guides are privately selected and have been trained and tested to ensure your success at fun and catch quality fish. The state of California, like Florida, is well known for its great outdoors, with plenty of water, lakes, and reservoirs available all year round.

Southern California Bass Guides | Premier Calif Fishing Guides

Just like Northern California, Southern California is full of great fishing locations as well. Some call it the Bass Capital of the West, but so do many. We offer Southern California guided fishing tours and trips on Castaic Lake where you can catch largemouth, smallmouth bass, and striped bass all in the same day.

We have experienced guides to help you with fishing tournaments or to go out and find your new PB.  Whether you are wanting to hone your knowledge and skills for fishing tournaments or are completely new to the sport of bass fishing, we can customize the experience to ensure you get the most out of your trip. Southern California bass fishing, using a guide, is unique because you learn so much and do all of the fishing starting with the first stop.

Our purpose for the day is for you to have a good time with family and friends. If needed, get some instructing & teaching all included. We will make sure that your next trip, is a top-notch fishing adventure.

Southern California Fishing Charters

So leave the choice up to us or visit or selection of Southern California bass fishing guides to choose your own. Other than Castaic Lake, we also currently fish Lake Casita, Cachuma, and Pyramid Lake throughout Southern California. Our local Southern California guides specialize in Southern California bass fishing only.

Hiring a Guide

  1. Do you guide full or part-time? A full-time guide spends their time on the water learning where and how to catch fish for the client’s enjoyment.
  2. What kind of boat do you have and how old is it? You should expect good, dependable, and safe equipment.
  3. Do you teach or just take me fishing? Clarify what you want out of your trip, a good guide should be volunteering their information on the how’s and why’s of what they’re doing. They should be concerned about your ability to catch fish and not just catching the fish themselves.
  4. What is the cost and what means of payment are accepted?
  5. How has the fishing been and what can we expect to catch? No matter how tough the fishing has been or maybe, you should expect the best efforts out of your guide and get your money’s worth.
  6. Where can I buy a license, where can we meet and how do I get there?
  7. What tackle do you provide, what should I bring, food, water, etc?
  8. Do you practice catch and release and what if I catch a trophy?
  9. How and when do you provide restroom breaks if needed?
  10. Expect your guide to be courteous, professional, and willing to answer all your questions when you talk with them, if not, then call another guide.

Your guide will expect that you:
Show up on time, act responsibly with enthusiasm, Pay promptly in the manner agreed upon before the trip, and hopefully earn a tip from you.

These opinions are offered by almost all guide services. Please feel free to give us a call or contact us via chat at any time if you just need general information about how the fishing has been or what bait to use.

Local CA Conventional & Fly Fishing Guides Needed

BassOnline the world’s largest online bass fishing company!
Based on the Overall Satisfaction rating from Actual Customers!
California Fishing Guides ★★★★★ 4.9 3453 reviews
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4.95 Overall Satisfaction rating

Trout fishing in ArkansasInterested in a Career as a Fishing Captain?

We have a 98% Success Record

We Use the Best Equipment Available in the Fishing Industry

We are extremely careful with all the baits we give to our customers. We are happy to provide our clients with the finest fishing equipment available. We spare no expense when it comes to fishing for the guests. The boat does not catch fish but will be in tip-top shape.

All equipment is different when fishing in the Sacramento River, verse the local lakes and we got you covered. The same goes for fishing open water and boating while drift fishing. Captain’s will provide the best rods and reels offered to customers for the best chance of landing our fiercest fish!

The Baits & Lures

We believe the most effective fishing techniques in Northern California are essential to our success in the water. The lures chosen by us are successful and we have made some unique choices based on all species.

The creation of our own local bait is the key to our survival on the water – often times that’s the difference between fishing and catching on the water!

Rods, reels, and lines

At our boat, we offer the most advanced reels and rod types available. Our partnership with various fishing gear and equipment suppliers has enabled us to offer some of the finest fishing products. We use the highest quality reels to provide an excellent fishing experience.

We use braided lines for heavier applications, for example, fishing salmon or striped bass. For light applications, our mono fishing lines are used for our Lake Salmon, Trout, and a variety of bass.

Private Striped Bass Fishing Trips

Trips can range from $250 per person and sometimes have a minimum of four (4) anglers or six (6) anglers required. The charters vary based on the length and generally offer 4hr, 6hrs, 8hr, and sometimes longer. Like all good charters, all supplies are supplied to you on your fishing trip. One day trip for the boats, all have daily bag limits, like two striped bass over 18”. The guide will know what is legal and what needs to be thrown back.

Extraordinary Fly Fishing in Northern California and Beyond

Our fly fishing trips offer guided trips to local rivers and lakes throughout California. In Upper and Lower Sacramento River, in Northern California.

In addition to scenic excursions, we provide lodging referral services, best restaurant suggestions, and seasonal local information for the seasons.

We use our NETWORK OF TOP TIER FISHING GUIDES when planning the ideal fishing trip for all of our client groups

It’s your trip, if this is your first time fishing trip, we’re here to help you make it the best possible adventure. Our captains are heavily booked guides, and we’re always waiting to talk to you to find out what’s going on and how can help.

We try to reserve our trips at the optimum times for the bass, trout, and fly fishing season and provide accurate and honest reports for all our customers.

If our captains don’t think we can fish, they will contact you to arrange another time to fish for you or we could suggest another choice.

Minimum trip prices will be charged to each group unless other pricing arrangements have been made at the time of booking.

For example, if your charter has a (4) person minimum and only (3) shows up on the day of the trip, your party will still be required to pay for the trip based on the reservation.

The deposit will be paid at the time of reservation, each area and trip has a different cancellation policy. Clients who made cancelations should pay an additional $15 per assurance fee that will provide last-minute cancellation of trip and refund of payment.

IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED!

Listed are many things you need or should consider while planning your travels. It will make your time on the boat even more enjoyable. Getting a fishing license in advance, many states you can purchase the license a year in advance by providing a start date.

In addition, salmon, trout, and steelhead may have a necessary additional stamp to purchase with a license. Sacramento River King salmon fishing doesn’t need a special stamp, though Steelhead fishing it is mandatory in most jurisdictions.

FISHING GUIDES REVIEWS

Great Place and Lake

Lake Apopka
★★★★★
This place is a well hidden secret. A huge variety of fish, birds, bunnies and not to forget big bass and lots of alligators in every size can be seen. No fences in their natural habitat.
- Torsten Dreier

Mark Rose

Mark Rose
★★★★★
2nd time we have booked Mark because of his professionalism and able to put us on lots of huge bass both times!!!!! Highly recommended!!!
- Janie Schnuck

3/15/24 Peacock Bass

DJ Timms
★★★★★
We had an awesome day of fishing with Captain DJ. He put our 3 sons and my wife and I on beautiful peacock bass and a bonus tarpon! Thanks for the great memories!
- VanGorder Family
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Rainbow TroutDestinations for Fishing Trips

Known locally as Northern California or Southern California, the region belongs to Ca. The diversity of fishing is more commonly in west coastal areas to east countryside lakes and reservoirs. The provinces consist of a number of lakes and reservoirs that sit at the foothills of many National Parks and forests.

The diversity of fisheries provides many species of fish. And many favorable techniques of fishing including artificial lures, live bait, and fly fishing. All very popular methods experienced anglers for catching a treasure in California.

With all that said, it takes different many California fishing charters and experienced anglers (captains) to know locations, boats, and rivers. We will cover many of these and why a fishing guide is so important!

Best Fishing in California

Featuring hundreds of miles of shoreline along with some of the most desired rivers, lakes, and reservoirs in the country. California bass guide presents the perfect opportunity to explore all the possibilities, from trophy largemouth bass in Clear Lake to big spotted bass and smallmouth in the California Delta to big fishing near San Francisco for rainbow trout fly fishing in the Sacramento River.

The pure variety of species you can catch in California is incredible, so it’s essential to prioritize your choices. Are you looking for, bottom fishing for Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish, and Albacore Tuna fishing? You can do just about anything in Northern California. If you prefer Southern California, you can chase Calico Bass, California Sheephead, Yellowtail Amberjack, Barracuda, and even more.

The freshwater action is just as impressive in Northern California as in Southern California. There are several bodies of water in California that are world-class fisheries for Trout and Salmon action, and let’s not forget about the incredible local Sturgeon population. The lakes and reservoirs hold big trophy largemouth bass, northern largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and trout that is red hot fishing.

Going on California fishing charters, they offer just about every type of trip and package under the sun. But arguably the best bang for the buck, with no chance of seasickness is the river, lakes, and reservoirs. They produce top-notch trips; one day, you can spend several hours on a river with your family and friends; the next, you can go experience an amazing day on a reservoir fishing expedition. The only limit here is your fishing ambition.

You’ll quickly find a local fishing guide in most coastal cities of California. From Long Beach to San Francisco, from San Diego to LA you will find some of the best fisheries to find a fishing professional that will put you on your trophy catch, so schedule a day of fishing with a professional guide service today.

California Bass Fishing Tips

Every fishing trip is different, but you can generally expect to find largemouth bass shallow during spring and fall. These fish become more elusive in summer and winter when they move to deeper water, but it’s still possible to fish for them.

Anglers with any level of experience can have great success and lots of fun while fishing for Bass, whether on a fly rod or light tackle. Sport fishers have developed a wide variety of tactics when it comes to targeting these fish, including highly specialized techniques to adapt to heavy foliage and other factors. Some Bass fishing guides offer classes to help their clients master these techniques, including tournament-style methods.

When they’re hungry, Bass bite a variety of baits and lures. Depending on the season, effective lures include spinnerbaits, crankbaits, jerk baits, and spoons. Jigs, plastic worms, and topwater lures are better in summer, while pork baits, jigs, and soft plastics work best in winter. Anglers sometimes manage to tempt Largemouth Bass even when they aren’t hungry since they will also bite in an effort to protect their territory.

No matter where, when, or how you choose to fish for California’s legendary bass, these fish are sure to leave a lifetime of impression. And who knows—you might just be the next to land a record-breaking catch in these waters!

Recent Trip Results

The Southern California Lakes fished well, captured large bass, and had great limits for various baits too. If you want to experience these fantastic boats then you can book your trip through Bass Online.

It’s our responsibility, to find the best fish on Lake Cachuma, Lake San Antonio, Lake Nacimiento, Lake Casitas, Castaic Lake, or the Salton Sea in southern California.

Southern California saltwater fishing guides are additionally a great choice, the area is wide open fishing near Oxnard California.

If you, Come fish with us

We supply everything needed for beginner anglers to the most experienced angler, we enjoy family and corporate trips. Bass Online is known for its unmatched service and the overall success of your day of fishing will become. Give us a call, while in the California area. Reserve a trip to experience our Southern, Central, or Northern California bass fishing trips. We ensure a great day of fishing in  California.

How do I make a reservation for a fishing trip?

Reservations for fishing trips are easy! All modern respectful operations have online booking, why should you wait on hold and call an office or send an email when it can all be done online?

You can see who and what our available dates are for any particular fishery you’re interested in. You may secure a reservation with a small deposit or the total cost by using online instant booking. Once your payment is received, you’ll be confirmed to fish on the lake of your choosing.

Fishing Trip Payment Information

Payment of fish trips is usually completed online via text or email. After you select to book a fishing trip, our website will email you a complete itinerary. Upon your request, you will have confirmation as we use real-time booking. You can pay your deposit online or in full it’s up to you or pay the balance at the end of your vacation trip.

Rules & Regulations

All California fishing charters should include everything you need for the trip except for a fishing license. Anyone choosing to fish and of age 16 or older can buy one online or at local retailers like Walmart or easily untamed online. Remember that going out with a local fishing guide California is the best way to fish responsibly since many fishing grounds have special regulations on the size and numbers of specific fish.

FAQ

How much is a Fishing Charter in California?

The cost of hiring a private charter boat ranges from $250 to $1500. All fishing charters in California usually are offered in intervals of 1 hour, starting with two hours, 3 hours, and four hours, a three-quarter day is considered six hours and a full day is 8 hours.

What is the best month to Fish in California?

The summer months are more specific: June through September are when you can catch gold no matter the technique or desired species.

What is required to be a Fishing Guide in California?

The licenses for saltwater fishing charters in California must contain the following documents: Commercial Passengers Fishing Boat License + Commercial Boat Registration, Boat registrations, and USCG license.

What Bass are Native to California?

The largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides was first imported to California by the city of Quincy in 1891 to Cuyamaca Lake and are now found across entire California. There are also the northern bass, spotted bass, and smallmouth bass.

What do I need to be a Fishing Guide in California?

You need at least three legal documents in the state of California for the legal operation. State license, driver’s license, and boating registration.

What is the best month to fish in California?

Spring (March to May): Spring brings warmer temperatures, increased fish activity, and a variety of species becoming more active.

Summer (June to August): Summer months offer excellent fishing opportunities in California, with various species available in lakes, rivers, and coastal areas.

What is the number one fishery in California?

The delta is highly regarded for its year-round fishing potential, scenic beauty, and the chance to catch trophy-sized fish. It attracts anglers from all over California and beyond, making it a popular and highly productive fishery.

Which Family fishing charters in California are the best?

When selecting a fishing charter for your family, consider factors like the age and experience level of family members, preferred fishing location (freshwater or saltwater), target species, and the charter’s reputation for accommodating families. It’s also advisable to check with the charter operators regarding age restrictions, safety measures, and any specific amenities they offer for families.

Overall, both freshwater and saltwater fishing charters in California can provide enjoyable and memorable experiences for families, so choose the option that aligns with your family’s preferences and interests.

What are the top fish species and fishing techniques in California?

California is known for its diverse fish species and offers a wide range of fishing techniques. Here are some of the top fish species and fishing techniques in California:

  1. Largemouth Bass: Largemouth bass fishing is popular in California, especially in lakes and reservoirs. Techniques such as casting with plastic worms, crankbaits, or topwater lures, as well as flipping and pitching into cover, are commonly used for bass fishing.
  2. Striped Bass: Striped bass are highly sought after in California, particularly in freshwater and estuary environments. Anglers use techniques like trolling, casting with swimbaits or topwater lures, and live bait fishing to catch striped bass.
  3. Rainbow Trout: Rainbow trout are abundant in California’s lakes, rivers, and streams. Anglers often employ techniques such as fly fishing, spin casting with small lures, bait fishing with worms, or PowerBait to catch rainbow trout.
  4. Sturgeon: California is known for its sturgeon fisheries, particularly in the San Francisco Bay and Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Anglers often use bait fishing techniques with shrimp, eel, or other natural baits to target sturgeon.
  5. California Halibut: Halibut is a popular sportfish in California, and anglers often target them using techniques such as drift fishing, trolling, and casting with live bait or artificial lures.
  6. Salmon: California offers opportunities for both ocean and river salmon fishing. Techniques like trolling with downriggers, mooching, and casting with spoons or spinners are commonly used to target salmon.
  7. Rockfish: Rockfish, including various species like Vermilion, Copper, and Lingcod, are prevalent along California’s coastal areas. Anglers use techniques like bottom fishing with bait or jigs to catch rockfish.

These are just a few examples of the top fish species and fishing techniques in California. The state offers a diverse range of fishing opportunities, from freshwater lakes and rivers to the vast Pacific Ocean, providing anglers with a wide variety of fishing experiences.