This page covers mahi-mahi, also called dorado, fished out of Mission Bay. The harbor is a city-run small-craft harbor with its own ocean entrance, and the dorado trips from here run a long way out. For the harbor, ramps and fuel, see the Mission Bay port page. For identification and biology, see the mahi-mahi fishing guide.
When mahi-mahi are around Mission Bay
Seaforth Sportfishing’s 1.5-day trips generally run during the summer months, and dorado are among the targets. Catches have continued into October, when a two-day trip counted 19 dorado. The window runs from summer into fall, and it moves with the warm water. For the wider region, see the Southern California mahi-mahi guide (see also the Pacific Southwest region guide).
Where boats run
The harbor entrance is a channel between two jetties, about 5.5 miles north of Point Loma. Quivira Basin, where Seaforth operates, lies about a mile up from the entrance. Seaforth’s trips run to grounds 80 to 120 miles away, which is a long run out, so plan fuel and time to match.
Large swell can break across the entrance channel from almost any direction, and with a big sea outside, a heavy surge builds inside the bay, especially in Quivira Basin. The two bridges across the bay give 31 to 38 feet of clearance, so check tower and antenna height. Check the forecast and the swell yourself before running out.
Grounds and structure
No named dorado ground is documented for Mission Bay boats. Boats from the harbor are documented fishing the Point Loma and La Jolla kelp beds, 9 Mile Bank, 425 Bank and La Jolla Canyon, and none of those is named as a dorado ground for the harbor. The Coronado Islands are in Mexican waters, where Mexico’s own licensing and rules apply to any trip that crosses the border.
How mahi-mahi are fished out of Mission Bay
Seaforth’s dorado trips are not documented with a method. In the wider region, dorado work kelp paddies that drift offshore. Run the paddies, scan them for birds and bait, and fish the area around a paddy rather than running over it. When fish come up, chum with live bait and keep a hooked fish in the water beside the boat so the school stays near.
Who fishes them
Seaforth Sportfishing, based at Seaforth Landing in Quivira Basin at seaforthlanding.com, is the only operator based in Mission Bay with dorado among its trips. Its 1.5-day trips are the ones that name dorado. The San Diego Offshore Jackpot counts dorado, but its boats depart from other San Diego landings rather than Mission Bay.
FAQ
How far offshore do Mission Bay boats go for dorado?
Seaforth’s trips run to grounds 80 to 120 miles away. No single named dorado ground is documented.
When do the dorado come in?
From summer into fall, following the warm water. Catches have continued into October.
Which Mission Bay boat should I call?
Seaforth Sportfishing is the only operator based in the bay with dorado among its trips. Ask about current catches before booking.
Are the Coronado Islands in U.S. waters?
No. They are in Mexican waters, and Mexico’s licensing and rules apply to fishing there.
