Deep-Sea Fishing Day Trip in Newport Beach, California

Deep-sea fishing is an amazing experience if you are into fishing, and a day trip out of Newport Beach, California is a great way to introduce you to the activity! It is quite exciting travelling deep into the ocean, chasing fish around the boat, and reeling in really unique fish. I always fish in freshwater and fishing in the ocean was quite an interesting experience!

Deep sea fishing day trip | Newport Beach, California | outdoors day trip Southern California | Orange County

On a day trip, you will typically be on a medium-sized boat with people of varying experience with deep-sea fishing. Some will appear to be experts, others first-timers, and also some families. If you are new to deep-sea fishing, there will be people around to teach you what to do and ensure you have fun!

Continue reading to discover what an exciting deep-sea fishing day trip in Newport Beach, California entails!

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An Amazing Deep-Sea Fishing Day Trip in Newport Beach

Check In and the Boat Ride

After waking up early to head to check-in at the harbour, we were given a fishing pole. A friendly guide explained what the day would entail, safety instructions, tips for beginners, and made note of the number of fish we could keep. I ended up giving my fish away to other fishermen as I don’t eat fish.

It wasn’t long until we were off to the deep sea! The morning boat ride is relaxing, and you can enjoy coffee and snacks from the little cafe on the boat. The boat’s captain knows where the hot spots are for the fish. With the help of a fish finder, they guide you right to where the action is!

Arriving at the Fishing Locations

When you do reach the fishing spot, all of the experienced fishermen jump up and throw their lines over in what seems like seconds. Meanwhile, I had to gain the courage to throw my line over in fear of the beasts that live in the ocean.

When I did muster up the courage, it was right when many fishermen got a bite. When deep-sea fishing, you chase the fish around the boat as you reel it in. You can picture little me wide-eyed as fishermen were running behind me and under me with poles in all directions as they were trying to catch their fish.

It seemed like fish were flying in the boat from all over the place when I finally got a bite on my line. Me, a drama queen, muttered “please don’t be ugly” as I began the race around the boat to follow and reel in my fish. I must have cursed myself, as I ended up catching what would become my least favourite fish in the world – the Bonito.

Prior to this trip, I thought that Pikes were my least favourite fish, but Bonitos have them beat. I have heard of the Bonito before, but never saw a photo of one prior to this day trip. I may have squealed when I caught one due to the slippery skin and jagged teeth. If you can’t tell by my photos, I did not want to touch them!

As a freshwater fisherman from Southern Ontario, Canada, I was very intrigued by the strange fish that the people on the boat caught. I may have taken a break from fishing to watch others and take pictures of the odd fish they caught.

Enjoying the Boat Ride Home

After a long day of fishing, I was definitely exhausted and sun burned. But, we floated alongside many dolphins that were fun to watch as they jumped in and out of the water. On the boat, the crew also prepared the fish as a service for fishermen so they didn’t have to do it themselves!

Overall, I had a great time deep-sea fishing on a day trip in Newport Beach, California!

Tips for Your First Time Deep-Sea Fishing

Make a reservation beforehand
Be sure to pack sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water
Wear clothes that you wouldn’t mind staining
Watch the experienced fisherman prior to learn how to properly catch a fish on the boat
Take note and keep track of your fish limits
Have fun!

How to Get to Newport Beach

Newport Beach is located in SoCal, nestled between Huntington Beach and Laguna Beach in Orange County. It is accessible by Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) or by the 55. Rush hour traffic on these highways is quite bad, so be sure to avoid travelling to and from Newport Beach during these times.

Be sure to book your excursion ahead of time, as most companies do expect reservations to guarantee a spot. There are options for 1/2 day, full-day, or multi-day excursions. I opted to try the full-day deep-sea fishing adventure in Newport Beach.

Book a Place to Stay in Newport Beach

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Have you ever been on a deep-sea fishing day trip in Newport Beach? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

Deep-Sea Fishing Day Trip in Newport Beach, California