Ironclad Sportfishing
Status: active
Frank operates Ironclad Sportfishing as a versatile San Diego charter captain, running inshore, nearshore, and offshore expeditions across the Southern California Bight and into Mexico. His year revolves around the seasonal migrations of pelagic species—summer and fall bluefin tuna, yellowfin, and dorado on overnight trips to Cortez Bank and beyond; winter and spring bottom fishing for rockfish, lingcod, and halibut on the deeper banks; and year-round action on calico bass, white seabass, and barracuda in Mission Bay and nearshore waters. He also offers specialty trips like lobster hoop netting and is equally comfortable with fly anglers, spin casters, and waders seeking flats action in the shallows.
Details
- Species: Yellowtail, Blue Marlin, Bigeye Tuna, Bonito, Calico Bass, Sculpin, White Seabass, Bluefin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Lingcod, Halibut
- Tags: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, First-Time Anglers, Center Console, Sportfisher, Fly Fishing, Spin Fishing, Wade Fishing, Trolling, Year-Round, Topwater, Sight Fishing, Live Bait, Charter, Instructional, Catch & Release, Gear Provided, Lunch Included, Flies / Lures Provided, Saltwater
Waters Serviced (7)
| Destination | Type |
|---|---|
| San Clemente | city |
| Mission Bay | bay |
| Del Mar | city |
| San Diego | city |
| Torrey Pines State Beach | state_park |
| Coronado | city |
| California | state |
FAQ — Ironclad Sportfishing
Raw guide data (JSON)
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"bio": "Frank operates Ironclad Sportfishing as a versatile San Diego charter captain, running inshore, nearshore, and offshore expeditions across the Southern California Bight and into Mexico. His year revolves around the seasonal migrations of pelagic species—summer and fall bluefin tuna, yellowfin, and dorado on overnight trips to Cortez Bank and beyond; winter and spring bottom fishing for rockfish, lingcod, and halibut on the deeper banks; and year-round action on calico bass, white seabass, and barracuda in Mission Bay and nearshore waters. He also offers specialty trips like lobster hoop netting and is equally comfortable with fly anglers, spin casters, and waders seeking flats action in the shallows.",
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"city": "San Diego",
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"fishingSeasonsNarrative": "My fishing year in San Diego is dictated by the migrations and behavior of the incredible species that call these waters home. While we operate year-round, the prime seasons for certain pelagic species offer unique opportunities. The summer and fall months, roughly June through November, are fantastic for targeting larger game fish like Yellowfin Tuna, Bluefin Tuna, Dorado, and Yellowtail, especially on our longer offshore and overnight trips where we can reach prime feeding grounds. The Coronado Islands are a hotspot during these warmer months, offering a chance at a wide variety of species. For those seeking bottom dwellers and nearshore action, species like Rockfish, Lingcod, Halibut, and Calico Bass are available throughout much of the year, with particular strength in the cooler months for some of these species. We also offer unique experiences like Lobster Hoop Netting, which is a seasonal specialty. My focus is always on putting you on the fish, adapting to the conditions and what's biting best.",
"meetingPoint": "Seaforth Marina",
"providesGear": true,
"gearNotes": "All rods, reels, tackle, lures, and flies are provided. Clients are welcome to bring their own gear. Live bait and ice are included on all trips.",
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"whatToExpect": "Trips depart from Seaforth Marina in Mission Bay and vary by season and target species. Summer and fall offshore runs may be overnight or extended trips reaching Cortez Bank, Tanner Bank, and the Coronado Islands for pelagic species; winter and spring focus on nearshore and bottom fishing on productive banks. Inshore days work the flats and shallows of Mission Bay, La Jolla, and Del Mar. Frank provides all tackle, lures, and flies; trips include live bait and ice, with lunch available on longer outings.",
"status": "active",
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"createdAt": "2026-05-16T01:19:58.071Z",
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"faqs": [
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"question": "What species can I catch with Ironclad Sportfishing in San Diego?",
"answer": "Ironclad Sportfishing targets a wide variety of species including calico bass, halibut, yellowtail, bluefin tuna, bigeye tuna, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, lingcod, sculpin, white seabass, blue marlin, and bonito.",
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"question": "Where does Ironclad Sportfishing operate?",
"answer": "Operating out of Seaforth Marina in San Diego, Ironclad Sportfishing fishes local waters from Mission Bay and Del Mar down to the Coronado Islands and Tanner Bank, including Mexican waters.",
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"question": "What types of fishing does Ironclad Sportfishing offer?",
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"question": "Is Ironclad Sportfishing available year-round?",
"answer": "Yes, Ironclad Sportfishing operates year-round, adapting their trips to seasonal migrations and water conditions.",
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"destinations": [
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"species": [
{
"slug": "yellowtail",
"commonName": "Yellowtail",
"category": "saltwater",
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"seasonalityNotes": "Yellowtail are a strong target, especially from spring through fall. They are aggressive fighters, typically ranging from 10 to 40 pounds, and are often found near kelp beds and rocky structures. Popular methods include live bait fishing and jigging.",
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{
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"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
7,
8,
9,
10
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8,
9
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"seasonalityNotes": "Marlin are seasonal offshore targets, typically encountered during the warmer months. They are known for their powerful runs and acrobatic leaps.",
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{
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"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
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"seasonalityNotes": "An occasional catch, Bigeye Tuna are a prized trophy for anglers seeking the ultimate offshore challenge.",
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{
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"category": "saltwater",
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6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
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7,
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9,
10
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"seasonalityNotes": "Bonito are a common and feisty catch, often found in good numbers, making them great for a fun day of fishing. They are excellent for smoking and making poke.",
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{
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"seasonalityNotes": "Also known as Kelp Bass, these are popular targets inshore, inhabiting kelp forests and rocky reefs. They are often caught using swimbaits or live bait.",
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{
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"category": "saltwater",
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4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
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10,
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"seasonalityNotes": "A staple of bottom fishing, various rockfish species are available year-round, providing consistent action. They are typically found near rocky structures and kelp beds.",
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{
"slug": "white-seabass",
"commonName": "White Seabass",
"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10
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5,
6,
7
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"seasonalityNotes": "A highly sought-after inshore and nearshore species, White Seabass can be found in kelp beds and around structure.",
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{
"slug": "bluefin-tuna",
"commonName": "Bluefin Tuna",
"category": "saltwater",
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8,
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"seasonalityNotes": "Prized for their size and quality meat, Bluefin Tuna are a major target, especially during the summer and fall. They can reach impressive sizes, and fishing for them often involves trolling, kite fishing, or chunking techniques.",
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{
"slug": "mahi-mahi",
"commonName": "Mahi-Mahi",
"category": "saltwater",
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6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
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"peakMonths": [
7,
8,
9,
10
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"seasonalityNotes": "Also known as Mahi Mahi, Dorado are a vibrant and exciting catch, typically found in warmer offshore waters during the summer and fall months. They are known for their acrobatic fights.",
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},
{
"slug": "yellowfin-tuna",
"commonName": "Yellowfin Tuna",
"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11,
12
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"peakMonths": [
6,
7,
8,
9,
10,
11
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"seasonalityNotes": "Known for their speed and endurance, Yellowfin Tuna are a popular catch, especially in the warmer months. They are often found in schools in deeper waters and are caught by trolling or live bait fishing.",
"notes": null
},
{
"slug": "lingcod",
"commonName": "Lingcod",
"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6,
11,
12
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3,
4,
11,
12
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"seasonalityNotes": "These aggressive predators are found near rocky structures and reefs. They are known for their strong fights and delicious white, flaky meat.",
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},
{
"slug": "halibut",
"commonName": "Halibut",
"category": "saltwater",
"availableMonths": [
4,
5,
6,
7,
8,
9,
10
],
"peakMonths": [
5,
6,
7,
8
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"seasonalityNotes": "California Halibut are flatfish found on sandy bottoms. They are masters of camouflage and are prized for their mild, sweet flavor.",
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}
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