Captain James Nelson
The only licensed guide in San Diego who offers a “Catch Fish or it’s Free” Guarantee, Captain James Nelson is an experienced full time guide who knows where to find the fish. Offering freshwater, bay, and inshore saltwater fishing trips, he has a range of skills that will allow you to get the most out of your time on the water with him. Captain James’s boat is a fully rigged 20ft Skeeter Bay Boat that provides a comfortable base for up to four anglers.
The boat is fully equipped with a trolling motor, anchoring system, and electronics to put you in the best position to catch fish, and you will find an ice box on board to keep your beverages cold. All the gear you will need for your fishing trip is supplied on board by Captain James Nelson. If it’s not there, you don’t need it. Captain James will make sure you catch fish, pick up some new techniques, and most importantly have a great time, whatever your age or experience level.
Kids, beginners, and seasoned anglers are all warmly welcomed on board, with the emphasis of the trip being placed on you, and what you want to achieve. Captain James is a strong believer that fishing should be fun, and he works hard to provide fun days on the water that allow you to enjoy everything this beautiful area has to offer. Any fish you catch is yours: as long as it is of legal size, you are welcome to keep it if you want to, and Captain James can even fillet it for you if you like at no extra charge. Lunch is included on full day trips, so just bring yourself and get ready for a wonderful day on the water.
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (22)
+19Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Paradise, Nevada
Jul 17, 2025
Half Day Trip - Bay
Annual Birthday Fishing Trip
Several years ago, I started a tradition of taking my son fishing for his birthday. I’d booked a commercial boat a couple times, but wanted something more personal. That’s when I found Captain James Nelson. He was super easy to reach and was very personable. We’ve been back a couple times and each time, it’s the highlight of my son’s birthday. This year’s trip featured a half-day bay trip. We both caught several bay bass, but my son really enjoyed dealing in the leopard shark. I highly recommend booking James, you’ll have a great time and will catch a lot of fish.
Several years ago, I started a tradition of taking my son fishing for his birthday. I’d booked a commercial boat a couple times,...
Captain replied
Temecula, CA
May 20, 2025
Full Day Trip - Saltwater
Wonderful day with Capt James
11 years ago I was looking to fish Mission Bay and found a guide online. It turned out I recognized the boat that Captain James was using, he had bought it from an acquaintance of mine. That broke the ice, we found common ground and started to get to know one another. As it turned out I caught a very nice halibut that day along with many bay bass. I have fished with Captain James on average of six times a year since, for a total of about 66 trips. I have fished coastal, bay and lake trips, and once did a paddy hopping trip that was a huge success, my two coworkers and I caught yellowtail, dorado and Bonita. Captain James has been instrumental in helping me make lots of lasting memories over the years. I am always planning the next trip. While catching fishing is always the goal, there are other things I definitely consider when booking a trip with a guide, things like are they licensed and insured, do they possess basic medical knowledge and carry a up to date first aid kit, Is the boat well maintained and seaworthy, does the guide know the rules of the sea and follow them, is the guide providing quality gear, does he care about my experience or just the number of fish caught. Can he communicate / teach in a way that is helpful to me to learn. Do I feel at ease around him enough to spend 8 hours alone on a boat with him. Luckily Captain James Nelson meets and exceeds all my expectations / requirements. I have brought family, friends and colleagues on trips with me and not one of them complained, in fact they enjoyed his sense of humor, calm demeanor and fishing knowledge. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in fishing the San Diego area. I always have a good time fishing with Capt James and I think you can too.
11 years ago I was looking to fish Mission Bay and found a guide online. It turned out I recognized the boat that Captain James...
Captain replied
Alamo, CA
Feb 28, 2025
Full Day Trip - Saltwater
Full Day Trips with Captain James Nelson
I have been fishing the San Diego area with Captain James for over ten years, and it's always a great experience. With the wide variety of areas he can reach, he has gotten me on everything from light tackle bonefish in the back bay to gamefish offshore, with plenty of rockfish and sharks thrown in to keep the lines tight. His boat is always in great shape, and he provides top-notch equipment (and always an excellent lunch!) He is equally comfortable with experienced anglers, kids, and anyone in between. James won't want to brag about this, but over the past decade, he has guided me and some friends on to at least a dozen IGFA world records, on gamefish such as the Cortez Bonefish, reef-dwellers such as Sunset Rockfish and Treefish, and bay residents like Butterfly Ray and California Moray. He books up quickly during prime times, and luckily, it's almost always prime time in San Diego - something is always in season.
I have been fishing the San Diego area with Captain James for over ten years, and it's always a great experience. With the wide...
Captain replied
Bonsall, California
Jun 12, 2025
Half Day Trip - Bay
12 years fishing with Capt. James Nelson
I have fished with Capt. James Nelson the last 12 years. A great fishing guide needs to place the boat over the fish. He does that extremely well. A great fishing guide knows what lure, what color, what bait and what technique works. He does that with ease. Most of all, fishing should be fun....and the Capt. is loads of fun. He's worth every penny Richard Snyder MD
I have fished with Capt. James Nelson the last 12 years. A great fishing guide needs to place the boat over the fish. He does...
Aug 2, 2025
Full Day Trip - Saltwater
Fun day on the sea
We had a good time with Captain Nelson, he had us on fish all day long. If you are tired of the crowded fishing boats that motor around all day “ looking for fish” and want to actually catch fish this is the trip for you. Highly Recommended!!!
We had a good time with Captain Nelson, he had us on fish all day long. If you are tired of the crowded fishing boats that motor...
Captain repliedTrip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (22)
+19Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Paradise, Nevada
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Annual Birthday Fishing Trip
Half Day Trip - Bay on July 17, 2025
Several years ago, I started a tradition of taking my son fishing for his birthday. I’d booked a commercial boat a couple times, but wanted something more personal. That’s when I found Captain James Nelson. He was super easy to reach and was very personable. We’ve been back a couple times and each time, it’s the highlight of my son’s birthday. This year’s trip featured a half-day bay trip. We both caught several bay bass, but my son really enjoyed dealing in the leopard shark. I highly recommend booking James, you’ll have a great time and will catch a lot of fish.
Several years ago, I started a tradition of taking my son fishing for his birthday. I’d booked a commercial boat a couple times, but wanted something more personal. That’s when I found Captain James Nelson. He was super easy to reach and was very personable. We’ve been back a couple times and each time, it’s the highlight of my son’s birthday. This year’s trip featured a half-day bay trip. We both caught several bay bass, but my son really enjoyed dealing in the leopard shark. I highly recommend...
Temecula, CA
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Wonderful day with Capt James
Full Day Trip - Saltwater on May 20, 2025
11 years ago I was looking to fish Mission Bay and found a guide online. It turned out I recognized the boat that Captain James was using, he had bought it from an acquaintance of mine. That broke the ice, we found common ground and started to get to know one another. As it turned out I caught a very nice halibut that day along with many bay bass. I have fished with Captain James on average of six times a year since, for a total of about 66 trips. I have fished coastal, bay and lake trips, and once did a paddy hopping trip that was a huge success, my two coworkers and I caught yellowtail, dorado and Bonita. Captain James has been instrumental in helping me make lots of lasting memories over the years. I am always planning the next trip. While catching fishing is always the goal, there are other things I definitely consider when booking a trip with a guide, things like are they licensed and insured, do they possess basic medical knowledge and carry a up to date first aid kit, Is the boat well maintained and seaworthy, does the guide know the rules of the sea and follow them, is the guide providing quality gear, does he care about my experience or just the number of fish caught. Can he communicate / teach in a way that is helpful to me to learn. Do I feel at ease around him enough to spend 8 hours alone on a boat with him. Luckily Captain James Nelson meets and exceeds all my expectations / requirements. I have brought family, friends and colleagues on trips with me and not one of them complained, in fact they enjoyed his sense of humor, calm demeanor and fishing knowledge. I highly recommend him to anyone interested in fishing the San Diego area. I always have a good time fishing with Capt James and I think you can too.
11 years ago I was looking to fish Mission Bay and found a guide online. It turned out I recognized the boat that Captain James was using, he had bought it from an acquaintance of mine. That broke the ice, we found common ground and started to get to know one another. As it turned out I caught a very nice halibut that day along with many bay bass. I have fished with Captain James on average of six times a year since, for a total of about 66 trips. I have fished coastal, bay and lake trips, and...
Alamo, CA
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day Trips with Captain James Nelson
Full Day Trip - Saltwater on February 28, 2025
I have been fishing the San Diego area with Captain James for over ten years, and it's always a great experience. With the wide variety of areas he can reach, he has gotten me on everything from light tackle bonefish in the back bay to gamefish offshore, with plenty of rockfish and sharks thrown in to keep the lines tight. His boat is always in great shape, and he provides top-notch equipment (and always an excellent lunch!) He is equally comfortable with experienced anglers, kids, and anyone in between. James won't want to brag about this, but over the past decade, he has guided me and some friends on to at least a dozen IGFA world records, on gamefish such as the Cortez Bonefish, reef-dwellers such as Sunset Rockfish and Treefish, and bay residents like Butterfly Ray and California Moray. He books up quickly during prime times, and luckily, it's almost always prime time in San Diego - something is always in season.
I have been fishing the San Diego area with Captain James for over ten years, and it's always a great experience. With the wide variety of areas he can reach, he has gotten me on everything from light tackle bonefish in the back bay to gamefish offshore, with plenty of rockfish and sharks thrown in to keep the lines tight. His boat is always in great shape, and he provides top-notch equipment (and always an excellent lunch!) He is equally comfortable with experienced anglers, kids, and anyone...
Bonsall, California
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
12 years fishing with Capt. James Nelson
Half Day Trip - Bay on June 12, 2025
I have fished with Capt. James Nelson the last 12 years. A great fishing guide needs to place the boat over the fish. He does that extremely well. A great fishing guide knows what lure, what color, what bait and what technique works. He does that with ease. Most of all, fishing should be fun....and the Capt. is loads of fun. He's worth every penny Richard Snyder MD
I have fished with Capt. James Nelson the last 12 years. A great fishing guide needs to place the boat over the fish. He does that extremely well. A great fishing guide knows what lure, what color, what bait and what technique works. He does that with ease. Most of all, fishing should be fun....and the Capt. is loads of fun. He's worth every penny Richard Snyder MD
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Fun day on the sea
Full Day Trip - Saltwater on August 2, 2025
We had a good time with Captain Nelson, he had us on fish all day long. If you are tired of the crowded fishing boats that motor around all day “ looking for fish” and want to actually catch fish this is the trip for you. Highly Recommended!!!
We had a good time with Captain Nelson, he had us on fish all day long. If you are tired of the crowded fishing boats that motor around all day “ looking for fish” and want to actually catch fish this is the trip for you. Highly Recommended!!!
FAQs about Captain James Nelson
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