Captain James Nelson
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 (48)
+45Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Nov 7, 2025
Half Day Trip - Bay
What a day!
We had the most incredible day on the water with Captain James! My son, his friend, my mom, and I spent a beautiful day bay fishing and made memories we’ll never forget. Captain James was kind, patient, and so knowledgeable — he made sure everyone had a great time and learned something new. He guided us to some amazing catches (we brought in over 20 fish, including a 20-pound Black Sea Bass!) and kept the experience fun and relaxed from start to finish. It was truly one of those perfect days you wish you could bottle up and relive. We can’t wait to go again — Captain James is the best!
We had the most incredible day on the water with Captain James! My son, his friend, my mom, and I spent a beautiful day bay fishing...
Captain replied
Oct 18, 2025
Half Day Trip - Bay
wow what a great fishing trip!
i was a little apprehensive to book it first because of what we were going to catch and not the captain since it was October already but i was proved wrong pretty quickly. I opted for the saltwater trip and Captain James put us on the fish pretty quickly. My son (his first charter) was catching fish left and right. It didnt matter what species it was. I wanted to catch a Barracuda and Bonita and i was so happy when it happened. My wife also caught her share of fish and the largest of the trip, a white seabass. Beautiful fish. We had a great time and would recommend Capt James to everyone!
i was a little apprehensive to book it first because of what we were going to catch and not the captain since it was October already...
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
Nov 1, 2025
Full Day Trip - Bay
Great memories with my kids
Captain James kept me in the loop of everything we needed to do. He was patient, fun, informative, kind and super knowledgable. We caught a lot of fish and experienced different techniques. I would book it again. We did the full day trip and had a great time docking at the restaurant as part of the fun. Start to finish, great experince.
Captain James kept me in the loop of everything we needed to do. He was patient, fun, informative, kind and super knowledgable....
Captain replied
Nov 9, 2025
Full Day Trip - Saltwater
Would book again!
Booked it for my husbands 21st birthday because he loves freshwater fishing and I thought he'd like to try something new. We ended up both really enjoying it! It was a slow haul but we caught 5 different species my husband catching a ray and myself catching 2 itty bitty sharks, plus mackerel and some different species of bass. I highly recommended. He is also super fun to conversate with and very accommodating.
Booked it for my husbands 21st birthday because he loves freshwater fishing and I thought he'd like to try something new. We ended...
Trip availability and prices
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Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (48)
+45Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
93%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
What a day!
Half Day Trip - Bay on November 7, 2025
We had the most incredible day on the water with Captain James! My son, his friend, my mom, and I spent a beautiful day bay fishing and made memories we’ll never forget. Captain James was kind, patient, and so knowledgeable — he made sure everyone had a great time and learned something new. He guided us to some amazing catches (we brought in over 20 fish, including a 20-pound Black Sea Bass!) and kept the experience fun and relaxed from start to finish. It was truly one of those perfect days you wish you could bottle up and relive. We can’t wait to go again — Captain James is the best!
We had the most incredible day on the water with Captain James! My son, his friend, my mom, and I spent a beautiful day bay fishing and made memories we’ll never forget. Captain James was kind, patient, and so knowledgeable — he made sure everyone had a great time and learned something new. He guided us to some amazing catches (we brought in over 20 fish, including a 20-pound Black Sea Bass!) and kept the experience fun and relaxed from start to finish. It was truly one of those perfect days...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
wow what a great fishing trip!
Half Day Trip - Bay on October 18, 2025
i was a little apprehensive to book it first because of what we were going to catch and not the captain since it was October already but i was proved wrong pretty quickly. I opted for the saltwater trip and Captain James put us on the fish pretty quickly. My son (his first charter) was catching fish left and right. It didnt matter what species it was. I wanted to catch a Barracuda and Bonita and i was so happy when it happened. My wife also caught her share of fish and the largest of the trip, a white seabass. Beautiful fish. We had a great time and would recommend Capt James to everyone!
i was a little apprehensive to book it first because of what we were going to catch and not the captain since it was October already but i was proved wrong pretty quickly. I opted for the saltwater trip and Captain James put us on the fish pretty quickly. My son (his first charter) was catching fish left and right. It didnt matter what species it was. I wanted to catch a Barracuda and Bonita and i was so happy when it happened. My wife also caught her share of fish and the largest of the trip,...
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...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Great memories with my kids
Full Day Trip - Bay on November 1, 2025
Captain James kept me in the loop of everything we needed to do. He was patient, fun, informative, kind and super knowledgable. We caught a lot of fish and experienced different techniques. I would book it again. We did the full day trip and had a great time docking at the restaurant as part of the fun. Start to finish, great experince.
Captain James kept me in the loop of everything we needed to do. He was patient, fun, informative, kind and super knowledgable. We caught a lot of fish and experienced different techniques. I would book it again. We did the full day trip and had a great time docking at the restaurant as part of the fun. Start to finish, great experince.
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Would book again!
Full Day Trip - Saltwater on November 9, 2025
Booked it for my husbands 21st birthday because he loves freshwater fishing and I thought he'd like to try something new. We ended up both really enjoying it! It was a slow haul but we caught 5 different species my husband catching a ray and myself catching 2 itty bitty sharks, plus mackerel and some different species of bass. I highly recommended. He is also super fun to conversate with and very accommodating.
Booked it for my husbands 21st birthday because he loves freshwater fishing and I thought he'd like to try something new. We ended up both really enjoying it! It was a slow haul but we caught 5 different species my husband catching a ray and myself catching 2 itty bitty sharks, plus mackerel and some different species of bass. I highly recommended. He is also super fun to conversate with and very accommodating.
FAQs about Captain James Nelson
The fish you can target
What is the boat like?
