Search
Sam Skinner
Captain

Sam Skinner

San Diego, United States
Angler's choice
50+ reviews
Originally from Hawaii, Captain Sam Skinner brings energy and exuberance to every charter. Don't let his age fool you. After working for several years on San Diego sport boats, Captain Sam has the know-how and the work ethic to put customers on fish.
Kai B.
Kai B.
First mate

Charter

Guardian Charters

Guardian Charters

San Diego
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $1,200

Rating

4.8
65 reviews
4.8
Boat & Equipment
4.8
Captain & Crew
4.8
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

89%
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
92%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
95%
Satisfied with the boat
90%
Caught fish

All reviews (65)

Showing 1 – 5 of 65 reviews
  • Michael Min
    Michael Min
    us
    Arizona, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Fishing with experts

    6 Hour Trip – Local Fishing • 4 adults

    Captain Andy and his crew were truly experts in their field and provided a great private tour for my friends and me. Most of us varied in skill level but they were extremely helpful. We enjoyed some deep sea areas and bay fishing and picked up a large bounty of amazing fish. All were filleted and packaged up for us to take home and freeze to eat for the next few weeks. I may think about coming back this summer to try my luck at catching an elusive blue fin tuna… yellow tail is just as good too. Highly recommend this tour.

    Reported catch:
    Rockfish
  • Neil Foster
    Neil Foster
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Great charter experience

    9 Hour Trip – Offshore Fishing • 6 adults

    Captain Sam and crew Ky get it done!! Great all around equipment, knowledge, fish slayers. There attention to making sure we were taken care of was 100%. Awesome time !!

    Reported catch:
    Yellowfin Tuna
  • Jud Shepley
    Jud Shepley
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2024
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    The best kind of boat is a friends boat

    9 Hour - Coronado Islands • 4 adults • 2 children

    Sam and his deckhand Kai are pro’s and they really made us feel like we were going out with friends. To their credit it was a really tough fishing day but they were still able yo put us on fish. This trip was for my son’s 12th birthday and they did everything possible to make it a great day.

    Reported catch:
    Calico Bass
    Rockfish
  • Erin Hannaford
    Erin Hannaford
    Repeat angler
    us
    Georgia, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Sam and Kai were amazing!

    9 Hour - Coronado Islands • 2 adults

    My son and I did a charter to the coronado islands with Captain Sam. He and has deck hand, Kai, were both great. We caught a bunch of fish - rock fish, calico bass, white fish, and two yellow tail. Sam waa great with my son, answering every question and sharing tip and stories. Felt like we were spending the day wit friends. Would higy recommend!!

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    Calico Bass
    Rockfish
  • Jim Wilson
    Jim Wilson
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    great trip epic fishing

    6 Hour Trip – Local Fishing • 6 adults

    captain Sam and the mate were excellent. they put us on fish within 5 minutes and we caught a ton.boat was spacious and well kept. Strongly recommend.

    Reported catch:
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    Pacific Barracuda
    Bonito
    Rockfish
    +1

Real catches shared by our community

  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Group of anglers posing aboard a center-console fishing boat with a large spread of silver fish, including a younger angler in fishing gear.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Albacore Tuna
    Neil F.
    Neil F.
    Captain Sam and crew Ky get it done!! Great all around equipment, knowledge, fish slayers. There attention to making sure we were taken care of was 100%. Awesome time !!
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Two adult anglers proudly display a large wahoo aboard a fishing boat on the open ocean.
    The largest Wahoo caught in Southern California in the last 10 years! Weighing in at 88lbs. We also had another nice one weighing in at 32lbs. This is a once in a life time experience and now is the time to capture one for yourself!!
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying a successful catch of Yellowfin Tuna and a Mahi Mahi on a boat after a fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Unbelievable Yellowfin Tuna fishing going on this year! Every trip has had close to limits if not limits
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Group of adult anglers displaying several fresh catches, including yellowtail and a large hanging fish, on a marina dock.
    Fish 1
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    Jim W.
    Jim W.
    captain Sam and the mate were excellent. they put us on fish within 5 minutes and we caught a ton.boat was spacious and well kept. Strongly recommend.
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Adult angler holding a large yellowtail fish aboard a sportfishing boat with a rugged coastal mountain backdrop.
    Fish 1
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    Daniel M.
    Daniel M.
    Have been out with Sam and Kai 3 times and every time is a great experience. Their knowledge is next to none and always put us on fish.
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Family and crew pose behind a large mixed catch of red fish and silver fish displayed on the boat’s fillet table in coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Vermilion Rockfish
    Jud S.
    Jud S.
    Sam and his deckhand Kai are pro’s and they really made us feel like we were going out with friends. To their credit it was a really tough fishing day but they were still able yo put us on fish. This trip was for my son’s 12th birthday and they did everything possible to make it a great day.
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Yellowtail Snapper on a sunny day aboard a fishing boat.
    Fish 1
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    One of the best mornings Captain Sam has ever seen at the Coronados hooking 19 fish in a row as soon as they arrived!
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Yellowtail on a boat, with a city skyline in the background.
    Fish 1
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    The islands have warmed up and the Yellowtail are here to play! Amazing fishing going on already so early in the year. It should only be getting better and better so book those trips!
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Yellowfin Tuna on the dock after a successful offshore fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Yellowfin Tuna
    This has been the best start to a Bluefin season we can remember in history. Every single trip has had limits of Bluefin up to 100 pounds! This season will be one we never forget! Book those trips before it’s too late!
  • Guardian Charters
    Guardian ChartersSan Diego, CA
    Multiple offshore fish, including large amberjack and red grouper, arranged on a boat fillet table.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Yellowtail Amberjack
    Erin H.
    Erin H.
    My son and I did a charter to the coronado islands with Captain Sam. He and has deck hand, Kai, were both great. We caught a bunch of fish - rock fish, calico bass, white fish, and two yellow tail. Sam waa great with my son, answering every question and sharing tip and stories. Felt like we were spending the day wit friends. Would higy recommend!!

What's biting with Guardian Charters in San Diego

The warm water species have definitely left the area, with some overnight trips still taking you south to Mexican waters to follow them. Closer to home, your main targets will be Yellowtail, Rockfish, and Halibut.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Two adult anglers proudly display a large wahoo aboard a fishing boat on the open ocean.

88 lb Wahoo — Southern California Catch

Oct 9, 2026 • San Diego
The largest Wahoo caught in Southern California in the last 10 years! Weighing in at 88lbs. We also had another nice one weighing in at 32lbs. This is a once in a life time experience and now is the time to capture one for yourself!!
Show more
A group of anglers proudly displaying a successful catch of Yellowfin Tuna and a Mahi Mahi on a boat after a fishing trip.

Limits of Yellowfin Tuna Almost Daily

Sep 30, 2026 • San Diego
Unbelievable Yellowfin Tuna fishing going on this year! Every trip has had close to limits if not limits
Show more
A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Yellowtail Snapper on a sunny day aboard a fishing boat.

35 Yellowtail by 10am!

Aug 1, 2026 • San Diego
One of the best mornings Captain Sam has ever seen at the Coronados hooking 19 fish in a row as soon as they arrived!
Show more
A group of anglers proudly displaying their catch of Yellowtail on a boat, with a city skyline in the background.

Amazing Yellowtail fishing at the Corona

May 20, 2026 • San Diego
The islands have warmed up and the Yellowtail are here to play! Amazing fishing going on already so early in the year. It should only be getting better and better so book those trips!
Show more
Three anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Yellowfin Tuna on the dock after a successful offshore fishing trip.

Early start to one best fishing seasons

May 4, 2026 • San Diego
This has been the best start to a Bluefin season we can remember in history. Every single trip has had limits of Bluefin up to 100 pounds! This season will be one we never forget! Book those trips before it’s too late!
Show more
Angler proudly displaying a large Yellowfin Tuna at the dock after a night fishing trip, with several more Tuna laid out for showcase.

Kite Fish Are In Range!!!!!!!!

Jun 12, 2025 • San Diego
We are seeing a huge volume of 100-200lb Bluefin Tuna that are well within our range. These fish are smashing the kite baits! If you want to see the most exciting eat of your life this is the trip for you.
Show more