Captain
Sam Skinner

Member since October 2015 San Diego, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
Fishing with live bait and lures for all species of fish found in the waters off the shores of Southern California and Mexico. Both nearshore and offshore fishing. Targeting Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowtail.

Hey, I'm Captain Sam Skinner

San Diego, United States
Background
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.
Techniques
Fishing with live bait and lures for all species of fish found in the waters off the shores of Southern California and Mexico. Both nearshore and offshore fishing. Targeting Bluefin and Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi Mahi, and Yellowtail.
38
Reviews
13
Fishing Reports
Verified
Our Team
Kai B.
First mate

My Charter Listing

Guardian Charters

Excellent
4.7 / 5
(38 reviews)
San Diego
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $900

Fishing Reports

Kite Fish Are In Range!!!!!!!!
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.
Continue reading
Massive Halibut!!
Massive Halibut!!
Apr 8, 2024 San Diego
We left on our 4 hour bay trip this morning in search for Halibut. After a few short bites we secured this beast! 40โ€ and over 30lbs!
Continue reading
Excellent Winter Rockfishing!
Excellent Winter Rockfishing!
Jan 27, 2024 San Diego
We had absolutely gorgeous weather for our short 30 minute commute to the fishing grounds. Once we arrived we had excellent action catching limits of Rockfish!
Continue reading
Bluefin Season is here!
Bluefin Season is here!
Jun 3, 2023 San Diego
We are super excited about what we are seeing. The fish are here in great volume, give it another week and it will be full speed!
Continue reading
Big Bluefin are back! Yellowtail startin
Big Bluefin are back! Yellowtail startin
Apr 22, 2023 San Diego
We made the decision to make the long run to the Bluefin grounds. Well it sure paid off with this 180lb Tuna! This fish ate a flying fish on a kite rig. We found a kelp with a ton of Yellowtail and managed to pull 7 off of it. We have great weather and itโ€™s only going to get better from here!!!
Continue reading
Halibut bite going off!!
Halibut bite going off!!
Apr 16, 2023 San Diego
We had a 4 hour bay trip this afternoon, with the good conditions we targeted Halibut. We had 5 legal fish up to 30โ€ and 7 more released!
Continue reading

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 38 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.6 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (48)
Book your next trip with Capt. Sam and Crew
Book your next trip with Capt. Sam and Crew
Excellent Crew and Excellent time!
+45
Angler rating
32
2
4
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
84%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
89%
Appropriate for children
92%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
76%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 38 reviews
Dale T.
Koloa, HI
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Guardian exceed our expectations!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Local Fishing on June 14, 2023
We had an incredible experience with Captain Sam during our recent trip. From the moment we booked our trip to the morning...
Dale T. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
  Sam Skinner Captain replied
Read more
Daniel B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time on the water with Captain Sam and the Defiance

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ San Diego Bay on June 23, 2024
We did a half-day San Diego Bay fishing trip with Captain Sam on the Defiance.ย  We had a great time, Sam and his crew were...
Daniel B. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Daniel B. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Read more
Heather C.
Kalฤheo, Hawaii
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Epic fishing trip!

VERIFIED   6 Hour Trip โ€“ Local Fishing on June 20, 2023
Iโ€™m not an avid fisherman but my boyfriend is and this charter was EPIC, exceeding our expectations. From start to finish...
Heather C. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Heather C. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
Timothy S.
Mesa, AZ
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Perfect Day

VERIFIED   3/4 Day - Coronado Islands on June 30, 2023
Our charter with Captain Sam was absolutely fantastic! It was a day filled with non-stop action. We reeled in like 100...
Timothy S. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Timothy S. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
Lily P.
San Diego, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome bay trip with Captain Sam!!

VERIFIED   4 Hour Trip โ€“ San Diego Bay on April 19, 2023
This was our very first charter experience and I booked it for my dads birthday. Captain Sam was extremely professional and...
Lily P. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Lily P. recommends Guardian Charters
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful
Read more
  • Settings