Charter Operator
Fin Runner Sportfishing

Member since January 2016 San Diego, United States
Background
I grew up fishing for fun and work as a child. If we weren't fishing with my dad my mom would drop us off somewhere with our fishing rods and tackle and fish in the ocean, rivers, or sound until dark. Growing up in a fishing and boat building community really taught me the importance of the ocean and how it's food chain depends on we as a society to help sustain it. I’ve commercial and charter fished from North Carolina to New York, Baja Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. I love hunting for and catching all species of fish but I also love teaching folks of the importance of sustainability. At the ripe age of eight, I caught my first billfish in the Gulf Stream off the east coast. It was a sailfish and I knew from that instance that someday I would be a charter boat captain. Do what you love, love what you do. After working on all kinds of vessels from sport fishing yachts, container ships, to different types of commercial fishing vessels I've made being a charter boat captain my number one priority. At the age of 50, this is all I do for a living
Techniques
My favorite style of fishing is trolling and fly lining. Trolling 5-7 artificial lures and ballyhoo behind the boat is incredibly exiting when multiple rods go off! Also, finding free floating kelp paddies in the ocean and fly lining live baits such as sardines, anchovies, or mackerel around them for tuna, dorado, and yellowtail will definitely get the heart pumping. With much guidance, I like to bring a hands on approach to the customers. This involvement of the customers gives them a sense of accomplishment and learning. I try to never let a customer just sit around and wait for the bite to turn on. It's better to be involved. Overall, every day is a new day on the ocean. What worked yesterday might not work today. Having a broad knowledge of different methods to getting fish on the boat is key.

Hey, we're Fin Runner Sportfishing

San Diego, United States
Background
I grew up fishing for fun and work as a child. If we weren't fishing with my dad my mom would drop us off somewhere with our fishing rods and tackle and fish in the ocean, rivers, or sound until dark. Growing up in a fishing and boat building community really taught me the importance of the ocean and how it's food chain depends on we as a society to help sustain it. I’ve commercial and charter fished from North Carolina to New York, Baja Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. I love hunting for and catching all species of fish but I also love teaching folks of the importance of sustainability. At the ripe age of eight, I caught my first billfish in the Gulf Stream off the east coast. It was a sailfish and I knew from that instance that someday I would be a charter boat captain. Do what you love, love what you do. After working on all kinds of vessels from sport fishing yachts, container ships, to different types of commercial fishing vessels I've made being a charter boat captain my number one priority. At the age of 50, this is all I do for a living
Techniques
My favorite style of fishing is trolling and fly lining. Trolling 5-7 artificial lures and ballyhoo behind the boat is incredibly exiting when multiple rods go off! Also, finding free floating kelp paddies in the ocean and fly lining live baits such as sardines, anchovies, or mackerel around them for tuna, dorado, and yellowtail will definitely get the heart pumping. With much guidance, I like to bring a hands on approach to the customers. This involvement of the customers gives them a sense of accomplishment and learning. I try to never let a customer just sit around and wait for the bite to turn on. It's better to be involved. Overall, every day is a new day on the ocean. What worked yesterday might not work today. Having a broad knowledge of different methods to getting fish on the boat is key.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(304 reviews)
San Diego
 Last booking: 4 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $350

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 305 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (312)
Great Captain and incredible scenery
Great Captain and incredible scenery
Great Captain and incredible scenery
+309
Angler rating
278
16
4
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
93%
Satisfied with the boat
99%
Caught fish
80%
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Showing:
5 of 305 reviews
Richard S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

On the water always a good day

VERIFIED   San Diego Coastal Nearshore on June 20, 2025
Brian great captain, although we had a slow day fishing ย  A few fish and being on the ocean always a good day .ย  Looking...
Richard S. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Richard S. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Joel M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day at sea

VERIFIED   NEW  San Diego Coastal Nearshore on November 8, 2025
captain brian worked his butt off and got us on fish. super fun
Joel M. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Joel M. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Darren D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had a great time

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on September 27, 2025
The boat is well kept and equipped. We had 5 of us on the boat in total and still had room to walk and maneuver around comfortably,...
Darren D. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Darren D. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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Dominick D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Had an awesome time

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 11, 2025
Captain Brian was the best. Two of us got seasick pretty bad and he did everything he could to make us more comfortable. Iโ€™m...
Dominick D. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Dominick D. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Michael F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Excellent Captain

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on June 19, 2025
Brian was great, patient, and kind. Even if the bite started slow, Brian did make sure to put fish on the hook. We got plenty...
Michael F. recommends Fin Runner Sportfishing Charters
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