Helgren's Sportfishing was founded in 1978 by Richard and Caroline Helgren, who left the Channel Islands Sportfishing Center in Oxnard and moved south to Oceanside with one boat — the Electra. Nearly fifty years later the business is still family-owned and runs from 1395 N Harbor Drive at Oceanside Harbor, now under Captain Joey Helgren.
Fleet
The fleet runs two open-party vessels:
- Electra — 78-foot USCG-certified, the original 1978 boat. Galley serves hot and cold meals; both indoor and outdoor seating.
- Fisherman III — under Captain Joey Helgren.
Trip types
The schedule tracks the SoCal coastal calendar. Half-day trips run year-round; three-quarter-day, full-day, and twilight trips are added in summer and fall, ranging 5 to 12 hours. Locally caught sustainable live bait is included on every fishing trip. Target species range from rockfish and sea bass to halibut and yellowtail depending on season.
2026 published pricing: adult half-day and twilight $75, adult three-quarter-day $110, ages 62+ at $110, and ages 15 and under at $75. Helgren's also runs whale watching, private charters, and burials at sea.
Recent reports
2025 landing totals logged on Sportfishing Report for Helgren's included 427 rockfish, 321 ocean whitefish, 297 sanddab, and 199 kelp bass — a typical North County mix tilted to bottom species on half-day trips, with yellowtail and sea bass appearing on the longer summer-into-fall runs.
Reviews
TripAdvisor rates the operation 4.1 out of 5 across 202 reviews. Recent reviewers credit the crew by name: a May 2025 review calls it "the best crew in So Cal," an April 2025 review credits deckhand Zack, and a June 2024 review names Captain Rick on the Fisherman III for finding good fishing spots. Recurring critiques flag gear rental and burlap sack fees added on top of ticket prices.
