Big Fish Tattoo

I went to big fish tattoo after looking at reviews on Unilocal.It was for my first tattoo. I couldn’t be more happy with my experience. Jordan was an amazing artist and I will definitely choose him again for my next. He got me hooked. His knowledge and skillful hand kept me calm and confident throughout the whole process. I’ll be back for sure. Thanks!

It’s easy to become jaded when one has worked many hours at mastering their craft. I’ve walked into shops only to walk out due to an artist talking down on a costumer. I don’t care how good you are I don’t want any association with that.
The Vibe one gets at BigFish tattoo is a true genuine care for the craft and customer service is top notch.
This is a custom shop that prefers to create a masterpiece with and for the client. It’s not your average walk-​in and pick flash off the shop wall. However if that’s what you want these guys can do it. I’ve been working with them on a full torso piece and it’s all original. They take my ideas and work them until I’m satisfied.
I highly recommend this shop for anyone who is looking for a custom tattoo by artists who have a genuine love and care for their craft.

This is probably one if the classiest tattoo parlors you can find. I worked with Paula on a tattoo and she did a beautiful job. I’ll be returning for future work as will my husband.

This tattoo shop is fantastic. Small, clean with three artists-​one is a woman which always impresses me. I’ve had two tattoos done here. Both are dates in Roman Numeral form. The first was done by Gavin, who is no longer there in March 2012. The second was done in February 2015 by Jordan. Both turned out fantastic, and I’m feeling the need for a third… So Big Fish here I come…

I am so ridiculously happy with my tattoo. it was hard to show it while I was there because I was feeling a little light headed but I promise you Jordan I am stoked!!! It is exactly what I wanted, placement wise, length wise, and the fact that you drew it on the spot and completely nailed it lets me know I definitely chose the right place! So glad you were able to get me in today! I am so happy and can’t wait to come back in the future! Thank you for being so awesome! :)

Got my first tattoo here by dave Hartman and I was very very happy with how it turned out. I got a side piece. And I asked around for recommendations and this place came up and I am very glad I chose it.

Had my first tattoo done here by Jordan. Jordan is very professional and you can see in his work that he has a passion for tattoo artwork. The shop is very clean and comfortable. The other 2 tattoo artists are very friendly and helpful when asked a question. The tattoo I got was exactly what I wanted and how I wanted it. Jordan is a great tattoo artist! I would recommend this tattoo shop over all the others in San Diego!

Best tattoo shop in all of Encinitas area! This is an all tattoo shop and the crew here are so welcoming and talented!
After checking out another shop in Encinitas where the people were rude I was recommended to big fish!
Randomly on my day off I went in and met Paula she was able to tattoo me that day for a little piece and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome! She was very open to my ideas and even put forth more thought to make my tattoo personal and unique.
Paula has a very delicate hands down awesome line work as well!
I also got to meet Dave another tattooer at big fish he was really sweet and outgoing! I couldn’t be happier to find my new tattoo place!
If you want to be respected and have quality work you are in good hands at big fish tattoo

Had my second experience at Big Fish… did a few small tattoos on both my wrists about 2.5 years ago with Paula (I believe was her name) and was a great first ‘ink-​ing’ experience.
Walked in on my birthday a few days ago and asked if they had time for me that afternoon to create a new piece (specifically a Merkabah) on my right forearm. Jordan was extremely helpful, asked me to send him some examples of what I wanted via email and come back at 3pm to get the work done.
Was immediately impressed by the sketches he did when I arrived back later that afternoon and during our conversation even learned that Jordan was an animator prior to becoming a tattoo artist — not to mention he apprenticed his tattoo skills with a pretty badass old school guy.
Conclusion: This guy can definitely make beautiful work. I saw a lot of examples of people who had created similar designs and I was very cautious about what I wanted because online examples showed some pretty horrendous shading jobs.
I showed Jordan exactly what I didn’t want and he assured me it would not look like that. He did a STELLAR job on the shading and I couldn’t be happier with the way the piece turned out. Enjoyed our conversation as well — seemed like a really nice guy and I’d recommend his service to anyone.
Already thinking about going back for another one on the opposite arm :) f#c*king tattoos

My wife and I walked in on a whim and were treated so well. Jordan drew up something great for us and an hour later we were out of there. Very welcoming, laid back environment. Definitely headed back soon.

These guys were awesome. They were easy to talk to and really understood what we wanted as far as the design and did an awesome job on the ink. Proessional and clean too.

Jordan is fantastic! He took my drawing and made it into a beautiful tattoo. He’s kind and great at his craft. Make sure to get art from him that requires shading! The prices are reasonable, location is easily accessible and it’s very easy to make an appointment. You can also put tip on the card, which is a plus. Thanks Big Fish Tattoo!

So often, when you check into a place on Unilocal,you get a special offer. It could be an appetizer, a free drink, or 10% off; here at Big Fish, I would so love to see a «FREE SKULL, HEART, OR KANJI BONUS TATTOO WITH CHECK-​IN!!!»
You know, I have no ink on me (or strings for that matter). And I’ve never begrudged anyone who does, either. I’ve seen some hits and misses, some brilliant portraits that look perfect and some truly frightening screw-​ups that serve as comic fodder on pop-​up websites. My lady love has two of her own, a simple design on her neck and a more intricate religious design from a Disturbed album cover with additional lining on her lower back.
Yet, that isn’t enough! With a few scars on her hand that she wanted to cover up, we came down to Big Fish to see what they could do. Paula, her chosen artist, quickly drew up a few suggestions and we were both extremely impressed by the skill and detail she displayed in such a short sketch time. So, we set up an appointment and came back a week later to get the job done.
The tattoo covered a good area, a flower of about 2.5 inches square in size along with a small heart on her finger, and was done within a single session of just about an hour. My girlfriend was very happy with the finished product and both of us had an excellent time while it was getting done. The staff was laid back, very open to questions, and extremely nice people (considering you’re paying them to inject ink into your skin and essentially scar you for life with a beautiful image of your design).
Add in the fact that they play great techno (my kind of music, not her’s) and offer to share a beer when you’re done and I really have nothing but praise for this place! So much, in fact, that she’s already planning to come back and have a few more done in the future.
And while I didn’t get «***PROPERTY OF JULIE***» tattooed on my scrotum as was suggested, there is always next year.

Thank you for my «cattoo» Paula! Paula did a great job with my character portrait of my kitty on my shoulder. Its been a while since I’ve had a tatt done, and Paula was great. I’m happy I’ve found a great tattoo artist! If I decide to get more work done, I’d definitely hit up Paula again. Thanks for such a great job & for being so kind!

So I’m a little late to the dance… got my first tattoo at ++50 yrs old. I was bold and got it on my forearm. It was very plain script. I kept looking at it and not that I wasn’t happy, it was, well, just there.
Someone suggested I spruce it up so I came up with some ideas and found Big Fish and all the great reviews. I emailed and rec’d a response from Jordan right away. We got a day and time and off I went.
HOLY CRAP — Jordan is a GOD! LOL! (he would laugh reading this) I was so ELATED when he was done, I almost cried. He embellished on the writing and added a flower and some pretty stuff. (YA, like I know what I’m talking about here)
All I know is that I walked away feeling that I definitely got my money’s worth, my art is just that – ART. It’s beautiful and pretty and that’s what I was looking for.
He pretty much did the pretty stuff free hand and his suggestions made it even more than what I imagined. This is the one and only place to go.
Of course everything is clean and sterile. Anytime he was not tattooing, he would change his gloves. I swear he went thru more gloves then a nurse would.
Thanks Jordan!!! You are truly an artist!!! And ya… I’ll be back again. I just know it.

Paula is great! This place is affordable and they make you feel really comfortable! I will be coming back for my future pieces and telling everyone to go here for their tattoos!

I’ve been here twice and I have loved every moment of being here!
The first time I came here was to get a simple twinkle star tattoo on my right wrist. The gal who did it was very nice and professional (everything I look for in an artist) and was able to design something very quick of what I wanted. Granted its very small and simple, but she added a few highlights to make it pop and her own personal touch which I was happy about.
The second time I came here was this past weekday. I stopped by when they opened and a gentleman greeted me and asked what I wanted. Jordan is the artist that I have been searching for! Nice and talented, this man can do wonders with his needle! I got an octopus on my right thigh, and the small deatils he added to the head and shading just makes him pop off my leg. I am so happy I was able to stop by and get inked up by a fellow sea lover! Jordan is the tattoo artist that I will be sticking with for life!

Had a great tattoo experience here. The atmosphere is very relaxed — which is helpful if you’re going to spend a few hours getting a tattoo,
Jordan provided me with excellent design and placement advice for a quote I wanted… and I LOVE the result! (picture posted — ‘Follow your inner moonlight; don’t hide the madness’ Alan Ginsberg)

I have been getting tattooed by Paula before she moved to California, and she’s only progressed and grown since being with Dave at BFT, and I couldn’t be more proud of all of them (Caleb, too) about where they have come an where they are going.
Keep up the amazing work!

UBER COOL POINTS! I highly recommend Big Fish Tattoo. On a whim, I walked in one day just to check out the shop. The girl at the front was so helpful and attentive, telling me more about the shop’s artists and answering my questions.
The shop has an awesome relaxed vibe to it. I felt so comfortable during my visit that I went ahead and booked an appointment for Paula’s next availability two weeks later (Friday the 13^th!).
Paula did a fun unicorn tattoo on me. The design was inspired by artwork I’d seen on Instagram and sent to her to get something similar but with her own twist. It’s a pretty large tattoo on my thigh! Paula got the linework done in an hour during our first session and did the color in under two hours during our second session.
Paula and Dave have hilarious conversations — such a great distraction from the pain! The music playing in the shop is also awesome, and you will be treated to Dave’s singing along to them fun and funky tunes.
This is my third tattoo and my biggest one so far. I’ve gotten tattoos from two other tattoo shops in San Diego, but Big Fish Tattoo is officially my new favorite!