Ready to hit the big blue for some serious fishing action? Our Full Day Ocean Fishing Trip out of San Francisco is your ticket to hauling in some impressive catches. We're talking Rockfish, Lingcod, Salmon, Halibut - the whole shebang. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just getting your sea legs, our expert guides will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. With room for six anglers, it's the perfect way to spend a day on the water with friends or family. Just remember to pack some grub, 'cause we'll be out there from sun-up to sun-down, chasing the bite.
When you step aboard one of our charter boats, you're in for a full day of non-stop fishing excitement. We'll cruise out of the San Francisco Bay, past the Golden Gate Bridge, and into the rich fishing grounds of the Pacific. Our captains know these waters like the back of their hand, so we'll be heading straight for the honey holes where the big ones lurk. You'll be dropping lines for bottom fish, trolling for salmon, or drifting for halibut - whatever's biting best that day. And don't worry if you're new to this; our crew will show you the ropes, from baiting hooks to landing your catch. Just be ready for some arm-burning action when you hook into a feisty lingcod or a hard-fighting salmon!
On our full day trips, we mix it up to maximize your chances of filling the cooler. For bottom fishing, we'll use heavy-duty rods and reels spooled with braided line to get your bait down deep where the rockfish and lingcod hang out. We might use dropper loops with squid or anchovies, or switch to jigs if the bite is hot. When we're after salmon, we'll break out the trolling rods and set up a spread of downriggers, diving planes, and maybe even some copper wire to cover different depths. Halibut fishing might involve slow trolling or drifting with live bait. Whatever the technique, we've got top-notch gear on board, and we'll make sure you're rigged up right for whatever's biting.
San Francisco's waters are teeming with a variety of hard-fighting, great-tasting fish. Here's what you might find on the end of your line:
Vermilion Rockfish: These bright red beauties are a bottom fishing favorite. They hang out in rocky areas and can grow up to 30 inches long. Anglers love 'em for their aggressive bite and tasty white meat. We catch these guys year-round, but fall and winter can be particularly good.
Lingcod: The bulldog of the Pacific, lingcod are known for their fierce fights and toothy grins. These predators can top 40 pounds and are most active in cooler months. When you hook one, hold on tight - they'll try to dive back into the rocks!
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King Salmon, these are the prize catch of the Pacific. They show up in our waters from spring through fall, with peak season usually in summer. Landing a 20+ pounder is always a possibility, and the fight they put up is legendary.
Pacific Halibut: These flatfish are the giants of the bottom-dwelling world. We target them mainly in summer and early fall. They can grow over 100 pounds, though most we catch are in the 20-40 pound range. Either way, they make for some epic battles and even better fish tacos!
Our full day trips aren't just about filling the cooler (though we do our best to make that happen). It's about the whole experience. The salty spray in your face as we cruise out past the Golden Gate. The rush of adrenaline when your rod doubles over with a big fish. The camaraderie of sharing fish stories and maybe a cold one with your buddies. And let's not forget the bragging rights when you come home with a stringer full of fresh fish. Our experienced crew works hard to make sure you have a safe, fun, and productive day on the water. We know all the local hot spots and stay on top of the latest fishing reports to put you where the action is.
Vermilion Rockfish: These guys are the poster child for rockfish - bright red, big eyes, and a mouth that could swallow a softball. They typically hang out in depths of 150-300 feet, often near underwater structures or rocky bottoms. Vermilions are aggressive feeders and will hit a variety of baits and jigs. They're a blast to catch and even better to eat, with firm, white flesh that's perfect for fish tacos or a classic fish fry.
Lingcod: Don't let the name fool you - these aren't cod at all, but a type of greenling. They're ambush predators with a face only a mother could love, sporting a mouth full of sharp teeth. Lingcod are territorial and love to hang around rocky structures. When hooked, they fight like crazy, often making powerful runs back to their rocky lairs. The best time to target them is in winter and early spring when they move to shallower waters to spawn. Their white, flaky meat is prized by seafood lovers.
Chinook Salmon: Also known as King Salmon, these are the largest of the Pacific salmon species. They're famous for their rich, oil-packed flesh and their hard-fighting nature. We usually start seeing them in our waters in spring, with the action peaking in summer. Chinooks are known for their powerful runs and acrobatic jumps when hooked. They can range from 10 to over 30 pounds, with the occasional monster topping 50. Catching a big King is often the highlight of an angler's season.
Pacific Halibut: These flatfish are the true giants of the bottom-dwelling world. They have both eyes on one side of their body and can grow to enormous sizes - the record is over 500 pounds! We typically catch them in the 20-80 pound range, which is still more than enough to test your strength. Halibut season usually runs from spring through fall. They're ambush predators, often burying themselves in the sand and waiting for prey to pass by. When you hook one, be ready for a long, powerful fight as they use their flat bodies to resist being reeled up.
Alright, folks, if you're itching to get out on the big blue and tangle with some hard-fighting fish, our Full Day Ocean Fishing Trip is calling your name. We've got the local know-how, the right gear, and the drive to put you on the fish. Whether you're dreaming of battling a big lingcod, filling the cooler with tasty rockfish, or experiencing the thrill of a salmon strike, we've got you covered. Just remember, the fish are always biting, but our spots fill up fast. So don't wait - grab your fishing buddies, pick a date, and let's make some waves. Book your trip now, and get ready for a day of rod-bending, reel-screaming action on the waters off San Francisco. Trust me, the only thing you'll regret is not doing it sooner!
Chinook salmon, also called kings, are the largest of the Pacific salmon. These powerful fish average 10-15 pounds but can top 30 pounds in our waters. Look for them from spring through fall as they migrate along the coast, often 30-100 feet down. Kings are prized for their rich, flavorful meat and hard-fighting spirit. When hooked, they'll make blistering runs and acrobatic leaps. We target them by trolling with downriggers, using cut herring or artificial lures. Early mornings and evenings are prime time. Here's a local trick: Watch for diving birds to find bait balls kings are feeding on. These fish are anadromous, meaning they're born in freshwater, live most of their lives at sea, then return to rivers to spawn. It's an amazing lifecycle to witness.
Lingcod are mean-looking fish with big heads, huge mouths, and gnarly teeth. Don't let the name fool you - they're not cod at all, but part of the greenling family. You'll find these aggressive predators lurking around rocky areas 30-300 feet deep, where they ambush anything that fits in their mouths. Males top out around 2 feet, but females can grow over 3 feet and 50 pounds. Lingcod put up a great fight and make for some tasty eating. They're most active in winter during spawning, but we can catch them year-round. Pro tip: Use a heavy braided line and jigs to get through the rocks. When you feel that telltale thump, set the hook hard and start reeling - lingcod love to grab bait and swim back to their lairs.
Pacific halibut are massive flatfish that can grow over 8 feet long and 500 pounds. Most we catch are in the 20-100 pound range. You'll find these brown-spotted fish on the seafloor in depths from 100-1000 feet. They're ambush predators, lying still and waiting for prey to pass by. Summer's the best time to target them as they move to shallower feeding grounds. Halibut are prized for their firm, white flesh and put up an epic battle. When you hook one, it's like fighting a barn door - they use their wide bodies to resist coming up. We fish for them with heavy tackle and big baits like salmon heads or whole herring. A local tip: Once you find a school, mark the spot. Halibut often return to the same areas year after year.
Vermilion Rockfish are a striking red fish with black mottling, typically 14-22 inches long. You'll find them hanging around rocky bottoms and reefs from 100-500 feet deep. These guys are ambush predators, so they like to hide out among boulders waiting for smaller fish to swim by. Summer and fall are prime times to target them when they're most active. Anglers love going after vermilion for their hard fighting ability and excellent white, flaky meat. To land one, try dropping a small strip of squid on a two-hook rig near structure. These fish can live up to 60 years, so respect size limits to help preserve the population. When you hook into a big one, get ready for a tug-of-war - they'll try to dive back into the rocks, so keep steady pressure to bring them up.
Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 225