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World-Class Bay Fishing | SF Inshore Adventure
- Published Date: July 18, 2025
- Fishing
- San Francisco
- $300 - $3,000 price range
- Updated Date: September 8, 2025
Summary
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Bay Fishing Action
River runs and salmon strikes make every cast count.
Hooked into silver muscle—salmon season is here.
Salmon fishing: where patience meets power.
Chasing chrome on the river never gets old.
Lingcod: fierce strikes and stronger fights.
Big flatfish, big fight—halibut time.
Nothing beats the thrill of hauling up a halibut.
Chasing halibut and stripers for the perfect day on the water.
Nothing beats the power of a tuna on the line.
Hooked on halibut, and it’s worth the wait.
River runs and salmon strikes make every cast count.
Hooked into silver muscle—salmon season is here.
Salmon fishing: where patience meets power.
Chasing chrome on the river never gets old.
Lingcod: fierce strikes and stronger fights.
Big flatfish, big fight—halibut time.
Nothing beats the thrill of hauling up a halibut.
Chasing halibut and stripers for the perfect day on the water.
Nothing beats the power of a tuna on the line.
Hooked on halibut, and it’s worth the wait.
River runs and salmon strikes make every cast count.
Hooked into silver muscle—salmon season is here.
Salmon fishing: where patience meets power.
Chasing chrome on the river never gets old.
Bay Fishing Bonanza: SF's Hidden Gems
Ready to reel in some of San Francisco Bay's finest? Our half or full day trip puts you right in the action, whether you're chasing hard-fighting halibut or looking to tangle with a toothy shark. With room for up to 6 anglers, it's the perfect way to spend a day on the water with buddies or family. Our seasoned crew knows these waters like the back of their hand, so even if you're new to fishing, you'll be hooking up in no time. From the calm waters near Alcatraz to the productive grounds off Angel Island, we'll hit the hotspots and put you on the fish.
What to Expect on the Water
As we push off from the dock, you'll feel the excitement build. The bay's a special place to fish - one minute you're admiring the Golden Gate Bridge, the next you're battling a monster halibut. We'll start by getting everyone set up with rods, reels, and bait. Don't worry if you're a beginner; we'll show you the ropes. We might start drift fishing for halibut, using live anchovies to entice those flatties. Or, if the sharks are running, we'll anchor up and deploy some oily chum to bring them in close. The action can be fast and furious, so be ready! Throughout the trip, we'll keep an eye on conditions and fish activity, moving spots as needed to keep the rods bent.
Techniques & Gear Rundown
Fishing the bay is all about versatility. We'll use a mix of techniques depending on what's biting. For halibut, we often use light tackle and drift with the current, bouncing our baits along the bottom where those flatfish like to hide. When targeting striped bass, we might switch to trolling with artificial lures or bait. Sturgeon fishing is a whole different ballgame - we'll set up with heavy gear and soak natural baits like ghost shrimp or eel. For the shark enthusiasts, we'll use heavier tackle and chum the waters to bring those toothy critters in close. We provide all the gear you'll need, from rods and reels to terminal tackle and bait. Just bring a valid fishing license, some snacks, and a camera to capture your catch!
Why Anglers Keep Coming Back
"Hands down one of our top charter captains and trip. Tucker and I have chartered trips from Catalina to N.O. Bayou to Oregon Inlet, NC and all over the state of Florida .We know a thing or two about fishing charters. Capt John put us on the fish right off the bat. Shoutout to first mate Austin. He was like a halibut whisperer. We really enjoyed their friendly company and knowledge. We ended with a Triple hookup right off Alcatraz. How cool is that!! We will be up to fish Sturgeon with them in November. That's a lock!!!" - Kenneth
Species You'll Want to Hook
White Sturgeon: These living fossils are the giants of the bay. Growing to over 100 pounds, hooking into a sturgeon is like trying to stop a submarine. They're bottom feeders, so we'll use heavy tackle and natural baits like ghost shrimp or lamprey eel. The fight can last over an hour, testing even the most seasoned angler. Winter and early spring are prime time for these prehistoric beasts.
Striped Bass: The bay's most popular gamefish, stripers are known for their hard strikes and bulldog fights. These fish can range from schoolies of a few pounds to trophy-sized 40-pounders. We target them year-round, but fall is when the big ones really show up. Trolling with artificial lures or live bait fishing are our go-to techniques. There's nothing quite like the thrill of a striper blasting a topwater lure!
Leopard Shark: Don't let the name fool you – these aren't your average sharks. Growing up to 7 feet long, leopard sharks put up a great fight on light tackle. They're most active in the warmer months, and we often find them in shallower areas of the bay. We'll use oily baits like mackerel or sardines to attract them. The spots on their skin make for some great photos before we release them.
Pacific Halibut: The bay's ultimate flatfish, Pacific halibut are prized for both their fight and their fantastic eating quality. These ambush predators can grow to over 100 pounds, though most we catch are in the 15-40 pound range. We'll drift fish for them using live anchovies or artificial baits. Summer and early fall are prime time for halibut, and there's nothing like the feeling of that first head shake when a big one takes the bait!
Time to Book Your Spot
Whether you're a seasoned bay angler or looking to wet a line for the first time, our San Francisco Bay fishing trip has something for everyone. From the rush of battling a big halibut to the unique experience of fishing in the shadow of Alcatraz, it's a day on the water you won't forget. Our experienced crew will put you on the fish and make sure you have a blast doing it. Spaces fill up fast, especially during peak season, so don't wait to lock in your date. Grab your fishing buddies, pack some snacks, and get ready for a top-rated Bay Area fishing adventure. Book now and let's make some memories on the water!
Customer Review
Top Charter Catch
Kenneth Gill
September 2, 2024
Learn more about the species
Leopard Shark
Leopard sharks are beautiful, docile sharks that cruise the shallows. They're usually 4-5 feet long and hang out in bays and along beaches. Look for them in water 5-15 feet deep, especially around eelgrass beds. Summer and fall are best as they come in to feed. Leopard sharks put up a nice fight on light tackle but aren't known as table fare. Folks love catching them for the thrill and unique spotted pattern. To target these guys, use squid, mackerel, or anchovy on a fish-finder rig. Keep your bait near the bottom and be patient. When you feel a gentle tug, let them run with it before setting the hook. It's an awesome experience to reel in one of these prehistoric-looking creatures!
Pacific Halibut
Pacific halibut are the heavyweight champs of flatfish. Most we catch are 20-100 pounds, but they can top 300. You'll find them on the ocean floor, usually 150-500 feet down. Summer's prime time as they move shallower to feed. Halibut are prized for both their fight and their flaky white meat. To land one, you need heavy gear and plenty of patience. Drop your bait to the bottom - salmon bellies or whole herring work great. Then it's a waiting game. When you feel a bite, give them time to swallow before setting the hook hard. Be ready for a battle - these flatties are amazingly strong. Nothing beats the feeling of finally seeing that barn door appear from the depths after a long fight!
Striped Bass
Striped bass are hard-fighting fish that'll test your skills. They average 10-30 pounds but can top 50. Look for them around structure like rocky points, piers, and drop-offs. They're most active at dawn and dusk, chasing bait schools near the surface. Spring and fall are prime seasons as they migrate. Stripers put up an awesome fight and taste great too. To catch 'em, try live bait like anchovies or toss topwater lures early morning. My go-to trick is using a fish finder to locate bait balls, then casting right into the frenzy. Nothing beats the rush when a big striper slams your lure and starts peeling line. Just be ready to chase 'em down - these guys can really run!
White Sturgeon
White sturgeon are prehistoric-looking giants that can reach over 1,000 pounds. Most we catch are in the 100-200 pound range though. They're bottom-feeders, hanging out in deep holes and channels 30-100 feet down. Spring and fall are prime times as they move into shallower water. Sturgeon put up an epic fight - prepare for some serious tugging! Their meat is prized, but most folks do catch-and-release to protect the population. To land one, use heavy tackle with a 7/0 circle hook. Bait it with salmon roe, ghost shrimp, or pile worms. Let it sit on the bottom and be patient - when you feel a tap, don't set the hook right away. Wait until the rod doubles over, then hang on tight! It's a thrill reeling in a fish that's been around since the dinosaurs.
About the Grady White (Sportfishing)
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Vehicle Guest Capacity: 6
Manufacturer Name: Yamaha
Maximum Cruising Speed: 35
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower per Engine: 225
Hands down one of our top charter captains and trip. Tucker and I have chartered trips from Catalina to N.O. Bayou to Oregon Inlet, NC and all over the state of Florida .We know a thing or two about fishing charters. Capt John put us on the fish right off the bat. Shoutout to first mate Austin. He was like a halibut whisperer. We really enjoyed their friendly company and knowledge. We ended with a Triple hookup right off Alcatraz. How cool is that!! We will be up to fish Sturgeon with them in November. That's a lock!!!