San Pablo and San Francisco Bay Fishing Trip!
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Target Striped Bass, Halibut, and Lingcod in famous bay watersPerfect familyfriendly trip accommodating up to four guestsProfessional fish cleaning service available for additional cost
Jump aboard with Captain David Rooney for what's hands down the most popular fishing adventure on San Pablo and San Francisco Bay. This customer favorite draws families and serious anglers alike who want to get their lines wet in some of Northern California's most productive inshore waters. You'll be targeting stripers, halibut, lingcod, and flounder while soaking up the scenic beauty of the bay. Pack your cooler with snacks and drinks, grab your crew of up to four anglers, and get ready for a day that'll have you planning your next trip before you even hit the dock.
This top-rated bay fishing experience puts you right in the heart of where the action happens. San Pablo Bay and San Francisco Bay offer some of the most consistent fishing on the West Coast, with structure, current breaks, and baitfish that keep predator species active year-round. Captain Rooney knows these waters like the back of his hand – every rocky ledge, muddy flat, and current seam that holds fish. You'll spend your day moving between productive spots, adjusting techniques based on what's biting and where the fish are holding. The boat's set up perfectly for a small group, so everyone gets plenty of room to fish without tangling lines or fighting for space. Whether you're bringing the kids for their first real fishing trip or getting the gang together for some friendly competition, this charter delivers the goods without any of the crowded boat nonsense you'll find elsewhere.
Bay fishing here is all about reading the water and matching your approach to what the fish want. You'll be working everything from live bait rigs with anchovies and sardines to artificial lures like swimbaits, bucktails, and soft plastics. The captain provides all the rods, reels, and terminal tackle you'll need, rigged and ready to fish. Depending on conditions and what's biting, you might be drifting over structure for lingcod, anchoring up in current for stripers, or working the flats for halibut. The beauty of these bays is the variety – you're not locked into one technique all day. When the bite slows in one area, there's always another spot to try with different structure and different fish. Captain Rooney's constantly adjusting based on tides, weather, and recent reports to keep you on the fish. If you've got your own lucky rod or favorite reel, feel free to bring it along, but the provided gear is tournament-quality stuff that can handle anything these waters throw at you.
Striped Bass are the bread and butter of bay fishing, and for good reason. These silver-sided battlers range from schoolie-sized fish perfect for the dinner table up to trophy specimens that'll test your drag and your arms. Spring and fall are prime time for stripers, when they're feeding heavily and staging for their spawning runs. They hit hard, fight harder, and there's nothing quite like the screaming run of a big striper in shallow water. You'll find them around rocky structure, current breaks, and anywhere baitfish are getting pushed around by the tide.
Lingcod are the toothy predators that make every drop exciting. These ambush hunters lurk around rocky bottom and structure, waiting to crush anything that looks like an easy meal. They're not the prettiest fish in the bay, but they're some of the best eating and most fun to catch. Lingcod can range from smaller resident fish up to real monsters that'll surprise you with their size and attitude. They're most active during cooler months and love live bait presented right in their face. When you hook one, be ready for a bulldogging fight and some serious headshakes.
Pacific Halibut are the flatfish that dreams are made of. These bottom-huggers can be tricky to locate, but when you find them, you're in for a treat. Halibut love sandy and muddy bottoms where they can bury themselves and ambush prey. They're masters of camouflage and can grow to impressive sizes in bay waters. The fight is unique – more of a sustained, powerful pull than the flashy runs of other species. Summer months tend to be best for halibut, when they're actively feeding in shallower water and easier to target consistently.
California Flounder round out the slam with their own brand of bottom-dwelling action. These guys are smaller than halibut but just as tasty and often more cooperative when it comes to biting. They're perfect for getting kids or new anglers into the action since they're generally easier to hook and land. Flounder are active throughout most of the year and can be caught on everything from live bait to small jigs bounced along the bottom.
This world-class bay fishing adventure books up fast, especially during peak season and weekends when families want to get out on the water together. With Captain David Rooney's reputation for putting clients on fish and his intimate knowledge of San Pablo and San Francisco Bay, you're getting more than just a fishing trip – you're getting an education in how to fish these waters like a pro. The boat's perfect size means you'll get personalized attention and won't be fighting crowds like on the bigger party boats. Add in the option for fish cleaning service, and you can focus entirely on fishing and leave the messy work to the professionals. Whether you're looking to introduce someone to the sport, celebrate a special occasion, or just need to get your fishing fix, this charter delivers the complete package. Don't wait until the last minute – the best dates go quick, and you don't want to miss out on what could be the fishing trip that gets you hooked on bay angling for life.
Our sturdy 27-foot Tuff Boat is built for serious bay fishing action! This motorboat handles San Pablo and San Francisco Bay waters like a champ, with room for up to 6 anglers to spread out and cast their lines. The GPS navigation system keeps us on course to the hottest fishing spots, while the fish finder helps locate schools of Striped Bass, Halibut, and Lingcod lurking below. No need to worry about long days on the water - we've got a toilet onboard for your comfort. The spacious deck gives everyone plenty of elbow room whether you're battling a big striper or just enjoying the bay breeze. Perfect for families wanting to introduce kids to fishing or groups of buddies ready to fill the cooler. Pack your favorite fishing snacks and cold drinks, and we'll handle the rest. This boat has seen countless successful fishing trips across both bays, and her reliable engine gets us to the fish fast so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of just cruising around.
Paralichthys CalifornicusAlso called California halibut, these flatfish are masters of camouflage with their ability to change color and blend into the sandy bottom. They typically run 5-15 pounds in our waters, with some reaching 30+ pounds. You'll find them on sandy flats and muddy areas from 20-100 feet deep, often near structure where baitfish gather. Late spring through summer is peak season when they're spawning and more active. While they're not the strongest fighters, guests enjoy the challenge of finding these well-camouflaged fish and the reward of excellent table fare - sweet, delicate meat perfect for fish tacos. Be careful handling them though - those teeth are surprisingly sharp for a flatfish. Local trick: use a dropper loop rig to keep your bait just off the bottom where they can see it better.
Ophiodon ElongatusThese gnarly-looking bottom dwellers are pure attitude with their massive mouths full of sharp teeth. Most lingcod we hook are 15-25 pounds, but the big females can go much larger. They hang out in rocky areas and kelp beds, usually 30-200 feet down, where they ambush anything that swims by. You can catch them year-round, but they're most aggressive in cooler months. What guests love about lingcod is their fierce fight once hooked - they don't run, they just bulldozer straight down. Plus, the meat is fantastic eating with firm white fillets. Fair warning though - handle with care since they'll bite anything that comes near their mouth. Pro tip: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and reel fast. They're notorious for wrapping around rocks if you give them slack.
Hippoglossus StenolepisThese are the "barn doors" of the Bay - massive flatfish that can really make your day. Most halibut we see run 20-50 pounds, but monsters over 100 are definitely swimming around. They're bottom huggers, sitting in sandy areas between 50-300 feet where they ambush prey from below. Summer months are prime time when they move into shallower feeding areas. What makes halibut so popular is the combination of a strong fight and some of the best eating fish in the ocean - pure white, mild fillets that work for any recipe. They're also exciting because you never know if that tap on your line is a 15-pounder or a 50-pounder. Key tip: when you feel that initial bite, give them a few seconds to fully take the bait before setting the hook. They're notorious for just mouthing baits at first.
Morone SaxatilisThese iconic fish with their distinctive dark stripes are the backbone of Bay Area fishing. Most stripers we catch run 20-40 pounds, though bigger ones are always possible. They're structure-oriented fish, so we'll find them around drop-offs, bridges, and rocky areas where they hunt for baitfish. Spring through fall gives us the best action when they're actively feeding. What makes stripers special is their strong fight and excellent table fare - sweet, flaky meat that's perfect for grilling. They're also great for beginners since they're forgiving and fairly aggressive feeders. My local tip: watch for birds diving on baitfish, especially during tide changes. That's when stripers push schools to the surface for some exciting topwater action.
San Francisco, CA