San Francisco Bay Fishing Trip
Private Trip
Inshore Fishing
Inshore fishing adventure targeting sought-after Bay speciesSmall group experience accommodates up to two anglersProfessional guide service with MacKenzie On The Fly
San Francisco Bay is one of those rare spots where you can catch everything from hard-fighting striped bass to trophy chinook salmon without heading out to open ocean. This top-rated inshore fishing trip puts you right where the action is, targeting some of the most sought-after species on the West Coast. MacKenzie On The Fly knows these waters like the back of their hand, and they'll put you on fish while you soak up some of the best scenery California has to offer. Perfect for two anglers ready to get their lines wet and make some memories.
This isn't your typical crowded charter boat experience. With just two spots available, you'll get personalized attention and plenty of elbow room to fight fish properly. The trip focuses on inshore waters where the bay's structure creates perfect ambush points for predatory fish. You'll be working shallow flats, rocky drop-offs, and current breaks where baitfish get pushed around by the tides. The guide will read the water conditions and adjust tactics throughout the day, whether that means working topwater early morning or switching to deeper presentations when the sun gets high. If you bring a third person, no problem – just plan on taking turns with the rods so everyone gets their shot at landing a keeper.
MacKenzie On The Fly specializes in light tackle fishing that maximizes the fight and keeps things exciting. You'll be using spinning gear and fly rods depending on conditions and target species. For striped bass, expect to throw everything from swimbaits and topwater plugs to live anchovies when the bite gets tough. Salmon fishing means trolling with downriggers or mooching with herring, while bass fishing involves working structure with jigs, soft plastics, and crankbaits. The guide provides all tackle and bait, but feel free to bring your favorite rod if you've got one. Fly fishing opportunities come up regularly, especially when salmon are surfacing or bass are chasing bait in shallow water. The boat is rigged with quality fish finders and GPS to locate schools and structure, plus all the safety gear you need for a worry-free day.
Largemouth bass in San Francisco Bay might surprise you with their size and attitude. These fish love the shallow, weedy areas where freshwater mixes with salt, especially around the south bay. Spring through fall is prime time, and they'll absolutely crush topwater lures early morning or late afternoon. What makes them special here is how they fight – the brackish water seems to give them extra power, and they'll jump and run harder than their freshwater cousins. Expect fish in the 2-4 pound range with occasional giants pushing 6-7 pounds.
Crappie fishing peaks during their spawn in late winter and early spring when they move shallow and get aggressive. The bay holds both black and white crappie, with blacks being more common in the fresher water areas. These fish school up tight, so when you find one, you'll usually find dozens. They're perfect for light tackle, and nothing beats the steady action when you locate a good school. Most run 10-14 inches, but the bay produces some true slabs over a pound that'll surprise you.
Striped bass are the crown jewel of San Francisco Bay fishing, and for good reason. These fish are built for fighting, with broad shoulders and serious stamina. The bay's population includes both resident fish and ocean-run stripers, creating year-round opportunities. Summer brings smaller schoolie stripers in huge numbers, perfect for non-stop action on light tackle. Fall is when the big breeders show up, with fish over 30 pounds possible. They'll hit live bait, lures, and flies with equal enthusiasm, and the way they strip drag and make runs will test your skills.
Smallmouth bass thrive in the bay's rocky areas and current breaks, especially around the bridges and islands. These bronze-backed fighters are pound-for-pound some of the hardest fighting fish you'll encounter. They love crawfish patterns, small jigs, and tube baits worked along rocky structure. Fall fishing is phenomenal when they're fattening up for winter. A 3-pound smallmouth in San Francisco Bay will fight like a fish twice its size, jumping repeatedly and making blistering runs.
Chinook salmon turn San Francisco Bay into a world-class fishery from late summer through fall. These are ocean-bright fish staging before their spawning runs, meaning they're in prime condition and fight like freight trains. The bay's salmon run anywhere from 8-pound jacks up to 30-pound kings that'll test your tackle and skills. Trolling with downriggers is the standard approach, but when they're feeding on the surface, fly fishing becomes incredibly effective. There's nothing quite like watching a 20-pound chinook launch itself out of the water with your line attached.
San Francisco Bay fishing delivers variety, scenery, and fish that fight hard in some of the most accessible waters on the West Coast. Whether you're after the steady action of schooling stripers, the acrobatic fights of smallmouth bass, or the raw power of chinook salmon, this trip puts you in position to succeed. MacKenzie On The Fly's local knowledge and personalized approach means you'll spend more time with your line in the water and less time wondering where the fish are. With only two spots available, you'll get the attention and instruction that makes the difference between a good day and a great one. Don't wait – the best fishing days book up fast, and there's nothing worse than watching great conditions from the dock.
Hit the waters of San Francisco Bay aboard our well-equipped motorboat, perfectly rigged for serious angling action. This nimble fishing machine comes loaded with everything you need to land the big ones – from an ice box to keep your catch fresh to a fish finder that'll help you locate where the fish are hanging out. The wireless trolling motor lets you sneak up on your targets without spooking them, while GPS keeps you on course in these busy bay waters. Built for up to 2 anglers, this boat gives you plenty of room to work your lines without getting tangled up. The setup is ideal for targeting the bay's prized species – whether you're after striped bass, halibut, or salmon depending on the season. With all the essential gear onboard, you can focus on what matters most: getting your lines wet and bringing home dinner. Fair warning though – if you bring a third person along, you'll need to take turns at the rods since space gets tight when the action heats up.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the prize of San Francisco Bay - these chrome-bright giants can reach 20-30 pounds and are built like torpedoes. They cruise deeper waters following baitfish, staying down where it's cooler and darker since they're light-sensitive. Fall runs bring the best fishing, though we see them spring through fall. What draws people back is that initial run - when a big king takes off, it's like hooking a freight train. The reddish-pink meat is world-class eating too. Early morning and evening produce the most action since they avoid bright light. Success here comes from fishing deep with weighted setups and watching your electronics for baitfish schools. When you mark fish, slow your troll speed and keep that bait swimming naturally in the strike zone.
Pomoxis NigromaculatusBlack and white crappie are schooling fish that run 7-12 inches and about a pound, making them perfect for families and light tackle fun. Black crappie prefer clearer water while whites handle murkier conditions, but both love hanging around brush, fallen trees, and structure in shallow to moderate depths. Spring spawning season is when they really turn on, but dawn and dusk fishing works great year-round. What guests love is how cooperative they are once you find a school, plus that sweet, flaky white meat is some of the best eating you'll find. They're not aggressive fighters, but perfect for getting kids hooked on fishing. Here's the key: use small baits and be patient - let them take the hook completely before setting it.
Micropterus SalmoidesThese olive-green fighters with dark horizontal stripes are what most folks think of when you say "bass fishing." Running 12-24 inches and 1-4 pounds, they've got that famous oversized mouth that extends past their eyes. You'll find them hanging around structure - fallen trees, weed lines, docks - in shallow to mid-depth water. Spring and fall are prime time when they're most active, but early morning and evening bites happen year-round. What makes them special is that explosive strike and the aerial show they put on when hooked. Plus, they're excellent eating if you keep a few. Pro tip: throw something red their way - they can't resist that color, and it often triggers strikes when other lures won't.
Micropterus DolomieuSmallmouth bass are bronze-colored fighters that average 18-20 inches and pack more punch per pound than their largemouth cousins. They love rocky bottoms, clear water, and will go deeper in summer when it gets warm. Spring and fall are money seasons, but light breeze and calm conditions any time of year can produce. These fish are famous for their acrobatic fights - they'll jump, dive, and test your drag like few others. The meat is firm with a mild, sweet flavor that's hard to beat. Early morning and evening are your best bets since they're light-sensitive. Here's what works in our local waters: when they're deep in summer, use a weighted vertical presentation and work it slow - they'll often hit on the drop.
Morone SaxatilisSan Francisco Bay's stripers are the real deal - these silver-sided bruisers with dark horizontal stripes can hit 20-40 pounds and put up serious fights. They're structure-oriented fish that love moving water around bridges, rocky points, and drop-offs. You'll find them from shallow flats to deeper channels depending on baitfish movement. Fall and spring offer the best action when they're actively feeding, but we catch them year-round. What makes them special is that powerful run when hooked - they're built for speed and won't give up easy. The meat is fantastic too, sweet and firm. My local trick: watch for diving birds and baitfish activity on the surface. When you see that commotion, get your lines down fast - the stripers are feeding below.
Sonoma, CA