Your Captain
James Powers
Identity Verified
Captain James Powers is the driving force behind NorCal Traditions Sportfishing, bringing a lifelong passion for angling to every excursion. From a young age, he developed a deep appreciation for fishing, which has since evolved into a commitment to sharing the excitement of the sport with others. As the leader of NorCal Traditions, he prioritizes both the success of each trip and the satisfaction of every guest, carefully selecting skilled deckhands to ensure a top-tier experience on the water.
Beyond his expertise in fishing, Captain Powers is dedicated to providing exceptional customer service. He supplies high-quality gear, including rods, reels, and tackle, and operates a Raider boat known for its safety and smooth ride, even in challenging conditions. With a conveniently located marina, he simplifies the logistics for clients, making it easy for them to step aboard and set on their adventure. His enthusiasm for the sport extends beyond personal enjoyment—he finds fulfillment in introducing newcomers to fishing and guiding them to their first big catch.
NorCal Traditions Sportfishing offers a variety of excursions designed to cater to anglers of all skill levels. From deep-sea trips targeting rockfish, lingcod, bluefin tuna, and Albacore to bay cruises focused on halibut and striper fishing, every outing is crafted for both excitement and success. For those interested in a different kind of adventure, the Crabbing Experience provides the opportunity to catch fresh crab straight from the sea.
Under Captain Powers’ leadership, NorCal Traditions is committed to exceeding expectations. His team of experienced professionals ensures that each guest receives personalized guidance, whether they are seasoned anglers or first-time fishers. By prioritizing quality and customer satisfaction, NorCal Traditions has built a reputation for delivering unforgettable fishing adventures. For Captain Powers, fishing is more than a profession—it’s a way of life, and he takes pride in sharing that passion with every guest who steps aboard.
So, what are you waiting for? Book your next San Francisco Fishing Trip now!
What's Included
This guide offers trips that you are able to take home your catch.
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
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This guide offers trips with nature and wildlife views.
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
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What's Included
This guide offers trips that you are able to take home your catch.
Your Guide has some important details about your trip with them.
Show More
This guide offers trips with nature and wildlife views.
When you book your fishing trip, you will need to first put down a deposit to hold the reservation.
Show More
Fishing
Starting At $250
Description:
Fishing
Starting At $250
Description:
Fishing
Starting At $300
Description:
Fishing
Starting At $400
Description:
Fishing
Starting At $500
Description:
Fishing
Starting At $300
Description:
dfg has allowed us select dates for salmon. when the quota of 7,000 fish are caught, the season will end. book now to reserve potential spots. fresh salmon is hard to beat.
Fishing
Starting At $175
Description:
jump on the boat and lets chase whatever is biting. we will call it a day around 11 or 12 .
Norcal Traditions Sportfishing
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
4
Boat Length:
24 ft
Manufacturer Name:
Raider Hard Top
Model Year:
2023
Engine Manufacturer Name:
Suzuki
# of Engines:
1
Horsepower Per Engine:
300
Maximum Cruising Speed:
35
This 24ft Raider Hard Top (2023), powered by a 300hp Suzuki engine, cruises at 35mph and accommodates 4 anglers for a smooth, top-tier fishing experience
Norcal Traditions Sportfishing
Boat Type:
Boat Guest Capacity:
4
Boat Length:
24 ft
Vehicle Details
we started out with limits of striped bass, followed by wide open shark bite in the san francisco bay. everyone was reeling in fish all day with no breaks in between. its hard to beat this action.
today our agreement was to fish for halibut and striped bass with live bait until 11, then switch over to sharks for the rest of the day. we started out the day with wide open striper bite and managed 7 beautiful stripers. when that bite died, we moved over to halibut but they just didnt want to play. at 11, we changed over to shark and the bite was wide open. we kept 3 of the 10 sharks in just an hour and a half. everyone had fun and went home with fish.
we went out to the same area we caught our fish yesterday and the bite was good but it wasnt wide open due to heavy pressure. we had multiple hookups and lost a lot of fish due to the barbless hook law. we should have had limits but we only got 4 in the boat. they were still nice quality and it was still a great day with plenty of whale action . at one point i had a full grown grey whale come up right off my bow.
we started our day at Duxberry reef where we landed 3 nice keeper salmon and lost about 5 due to barbless hooks. we also caught 5 coho salmon which we had to release. when the bite died, we made a move offshore where we scored our limits for 5. we returned to the marina by 4 pm buzzing with excitement.
today we started out with rockfish for the first half of the day, then came back to the bay and finished up with halibut and stripers. most halibut were caught in alameda. we also hooked into several bat rays that kept us busy. the halibut is improving as the water warms up.
we launched the boat in berkeley and made our way to san francisco for live bait. we fished berkeley flats and caught about 10 halibut but only 2 were keeper size. we also got 2 keeper stripers and a bunch of bat rays kept us busy in between. at 1 oclock we went south to try for sharks. while on anchor, we picked up 2 keeper sharks and fought 3 more bat rays. all in all was a busy day and everyone stayed busy.
we ended the day with 5 halibut and a striper for a crew of 3. As the water temp increases and the tides slow down on the next moon phase, we will see improvements with the halibut. hopefully the offshore winds slow down so we can target some rockfish and lingcod.
we ended the day with limits of halibut for our group of 3. we also managed 15 undersize halibut and one striped Bass making for an excellent day on the water for all.
Sharks sharks and more sharks. We had over 30 sharks hit the deck on Sunday all catch and release. This is great for the kids and ADHD friends Iykyk.
Ratings & Reviews Summary
July 9, 2025
Wonder time fishing for family and friend.
July 9, 2025
Capt. James is great at not only ensuring everyone’s safety but also ensuring everyone has a good time. And most importantly he knows how to get you on the fish. Every time we go out with him, we definitely get our money’s worth! Highly recommend! Can’t wait for salmon season!