Premier San Francisco Bay Fishing with Captain Don
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Target salmon, halibut, rockfish, sturgeon, and shark offshoreCaptain Don leads expeditions for all skill levelsSixperson maximum ensures personalized fishing experience
San Francisco Bay and the Pacific waters beyond offer some of the West Coast's most productive fishing grounds, and Captain Don knows exactly where to find the action. With Sole-Man Sportfishing, you're getting more than just a boat ride – you're tapping into decades of local knowledge and a genuine passion for putting fish in the cooler. This offshore adventure targets the big players: white sturgeon, striped bass, shortfin mako shark, Pacific halibut, and blue shark. Whether you're a weekend warrior looking to land your personal best or someone who's never held a rod, Captain Don's approach makes every angler feel confident on the water.
Your day starts early at the San Francisco docks, where Captain Don and his crew prep the boat while you grab coffee and get acquainted with your fellow anglers. The boat accommodates up to 6 guests, which means plenty of elbow room and personalized attention throughout the day. No meals are provided, so pack a cooler with your favorites – trust me, you'll work up an appetite fighting these fish. We head out past the Golden Gate Bridge into the open Pacific, where the real fishing begins. The offshore waters here drop to serious depths quickly, creating the perfect conditions for the diverse species we target. Captain Don reads the water like a book, adjusting our approach based on tides, bait activity, and seasonal patterns that most anglers never even notice.
Offshore fishing in San Francisco means adapting your approach to match what we're hunting. For sturgeon and striped bass, we'll often work the deeper channels and drop-offs with heavy tackle and fresh bait – think ghost shrimp, sardines, and anchovies. When we're after halibut, it's all about working the sandy bottom with drift fishing techniques, using live bait or jigs that mimic the flatfish's preferred prey. Shark fishing requires a different mindset entirely – we'll set up with wire leaders, circle hooks, and chunk baits that create a scent trail these predators can't resist. Captain Don provides all the gear you need, from heavy-duty reels capable of handling 100-pound fish to lighter setups for when the action calls for finesse. The boat's equipped with modern electronics including fish finders and GPS, but don't be surprised when Captain Don relies just as much on his instincts and years of experience reading these waters.
White sturgeon are the true giants of San Francisco Bay, and landing one is like hooking into a submarine. These prehistoric fish can live over 100 years and grow to massive sizes – we're talking 6 to 8 feet long and 200 pounds or more. They feed primarily on the bottom, using their sensitive barbels to locate clams, shrimp, and small fish. The best sturgeon action typically happens during the cooler months from October through March, when these fish move into the bay to feed. What makes sturgeon fishing so addictive is the sheer power – once hooked, they'll make long, bulldogging runs that test your endurance and tackle to the limit.
Striped bass, or "stripers" as locals call them, are the bay's most beloved gamefish. These silver-sided fighters average 20 to 30 pounds but can push 40 pounds or more during peak season. They're aggressive predators that feed on anchovies, sardines, and herring, often creating surface feeding frenzies that get every angler's heart racing. Spring and fall offer the best striper fishing, when schools move through the bay following baitfish migrations. What anglers love about stripers is their fighting spirit – they'll make screaming runs, jump clear of the water, and never give up until they're in the net.
Pacific halibut represent the ultimate flatfish challenge, with these "barn doors" growing to impressive sizes in the deep Pacific waters off San Francisco. A good halibut runs 30 to 80 pounds, with trophy fish pushing 100 pounds or more. They're ambush predators that lie buried in the sand, waiting to engulf passing fish, squid, and crustaceans. Summer months from June through September offer the most consistent halibut action, when these fish move into shallower waters to feed. The fight is all about endurance – halibut use their broad, flat bodies to plane through the water, creating incredible drag that will burn your arms.
Shortfin mako sharks are pure adrenaline on a hook, capable of reaching speeds over 40 mph and launching themselves completely out of the water when hooked. These torpedo-shaped predators average 100 to 200 pounds in our waters, with larger specimens showing up during peak season. They feed primarily on tuna, mackerel, and other fast-moving fish, using their incredible speed and razor-sharp teeth to hunt in open water. Late summer and fall bring the best mako opportunities, when warmer water temperatures draw these sharks closer to shore. The fight is legendary – makos will make blistering runs, leap repeatedly, and showcase the raw power that makes them one of the ocean's apex predators.
Blue sharks are the most common shark species we encounter, and while they may not reach the size of makos, they're equally exciting to catch. These sleek predators average 50 to 150 pounds and are incredibly abundant in the offshore waters beyond the Golden Gate. They're opportunistic feeders that will take both live and dead baits, making them relatively easy to hook but challenging to land due to their stamina and fighting ability. Blue sharks are present year-round but are most active during the warmer months from May through October. What makes blue shark fishing special is the consistency – when conditions are right, you might hook multiple fish in a single trip, giving everyone on board plenty of chances to experience the thrill of shark fishing.
San Francisco's offshore waters deliver world-class fishing year-
Captain Don's 1974 Uniflite Pilothouse is your ticket to San Francisco's best fishing grounds. This classic 32-footer combines old-school charm with everything you need for a successful day chasing salmon, halibut, and rockfish in the Bay Area waters. The reliable 210 Cummins engine gets you to the hot spots while the fish finder helps locate schools below. With GPS and radar onboard, you'll navigate safely through fog and changing conditions. The spacious flybridge gives you prime casting position, and there's room for up to 6 anglers to spread out comfortably. Plus, the onboard facilities mean longer days on the water targeting those trophy catches. Whether you're after feisty salmon runs or bottom-dwelling halibut, this well-equipped boat puts you right where the fish are biting in San Francisco's productive offshore waters.
Prionace GlaucaBlue sharks are the most common sharks we see offshore, and they're absolutely gorgeous fish with that deep blue coloring. They typically run 6-8 feet and 60-150 pounds, with females getting bigger. We find them 10-25 miles out in deeper water, usually 500+ feet, where they cruise for squid and small fish. Summer through early fall is best when the water warms up to their liking. While they don't jump like makos, blues are steady fighters with surprising endurance. They're curious sharks, often showing up in multiples once you get a chum line going. What's cool is watching them circle the boat before committing to the bait. They're catch-and-release only for us, but the experience of landing a shark is something guests never forget. Key tip for blues: keep your bait about 20 feet behind the boat and be patient. They'll investigate for a while before biting, and when they do, it's usually a solid grab.
Hippoglossus StenolepisPacific halibut are the barn doors of the Pacific - these massive flatfish can top 200 pounds, though most we land are 20-50 pounders. They're bottom huggers, living in 60-300 feet on sandy or muddy bottoms where they ambush prey. Summer is prime time when they move up from deeper winter haunts to feed heavily. The Farallon Islands and Cordell Bank are our go-to spots. What guests love is the surprise factor - you think you're snagged on bottom, then suddenly that "snag" starts moving. They're also premium table fare, with firm white fillets that are pure gold. The fight is more like wrestling a coffee table than fighting a fish, but landing a big one is always memorable. My tip for halibut: once you feel that subtle tick on the rod tip, drop your rod back and count to five before setting the hook. They need time to turn that big flat head and really grab the bait.
Isurus OxyrinchusMako sharks are pure adrenaline on a fishing line. These torpedo-shaped predators average 6-10 feet and can hit 30+ mph when they want to. We find them 5-20 miles offshore in 100-500 feet of water, cruising the blue water where the thermocline holds baitfish. Summer and early fall are peak season when water temps hit 60-70°F. What makes makos special is their aerial show - they'll leap 15-20 feet clear of the water when hooked, spinning and tail-walking like no other shark. They're also excellent table fare, with meat that tastes more like swordfish than typical shark. The challenge is their intelligence and power - they'll use every trick to break free. When targeting makos, I always stress keeping a good chum slick going with oily fish like mackerel. Once you hook up, keep steady pressure but don't horse them - let them make their runs and tire themselves out. Circle hooks are mandatory for their safety and yours.
Morone SaxatilisStriped bass are the bread and butter of San Francisco Bay fishing. These silvery fighters with distinctive black stripes typically run 20-40 pounds, though we see some real bulls pushing 50+. They're structure fish, hanging around rocky points, bridge pilings, and tide rips where baitfish get pushed around. You'll find them from the surface down to about 40 feet, and they love moving water. Fall and spring are prime time when they're actively feeding, but we catch them year-round. What guests love is the fight - these fish have serious attitude and will make multiple runs. Plus, they're excellent eating with firm, white meat. The bay's tidal flow keeps them active, especially during the morning and evening bites. My local trick: when the tide is really ripping, drop your bait just behind structure where the current creates an eddy. That's where tired baitfish get trapped and the stripers are waiting.
Acipenser TransmontanusWhite Sturgeon are the giants of San Francisco Bay - these prehistoric fish can live over 100 years and grow massive, with most catches ranging 4-8 feet. They're bottom feeders with no teeth, using their barbels to feel around muddy bottoms for clams, crabs, and small fish. You'll find them in 20-60 feet of water near structure and drop-offs, especially around the Bay Bridge and Carquinez Strait. Spring through fall offers the best action when they move into shallower water. What makes them special is the gentle bite - they'll mouth your bait for ages before committing. Guests love the anticipation and the sheer size when one finally comes up. Here's the key: when you feel that first tap, don't set the hook. Let them take it and swim with it. Only when you feel steady weight should you lift that rod. Patience wins with these ancient beauties.
San Francisco, CA