Fishing Throughout San Francisco with Captain David Rooney

Getting to Know Me

I’m Captain David Rooney from King Eider Fishing, aka David Rooney Fishing, one of the top fishing charters in San Francisco, California. I have over three decades of experience fishing in Richmond waters and over two decades of experience sport fishing and crabbing in San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay. We offer the ultimate offshore and bay fishing excursions in the commercial and cultural hub of San Francisco. Whether you’re an accomplished angler or starting, I will gladly share all my skills and knowledge the next time you go on a fishing trip.

My love for fishing started when I was six years old, thanks to my grandpa. He had a six-pack charter boat we would take out every weekend when I had free time from school. In the summers, I would always go along with him and help him out when he had customers. He would teach me how to tie hooks, net fish, clean fish, take care of the boat, and take care of the customers. There was always something new to learn when fishing with my grandpa, which always excited me. When we finished fishing for the day, I couldn’t wait to return to the dock and catch bait for the next day.

To this day, my love for fishing hasn’t faded. I now operate my own charter fishing service as my grandpa did. King Eider Fishing will take you on an adventurous trip, catching various species in San Francisco’s offshore waters.

Spots That I Like to Frequent

Because San Francisco is a coastal town, there are endless angling opportunities here. Apart from fishing, it’s a place that has a lot to offer and where you will have plenty of things to do. From the Golden Gate Bridge, riding cable cars, seeing some sea lions, or checking out Alcatraz, you wouldn’t want to miss visiting this fun destination. My fishing charter service specializes in offshore (deep sea fishing) and bay fishing. The main areas I always explore with customers are local waters that are covered between the Pacific Ocean and San Pablo Creek. 

I have also mastered the local waters of Richmond, which is just north of San Francisco. Both cities have access to San Francisco Bay and San Pablo Bay, which is where I spent over twenty years sport fishing and commercially catching crab. These bays are also where I mainly run my trips in. I also take anglers and guests to explore the Gulf of the Farallones, which extends west from the opening of San Francisco Bay. These areas offer some of the best saltwater fishing around.

My Charter’s Main Targets and Techniques We Use

My charter service prides itself on excellent halibut fishing in San Francisco Bay. I can show you where the most productive place is for them. This tasty fish typically spends time in the bay to spawn between April and October. Other species we can reel and hook include California flounder (also referred to as halibut), chinook salmon, lingcod, striped bass, canary rockfish, yelloweye rockfish, vermilion rockfish, green sturgeon, and white sturgeon. 

Every year, I always begin fishing in January. Even though the weather may be a bit cold, fishing for sturgeon is hot. In the spring, we would head to the reefs and further offshore to go trolling for some salmon. At the same time, you can use a heavy tackle and target rockfish while cruising deeper waters. If you want to expand your range of targets, lingcod is a great fish to catch year-round. For anglers keen on hooking stripers, the best time of the year to fish with me in the local waters is between June and October.

I also like to catch targets by bottom fishing because we mainly move around offshore saltwater areas. If your child comes along with us, my charter offers a way to catch fish using light tackle.

Why Book Your Trip with Captain David Rooney

With several decades of professional fishing experience under my belt, booking a trip with King Eider Fishing or David Rooney Fishing can ensure you’ll make the most of your own fishing experience in San Francisco and surrounding areas (including Richmond, Los Angeles, and other parts of the state.) 

We’ll be fishing aboard a 27’ Tuff aluminum fishing boat, a clean and seaworthy machine that is always well-prepped for whatever’s biting in the local waters. It can accommodate up to six guests and is powered by a 175HP Evinrude engine. It also has a GPS (Lawrence navigational electronics) and has all the necessary and professional equipment we’ll need when we go saltwater fishing in whichever offshore place we’ll head to. The fishing boat has a wireless trolling motor, an ice box, a fish finder, and a live bait tank.

In regards to gear and equipment, we’ve got you covered. We provide lures, reels, rods, and bait. When we head back to shore, you can also have us help you clean and fillet your catches. Before the trip, guests are encouraged to make sure they have purchased and readied their licenses. Please note that for those who book to go salmon fishing with us, the lead balls that we use cost $10 per weight. We also ensure safety is at the forefront whenever we set out on the water, especially since we welcome children to come along and fish with us.

Whatever your skill level or background, I would be glad to have you on board to fish with me and share my knowledge and stories. All gear and equipment will be ready for you before you arrive. Large groups, families, beginners, and kids are more than welcome to book with us. I want to be able to impart all that I’ve learned from my grandpa to anyone who wants to explore the rich waters of San Francisco. 

Next time you’re on the west coast, head to San Francisco and book your next adventure with Captain David Rooney from King Eider Fishing or David Rooney Fishing! Get the chance to catch a variety of sportfishing and bring them home for your next meal!