To someone from outside the area, it may see odd that San Francisco Bay can produce some red hot fishing action for a variety of species. After all, the bay is the center piece of an immense and sprawling mega-metropolis and is surrounded on all sides by densely-packed civilization.
Despite all that, fishing remains good and, right now, California halibut are the main focus for anglers. On Wednesday, I headed down to the bay to see how the bite was going and I wasn’t disappointed…
I hopped aboard Capt. Jay Lopes’ (of Right Hook Sportfishing) sweet 25-foot Parker for a day of trolling near Berkeley.
Lopes rigged the four anglers aboard up with anchovies and dodgers and had the gang drop the sinkers to to bottom. The idea was to troll with the sinkers just skimming — and not pounding — the bottom.
The bites were extremely violent and the fish gave really nice accounts of themselves when hooked. The final tally for the day was 5 keep ‘butts and another 10 or so shakers, which, Lopes said, was quite a bit slower than the previous week’s action.
He had been really pounding the flatties for several days prior, but on this outing, we had the first big minus tide of the full moon cycle and the bite tapered off a bit. Lopes says that the action is best when the tides are slow and he expects things really to take off again in about two weeks.
I’d make plans now to hop aboard — call him at 916.417.5670 or visit his website. You pay more to fish on a six-pac boat, but there’s a lot to be said for fishing in a small group of no more than 6 anglers.
And by the way, if you’ve never eaten California halibut, you’ve been missing out. I think they’re far and away better tasting than Alaskan (Pacific) halibut. They’re sweeter and have more flavor.
Related articles:
Trolling for San Francisco Halibut
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Hey this is a great addition to the information so desparately needed for dreaming of catching Habibut. I have to tell you i have been out in the early morning, brisk winds creating chop and unnecessary wetness. As a novice fisherman it takes real skill, experience and good old fashion know how not to mention the location knowledge to catch quality fish. Take it from me guys pay the charter boats captains, especially the smaller charters. Or what the hell, take your own boat out and maybe you’ll get lucky!