Updated: Thursday, October 29, 2026 · Next update: Thursday, November 5, 2026
This San Francisco Bay Area fishing report is a seasonal outlook for the bay’s bridges, flats and shorelines. Fall brings striped bass to the structure, halibut to the sandy flats and the approach of crab season. Currents and wind are the key variables, since the bay moves fast on big tides and afternoon wind can build quickly.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass feed along shorelines, rock walls and under the bridges. Halibut hold on sandy flats and channel edges in the central bay. Rockfish and lingcod are available outside the Gate when the ocean cooperates, and sturgeon fishing begins to pick up as the rains approach. Anglers also prepare for recreational crab season. Anglers exploring the Delta may also find striped bass and sturgeon, with fresh bait and patience paying off.
Where to Find Them
Fish the shorelines near Angel Island and the Berkeley Pier for stripers, the flats off Alameda and the central bay channels for halibut, and the area around the Golden Gate Bridge for rockfish when conditions allow. The Carquinez Strait and the delta hold stripers and sturgeon, and Pillar Point Harbor offers sheltered options. Shore anglers can fish from Fort Baker Pier, Crissy Field and the Berkeley Pier for stripers and halibut on a moving tide.
Tides & Conditions
With the moon waning, tidal flow is easing but remains strong around the Golden Gate and the Carquinez Strait. Slack tide gives a break for anchoring, but moving water drives the bite. Afternoon wind is common and can make the bay uncomfortable, so plan for morning trips. Plan trips around the tide and the afternoon wind, since the central bay often becomes uncomfortable by early afternoon.
Tackle & Tactics
Live anchovies or shiners handle stripers and halibut, swimbaits and soft plastics work when casting, and shrimp or ghost shrimp suit sturgeon. Use 15 to 20 pound fluorocarbon for stripers. Watch for birds working over bait to locate feeding fish. A white or silver swimbait on a lead head is a dependable lure for stripers around rock walls and bridge pilings.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes Berkeley Marina, Pillar Point Harbor and Oyster Point, plus the Fort Baker pier and the Berkeley Pier. Fish concentrate along rock walls, under bridges and on sandy flats. Check current state and federal regulations and seasons before keeping fish, as striper, halibut and sturgeon rules differ. Additional access includes the Emeryville Marina and the Candlestick Point fishing pier, which provide shore and launch options.
This Week’s Tip
Respect the bay’s currents when you anchor. Big tides can set a boat sideways quickly, so use enough scope and watch the chart.
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