San Francisco Bay Area fishing report for the week of October 8, 2026. Fall is a productive time in the bay and the Delta. The striped bass are on the move, the halibut are still around, and the fall salmon run is underway on the rivers. The new moon this weekend means strong tides.
What’s Hitting
Striped bass are feeding in the bay, along the Berkeley Flats, Racoon Strait and around the bridges, and in the Delta. Halibut are on the flats and the channel edges, leopard sharks and rays are around the shallows, and sturgeon are possible. Fall Chinook salmon are moving up the Sacramento and the American rivers.
Where to Find Them
The bay near Alcatraz, Angel Island and the Golden Gate holds stripers and halibut. The Berkeley Flats and the Emeryville flats are productive. In the Delta, the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers hold stripers and bass. The Sacramento River near Rio Vista is a salmon spot.
Tides & Conditions
The new moon this weekend brings strong tidal flows in the bay. The tides can be fast near the Golden Gate and Racoon Strait, so be careful. Wind is common in the afternoon, so go early.
Tackle & Tactics
Live bait such as anchovies and sardines, and swimbaits, work for stripers and halibut. Drift the flats with a live bait on a sliding sinker rig. For salmon, trolled plugs, anchovy-wrapped lures and roe are standard. Use a heavy leader for stripers near the bridges.
Pier anglers have options as well. The Pacifica Pier and the Fort Baker pier offer shoreline access for striped bass, halibut and perch, and the bait is usually available at the local tackle shops. Fish the tide changes for the best action.
Local Intel This Week
Public access includes the Berkeley Marina, Oyster Point Marina in South San Francisco, Benicia Marina and the Pittsburg Marina in the Delta. Fish are concentrating at the bridges, the flats and the river channels. Check current California Department of Fish and Wildlife regulations and seasons, including the salmon rules for the river, and carry a valid license.
This Week’s Tip
Fish the tide. In the bay, stripers and halibut feed on the moving water, either the incoming or the outgoing, so plan your trip around the tide tables.
More San Francisco Bay Area Resources
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