California · Northern California
ALBACORE TUNA FISHING
IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is a solid destination for albacore tuna fishing, with good fishing in August, September. Book a charter and target albacore tuna with local experts.
About Albacore Tuna Fishing in San Francisco
Albacore are warm-water tuna that migrate along the Pacific coast each summer, arriving off Oregon and Washington in July and lingering through October. Known for their long, screaming runs and excellent sushi-grade flesh, albacore trips often head 30–60 miles offshore to find the warm blue water where schools feed on anchovies and squid.
Albacore Tuna are warm-water migrants that arrive off the Pacific coast each summer, following warm currents and baitfish schools 30-60+ miles offshore. Distinguished from other tunas by their extremely long pectoral fins (which extend past the anal fin), albacore have a dark blue back, silver sides, and a white belly. They are the only tuna species marketed as "white meat tuna" and are highly prized for their mild, light-colored flesh that is excellent for sushi, canning, or grilling fresh.
Scientific name: Thunnus alalunga
Albacore Tuna Seasonal Calendar — San Francisco
Month-by-month availability for albacore tuna in San Francisco, CA.
How to Catch Albacore Tuna in San Francisco
Techniques & Bait
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
Recommended Tackle
Trolling: 6-7 ft medium-heavy rod, 30-40 lb line, conventional reel. Bait fishing: 7-8 ft medium rod, spinning or conventional reel, 20-30 lb mono or 40 lb braid, 25-30 lb fluorocarbon leader. Fly: 10-12 weight rod, fast-sinking line, large Deceiver or Popper patterns. Albacore make long, fast runs — reel capacity and drag quality matter.
Best Deep Sea Fishing Fishing Spots in San Francisco
Top spots where local captains target albacore tuna and other deep sea fishing species.
Farallon Islands
The Farallon Islands lie 27 miles west of the Golden Gate, and their surrounding waters hold massive concentrations of rockfish, lingcod, and king salmon over rocky pinnacles and deep reefs. The islands are also the premier destination for white shark encounters, and albacore tuna push through during warm-water summers.
Potato Patch Shoal
Potato Patch Shoal sits just outside the Golden Gate where shallow water and powerful currents create a turbulent zone that concentrates king salmon, striped bass, and halibut. Despite its rough reputation in heavy weather, calm days on the Potato Patch produce outstanding salmon fishing during spring and summer.
Noonday Rock
Noonday Rock is a submerged pinnacle near the Farallon Islands that rises sharply from deep water, creating upwelling that attracts rockfish, lingcod, and pelagic species in dense concentrations. The rock's compact structure makes it a precise waypoint for charter boats targeting trophy lingcod and quality rockfish.
Pioneer Canyon
Pioneer Canyon is a deep submarine canyon west of the Farallones where the continental shelf drops into abyssal depths, and its nutrient-rich upwelling attracts albacore tuna, blue sharks, and swordfish during summer and fall months. Long-range charters from San Francisco target the canyon edges for pelagic big-game fishing.
Other Species in San Francisco
More fish you can target while visiting San Francisco.
Albacore Tuna Fishing in San Francisco — FAQ
Albacore Tuna fishing in San Francisco is productive during August, September.
Albacore Tuna fishing charters in San Francisco are typically deep sea fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Trolling cedar plugs, feather jigs, and Rapalas at 6-8 knots to locate schools, then switching to stop-and-chum with live anchovies or bait chunks is the classic West Coast albacore technique. Once a school is located, casting swimbaits, iron jigs (Salas, Tady), or fly fishing with heavy streamers into the feeding fish produces fast action. "Run and gun" — trolling between temperature breaks until fish are found, then stopping to fish with bait — is the most efficient approach.
No — when you book a charter in San Francisco, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Albacore Tuna regulations in California include minimum size limits and bag limits that vary by season. Your captain will know the current regulations and ensure compliance.
While targeting Albacore Tuna in San Francisco, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Lingcod, Pacific Halibut. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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