California · Northern California
PACIFIC HALIBUT FISHING
IN SAN FRANCISCO
San Francisco is an excellent destination for pacific halibut fishing, with peak season in June, July and good catches in May, August, September. Book a charter and target pacific halibut with local experts.
About Pacific Halibut Fishing in San Francisco
The barn door of the Pacific — halibut are massive flatfish that can exceed 300 pounds in Alaskan waters. Found from Central California to the Bering Sea, Pacific halibut are a bucket-list species prized for their incredible size, dogged bottom-hugging fights, and premium white flesh that rivals any seafood in the world.
Pacific Halibut are the largest flatfish in the world and one of the most sought-after species on the Pacific coast. These massive fish can exceed 300 pounds in Alaskan waters, earning the nickname "barn doors." Like all flatfish, halibut start life with an eye on each side of the head — the left eye migrates to the right (top) side during development. The upper side is dark olive-brown to gray, providing perfect camouflage against the ocean floor, while the underside is white. Homer, Alaska proudly claims the title "Halibut Capital of the World."
Scientific name: Hippoglossus stenolepis
Pacific Halibut Seasonal Calendar — San Francisco
Month-by-month availability for pacific halibut in San Francisco, CA.
How to Catch Pacific Halibut in San Francisco
Techniques & Bait
Drifting or anchoring over sandy-gravel bottom near underwater ledges and structure in 100-400 feet is standard. Large herring, octopus, or salmon belly strips on circle hooks (16/0-20/0) with 1-3 lb lead weights fished directly on the bottom is the classic setup. In Alaska, "spreader bar" rigs with two hooks are standard. Jig fishing with large metal jigs (1-2 lbs) is growing in popularity and often produces larger fish. Keep the bait on the bottom — halibut are ambush predators that rarely chase food upward.
Recommended Tackle
Heavy conventional rod (5'6"-6'6"), large level-wind reel (Penn Fathom, Shimano Torium), 80-130 lb braided line, heavy monofilament or wire leader, circle hooks (16/0-20/0), 1-3 lb lead sinkers. Electric reels are common in Alaska for fish in deep water.
Best Bottom Fishing Fishing Spots in San Francisco
Top spots where local captains target pacific halibut and other bottom fishing species.
San Francisco Bay Flats
San Francisco Bay's expansive shallow flats along the south and central bay hold leopard shark, halibut, striped bass, and bat ray over sandy and muddy bottom. The bay's enormous tidal exchange creates productive current seams along channel edges where predators ambush baitfish swept by the flow.
Golden Gate Bridge Pilings
The massive pilings and underwater structure of the Golden Gate Bridge create current breaks in the powerful tidal flow, attracting striped bass, halibut, and rockfish to the deep channel beneath the span. Fishing the ebb tide as baitfish flush from the bay through the gate is a legendary San Francisco technique.
Crissy Field Beach
Crissy Field Beach inside the Golden Gate offers shore-casting for striped bass, surfperch, and jacksmelt from a sandy beach with the Golden Gate Bridge as a backdrop. The beach's position near the gate means strong tidal currents push baitfish along the shore, drawing in stripers during summer and fall.
Berkeley Flats
The Berkeley Flats along the East Bay shoreline are a renowned leopard shark and bat ray fishery where anglers wade or kayak the shallow mud and sand flats during summer months. Halibut patrol the slightly deeper channels adjacent to the flats, and the area is one of the most accessible inshore fisheries in the entire bay.
Other Species in San Francisco
More fish you can target while visiting San Francisco.
Pacific Halibut Fishing in San Francisco — FAQ
The peak months for Pacific Halibut fishing in San Francisco are June, July. During these months, Pacific Halibut are most active and abundant in the San Francisco area.
Pacific Halibut fishing charters in San Francisco are typically bottom fishing trips. Prices vary by trip duration and group size. Most charters include all gear, bait, licenses, and fish cleaning.
Drifting or anchoring over sandy-gravel bottom near underwater ledges and structure in 100-400 feet is standard. Large herring, octopus, or salmon belly strips on circle hooks (16/0-20/0) with 1-3 lb lead weights fished directly on the bottom is the classic setup. In Alaska, "spreader bar" rigs with two hooks are standard. Jig fishing with large metal jigs (1-2 lbs) is growing in popularity and often produces larger fish. Keep the bait on the bottom — halibut are ambush predators that rarely chase food upward.
No — when you book a charter in San Francisco, your captain provides all required California fishing licenses as part of the trip.
Pacific Halibut 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 Pacific Halibut in San Francisco, you may also catch Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, Dungeness Crab, Lingcod, Albacore Tuna. Many charter trips target multiple species for the best action.
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