
Fisherman’s Wharf/Berkeley
Live Bait Drifters Battle Stripers and Halibut
SAN FRANCISCO – Anglers targeting striped bass, halibut and leopard sharks are experiencing stellar fishing on
San Francisco Bay and in the ocean just outside of the Golden Gate.
“What an epic bite today,” reported Captain James Smith of California Dawn Sportfishing on Sunday, July 6. “Both
boats checked in with limits of jumbo halibut and the California Dawn 1 checked in with limits of bass as well. We got
‘em big time in the ocean.”
The final count for the California Dawn 1 was 22 limits of striped bass (44) to 15 pounds and 22 limits of halibut
(44) to 31 pounds. The California Dawn 2 came back with 26 limits of halibut (52) to 30 pounds.
Captain Craig Hansen of Argo Sportfishing said he’s been putting his customers on both halibut and striped bass in
numerous locations. F-Buoy and the Berkeley Flats, the backside and frontside of Alcatraz Island, and the south side
of Angel Island have all been productive.
The key, according to Capt. Craig, is to move around to these locations until you find the fish. Other locations that
can be very productive, if the weather and ocean conditions cooperate, is the north and south bars out the Golden
Gate on the outgoing tide.
Meanwhile Captain Ron Koyasako of Nautilus Excursions said he’s been targeting mainly stripers for his clients in
the bay, but when the tides and ocean conditions look good, he’s been drifting Seal Rock and the north and south
Bars out the Gate (see the attached photos).
Also in the bay, Captain Steve Talmadge of Flash Sportfishing Charters stated that he has been drifting live bait
targeting halibut and striped bass for his customers.
Capt. Steve also said, as a change of pace, he has also been navigating down to the south bay for excellent
leopard shark fishing. Capt. Steve added that he has been anchoring at Hunters Point or off of Oracle Park in 50 feet
of water for excellent leopard shark fishing (see the attached photos). He’s been soaking salmon roe and squid to
entice the leopards.
Now a salmon report. The June 7th and 8th opener was epic for some, with fast limits for those anglers motoring
south of the Golden Gate, and fair for other harbors north of the Gate. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
has announced that the harvest deadline of 7,000 Chinook salmon has been met in the first opener, so it will not open
for additional days in July or August.
The CDFW further announced that the Chinook salmon fishery will reopen for four days on September 4-7, 2025
between Point Reyes and Point Sur under a fall harvest guideline of 7,500 Chinook salmon. For further information
call the CDFW Ocean Salmon Hotline at (707) 576-3429.
If you would like to fish with any of these Captains or Guides, just do a search on the internet for their contact
information.
If you would like more information about the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), go to our website
(www.striper-csba.org). You will be able to access all the information related to the 4 CSBA Chapters. New members
only pay $25, that includes a one-time $5 initiation fee. After the first year of membership the annual dues are only
$20.
Your membership helps to strengthen our mission to protect striped bass and our fisheries. Some Chapters will
give you a free gift just for joining. The Isleton-Delta Chapter gives all new members two free Isleton Chapter decals
and a Chapter hat as a thank you for joining our Chapter. Membership forms are available for each Chapter on the
website. Just click on your Chapter of choice and go to the membership page, fill out the application, print it and send
your application and payment to the address listed on the application.
The Isleton Chapter accepts credit cards online on the website for new memberships, membership renewals as
well as our chapter’s events. The website also has Chapters’ newsletters, photos, interesting articles, and useful links
that will help you plan your next fishing trip.
- Ken Baccetti, President of the California Striped Bass Association (CSBA), Isleton-Delta Chapter.