Dress warmer than the weather on land suggests, buy your fishing license online before the day, bring lunch and a cooler, and take any seasickness medicine about 2 hours before you board. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are on the boat.
What a fishing charter is
A charter is a boat and captain hired for your group. On Molly's Boats that means Captain Molly and Miss Molly, a 27-foot boat with a heated cabin and a private bathroom, for up to 4 anglers. Children count toward the 4. You pick the trip length and start time when you book online. See all San Francisco fishing charters.
Before the day
- Book and pay online. You pay in full at booking. There's no deposit.
- Buy your fishing license. Everyone 16 or older needs a California sport fishing license, even for catch and release. Buy it online in advance. 2026 prices: one-day $21.09, two-day $32.40, annual $64.54 for California residents. How to buy one.
- Fishing for sturgeon? You also need a sturgeon report card ($8.13 for 2026/27), even though sturgeon are released.
- Tell us about your group in the booking notes: first-timers, kids, anything you're hoping to catch.
The day, in order
- Arrive at Hyde Street Harbor, 2951 Hyde St, at Fisherman's Wharf, a little before your start time. When you arrive, text Captain Molly from the bench. Please don't walk down to the boat on your own.
- Board and head out. Captain Molly heads for where the fish are, based on the season, the tide and the weather.
- Fish. The gear is rigged for you. If you've never fished, say so. You don't need your own tackle or experience to book.
- Come back. Trips run for the hours you booked. Fish you keep are filleted and bagged, and if you left a cooler on the dock, they go straight into it.
Start times depend on the trip: the half-day charter starts at 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM; the full-day charter at 6:00 or 6:30 AM; the shared half-day trip at 7:30 AM or 1:15 PM; and the 3-hour shark trip at 1:00 PM.
What to wear
The Bay is cold, even in summer. Average water temperature at San Francisco runs from about 52°F in January to about 61°F in August and September.
- Layers: a warm base layer, a fleece or sweater, and a windproof, water-resistant jacket on top.
- Shoes: closed-toe, non-slip soles that you don't mind getting wet. Decks get slippery.
- Hat and sunglasses: glare off the water is strong, even on a gray day.
- Clothes you don't mind getting fishy.
If you get cold, the cabin is heated. More in the what to wear answer.
What to bring, and what's provided
| You bring | On the boat |
|---|---|
| California fishing license (16 and older) | Rods, reels and tackle |
| Lunch and drinks | Bait |
| Warm layers and a waterproof jacket | A heated cabin |
| Sunscreen and sunglasses | A private bathroom |
| A cooler for your fish, left on the dock | Filleting and bagging of fish you keep |
This isn't a party boat, so please leave the red wine at home. More in what to bring fishing and what gear is provided.
Seasickness
If you've ever felt queasy on a boat, plan ahead, because medicine works best before symptoms start. CDC guidance:
- Meclizine (Bonine or Dramamine Less Drowsy) and dimenhydrinate (original Dramamine) take about 2 hours to work, so take them about 2 hours before the trip. Try a dose at home first.
- A scopolamine patch takes 6 to 8 hours to start working and lasts 72 hours. Ask your doctor first. It should be avoided in children.
- On the boat: look at the horizon, don't read, keep your head still, and skip alcohol.
The ocean outside the Golden Gate is usually rougher than the Bay. If seasickness worries you, a half-day charter inside the Bay is the gentler start. More in the seasickness answer.
Kids and beginners
- Anglers under 16 don't need a fishing license.
- Children count toward the 4 aboard.
- The shortest trip is the 3-hour afternoon shark trip, where every shark is released.
- Two or three of you and on a budget? The shared half-day trip is $400 per angler.
More in kids on board.
Weather and cancellation
Captain Molly decides whether it is safe to go. If she cancels for weather you get a full refund or a new date. You can cancel free up to 7 days before your trip. Within 7 days there's no refund. See the cancellation policy.
What will we catch?
It depends on the month. Halibut, striped bass and sharks are open all year in the Bay, rockfish and lingcod from April to December, and king salmon in a short summer and fall season. The month-by-month guide has the details: what you can catch on San Francisco Bay.
Ready? Choose your fishing charter and book online. Questions? Use the Ask Molly button on any trip page and Captain Molly replies in writing within 24 hours.