San Francisco Fishing Charters
Private sport fishing charters on San Francisco Bay and the ocean beyond the Golden Gate, for up to 4 anglers from the city or anywhere in the Bay Area. Every trip leaves from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman’s Wharf aboard Miss Molly, a 27-foot Shamrock with a heated cabin and a private bathroom. Captain Molly Breivis (USCG Master, 100 GRT, Near Coastal) has run guided charters here since 2022. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided, and you book online and pay in full at booking.
- The half-day fishing charter (4 hr) works the Bay for striped bass, halibut and sharks.
- The full-day fishing charter (8 hr) has time for the Bay or the ocean.
- The San Francisco salmon fishing charter goes out the Golden Gate for king salmon in season.
- The Farallon Islands fishing charter runs about 30 miles offshore for lingcod and rockfish.
Half-Day Fishing Charter(4 hours)
A private half-day fishing charter on San Francisco Bay: 4 hours, the whole boat for up to 4 anglers, $1,440. Starts at 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM.
Full-Day Fishing Charter(8 hours)
A private full-day San Francisco fishing charter: 8 hours, the whole boat for up to 4 anglers, $2,160. Starts at 6:00 or 6:30 AM.
San Francisco Salmon Fishing Charter(8 hours)
A private 8-hour king (Chinook) salmon charter out the Golden Gate for up to 4 anglers, $2,400 for the boat. The 2026 season off San Francisco runs through October 31.
Farallon Islands Fishing Charter: Lingcod & Rockfish(8 hours)
A private 8-hour offshore charter to the Farallon Islands for lingcod and rockfish, up to 4 anglers, $2,280 for the boat. Starts at 7:00 AM. Open April through December.
Shark Fishing, Catch & Release: 3-Hour Afternoon Trip
Three hours of shark fishing on San Francisco Bay, starting at 1:00 PM, for up to 4 anglers. Every shark is released. $740 for the boat.
Shared Half-Day Fishing Trip($400 per angler, 5 hours)
A 5-hour San Francisco Bay fishing trip priced per angler: $400 each, for 2 to 4 anglers. Starts at 7:30 AM or 1:15 PM.
What you’ll fish for, by season
- King (Chinook) salmon: 2026 season off San Francisco June 27 to July 22, August 1 to 23, and September 1 to October 31. Closed statewide from November 1. The 2027 dates are set in spring 2027.
- Rockfish and lingcod: open April 1 to December 31 in 2026, closed January to March.
- California halibut: open all year and typically best from about April to August.
- Striped bass: open all year. Spring and late summer into fall are typically best.
- Sharks: open all year, and every shark is released. Leopard sharks are typically most active from summer into fall.
- White sturgeon: catch and release only in 2026, October 1 to June 30, on the half-day or full-day charter. A sturgeon report card is required even to release one, and central San Francisco Bay is closed to sturgeon January 1 to March 15.
Month by month, with limits for each fish: what you can catch on San Francisco Bay. We don’t run crab trips.
Compare the trips
| Trip | Hours | Price | Start | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Half-day fishing charter | 4 | $1,440 for the boat | 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM | Striped bass, halibut and sharks in the Bay |
| Full-day fishing charter | 8 | $2,160 for the boat | 6:00 or 6:30 AM | A full day in the Bay or on the ocean |
| San Francisco salmon fishing charter | 8 | $2,400 for the boat | 6:00 AM | King salmon in season |
| Farallon Islands fishing charter | 8 | $2,280 for the boat | 7:00 AM | Lingcod and rockfish, April to December |
| Shark fishing, catch and release | 3 | $740 for the boat | 1:00 PM | A short afternoon, every shark released |
| Shared half-day trip, $400 per angler | 5 | $400 per angler, 2 to 4 | 7:30 AM or 1:15 PM | 2 or 3 anglers paying per person |
Private charters carry up to 4 anglers, children included. Need a different length? A 5-hour charter ($1,440) is on the half-day page, and 6-hour ($1,799) and 7-hour ($1,980) charters are on the full-day page.
Before you book
- Fishing license: everyone 16 and older needs a California license. A one-day license is $21.09 in 2026. How to buy one.
- What to bring and wear: license, lunch, warm layers and a cooler for your fish. What to bring and what to wear.
- Your catch: fish you keep are filleted and bagged. Fish cleaning.
- Seasickness: take medicine about 2 hours before, not after. Seasickness advice.
- Kids: children count toward the 4 aboard, and under-16s don’t need a license. Kids on board.
- Cancellation: free up to 7 days before and no refund within 7 days. If Captain Molly cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date. Cancellation policy.
First time on a charter? Read your first fishing charter on San Francisco Bay. For salmon dates across California, see the 2026 salmon season guide.
Give a fishing trip
A fishing gift certificate lets the person you’re giving it to pick their own date. Gift certificates are good for every trip.
Questions people ask
- How much does a private fishing charter in San Francisco cost?
- $1,440 for a 4-hour half day, $2,160 for an 8-hour full day, $2,280 for the Farallon Islands and $2,400 for the salmon charter, each for the whole boat and up to 4 anglers. The shared half-day trip is $400 per angler.
- How many people can fish?
- Up to 4 anglers on every fishing trip, children included.
- Where does the boat leave from?
- Hyde Street Harbor, 2951 Hyde St, at Fisherman's Wharf. When you arrive, text Captain Molly from the bench. Please don't walk down to the boat on your own.
- Is gear included?
- Yes. Rods, reels, tackle and bait are provided. Bring your fishing license, lunch and warm layers.
- What is in season right now?
- It depends on the month. Halibut, striped bass and sharks are open all year, rockfish and lingcod April to December, white sturgeon catch and release October to June, and salmon in the season set each year. See the month-by-month guide on the blog.
- Do you run crab trips?
- No. Crab isn't offered, and Dungeness crab may never be taken inside San Francisco Bay.
- How do I pay?
- Book online and pay in full at booking. There is no deposit.