Half-Day Fishing Charter, San Francisco (4 hours)

A private half-day fishing charter on San Francisco Bay

Four hours on the water, and the boat is yours: up to 4 anglers, $1,200 for the whole boat, with Captain Molly running Miss Molly from Hyde Street Harbor at Fisherman's Wharf. Choose a 6:00 AM, 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM start when you book online.

What we fish for on a half day

Four hours suits the fish inside the Bay:

• Striped bass, open all year. Spring and late summer into fall are typically best.
• California halibut, open all year and typically best from about April to August.
• Sharks, including leopard sharks, all released.
• White sturgeon, catch and release only, October 1 to June 30. A sturgeon report card is required even to release one, and central San Francisco Bay is closed to sturgeon fishing January 1 to March 15.

King salmon and Farallon rockfish need a full day: see the San Francisco salmon fishing charter and the Farallon Islands fishing charter. Seasons, limits and the best months for each fish are in what you can catch on San Francisco Bay, month by month.

Need a bit more time?

• Want 5 hours? The 5-hour fishing charter is $1,350 for up to 4, with a 7:30 AM, 8:00 AM or 1:00 PM start.
• 6 to 8 hours: see the full-day fishing charter, which also lists the 6-hour and 7-hour options.
• Just 2 or 3 of you? The shared half-day trip is priced per angler: $400 each for 5 hours.

What's provided and what to bring

• Provided: rods, reels, tackle and bait, plus a heated cabin and a private bathroom aboard Miss Molly.
• Bring: a California fishing license for everyone 16 and older (buy it online before the trip: how and what it costs), lunch, warm layers and a cooler for your fish.
• Your catch: fish you keep are filleted and bagged. Leave your cooler on the dock and it's ready for them when you're back.

Where to meet: 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.

Booking and cancellation

Book online and pay in full at booking. There's no deposit. Cancel free up to 7 days before your trip. Within 7 days there's no refund. If Captain Molly cancels for weather, you get a full refund or a new date.

What's in season month by month: what you can catch on San Francisco Bay. First time out? Read your first fishing charter on San Francisco Bay. Want to give a trip instead? Fishing gift certificates.