Berkeley Fishing Charters

Berkeley sits on the east side of San Francisco Bay, with quick access to both calm inshore water and the open Pacific. Most boats run out of Berkeley Marina, which has fuel, bait shops, and plenty of parking. From there, it’s a short run to the Berkeley Flats, Treasure Island, or the South Bay channel edges for halibut and stripers, or west under the Golden Gate to fish the Marin coast and offshore reefs for lingcod and rockfish. When salmon are running in summer and early fall, charters often head just outside the Bay to work those schools. Trips are usually half-day for inshore or full-day for salmon, rockfish, or a mix of Bay and ocean fishing.

The variety of structure is what makes this area special—mudflats, tidal channels, rocky pinnacles, kelp beds, and nearshore reefs all within reach. Spring usually kicks off with halibut on the flats, drifting live anchovies or trolling tray baits along the tide seams. Summer brings salmon trolling with rigged anchovies or hoochies outside the Gate, while rockfish and lingcod stay steady on the reefs. Stripers are taken by drifting live bait along the channel edges or casting swimbaits near bridges and rock piles. Fly fishing is possible on calmer days, working the current lines for bass and halibut.

Fishing changes with the seasons. Winter is slower thanks to wind and swell, while spring through fall is prime time. Water clarity, tide strength, and wind direction decide where the fish are and how you’ll target them. While the Bay is the main focus, some captains also trailer to the Delta for stripers or run south to Half Moon Bay for tuna when conditions line up. Berkeley’s spot on the map means you can switch plans quickly, chasing the best bite without long runs.