Fishing for California Halibut in San Francisco Bay: Tactics, Timing, and Hot Spots
Few fish offer the excitement, table quality, and inshore accessibility of the California halibut. In the San Francisco Bay Area, these hard-fighting flatfish are a prized catch from spring through fall, drawing both shore anglers and boaters alike.
Whether you’re drifting live bait or bouncing swimbaits along the bottom, understanding how, where, and when to target halibut in the Bay can turn your time on the water into a successful day of fishing.
What Is a California Halibut?
The California halibut (Paralichthys californicus) is a large, predatory flatfish native to the Pacific coast of North America. Unlike its bigger cousin, the Pacific halibut, this species is smaller and more accessible for nearshore anglers.
Key characteristics:
• Grows up to 50 inches and 60 pounds (average is 5–15 lbs)
• Brown/olive top side with white underside
• Both eyes on the left side (though some have right-facing eyes)
• Ambush predator with excellent camouflage
Unlike Pacific halibut, which dwell in deep northern waters, California halibut inhabit coastal shallows, sandy bottoms, bays, and estuaries, making them a perfect target in San Francisco Bay.
California Halibut
Where to Fish for Halibut in San Francisco Bay
California halibut are structure-oriented bottom feeders. They prefer sandy or muddy bottoms, where they can bury themselves and ambush prey. In the Bay, they’re commonly found near:
Shore & Boat Hot Spots:
• Berkeley Flats
• Alameda Rock Wall
• Paradise Cay
• Crissy Field / Fort Point area
• South Bay flats near Oyster Point
• Channel edges around Angel Island
• Alcatraz / Treasure Island shoals
• The mouth of the Bay (when conditions allow)
Look for transitions — drop-offs, channels, or areas with current seams where bait gathers.
When Is the Best Time to Fish for Halibut?
The halibut bite in San Francisco Bay kicks off in spring and peaks through summer and early fall (typically April through September). Warm weather pushes baitfish like anchovies and sardines into the bay — and the halibut follow.
Best conditions:
• Incoming tides bring in clear, bait-filled water
• Sunny, stable weather
• Light winds and manageable currents for drifting
• Water temperatures between 58°F and 68°F
✅ Tip: Fish 2 hours before and after high tide for the most productive window.
What Do California Halibut Eat?
California halibut are opportunistic ambush predators that lie in wait to strike passing prey. Their diet includes:
• Anchovies
• Sardines
• Smelt
• Mudsuckers / gobies
• Small squid
• Crustaceans
They rely on sight and vibration to detect prey, which is why presentation and action matter when fishing for them.
Fishing For California Halibut
How to Fish for Halibut in San Francisco Bay
1. Drifting Live Bait (Most Effective Method)
Drifting live bait is the gold standard for catching halibut in the Bay. Most anglers use a three-way rig or a sliding sinker (Carolina-style) rig with:
• Live anchovy, herring, or shiner perch
• 1–3 oz sliding sinker or cannonball weight
• Fluorocarbon leader (20–30 lb)
• Size 2 to 3/0 hooks, depending on bait size
Let the bait bounce along the bottom while drifting slowly with the current or tide. Keep the bait close to the bottom — halibut rarely come up more than a few feet to strike.
✅ Tip: Don’t swing on the first nibble! Halibut often “mouth” the bait before fully eating it. Wait a few seconds before setting the hook.
2. Trolling for Halibut
If you’re covering water to locate fish, trolling is effective:
• Use deep-diving plugs, spoons, or baitfish imitators like Yo-Zuri Crystal Minnows or Rapalas
• Troll slow (1.5–2.5 mph)
• Use downriggers or inline weights to keep lures near the bottom
This is a great tactic when you’re searching new water or when the drift bite is slow.
3. Casting Artificial Lures
While less consistent than live bait, lures can work, especially when halibut are aggressive.
• Swimbaits (like Big Hammer, Keitech, or Savage Gear)
• Jigging spoons
• Bucktail jigs tipped with squid or gulp
Bounce lures slowly along the bottom with pauses — mimicking a wounded baitfish.
✅ Tip: Use natural baitfish colors like white, silver, chartreuse, or anchovy patterns.
4. Shore Fishing for Halibut
Yes, you can catch halibut from shore in the Bay, especially near sandy flats and structure.
Best techniques:
• Live bait (if legal/available)
• Swimbaits and jerkbaits
• Bottom rigs with squid or sardine strips
Cast out, let the bait hit bottom, and slowly retrieve with pauses. Early morning and incoming tides are best.
Why Target California Halibut?
• They fight hard — especially for a flatfish
• They taste amazing — flaky white fillets perfect for fish tacos or grilling
• They’re accessible — no need for deep sea trips; you can catch them in a kayak or from shore
• They’re abundant — thanks to careful management and seasonal movements
Fishing for California halibut in San Francisco Bay combines technique, timing, and a little patience. Learn the tides, follow the bait, and dial in your drift — and you’ll be rewarded with one of the Bay’s most iconic and delicious gamefish.
Thanks for reading this blog post! If you’re a fishing fanatic like me, show your passion by rocking one of the fishing shirts available in my shop. Every purchase helps support my mission to spread the joy of fishing, protect the waters we love, and keep the spirit of the outdoors alive.
Tight lines,
Danny Egan
Egan Fishing
