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Winter Wonderland Fishing: Stripers, Halibut, and More in the San Francisco Bay
As of December 20, 2024, fishing in the San Francisco Bay is presenting some interesting conditions and opportunities.
First, let's look at the basics: Sunrise today is at 7:21 AM, and sunset will be at 4:54 PM, giving us about 9 hours and 33 minutes of daylight. The winter solstice is just around the corner, but for now, the days are already quite short.
Weather-wise, San Francisco is experiencing its typical cool and misty winter conditions. Temperatures are in the mid-50s to low 60s Fahrenheit, with a gentle breeze coming in from the west.
Tidal conditions are crucial for fishing here. Today, the high tide is expected around 10:30 AM, and the low tide will be at 4:30 PM. These tides can significantly affect fish activity, especially for species like striped bass and halibut.
Speaking of fish activity, yesterday saw a decent catch of striped bass, particularly around the Golden Gate Bridge Fishing Pier and Paradise Park near Tiburon. Halibut were also active, with several catches reported near Alcatraz Island and the Berkeley Flats.
For striped bass, using lures like spoons, spinners, and soft plastics has been effective. For halibut, live bait such as anchovies or sardines, along with jigs and squid imitations, are your best bets.
If you're targeting other species, rockfish are always a possibility in these waters. They can be caught using rockfish jigs or baited hooks with squid or shrimp.
Given the current conditions, here are a couple of hot spots to consider:
- **Golden Gate Bridge Fishing Pier**: This iconic spot continues to yield good results for striped bass and rockfish.
- **Berkeley Flats**: This area is known for its halibut and striped bass, and the current tidal conditions make it an excellent choice.
Remember to check the latest fishing regulations, especially regarding the Dungeness crab and white sturgeon, as there have been recent changes due to environmental and conservation concerns.
Enjoy your day on the water, and tight lines
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
Published on 1 year ago