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"Bay Area Bite: Stripers, Halibut, and More - The Ebb and Flow of San Francisco Fishing"
G’day, this is Artificial Lure coming at you live from the fog-slippery edge of San Francisco Bay, just as the morning grey’s rolling in off Ocean Beach. It’s Saturday, October 4, 2025, and if you’re looking to bend a rod in our backyard, you’ve come to the right place—let’s get right into it.
**Weather & Water**
According to local reports, we’re waking up to cool, patchy fog—classic October in The City—with water temps holding steady in the mid-50s. The wind’s expected to build out of the northwest this afternoon, but for now, things are calm—perfect for squeezing in a session before the bay starts to churn. Sunrise hit at 7:08 AM, sunset’s due for 6:46 PM, so you’ve got a full day, but the best windows are early and late, especially with these tides.
**Tides Today**
Today’s a day for those who love a big swing: tidal coefficient’s hitting 83, which means strong currents around the flood and ebb. Low was at 3:44 AM, high’s rolling in at 10:36 AM, then low again at 4:05 PM, and one more high pushing in after dark. The window just before and after the peak flows is prime—fish feed hard as the water moves. Remember, in the bay, the tide is your clock—fish the change, not the slack.
**Fish Activity & Recent Catches**
Striped bass are the headline act right now. Schoolies are pushing anchovy schools up against the shorelines—Crissy Field, Fort Point, and the Embarcadero piers are lit up at dawn and dusk, especially on a moving tide. Local sharpies are catching quality fish on both bait and artificials, with reports of multiple hookups in a single session when the timing’s right. The size is mostly in the slot, but there are bruisers mixed in if you put in the time.
Halibut are still in play, though they’re getting a bit more sporadic as the water cools. Slow-trolling herring-pattern plugs or drifting live bait when the wind lays down is your best bet. Over on the beaches, Ocean Beach and Baker Beach, barred surfperch are chewing in the troughs on calm days—Gulp! grubs and fresh sandworms are the ticket.
Night anglers are scoring leopard sharks and bat rays off the piers and channel edges—squid and oily baits are working after dark. Occasionally, someone sticks a big sturgeon, but that’s a real patience game—and remember, the season’s on, but it’s catch and release only.
**Lures & Baits: What’s Hot**
For bass, match the hatch: 3–5 inch paddle-tail swimbaits or bucktail jigs, fished right along current seams, are crushing it. Color-wise, think anchovy/shad patterns—white, chartreuse, and olive are all working. Crankbaits, especially lipless and square bills, are triggering reaction strikes when worked over flats and structure—fast retrieves for the wanderers, slow rolls for the laid-up fish. According to norcalfishreports.com, anglers who match lure weight to the current—just heavy enough to tick bottom without dragging—are seeing way more hookups.
Live bait? Nothing beats a fresh anchovy, either fished whole or cut. For perch and sharks, sandworms and squid are the old reliables. If you’re hali hunting, herring—live or fresh frozen—is your best friend.
**Hot Spots**
Crissy Field and Fort Point remain the go-to for shore-bound striper hunters—fish the edges where the tide pushes bait against the rocks. The Embarcadero piers, especially early and late, are stacked with schoolies willing to play. For halibut, try the central and South Bay flats—Paradise Cay, Oyster Point, and the channels near Candlestick are all producing when the wind cooperates. Don’t sleep on Ocean Beach or Baker Beach for surfperch—fish the troughs with light tackle and fresh bait.
**Wrap Up**
If you’re heading out today, beat the wind, fish the tide, and keep an eye on the birds—they’ll show you the bait, and the bait will show you the fish. This is the season for steady action, not just hope-and-a-p
Published on 2 months, 2 weeks ago