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Autumn Bonanza: SF Bay's Rockfish Riches and Striped Bass Showdown
Artificial Lure here with your Thursday, October 23, 2025 fishing report for San Francisco Bay—right on the tail of sunrise at 7:24 AM, with sunset coming in at 6:21 PM. We’re midway through fall, and the bite’s heating up as much as the tides.
Today’s **tidal coefficient clocks in at 82**, which means sweeping currents and significant movement—ideal for active fish, but demanding for anyone working structure or the banks. Expect impressive water flow through mid-morning, settling to a still lively 76 by sunset according to Tides4Fishing. So, your best window to target predators is the change from high slack to ebb.
Weather-wise, expect typical Bay Area fall—brisk and partly cloudy, with highs in the upper 60s, light winds from the west building after noon. It’s a layer-up morning, but don’t skip sun protection; these autumn rays are deceptive.
**Fishing activity this week:**
According to NorCalFishReports and Fish Emeryville, boats heading to the Farallon Islands and outside the Gate have reported **limits of rockfish and lingcod**, many pushing the 5–8 lb class. Multiple skippers mentioned “lights out fishing” at the islands, with a few cod topping 10 pounds—so if you’re dreaming of a trophy, the Farallons are red-hot. Inshore, the bay itself has seen a steady pick of striped bass, especially around the piers and deeper drop-offs where currents stir up bait.
**Recent catches:**
- Lingcod and rockfish limits at Farallons and Ocean Beach reefs; quality has remained high, with chunky vermilions and blues[Fish Emeryville, NorCalFishReports].
- Striped bass showing at Oyster Point and South Bay bridge pilings, mostly school-sized but occasionally pushing 30 inches[San Francisco Bay Daily Fishing Report, Spreaker].
- Halibut catch reports have eased, but a few legal slabs are still coming on live bait from the Crissy and Berkeley flats.
**Best lures and bait:**
For rockfish and lingcod, local regulars are seeing top results with **6-8 oz leadhead jigs tipped with scented soft plastics**—white, chartreuse, and root beer are the colors of the week. Butterfly-style metal jigs and shrimp flies on double rigs remain a staple. For striped bass, shore anglers are scoring with **medium Kastmaster spoons, 5-inch paddle tails, and blood worms**. If soaking bait, try pile worms or squid for mixed rockfish; live anchovies or shiners if targeting halibut.
Tackle Warehouse’s fall feature echoes this—deep-diving crankbaits and heavy jigs designed for swift current are a must, while stripers hit best on fast-retrieved glidebaits and minnow-imitating plugs.
**Hot spots today:**
- **Farallon Islands:** Boat trips consistently reporting rockfish and lingcod limits, fish are shallow in 60–100 ft[Fish Emeryville].
- **Oyster Point Piers:** Shore and kayak anglers are finding plenty of stripers and the odd halibut.
- **South Bay bridge pilings, especially Dumbarton:** Bass cruising at first light and dusk.
- **Crissy Field Flats:** Prime for drifting live bait for late-season halibut and bonus brown rockfish.
Water clarity sits between 0–4 ft, with temps ranging 58–64°F. The push from this morning’s strong tide should deliver exceptional action for active species. Keep an eye on the outgoing tide for peak bites and stay nimble; fish are on the move.
Thanks for tuning in to Artificial Lure’s San Francisco Bay fishing report—remember to subscribe, and feel free to drop your favorite catches or hot bait tips.
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Published on 1 month, 3 weeks ago