If you want to go
GENERAL INFORMATION
Striped bass/halibut: The seasons for striped bass and halibut run year-round; in fall, striped bass migrate to the North Bay and delta, halibut migrate to the ocean and coast. The striped bass limit is 2 (18-inch minimum); halibut limit is 3 (22-inch minimum).
Salmon: The season for salmon season for the Bay Area coast runs through Oct. 31. The limit is 2 (20-inch minimum).
Rockfish, lingcod: The season for rockfish, lingcod and cabezon runs through Dec. 31 in coastal waters less than 240 feet deep. The limits are 10 rockfish (with sub-limits based on species), 2 lingcod (22-inch minimum size), 3 cabezon (15inch minimum) within the 10 rockfish limit.
Fishing license: Buy your California fishing license prior to trip; 800-565-1458, or www.ca.wildlifelicense.com/InternetSales
Boater Card: For 2018, anyone under 21 must have a California Boater Card to operate any powered vessel, issued by the Division of Boating and Waterways. $10. Good for life. Contact: www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.
Sea conditions: Pillar Point Harbor, 650-7266070, extension 2
Tackle: Gus’ Discount Fishing Tackle, San Francisco, 415-752-6197, www.GusDiscountTackle.com; Hi’s Tackle Box, 650-588-1200, South San Francisco.
Bait: Loch Lomond Live Bait, San Rafael, 415-4560321.
MARINE CONDITIONS
Tides: Saturday starts with a high tide of 4 feet at 5:39 a.m. and is followed by a low tide of 1.8 feet at 11:07 a.m. and a high tide of 5.7 feet at 6 p.m. Tide synopsis: The tides are outstanding this weekend for fishing for all species in the bay and ocean. Note: The tide sequence turns in a week, when significant minus tides peak the morning of Aug. 11. Moon: Last Friday’s full moon will phase out into its third quarter on Saturday — waning gibbous, ideal. Wind on the Bay: For the weekend, winds are forecast to be calm at dawn, 5 knots through morning, then increase to 15 knots by afternoon. Offshore: At 11 a.m. Wednesday at the San Francisco Weather Buoy (18 miles offshore), water temperature 51.4 degrees, wind 11.7 knots with gusts to 15 out of 300 degrees.
BOATS/SELECTED HARBORS
A complete list is available through the Golden Gate Fishermen’s Association at www.ggfa.net — click on charter boats. San Francisco: Wacky Jacky Sportfishing, 415586-9800, www.WackyJackySportfishing.com; Lovely Martha, 650-619-6629 or Facebook; BassTub, 415-456-9055, www.basstub.com. Sausalito: Hog Heaven, 415-382-7891, www.hogheavensportfishing.com; Salty Lady, 415-674-3474, www.SaltyLady.com. San Rafael: Bite Me, 415-307-8582, https://bitemecharters.net Berkeley: Berkeley Charter Boats, 510-849-3333, www.berkeleycharterboats.com Emeryville: Emeryville Sportfishing Center, 510652-3403, www.fishemeryville.com Half Moon Bay: Huli Cat, 650-726-2926, www.hulicat.com; Queen of Hearts, 510-581-2628, www.fishingboat.com. Bodega Bay: Bodega Bay Sportfishing, 707-8753344, www.BodegaBaySportfishing.com