North & CenCal Saltwater Fish Report
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Updated March 14, 2025
BODEGA BAY — This port is preparing for a third-consecutive year of an ocean salmon closure as the best recreational option is three four—day windows beginning in early June. There is optimism for the opening of some areas around Cordell Banks for rockfish, and this will allow access to grounds not fished for over two decades. Bodega is the closest port to Cordell, and these will be highly desired trips when the area is opened. Deep water rockfish season over 50 fathoms is from April 1-30. For the next few weeks, anglers will have to be satisfied with surf perch from the beaches or various rockfish from the North or South Jetty. The 52nd Bodega Bay Fishermen’s Festival is May 3/4.
GOLDEN GATE — Rough ocean conditions and a lack of interest has led to no boats heading outside the Golden Gate. It appears that the first opportunity for boat-based fishing will be for deep water rockfish in April. The rockfish season has not been announced yet, but reports are that it will mirror the regulations in 2024 as this year is the survey for quillback rockfish. The best possibility for a recreational salmon season is three four-day windows starting in early June, but such a short season with a quota will not be enough to sustain the recreational charter boat industry.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY — Halibut trolling trips have started, but the far better option is focusing upon striped bass. One boat out of San Francisco returned with 9 limits of striped bass and a pair of halibut on Sunday. The best bass bite is in San Pablo Bay around Red Rock and the Brickyard with swimbaits or hair raisers for linesides averaging 4 to 5 pounds. Once the stripers are located, the action can be fast and furious. The California Dawn 2 out of Berkeley will start halibut trips on March 14. Interest in sturgeon has been minimal, and the seasonal sturgeon closure in the central bay will end this coming Saturday, March 15.
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