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Updated July 1, 2025

FORT BRAGG — Rockfish and crab are the story here, and Captain Tim Gillespie of All Aboard Adventures reported limits of rockfish with ‘off and on’ lingcod action along the local reefs. The Dungeness crab season lasts until July 30 in Mendocino County, and Gillespie is returning with 10-crab limits for his customers on the combination trips. Gillespie will continue with crab/rockfish combination trips through the end of crab season on July 30. Shallow water rockfishing is open until September 30. 

BODEGA BAY — It’s all about rockfish out of this port, and Captain Rick Powers of Bodega Bay Sport Fishing posted a combined 31 limits of big ‘bottom-grabbing’ rockfish and 26 lingcod to 15 pounds over the weekend working south of the harbor. He said, “We have had tremendous northwest winds during May and June, but the coastal weather is finally stabilizing. Halibut limits have been found inside of Tomales Bay drifting live or dead bait. Rockfish season is open less than 20 fathoms until September 30.  

GOLDEN GATE — With the minus tides affecting the halibut bite in the bay, more boats focused on coastal rockfish with limits the rule along with a healthy lingcod count. Shallow water rockfish less than 20 fathoms will last until September 30. There will be a 7500-fish quota salmon season from September 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and many of the local party boats and six-packs are starting to be booked. 

SAN FRANCISCO BAY — After some of the best halibut action during the middle of the week, minus tides ground the action to a halt by Friday. Minus tides to -1.7 feet have muddied up the bay, and it is possible that upstream dredging is contributing to a greater than normal load of sediment in the bay. The big schools of striped bass vacated the bay, most likely outside the Golden Gate, during the minus tides, and the bait also scattered. Halibut action slowed down considerably, the tides back off every day this week. Halibut action should improve by the coming weekend. 

HALF MOON BAY — It’s all about rockfishing out of this port with the Riptide returning with 13 limits of rockfish including two cabezon and 2 lings on a recent trip. The Queen of Hearts had a similar score with 7 limits and a ling. The minus tides pushed schools of striped bass outside the Golden Gate, and they continue to move south down the coast. The best time for surf casters with big spoons or topwater lures is at night or before first light in the early mornings along the beaches at Mussel Rock and Linda Mar. Rock crab and rockfish are possible from the North or South Jetty with surf perch from the beaches. There will be a 7500-fish quota salmon season from September 4-7 from Point Reyes south to Point Sur, and many of the local party boats and six-packs are starting to be booked.

MONTEREY — Rockfish limits were the rule this week. Charter boats and private headed around the Point Pinos corner and fished a great mix of yellows, blacks, blues, and around 25% red rockfish (vermilion and canaries). Heading past Carmel and towards Point Sur results come quicker and the fish are bigger. (the ride to and from this areas is longer, however. Afternoon winds from the north are not making things easier for those who foray south.Fishing is good for halibut as well, in the usual flattie spots near Monterey.Click here to see all the reports in the online edition of WON