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San Francisco Bay Fishing Report | December 9, 2025

Report by Elias Masri
Catch America host Elias Masri fished San Francisco Bay out of Alameda with Adam Irino of Die Hard Fishing.
What is working right now

California halibut are catchable in San Francisco Bay in December 2025, though the peak is summer. Out of Alameda, the crew trolled frozen herring on a three-way swivel rig with an 8 ounce weight at 1.5 to 2 mph, fishing the slack tide. A bend in the herring gives it a spinning roll. The day produced a keeper halibut of 23.5 inches plus a couple of shaker shorts.

What is biting in San Francisco Bay right now?

California halibut, with a chance at striped bass and the odd shark or ray. Fishing out of Alameda in December is tough because it is past peak season, but the crew boated a keeper 23.5 inch halibut plus a couple of undersized shakers. You can catch halibut year-round with patience.

When is the best time to fish for halibut in San Francisco Bay?

Around the slack tide, at the tops and bottoms of the tides. Adam Irino targets that window for the best chance. Peak season is the summer months, but halibut are caught year-round through November, December, and January, just in fewer numbers.

How do you rig frozen herring for Bay halibut?

Use a double-hook rig with a sliding snell. Hook the front hook through the nose of the herring and the back hook an inch or two ahead of the tail. Tighten the sliding snell to put a bend in the bait so it spins when dropped. Tie it to a three-way swivel with a weight on one arm.

How do you present the herring in San Francisco Bay?

Drop to the bottom and keep it just off, ticking occasionally. The crew trolled 1.5 to 2 mph with an 8 ounce weight and Catch America scent on the bait. The Bay bottom near Alameda is free of rocks, so snags are not a concern.

What were the conditions in San Francisco Bay?

Excellent weather with light wind and bright skies, launching out of Alameda with views of San Francisco. Fishing was tough because it was late in the halibut season, but the tides cooperated on a plan to fish down to low tide and back up.

Watch the full report

From the report (Elias Masri): We are going to start trolling a frozen herring, and we give it a little bend so it rolls as we are moving through the water. Generally speaking you want to try and fish around the slack tide. I am trolling with an 8 ounce weight, and we have some Catch America scent on it, going about 1.5 to 2 miles an hour. The peak season for California halibut out here would definitely be the summer months, but you can catch them year-round.

San Francisco Bay December 2025 FAQ

Can you catch halibut in San Francisco Bay in December?

Yes, but it is past peak season, so fish are fewer and tougher. The crew still boated a 23.5 inch keeper.

What is the best tide for Bay halibut?

The slack tide, at the tops and bottoms of the tides.

What bait works for San Francisco Bay halibut?

Frozen herring rigged to spin, fished on a three-way swivel with an 8 ounce weight.

What trolling speed works for Bay halibut?

About 1.5 to 2 miles per hour.

When is peak halibut season in San Francisco Bay?

The summer months, though halibut are caught year-round.

Where did this San Francisco Bay trip launch?

Out of Alameda, with a view of the San Francisco skyline.

How big was the halibut caught?

A keeper of 23.5 inches, along with a couple of undersized shakers.

Tags: california-halibut catch-america san-francisco-bay
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