Fish finder
Garmin Striker 4 Fish Finder with GPS
The default budget fish finder for a reason: CHIRP sonar, built-in GPS for marking spots, and a price that won't sting. Ideal for inshore and small boats.
San Francisco Bay, California fishing
San Francisco Bay funnels big tidal exchanges through the Golden Gate, which means strong currents and the kind of moving water that gets striped bass and halibut feeding. Timing your trip to the tide swing matters more here than almost anywhere on the West Coast.
San Francisco Bay at a glance
- Target species
- striped bass, halibut, white sturgeon, lingcod
- NOAA tide station
- #9414290
- Position
- 37.81°, -122.47°
Fishing the tide here
The biggest tidal swings — and often the best bite — line up with the new and full moons. The Gate and the deep channels rip hard on a big ebb; fish the slack and the early flood.
Chart map
Toggle Esri Ocean ↔ official NOAA ENC chart · OpenSeaMap seamarks overlay · reference only, not for navigation.
Gear for San Francisco Bay
Tackle and electronics that suit this fishery. See our full gear guides for the detail.
Fish finder
Humminbird HELIX 5 CHIRP GPS G3
A step up with a bigger, sharper display and Humminbird's excellent mapping. A great all-rounder for anglers who've outgrown an entry unit.
Reel
Penn Battle III Spinning Reel
A near-bulletproof saltwater spinning reel: full metal body, sealed drag, and the workhorse choice for stripers, reds and inshore species.
Tides and conditions are from NOAA public data and may lag real time. Always check the official NOAA marine forecast and your state's regulations before going out.