For November 21, 2024, here’s a local’s perspective on the fishing scene in the San Francisco Bay area:

Today, the tide is looking favorable for some good fishing. The high tide is at 8:15 AM and the low tide at 2:45 PM, which should give you some excellent windows to catch a variety of fish. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with a gentle breeze, making it a comfortable day on the water.

Sunrise is at 6:54 AM and sunset at 4:53 PM, giving you plenty of daylight to get out there and reel in some fish.

Yesterday’s fish counts from nearby areas, although not directly from San Francisco Bay, give us some clues on what to expect. Rockfish, lingcod, and sculpin have been active in the coastal waters. For example, boats out of Half Moon Bay and other nearby spots have been catching a lot of rockfish and some lingcod.

In the San Francisco Bay itself, you can expect to catch species like striped bass, surfperch, and possibly some halibut, though the Pacific halibut season closed on November 15. California halibut, however, are still available year-round with a daily bag limit of two fish north of Point Sur.

For lures, try using jigs or spoons for rockfish and lingcod. For striped bass, a good ol’ fashioned anchovy or shad can work wonders. If you’re after surfperch, small plastic lures or live bait like sand crabs can be very effective.

Hot spots include the areas around the Golden Gate Bridge, particularly the south tower, and the tidal flats near the San Pablo Bay. The sloughs and estuaries between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Carquinez Bridge are also known for their fish activity.

Remember to check the current regulations, especially for species like sturgeon, which have strict catch-and-release rules, and sharks, which have specific bag limits and restrictions.

Get out there and enjoy the day on the water