Hooked Fisherman
Archived report. Published April 9, 2026 and superseded by a newer report.
SaltwaterCalifornia · San Francisco Bay· April 9, 2026Hot bite

Halibut Season Opens Strong in the Bay

California halibut moving onto the sandy flats in SF Bay. Drifting live bait and bouncing swimbaits both working.

CURRENT CONDITIONS
56°F
Water temp · 7-day
Waxing Gibbous
Moon phase
Outgoing tide creating current over flats
Tide / flow
Foggy morning clearing to sun, W wind 10-15, 62°F
Weather

New to these readings? What water temp, tide, and moon phase mean for fishing →

What's biting

Hot
California Halibut
Live anchovies drifted on the bottom
Active
Striped Bass
Topwater in the delta
Active
Leopard Shark
Squid on bottom

What's next

The halibut bite is ON inside the bay. Focus on the sandy flats south of the Bay Bridge. Drift with the tide and keep your bait near the bottom. This is the best window before fish disperse.

Context

SF Bay halibut fishing has been improving steadily with habitat restoration efforts.

Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.

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