Sole-Man Sportfishing are located at world-famous Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco, and offer Bay and Ocean fishing charters. Captain Don Franklin (aka ‘Sole-Man’) has been fishing for 41 years, and has been operating Sole-Man Sportfishing for the last 14 years. He has a lot of knowledge and experience, and knows these waters like the back of his hand.

Join Capt. Don aboard one of the finest and best equipped fishing charter boats on Fisherman’s Wharf. His 32 ft Uniflite boat offers a smooth and sturdy ride, and can accommodate up to six anglers in comfort on its spacious fishing deck. It is powered by a 210HP Cummins 6BT engine, and comes equipped with Furuno GPS and radar, Garmin fishfinder, and VHF radio. It features a flybridge, live-bait tank, air-conditioned or heated cabin, on board toilet, as well as a grill ready to sizzle up some tasty food.

When you fish with Sole-Man, you will get to experience some of the finest Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish, Sturgeon, and Shark fishing anywhere! Trips include high-quality fishing equipment and lures, live bait, and drinks (water, coffee and tea), while the crew are happy to process your catch to your specifications.

Get ready to catch a trophy fish with Captain Don “The Sole-Man” Franklin!



Select date to see available trips and rates:

  • Shared trip
    Half day trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    US $400
  • Shared trip
    3/4 day trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    US $480
  • Shared trip
    Full day trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sun)
    US $560
  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 6:00 AM
    US $1,000
    Join Sole-Man for a half-day trip fishing the bay or ocean around San Francisco, targeting Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish, Sturgeon, and Shark. Trips include high-quality fishing equipment and lures, live bait, and drinks (water, coffee and tea), while the crew are happy to process your catch to your specifications.
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    8 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    US $1,200
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 3 days notice
    10 Hour Trip, starts at 6:30 AM
    Seasonal trip (Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri)
    US $1,400
    Head out for a full-day of fishing with Sole-Man on the bay and ocean waters of San Francisco. You will target species such as Salmon, Halibut, Rockfish, Sturgeon, and Shark. Trips include high-quality fishing equipment and lures, live bait, and drinks (water, coffee and tea), while the crew are happy to process your catch to your specifications.
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FAQs about Sole-Man Sportfishing

Sole-Man Sportfishing offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $200 per person - Half day trip (5 hours)
  • US $240 per person - 3/4 day trip (8 hours)
  • US $280 per person - Full day trip (10 hours)
  • US $1,000 per group, additional US $200 per person after 5 guests - Half Day Trip (5 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group, additional US $240 per person after 5 guests - 3/4 Day Trip (8 hours)
  • US $1,400 per group, additional US $280 per person after 5 guests - Full Day Trip (10 hours)

When you book a trip with Sole-Man Sportfishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet
  • GPS Furuno gpf 7000
  • Fishfinder Garmin 1040xs
  • Flybridge
  • Live Bait Well 5 scoop capacity
  • Radio Clarion
  • Radar Furuno

Trips booked with Sole-Man Sportfishing include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle ( Our Golden Gate caught Salmon, are some of the fin)
  • Live Bait
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting
  • Drinks (Coffee, Tea, Bottled water)
  • First Mate

Sole-Man Sportfishing offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing

Sole-Man Sportfishing offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle (Halibut, Bass, Salmon)
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing (Shark, Sturgeon)
  • Trolling
  • Deep Sea Fishing (Rockfish)

Top targeted fish species with Sole-Man Sportfishing include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Halibut
  • Rockfish
  • Salmon
  • Shark (Blue)
  • Shark (Leopard)
  • Shark (Mako)
  • Shark (Thresher)
  • Sturgeon

Meet the Captain

Don Franklin
San Francisco, California, United States
2 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
27 Customer reviews
Response time 6 hours
Member since March 2016
Captain Don ‘Sole-Man’ Franklin has been fishing for over 40 years, and for the last 14 years he has been running Sole-Man Sportfishing. He enjoys sharing the joy of fishing with everyone, and is great at teaching kids how to fish. So no matter your age or skill level, join Sole-Man for an exciting day on the water - everyone can have a great time fishing with Captain Don!

About this listing

Targeted species

Bass (Striped) Striped Bass
Halibut Halibut
Rockfish Rockfish
Salmon Salmon

Boat specs

Uniflite (Pilothouse) originally built in 1974. Powered by a 210HP Cummins 6BT engine.

Length
32 ft
Capacity
6 persons

Types of fishing

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Fishing techniques

Light Tackle
Halibut, Bass, Salmon
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Shark, Sturgeon
Trolling
Deep Sea Fishing
Rockfish

Amenities

Toilet
GPS
Furuno gpf 7000
Fishfinder
Garmin 1040xs
Flybridge
Live Bait Well
5 scoop capacity
Radio
Clarion

Trip includes

Rods, reels & tackle
Our Golden Gate caught Salmon, are some of the fin
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Drinks
Coffee, Tea, Bottled water
First Mate

Cancellation policy

Free cancellation up to 3 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 3 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

Listing policies

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
You Keep Catch
Catch and Release Allowed

Payment

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express

San Francisco Fishing Calendar

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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 27 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (28)
Fishing with Don
Fishing with Don
Fishing with Don
+25
Angler rating
22
4
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
93%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish
100%
Sort by:
Featured  
Showing:
5 of 27 reviews
Ann G.
New York, New York
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half Day Trip with the Best!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on April 24, 2023
This was such a fun experience. Being a young woman looking for some adventure, Captain Don and Becky made my day! Friendly...
Ann G. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Ann G. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful

Craig R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Successful trip for all ages!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on October 1, 2023
Grandpa, Dad, and two 12 year olds had a great time! Captain Don worked his magic getting us fish when it could’ve been really...
Craig R. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
  Don Franklin Captain replied

Richard H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Sharks

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on February 11, 2024
Captain Don put us on the sharks. Niced sized sharks. It’s a good day on the water!
Richard H. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Richard H. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Matthew A.
Denver, Colorado
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

3/4 day trip with Sole-Man Sportsfishing

VERIFIED   3/4 day trip on July 9, 2023
I booked a shared three-quarter day, shared trip for my son’s 20th birthday present. My son caught 2 halibut and had a great...
Matthew A. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
  Don Franklin Captain replied

Mary R.
San Jose, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Nice experience

VERIFIED   Half day trip on September 3, 2023
Good day on the water. Friendly Captain. 5 fishing which was perfect size. Would recommend.
Mary R. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
Mary R. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
Mark review as helpful
2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful