Pamela J Charters 

5.0
(42 reviews)
Recent reports
 Al Scoma Way, San Francisco, CA 94133, United States–

Pamela J Charters 

San Francisco, CA, United States
–
30 ft
6
5.0
(42 reviews)

San Francisco has a fish with your name on it, so let Pamela J Charters help you catch it!

You're likely to go after Striped Bass, Crab, Halibut, Lingcod, Ray, Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, White Seabass, Leopard Shark, Shrimp, Sturgeon, and more, depending on when you go. On the day of your trip you're likely to troll and bottom fish using light tackle.

Your vessel for the day is a 30' Island Hopper sportfishing vessel with room for 6 passengers. It comes with everything you need for a productive day on the water. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are included. Live bait is on offer, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

Trips are run with the help of a First Mate. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Before coming aboard, you'll need to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species might be protected or require a tag to keep them, so make sure you know what to expect.

Some essentials to bring are sunglasses, and sunblock (non-spray). Drinks will be available for you. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but try to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles. There will be some light snacks included on board.

Now, come aboard with Pamela J Charters and get hooked!

San Francisco has a fish with your name on it, so let Pamela J Charters help you catch it!

You're likely to go after Striped Bass, Crab, Halibut, Lingcod, Ray, Rockfish, Chinook Salmon, White Seabass, Leopard Shark, Shrimp, Sturgeon, and more, depending on when you go. On the day of your trip you're likely to troll and bottom fish using light tackle.

Your vessel for the day is a 30' Island Hopper sportfishing vessel with room for 6 passengers. It comes with everything you need for a productive day on the water. There's a toilet on board for your convenience. Rods, reels, and tackle are included. Live bait is on offer, but be sure to ask about it so you know if you'll be catching it yourself.

Trips are run with the help of a First Mate. A 10–20% tip is customary to show your appreciation for their hard work.

Before coming aboard, you'll need to buy a local fishing license for everyone in your group. This information is usually available online, or you can ask the captain. Some species might be protected or require a tag to keep them, so make sure you know what to expect.

Some essentials to bring are sunglasses, and sunblock (non-spray). Drinks will be available for you. Alcohol is allowed in moderation, but try to avoid hard liquor as well as glass bottles. There will be some light snacks included on board.

Now, come aboard with Pamela J Charters and get hooked!

Matthew Juanes
Captain
Matthew Juanes
ID & credentials verified
responds within an hour

Select date to see availability

Trip date:
Group Size:
November 2026
SuMoTuWeThFrSa
Group Size
2 adults • 0 children
Change
Half day of Fishing
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Dec 22
Bass (Striped)
Halibut
Rockfish
Ray
US $420
Shared tour: 2 people
3/4 day fishing trip
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
7 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Dec 22
Bass (Striped)
Sturgeon
Halibut
Lingcod
+4
US $490
Shared tour: 2 people
Full Day Trip
In high demand Last booked: 5 days ago
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
10 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Apr 1 - Dec 22
Bass (Striped)
Halibut
Lingcod
Seabass (White)
+3
US $570
Shared tour: 2 people
Full Day Trip – salmon
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
10 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Sep 1 - Oct 31
Salmon (Chinook)
US $640
Shared tour: 2 people
Full Day Dungeness crab and fishing
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
8 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Nov 7 - Dec 22
Bass (Striped)
Sturgeon
Halibut
Lingcod
+5
US $660
Shared tour: 2 people
Crab only
FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
5 hour trip starts at 6:00 AM
Seasonal trip
Nov 7 - Dec 22
Crab
US $1,200
Entire boat: up to 6 people

Customer reviews

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Rating

5.0
42 reviews
5.0
Boat & equipment
5.0
Captain & crew
5.0
Fishing Experience

Anglers' gallery (115)

What anglers say

100%
Great experience
100%
Family friendly
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Good boat
100%
Recommended
98%
Caught fish

Reviews (42)

  • Clement Tussiot
    Clement Tussiot
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    New

    What a day on the bay !

    Full Day Trip on November 1, 2026 • 3 adults • 1 child

    We caught so much fish, including some beautiful, fat rockfish. I now have about 20 pounds in my freezer! Huge kudos to the captain for finding the best spots, and to Vincent for filleting our catch on the way back to the dock. We even reeled in a few small sharks, and my son was beyond happy. The crew was fantastic: professional, easygoing, and genuinely nice. Highly recommend this trip for families and anglers of any level. We'll definitely be back!

  • Alexey Estrada
    Alexey Estrada
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Look no further & book!

    Half day of Fishing on August 23, 2026 • 5 adults

    Captain Matt and Vincent are the best! They truly made this trip memorable. We did a half-day trip and ended up catching a little over 50 fish! 🎣 Captain Matt did his best to get us into areas that were biting, and I really appreciated that he travels a little farther out than most tours. It really gives you that true “deep sea experience” you’re looking for. Before booking, I always like to give the captains a call. After calling several different tours, Matt was the only one who gave me genuine and honest responses. He doesn’t just want to collect your money—he genuinely cares about your experience and makes the trip feel tailored to you. I’ll definitely be back for a full-day trip, and we’ll only be booking with Matt and Vincent! 🎣❤️

  • Rich Pedro
    Rich Pedro
    Member since 2026
    5.0

    Hard work put us on the fish

    Full Day Trip – salmon on July 12, 2026

    Seeing the salmon bite from the weekend, I decided to book a trip on FV_Plumeria with Matt & Vince. My first pacific salmon trip in a long time. Once we were at the place Matt put us on the fish in the morning! We had the first few fish by noon and the bite turned off.... We tried all over the place, it was grind and the bite was very slow, one by one we had fish. We stayed out later than most of the fleet until everyone had fish. This was my first Salmon is almost 15yrs. I had a blast and went home tired with 2 quality samon. Biggest fish was 23lbs and put up a fight!! Matt & Vince did everything they could do to get us on the fish!! I am planning to go out again before the season closes on the FV_Plumeria of course!!

  • Native Anglers
    Native Anglers
    Member since 2026
    5.0

    Top Tier Fishing, Outstanding Crew, Lifetime Memories

    Full Day Trip – salmon on July 12, 2026

    I fished aboard the Pamela J on July 12, 2026, out of San Francisco, and it was nothing short of fantastic. Departing under the Golden Gate Bridge at sunrise was a breathtaking start. Captain Matt Juarez and deckhand Vincent made the entire day memorable. They were knowledgeable, patient, and went above and beyond to ensure everyone had a great time—whether it was helping us land salmon, taking group photos, or keeping the mood light with music and laughs. We even had whales and dolphins show up, making the day even more special. The crew’s dedication, especially Vincent’s, stood out—he truly wanted us all to succeed. By the end of the trip, we had quality fish and a boatload of great memories. Highly recommend the Pamela J for an all-around stellar fishing experience!

  • Alexis Caparaz
    Alexis Caparaz
    Repeat angler
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    ⭐️The Gold Standard for Fishing Charters⭐️

    Full Day Trip – salmon on June 30, 2026 • 4 adults

    If you’re looking for an unforgettable fishing charter, look no further than the Pamela J with Captain Matt and deckhand Vincent. I brought my 74-year-old dad, my cousin, and my husband for our very first salmon fishing trip, and from the moment we stepped aboard, they made us feel welcome. Captain Matt and Vincent were incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and patient; especially during the chaotic “fish on!” moments when multiple people were hooked up at once. They took the time to coach us through everything, making the experience fun and stress-free, even as complete beginners. One thing that really stood out was how experienced Captain Matt is on the water. Knowing that he also does commercial fishing gave us even more confidence in his abilities. He navigated the rocky waters with incredible skill and care, and we always felt completely safe, even in areas that required precise boat handling. It was clear we were in the hands of someone who truly knows these waters inside and out. Not only did we limit out on salmon, but we also landed some huge bonus bass! Every single person in our group had an absolute blast, and seeing my 74-year-old dad have such an incredible day made the trip even more special. I’ve been on three different fishing charters, and I can honestly say this was my favorite by far. The professionalism, organization, and genuine passion Captain Matt and Vincent have for what they do truly set them apart. They work incredibly hard to make sure everyone has a successful, memorable day on the water, and they deserve far more business because of it. If you’re considering booking a charter, don’t hesitate! Book with Captain Matt on the Pamela J. You won’t regret it. We already can’t wait to get back out on the water with Captain Matt and Vincent for another trip! 🎣

  • Mark Vieira
    Mark Vieira
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2025
    2 trips
    5.0
    Verified
    New

    hot fishing and good times

    Full Day Trip on November 1, 2026 • 1 adult

    got on some great schools of rocks. Matt and the crew top knotch and on their game. i highly recommend them for anybodies next fishing trip. deckhand Vincent was sharp and on the ball with the gear. they are very well knowledge about the food venue around and will recommend the best place to eat. i will getting another trip soon with the crew

  • Loren Whitney
    Loren Whitney
    Member since 2026
    5.0

    I will be booking another trip!

    Full Day Trip – salmon on July 12, 2026

    Thank you, Matt, and team, for such an awesome trip!  I highly recommend that anyone looking to book a fishing trip does so on the Pamela J.  This is a beautiful, clean, and extremely comfortable boat.  Matt wasted no time getting our lines in the water and the action started! He is knowledgeable, proactive, and makes the trip even more fun with his positive energy and excitement.  I had a really great time and plan to have Matt take me back out in the near future!

  • Mylaine Lacson
    Mylaine Lacson
    Member since 2026
    5.0

    Half Day with Captain Matt

    Half day of Fishing on July 25, 2026

    Took the kids on their first fishing anything trip and they fell in love with the sport!There were many firsts and an interesting trip, but overall the kids loved it! San Francisco waters in the morning and calm and smooth sailing by 10am. Vincent first mate was on top of it getting everything ready for from the right rods to getting baits on our hooks and with nets on hand. You get treated like family which made the experience top notch. Highly recommend!

  • Marvin Bush
    Marvin Bush
    Repeat angler
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2021
    9 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    A great day on the water.

    Full Day Trip on December 30, 2025 • 4 adults

    We had an epic day on the water. We set our crab traps and started some drifts for rock fish and we were not disappointed. We caught plenty of fish and pulled our traps for the first round of Dungeness crab and we were not disappointed. plenty of crabs the first round. We reset and started fishing again and ran into a huge bait ball so we were able to fill the live well. Once we had the live bait, we crushed it with the lings. we limited out on lings, rocks and Dungeness. It was a beautiful day on the water and Vincent and Matt did a great job. I highly recommend the crab and fishing combo.

  • Albert Kalimullin
    Albert Kalimullin
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    Great fishing with Captain Matt

    Full Day Trip on November 15, 2025 • 5 adults • 1 child

    This was our first ocean fishing trip with kids. Before the trip, Captain Matt was always available and responded to messages very quickly. Captain Matt met us at the pier and introduced us to deckhand Angelo and the boat. Captain Matt and deckhand Angelo were very friendly and sociable! The boat was very comfortable, and we were offered snacks and water. The boat had a toilet, which is very important when you're with kids. We caught a lot of crabs, then went fishing and were very surprised when we caught stingrays, a first for us. The day spent with Captain Matt and deckhand Angelo was wonderful and unforgettable! We will definitely be back! Thank you!

FAQs about Pamela J Charters

Pamela J Charters offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $210 per person - Half day of Fishing (5 hours)
  • US $245 per person - 3/4 day fishing trip (7 hours)
  • US $285 per person - Full Day Trip (10 hours)
  • US $320 per person - Full Day Trip – salmon (10 hours)
  • US $330 per person - Full Day Dungeness crab and fishing (8 hours)
  • US $1,200 per group - Crab only (5 hours)
When you book a trip with Pamela J Charters, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet The Pamela J is equipped with a toilet in the bowel with privacy doors, 
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Live bait well
  • Refrigerator
  • Ice box
  • Radar
Trips booked with Pamela J Charters include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live bait (Bait and tackle is all included )
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Vincent, my Deckhand typically starts cleaning fish on the way back in and finishes up shortly after we pull back into dock. The cleaning and bags are included in the trip. Vincent does work off of tips )
  • Snacks (Complimentary chips)
  • Drinks (Complimentary water and various soft drinks )
  • First mate (Vincent is my number one Deckhand he's been with me now for three years and I couldn't say more great things about him. He works with me full-time on the water on both the commercial boat and the Pamela J. He's finished and free dived all over NorCal .)
Pamela J Charters offers the following types of fishing:
  • Nearshore fishing
  • Offshore fishing (Trip distance varies. Where are the fish are weather conditions tides. I typically do run a little further than most other captains. Further you go seems to be a little bit better greater fish )
Pamela J Charters offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light tackle
  • Bottom fishing
  • Trolling
  • Drift fishing
  • Deep sea fishing
Top targeted fish species with Pamela J Charters include:
  • Bass (Striped)
  • Crab
  • Halibut
  • Lingcod
  • Ray
  • Rockfish
  • Salmon (Chinook)
  • Seabass (White)
  • Shark (Leopard)
  • Shrimp
  • Sturgeon

Your captain

Matthew Juanes
Matthew Juanes
San Francisco, California, United States
31 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
42 Customer reviews
Typical response within an hour
Member since July 2024
Angler's Choice
The Angler's Choice Award is given to listings that consistently deliver a high-quality service and earn great reviews from customers.
Benefit from Capt. Matthew's extensive knowledge of the local fishing areas and ensure a memorable fishing trip for your group in San Francisco. This area is known for Crab, White Seabass and Rockfish and you'll get to catch them using bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, or other techniques. The only way to learn is to join them on the water.
Matthew Juanes
Matthew Juanes
Fully verified
Angler's Choice
31
reports
42
reviews
2024
member since
~1h
response
Benefit from Capt. Matthew's extensive knowledge of the local fishing areas and ensure a memorable fishing trip for your group in San Francisco. This area is known for Crab, White Seabass and Rockfish and you'll get to catch them using bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, or other techniques. The only way to learn is to join them on the water.

The fish you can target

Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Crab
Crab
Halibut
Halibut
Lingcod
Lingcod
Ray
Ray
Rockfish
Rockfish
Chinook Salmon
Chinook Salmon
White Seabass
White Seabass
Leopard Shark
Leopard Shark
Shrimp
Shrimp
Sturgeon
Sturgeon
Striped Bass
Striped Bass
Crab
Crab
Halibut
Halibut
Lingcod
Lingcod
Ray
Ray

Real catches by this captain

  • Family group, including children, proudly displaying a crab catch aboard a boat in a marina.
    First day of for Dungeness crab this season for us. Crabbing was awesome limits for everyone on the boat plus limits for crew. Plenty of open spots,
  • Adult angler holding a spotted leopard shark aboard a fishing boat on open coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Leopard Shark
    Mark V.
    Mark V.
    got on some great schools of rocks. Matt and the crew top knotch and on their game. i highly recommend them for anybodies next fishing trip. deckhand Vincent was sharp and on the ball with the gear. they are very well knowledge about the food venue around and will recommend the best place to eat. i will getting another trip soon with the crew
  • Young angler proudly holding a spotted leopard shark aboard a fishing boat, with an adult fishing in the background on sunlit coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Leopard Shark
    Clement T.
    Clement T.
    We caught so much fish, including some beautiful, fat rockfish. I now have about 20 pounds in my freezer! Huge kudos to the captain for finding the best spots, and to Vincent for filleting our catch on the way back to the dock. We even reeled in a few small sharks, and my son was beyond happy. The crew was fantastic: professional, easygoing, and genuinely nice. Highly recommend this trip for families and anglers of any level. We'll definitely be back!
  • Young angler proudly holding a large grouper on a fishing boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Ray
    Another great day on the Pamela J. We ended up getting limits of rockfish extremely fast which led us to be very picky and only keeping the biggest fish to max out our limit. Which we ran back into the bay to fish for sharks and ray’s. Crab season starts next weekend. We have a lot of dates available message me or book for your Crab trip
  • Angler proudly displaying a large Salmon while fishing on a boat in open waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Chinook Salmon
    Labor Day Weekend Fishing Report ? We had a great Labor Day weekend on the water with some awesome groups and some beautiful fish! Saturday, we started off with a slow warning, but once we found the salmon, it was game on. We put in the work, stayed on the fish, and they started coming over the rail. By the end of the trip, we had five beautiful salmon in the boat. Sunday, we had a special group celebrating an 18th birthday with a half-day fishing trip. We started out targeting halibut, but they weren’t interested in playing, so we switched things up and went after rockfish. The change paid off, and everyone was able to get a few fish and enjoy a great day on the water. Monday, we had another full boat of salmon anglers. We were fortunate enough to get on the fish early in the morning and stayed with them throughout the day. The crew put in the work, and we finished the trip with 10 beautiful salmon! It was an awesome way to wrap up Labor Day weekend, and the salmon fishing is still going strong. ? Salmon trips will be running through the end of the month. If you’d like to get out on the water and book a trip, just let me know! Thanks to everyone who came out and spent the weekend fishing with us. We appreciate your continued support!
  • A young angler proudly holding a colorful rockfish while fishing on a sunny day at sea.
    Fish 1
    Black Rockfish
    Mark B.
    Mark B.
    Celebrated our son’s 18th birthday with his friends and had a fabulous time. Matt and Vincent were awesome. Well, the halibut weren’t biting, they were kind enough to pivot midstream in search for rockfish. Everyone ended up catching fish, which was great. Would highly recommend!
  • A proud angler displays a large Red Rockfish at the dock, with crew members preparing other catches in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Red Snapper
    Jay C.
    Jay C.
    We had a great first fishing trip onboard the Pamela J. Captain Matt and our deckhand Vincent helped us through the whole process. Captain Matt put us right on the fish and they made both made sure we were all getting the right technique to catch fish. Couldn’t have asked for a better outcome on our first fishing trip. 100% would recommend and will look forward for more in the future.
  • Angler proudly displaying a large Red Rockfish while fishing on a charter boat, with a fellow angler relaxing in the background.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Red Snapper
    Today we hosted a fantastic group of six anglers for a half-day trip on the water. The crew had their eyes set on filling the fish box with rockfish, so we pointed the bow north and made a run up the coast. The fish were cooperative from the very first drop. The bite stayed hot, allowing us to make quick work of full boat limits for all six passengers, plus crew limits for Vincent and myself. It was a incredible day with a great group of guys—plenty of laughs, steady action, and plenty of fresh fillets heading home. Trip Summary: Party Size: 6 Anglers + 2 Crew Target Species: Coastal Rockfish Result: Full Boat Limits (8 total limits landed) We still have open dates available for upcoming salmon and coastal trips! Give us a call or send a message to secure your spot on the boat.
  • A young angler proudly displaying a large Flounder while fishing on a sunny day.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    Halibut
    Date: August 26, 2026 Trip Type: Full-Day fishing Combo Conditions & Overview We headed up the coast early to hunt for rockfish and lingcod. The morning bite started off a bit slower than hoped, but persistence paid off as we worked structure to build a solid box. Once the coastal bite wrapped up, we made the run back down toward the bay to spend the afternoon drifting live bait. Catch Breakdown Rockfish: 5 f limits across the board after grinding through the morning drift. Lingcod: Boxed 5 beautiful, heavy-grade lings to add some serious muscle to the cooler. California Halibut: Finished the day strong in the bay, landing 7 beautiful flaties on live bait to cap off the trip. Deck Highlights & Wild Encounters Despite the sluggish start up north, the crew stayed on it and finished with an incredible overall spread. The highlight of the day was an absolute jaw-dropper: a massive Great White shark chased one of our hooked fish all the way up to the surface and slammed right into the swim step of the boat right in front of everyone on deck! Heavy fish, wild encounters, and plenty of fresh fillets heading home. Booking & Availability
  • A proud angler holding a large Flounder aboard a fishing boat, showcasing a successful catch during a fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Flounder
    Maciej K.
    Maciej K.
    started with sum halibut trolling. Got 4. then went for leopard shark and other species. caught a lot of that stuff to the point that some of them were tiring. great captain, great crew and great boat. if i somehow land back in SF i’ll definitely book with Pamela J.

What is the boat like?

Boat image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
6 persons
Boat length
30 ft
Year built
2003
Boat manufacturer
Island Hopper
Boat type
Sportfishing
Engine model
Yanmar
Powered by
1 x 315HP
Max cruising speed
16 knots

What kind of fishing will you do?

Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Drift Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
The Pamela J is equipped with a toilet in the bowel with privacy doors, 
GPS
Fishfinder
Live bait well
Refrigerator
Ice box
Radar
What's included in the trip price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live bait
Bait and tackle is all included 
Catch cleaning & filleting
Vincent, my Deckhand typically starts cleaning fish on the way back in and finishes up shortly after we pull back into dock. The cleaning and bags are included in the trip. Vincent does work off of tips 
Snacks
Complimentary chips
Drinks
Complimentary water and various soft drinks
First mate
Vincent is my number one Deckhand he's been with me now for three years and I couldn't say more great things about him. He works with me full-time on the water on both the commercial boat and the Pamela J. He's finished and free dived all over NorCal .

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip
You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 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.
More details

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
You keep catch
Catch and release allowed

How you can pay

Book with 15% deposit, pay rest to captain
When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 15% 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
When paying the remaining balance with a credit card, an additional 3% charge will apply.

What’s biting in San Francisco right now

Bass (Striped)Bass (Striped)
HalibutHalibut
LingcodLingcod
RockfishRockfish
Salmon (Chinook)Salmon (Chinook)
Seabass (White)Seabass (White)
Shark (Leopard)Shark (Leopard)
SturgeonSturgeon

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