California Halibut Fishing Charters

36 Fishing Charters

The best out of 36 charter fishing deals in California - enter dates to check availability

Top Halibut Fishing in California

  • Angler's Choice
    Meet the Captain

    Depending on the season and the weather, you will be chasing fish inside or outside of the Golden Gate Bridge. For food or fun it is always an adventure. Targeted species include Striped Bass, Salmon, Halibut, Skate, Ray, Rockfish, Crab, and more.

    Full Day Trip
    :
    US $285
    +1

    Nautilus Excursions

    San Francisco

    Fish the bay for Striped Bass, Halibut, and Shark, all within 10 minutes of shore. All of your rods and reels for the day are provided. Live bait is prepared in advance for you so no precious fishing time is wasted. You are welcome to bring along food and drink. Please buy a fishing license before the trip.

    Half Day Trip (AM)
    :
    US $225
    +1
  • Angler's Choice

    fishSFbay

    Berkeley

    Times subject to change (tide) Book the entire boat for your private group of 1-6 anglers & save $150! Everything included. Fishing in SF bay and coastal areas targeting Halibut and Striped Bass with live bait. On these potluck trips we often encounter white sea bass, leopard shark and others. All bait, tackle, and fishing gear included. LIVE BAIT INCLUDED when available. Take Limit 2 Halibut and 2 Striped Bass per person.

    Full Day Halibut+Bass Private Trip
    :
    US $1,650
  • Angler's Choice

    All half day trips are bay trips and are captain choice!!

    Half Day Trip – Bay
    :
    US $1,200
  • Angler's Choice

    Molly’s Boats

    San Francisco

    Crabs and rockfish or crabs and dabs, depending on what seems to be biting. Let’s throw some crab pots down, wander over to the rockfish spot and then return to check on the crabs. This requires going outside the gate so sometimes the trip has to be altered to accommodate weather. You want this.

    Crabs & Dabs or Rockfish
    :
    US $1,400

    Fishing the local kelpbeds and local banks, targetting bass, halibut, rockfish, lingcod, and other seasonal species! Snacks and drinks are included, no meals are provided on 6 hour trips.

    Half Day Trip (AM)
    :
    US $2,090
    +1
  • Angler's Choice

    All you will need is your California Sport Fishing License, Lunch & Drinks...I will provide all Tackle that is needed to fish

    King Salmon Delta Rio Vista
    :
    US $200

    Enjoy fishing for up to 6 people, perfect for families, friends, or small groups looking for an exclusive day on the water. Target Rockfish and Lingcod with all rods, reels, tackle, bait, and safety gear provided, no experience necessary. Just bring a valid California fishing license, along with your favorite snacks and drinks, and get ready for a fun, hassle-free day of fishing.

    Rockfish / Lingcod
    :
    US $275
  • Angler's Choice

    Spend 8 hours chasing Halibut and Striped Bass in productive nearshore and offshore waters. Using a mix of deep-sea fishing, bottom fishing, light tackle, and trolling, you’ll target these prized species in areas where conditions and seasonal activity offer the best chances of a bite. Whether you’re after Halibut on the bottom or hard-fighting Striped Bass on lighter gear, this trip offers a full day of varied fishing and plenty of time on the water.

    Halibut & Striped Bass Trip
    :
    US $250
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Recent Halibut catches in California

  • Angler proudly holding a large leopard shark on the bow of a fishing boat in calm coastal waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Leopard Shark
    Excellent Mixed Bag Fishing on San Diego Bay! Spotted Bay Bass, Halibut, Leopard Shark, and Bonefish all biting well. Great time to of year to be on the water
  • Teen angler and adult proudly display a large flatfish aboard a fishing boat offshore.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Halibut
    Great coastal fishing going on for halibut, white seabass, and great bass action to go with it!
  • Angler displays a large halibut aboard a fishing boat with another crew member nearby and rods set over calm ocean waters.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +3
    Halibut
    Limits of rockfish and lingcod. 2 halibut and 28 bonito for 4 people. The bite was on fire.
  • A large Halibut displayed on a cleaning station aboard a fishing boat, showcasing a successful catch during a deep-sea fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Halibut
    Jonathan V.
    Jonathan V.
    Great experience and got lucky with a 30 inch halibut. Besides the fishing part, James was extremely friendly and offered great humor along the way. Booking a trip with James will have you well equipped to catch fish, but also have an enjoyable conversation throughout.
  • Pamela J Charters
    Pamela J ChartersSan Francisco, CA
    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
  • Pamela J Charters
    Pamela J ChartersSan Francisco, CA
    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.
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Two anglers proudly displaying their catch of large Halibut on the dock after a successful fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Halibut
    Huge Halibut for our Boys from the UK! Today we had two friends from across the pond and we greeted them with some our biggest halibut of the season! 3 of their 4 fish were in the 25-28lb class!
  • Pamela J Charters
    Pamela J ChartersSan Francisco, CA
    Angler proudly displaying a large Lingcod caught during a fishing trip on a charter boat.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +4
    Tope Shark
    Charter Fishing Report: Half-Day Hits & Bay Action Recent Half-Day Trip Highlights Coastal Rockfish Runs: Our 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM half-day trips over the past few weekends were a huge hit. We ran up the coast, dialed in the spot, and brought back near-limits of bottom fish for everyone on board—all before noon! It's the ideal option for folks wanting a quick morning on the water without committing to a full day. Inshore Bay Action: Today’s crew wanted non-stop action and cool catches, so we stayed local in the bay and targeted sharks and bat rays. They kept the rods bent and the reels screaming continuously all day long. Upcoming Opportunities If you are looking to get out on the water, spend a few hours bending rods, and take home some fresh fillets (or battle some bay giants), our half-day trips are firing on all cylinders. Great vibes, awesome groups, and non-stop fun on the water lately. Book your spot today and let's go bend some rods!
  • Reel Time Charters, LLC
    Reel Time Charters, LLCSan Francisco, CA
    Two anglers proudly displaying a large Halibut on a boat during a fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +1
    Halibut
    Wonderful trip for Ben and friends fishing the beautiful Marine coastline once again. Fishing was slow in the morning but super picked up in the afternoon. We probably had the best variety all year. We landed two big king salmon, two rare white Seabass and a large halibut they experienced wonderful weather thank you Ben.
  • Pamela J Charters
    Pamela J ChartersSan Francisco, CA
    Angler proudly displaying a large stingray while fishing on a boat, showcasing the excitement of a successful catch.
    Fish 1
    Fish 2
    +2
    Gummy Shark
    Jared S.
    Jared S.
    The captain and crew were great. We had an awesome time catching sharks and rays. Highly recommened this charter, will definitely be back!

California Halibut Fishing Seasons

Halibut
Size
20 to 150lbs
Food Value
Excellent
Game Quality
Good

Calendar

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
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Halibut fishing in California, United States offers action for all skill levels. Anglers target California Halibut close to shore and Pacific Halibut up north. The mix of sandy beaches, bays, and offshore edges creates year-round chances.

Most crews drift live Anchovy, Sardine, or Squid over sandy bottoms. Bottom fishing with jigs also works when fish hold near structure. Your captain watches tides, then sets slow drifts so baits sweep past waiting fish.

Trips range from quick inshore runs to full-day offshore missions in the north. Tackle, bait, and safety gear are usually provided. Bring a fishing license, sun protection, layers, and motion sickness remedies if needed. This is a great choice for families, first-timers, and food-minded anglers.

Top areas include San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, and the La Jolla kelp line. Los Angeles and Long Beach harbors, Santa Monica Bay, and the Channel Islands are proven grounds. Farther north, try Monterey Bay, San Francisco Bay, Tomales Bay, and Bodega Bay. Near the Oregon border, Eureka, Trinidad, and Crescent City see Pacific Halibut in season.

Regulations vary by region and can change during the year. Always check license needs, open seasons, area rules, and harvest limits before your trip. Your captain will review local rules and any marine protected areas.

Habitats
Nearshore
Offshore
Techniques
Bottom Fishing
Spearfishing
Heavy Tackle
Light Tackle
Deep Sea Fishing
Drift Fishing

What anglers said about Halibut Fishing in California

  • 5.0
    /5
    (4 Hour Trip — Bay Fishing)

    Great family trip Grandma and 14yo

    Captain Eric was amazing and curated a fun family morning on the water. We caught a ton of fish including a huge Halibut. Highly recommend!
    Christopher W.
    Christopher W.
    Reviewed on Nov 7, 2026
  • 5.0
    /5
    (5 Hour Inshore Trip)

    Amazing Trip!!

    We had an amazing time. We caught lots of fish: halibut, sea bass, tuna, and yellowtail. It definitely exceeded our expectations and would do it again.
    Jenny M.
    Jenny M.
    Reviewed on Oct 31, 2026
  • 5.0
    /5
    (Full Day Trip)

    coolest experience ever!

    Absolutely one of the coolest experiences! we started strong with rock fishing and couple of lincod showed up too. we caught a halibut at the end which made the trip worth it! The two dudes were cool and very funny, showed us all the tips and are very experienced!! definitely going to book again in the future!
    Nahla K.
    Nahla K.
    Reviewed on Oct 18, 2026
  • 5.0
    /5
    (5 Hour Trip – Bay)

    successful day

    Great experience and got lucky with a 30 inch halibut. Besides the fishing part, James was extremely friendly and offered great humor along the way. Booking a trip with James will have you well equipped to catch fish, but also have an enjoyable conversation throughout.
    Jonathan V.
    Jonathan V.
    Reviewed on Sep 8, 2026
  • 5.0
    /5
    (Half day of Fishing)

    Beautiful day in the Bay

    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!
    MARK B.
    MARK B.
    Reviewed on Sep 6, 2026