Captain
Don Franklin

Member since March 2016 San Francisco, United States
Background
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!
Techniques
Live bait drifting Light tackle Anchor fishing Trolling

Hey, I'm Captain Don Franklin

San Francisco, United States
Background
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!
Techniques
Live bait drifting Light tackle Anchor fishing Trolling
36
Reviews
5
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Sole-Man Sportfishing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(36 reviews)
San Francisco
Trips from US $200

Fishing Reports

Spring Bite is on fire
Spring Bite is on fire
Apr 10, 2025 San Francisco
The big spring bass bite is here, and on fire. SoleMan has seen red hot action on quaility bass. Also we have been getting some bonus sturgeon (all released) with this fantastic action. I expect this action to continue into late May with the runoff from the rivers into the bay. Come on out and experience this fantastic action.
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Great Bass fishing
Great Bass fishing
Feb 23, 2025 San Francisco
The Stripers are back! It looks like springtime Bass fishing is gonna bust wide open. We are seeing excellent numbers of spawning bass now. Also some bonus starry flounder too. Make your reservations today to get in on this great action.
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Spring fishing
Spring fishing
Apr 7, 2024 San Francisco
Right on time we are getting epic Bass fishing along with some early year Halibut action. The best series of tides occur this week and we have room Sunday 4/11, Monday4/12 and Wednesday 4/14.
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Recent trips
Recent trips
Aug 27, 2023 San Francisco
The end of Summer, start of Fall fishing is red hot. The weather is fantastic, as this is the start of โ€œtrue summerโ€ in San Francisco. Dates are filling up fast so be sure to make a reservation for some of the best fishing of the year.
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Halibut on fire
Halibut on fire
Apr 24, 2023 San Francisco
San Francisco Halibut fishing is as good as it gets right now. The Bay is red hot on Halibut, with a few bonus Striped Bass in the mix too. It has been limit style fishing and this series of tides, it as good as it gets. Anglers are averaging 2-3 fish a person per trip.
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 36 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (36)
Great boat, great day, big fish, good times!
Great Captain even better fishing
Great Captain even better fishing
+33
Angler rating
31
4
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
95%
Friendly captain
95%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
95%
Caught fish
97%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 36 reviews
Beau H.
San Ramon, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full Day with captain Don Halibut fishing

VERIFIED   3/4 day trip on July 24, 2022
What a awesome day on the bay with Captain Don ! He did a great job making our trip successful for my wife one of my...
Beau H. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Beau H. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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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 couldโ€™ve been really...
Craig R. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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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. Itโ€™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 sonโ€™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
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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
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