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
David H.
Tracy, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

David H. San Fransisco 8 hour trip with Captain Don

VERIFIED   3/4 day trip on October 6, 2022
Iโ€™m glad that we choose Sole Man for our fishing trip out of San Fransisco. Capt. Don and his crew were very courteous...
David H. 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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Brittany L.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Don

VERIFIED   Half day trip on April 14, 2024
Brittany L. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Brittany L. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
Jose V.
San Leandro, CA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

The best!! Sole Man

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on September 12, 2022
In short, a fabulous day in the company of friends and the kindness and experience of Captain Don and his first officer Jhon,...
Jose V. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
Jose V. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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1 person finds this review helpful
You and 1 other person found this review helpful
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Cody D.
San Francisco, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Don

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on August 12, 2023
Don is a great captain! We would go again!
Cody D. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Cody D. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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You found this review helpful
Jackie W.
Vallejo, California
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day trip with Captain Don

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on August 6, 2022
Had an excellent trip with Captain Don! Was only a half day, but next time definitely booking a full day! Had fun, caught lots...
Jackie W. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Jackie W. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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