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
46
Reviews
7
Fishing Reports
Verified

My Charter Listing

Sole-Man Sportfishing

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

Fishing Reports

Spring Potluck
Spring Potluck
May 2, 2025 San Francisco
The bay is seeing some great action on quality Halibut and Bass. We are catching over a fish a rod and often limits of Bass. Halibut action is a bonus with the bigger schools expected to soon arrive. Also, inshore rockfish is now open for more options to fish on our trips. Make your reservations today.
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Spring Potluck
Spring Potluck
May 2, 2025 San Francisco
The bay is seeing some great action on quality Halibut and Bass. We are catching over a fish a rod and often limits of Bass. Halibut action is a bonus with the bigger schools expected to soon arrive. Also, inshore rockfish is now open for more options to fish on our trips. Make your reservations today.
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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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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 46 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (48)
Sole Man deliverd
Sole Man deliverd
Sole Man deliverd
+45
Angler rating
41
4
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
96%
Friendly captain
96%
Recommend this charter
96%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish
97%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 46 reviews
Stephen F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Captain even better fishing

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on June 15, 2024
Don woke up early to beat the fleet to the bait purveyor and then delivered the Pot Luck fish: California Halibut (25 pounder),...
Stephen F. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Shawn P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on June 8, 2024
Capt Don really knows what heโ€™s doing and we had a wonderful tripโ€ฆcatching many fish, 4 different species, including a...
Shawn P. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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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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