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
Paul C.
Roseville, CA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day with Captain Don

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip on July 9, 2022
Great day on the water. Captain Don did a great job of putting us on the fish and making sure we got them landed. I will definitely...
Paul C. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Paul C. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Shaheen E.
San Ramon, CA
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Don

VERIFIED   3/4 day trip on July 9, 2023
Shaheen E. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Charley T.
Washington, Illinois
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half day morning trip (halibut and striper)

VERIFIED   Half day trip on November 13, 2022
The crew knew their stuff, kept things fun, and worked hard to put us on fish and keep the equipment in working order.
Charley T. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Ian M.
Excellent
4.3 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Very good
4.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Don

VERIFIED   Half day trip on January 1, 2024
Ian M. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Clint T.
Sawyer, KS
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day with Captain

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on June 10, 2023
We had a great day fishing with Soleman
Clint T. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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Clint T. recommends Sole-Man Sportfishing
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