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Sean Stafford
Captain

Sean Stafford

Berkeley, United States
Angler's choice
100+ reviews
Captain Sean welcomes you to the gorgeous and productive waters around San Francisco Bay. Pick a day and join him for a memorable day of fishing full of fun and excitement!
Angelina S.
Angelina S.
Business partner
Sean S.
Sean S.
Business partner
William A.
William A.
First mate

Charter

fishSFbay

fishSFbay

Berkeley
Instant Confirmation
Trips from
US $200

Rating

4.9
241 reviews
4.9
Boat & Equipment
4.9
Captain & Crew
4.9
Fishing Experience

What anglers say

94%
Good experience
99%
Friendly captain
97%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
98%
Satisfied with the boat
96%
Caught fish

All reviews (241)

Showing 1 – 5 of 241 reviews
  • Ryan Monnastes
    Ryan Monnastes
    us
    Washington State, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified

    Captain Sean & William were outstanding... Great times were had....

    Full Day Halibut+Bass $275/pp • 3 adults

    Captain Sean and his deckhand, William, were absolutely outstanding. They put us on fish the entire day and were incredibly patient and helpful throughout the trip. Both are highly personable and great to talk to. I have fished with many charter captains, and it’s the crew members who have a genuine passion for what they do, and who care deeply about creating a memorable experience, that make all the difference. That is exactly what you get here. Moving forward, whenever I have the time and money, I’ll be spending it with Capt. Sean. Highly recommend!

    Reported catch:
    Striped Bass
    Halibut
    Response from Captain

    Thank you for the kind words Ryan! Hope to see you guys again soon!

  • Michael Mayo
    Michael Mayo
    Repeat angler
    us
    Massachusetts, US
    Member since 2026
    2 trips
    4.7
    Verified

    King Salmon Catch!

    PM 1/2 Day Shark ($200 Per Person) • 2 adults

    The crew of Captain Sean and Mate William were outstanding. The captain put us on the fish while William gave clear professional instructions to ensure we landed our catch. William and the capatian helped first time anglers with technique and taking the strain of reeling in these, strong fighting, large fish. Seas were rough getting out to the fishing grounds especially going under the Golden Gate Bridge. Once we reached the fishing grounds the boat continuously rocked gently in the 4’ swells while we trolled off the north coast of the bay area. Breaks in the fog revealed srunning views of the coast. If you are prone to seasickness plan accordingly and take whatever your preference is ahead of time. This was a great trip overall. once agin, thank you to the Captain and William.

  • Stephanie Bunton
    Stephanie Bunton
    us
    Pennsylvania, US
    Member since 2026
    5.0
    Verified
    NEW

    Great time in the Bay

    PM 1/2 day Halibut+Bass Private • 6 adults • 1 child

    it was easy to coordinate with Captain Sean. He and William, his deckhand, were awesome with our 4year old son. Taught us all how to catch and moved around quickly to get what we wanted out of the day. Great time! Highly recommended.

    Reported catch:
    Halibut
  • Pamela Mather
    Pamela Mather
    Repeat angler
    us
    Florida, US
    Member since 2024
    3 trips
    5.0
    Verified

    Great trip!

    Full Day Halibut+Bass $275/pp • 1 adult

    We caught fish despite a bad tide and a rough SF bay. The crew persisted and my son caught halibut, but was 3/4" too small, and limited out on two nice stripers. This trip is best for all ages. My son is 13 and he was on the boat with a couple. He had a great time. "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in SF", bring a heavy jacket with a hood. Yes, even in summer.

    Reported catch:
    Striped Bass
    Halibut
  • Hailee Dawson
    Hailee Dawson
    us
    California, US
    Member since 2025
    5.0
    Verified

    sturgeon and striper fishing

    Full Day Halibut+Bass $275/pp • 3 adults

    planned a trip for my husband and a few friends for his birthday it was there first time doing a fishing charter and it did not disappoint! sean and ricky are fantastic at what they do they know exactly where the fish are and how to catch them not only did the group end up catching 13 sturgeon and 3 strippers but they had a great time doing it the crew was very personable and made the whole trip a blast. we plan on booking another trip with them in the future when the tuna start running. definitely worth the money!

    Reported catch:
    Striped Bass

Real catches shared by our community

  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Group of four anglers proudly holding multiple large salmon on a boat dock.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    30lb class Salmon today! Today we had our largest grade fish of the year. Our 4 anglers called it a fay early one fish short of their limits but had a 30lber, a 28lber and a 25lber in the ice. What a day with monster late season salmon! Our season goes until October 31st and we’re not inly catching big fish were still getting limits or near limits daily!
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Adult angler and young child proudly display a large salmon aboard a fishing boat in a scenic coastal setting.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Eddie P.
    Eddie P.
    Brought my 10 year old son and Captain Sean and deckhand William were absolutely amazing with him. No pressure and helped him land his fish. Proud dad was extremely impressed
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Angler proudly holds a large silver salmon aboard a fishing boat, with another crew member and rod visible offshore.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon fishing should be winding down but it keeps getting better!!! We have wide open salmon fishing today with BIG fish! Over 20 fish hooked today for 5 anglers who all boated limits of big King Salmon!We have extended our salmon season through October 31st! Book your trip now!
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Close-up screenshot of a fishing charter boat graphic featuring an illustrated tuna and partial charter branding.
    After a Great week of Bluefin Tuna Fishing the bite goes silent as the weekend cold front changes conditions. No fish for our group today for our first skunk on tuna in the last two and a half years! Theres no debate, tuna like stable sea and weather conditions. Although we saw good numbers this week the grade of fish was considerably smaller then we are used to in northern Ca. This front made fishing extremely tough for all today with only 1 fish caught for the entire Sportfishing Fleet! On the bright side, the aftermath of this front will definitely make our region more attractive to larger grade bluefin. We expect fishing to rebound in a big way this week!
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Angler holding a large halibut aboard a fishing boat with a waterfront city skyline in the background.
    Fish 1
    California Halibut
    Peyton M.
    Peyton M.
    captin sean and his first mate were awesome and very welcoming great trip cant wait to do it again
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    A young angler proudly displaying a large salmon while fishing on a boat, showcasing the excitement of a successful catch.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Barney G.
    Barney G.
    Great experience, the Captain is knowledgeable the deck hand as well. Really good trip took my son and nephew everyone crushed it. Overall super happy we chose this charter. ☆☆☆☆☆ 👌
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    A young angler proudly displaying a large Salmon on a fishing charter, surrounded by fellow anglers on a boat.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Absolutely Wide Open. Doubles, triples and 5 ways today. Salmon fishing doesn’t get any better then this!!!! Easy limits for everyone aboard!!!
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Angler proudly displaying a Leopard Shark aboard a fishing boat, showcasing a successful catch during a coastal fishing trip.
    Fish 1
    Leopard Shark
    Joleen B.
    Joleen B.
    caught tiget shark :)
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Angler proudly displaying two large Salmon while fishing on a boat in a misty environment.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    HUGE SALMON TODAY!!! today our crew finished one Fish shy of limits, although they had the last one on the hook several times it never quite made it into the net. The grade of fish was the biggest we’ve seen all year! We love September Salmon Fishing!
  • fishSFbay
    fishSFbayBerkeley, CA
    Four anglers proudly displaying their catch of Chinook Salmon aboard a fishing boat, with a marina backdrop.
    Fish 1
    Chinook Salmon
    Salmon on the bite again! Today our group finished one fish short of limits. The fish moved on us from the previous day but once we found them again it was game on! We had several opportunities to land that limit fish but they eluded the net. Still lots of action and great day. Salmon quota is extended and we are booking salmon trips through October!!!!

What's biting with fishSFbay in Berkeley

Tuna and Salmon have left the scene, but fishing is still going strong. From Halibut and Lingcod to Rockfish and Sharks, there's plenty to catch in November. On top of that, the crabbing season usually opens this month.

Top catches for November

Fishing reports

Group of four anglers proudly holding multiple large salmon on a boat dock.

30lb Class Late-Season Salmon

Oct 18, 2026 • Berkeley
30lb class Salmon today! Today we had our largest grade fish of the year. Our 4 anglers called it a fay early one fish short of their limits but had a 30lber, a 28lber and a 25lber in the ice. What a day with monster late season salmon! Our season goes until October 31st and we’re not inly catching big fish were still getting limits or near limits daily!
Show more
Group of anglers, including a child, posing behind a large dock display of freshly caught salmon beside a fishing boat.

Wide-Open King Salmon Limits!

Oct 11, 2026 • Berkeley
Salmon fishing should be winding down but it keeps getting better!!! We have wide open salmon fishing today with BIG fish! Over 20 fish hooked today for 5 anglers who all boated limits of big King Salmon!We have extended our salmon season through October 31st! Book your trip now!
Show more
Close-up screenshot of a fishing charter boat graphic featuring an illustrated tuna and partial charter branding.

Cold Front Silences Bluefin Bite

Oct 9, 2026 • Berkeley
After a Great week of Bluefin Tuna Fishing the bite goes silent as the weekend cold front changes conditions. No fish for our group today for our first skunk on tuna in the last two and a half years! Theres no debate, tuna like stable sea and weather conditions. Although we saw good numbers this week the grade of fish was considerably smaller then we are used to in northern Ca. This front made fishing extremely tough for all today with only 1 fish caught for the entire Sportfishing Fleet! On the bright side, the aftermath of this front will definitely make our region more attractive to larger grade bluefin. We expect fishing to rebound in a big way this week!
Show more
A young angler proudly displaying a large Salmon on a fishing charter, surrounded by fellow anglers on a boat.

Wide Open Salmon Limits — Doubles & More

Oct 2, 2026 • Berkeley
Absolutely Wide Open. Doubles, triples and 5 ways today. Salmon fishing doesn’t get any better then this!!!! Easy limits for everyone aboard!!!
Show more
Angler proudly displaying two large Salmon while fishing on a boat in a misty environment.

Huge September Salmon — Nearly Limits

Sep 24, 2026 • Berkeley
HUGE SALMON TODAY!!! today our crew finished one Fish shy of limits, although they had the last one on the hook several times it never quite made it into the net. The grade of fish was the biggest we’ve seen all year! We love September Salmon Fishing!
Show more
Four anglers proudly displaying their catch of Chinook Salmon aboard a fishing boat, with a marina backdrop.

Salmon on the Bite — One Short of Limit

Sep 21, 2026 • Berkeley
Salmon on the bite again! Today our group finished one fish short of limits. The fish moved on us from the previous day but once we found them again it was game on! We had several opportunities to land that limit fish but they eluded the net. Still lots of action and great day. Salmon quota is extended and we are booking salmon trips through October!!!!
Show more