Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of San Francisco Bay means a run of about 30 miles past the Golden Gate to the Farallon Islands, in a window that does not open the same way every year. This page covers the local picture so you can decide when and where to look. For biology and general tactics, see our Pacific bluefin species guide. For getting out the Gate, marinas and conditions, use the San Francisco port page.
When bluefin are off San Francisco
Two calendars cover this fishery, and they do not match.
- Arrival window: SF Standard puts arrival off Northern California at roughly July through late November. This is when fish are reported locally.
- Guide calendar: Golden State Guide Service runs bluefin trips March through December.
Months outside July through late November are a long shot. The fish do not show up predictably, and no window is a guarantee.
A Richmond operator describes an unusually strong El Niño season, but that is one operator’s description and not a forecast. For the wider picture, see how bluefin move along California (see also the Pacific Southwest fishing guide).
The run and the grounds
The bluefin ground from this port is the Farallon Islands. Everything inside the Gate is reference water on the way out.
Farallon Islands
The Farallon Islands sit about 30 miles out from the Golden Gate, at 300 ft.
Before committing to the run, read the NWS marine forecast for the Bar and take wind, wave height and period as numbers. Chart layers are not for navigation.
Inside the Bay on the way out
These spots are not bluefin water. They are the Bay’s striper and halibut spots and the landmarks you pass on the way to the Gate. Use them as reference points; tuna are not found inside the Gate.
| Ground | Location | What it is fished for |
|---|---|---|
| Farallon Islands | About 30 miles out from the Golden Gate, 300 ft | Bluefin |
| Alcatraz Island (rocky reefs, back side) | Inside the Bay | |
| Berkeley Flats | Inside the Bay | |
| Angel Island south side | Inside the Bay | |
| Golden Gate Bridge south tower | At the Golden Gate | Striped bass |
| Raccoon Strait | Striped bass | |
| Oyster Point | Halibut |
How bluefin are fished here
Local fishing comes down to spotting fish on bait and having tackle and crew that can handle a long fight.
Surface anchovy feeds
Local operators report bluefin busting up on surface anchovies. The cue to look for is fish showing on bait at the surface.
Heavy tackle and long fights
Bring heavy tackle. Active NorCal reports fights running past half an hour, so plan for it: count your crew, decide who takes turns on the rod, and make sure your tackle can last.
Who fishes them from this port
Private boaters run their own boats to the Farallones. Golden State Guide Service departs Emeryville around 5 to 6 AM, and Richmond operators fish bluefin from the Bay as well. If you are weighing a guided tuna trip against running your own boat, a guide trip puts someone with local runs behind the wheel.
FAQ: Pacific bluefin out of San Francisco Bay
How far is the run to the Farallon Islands?
Pacific bluefin tuna fishing out of San Francisco Bay centers on the Farallones, about 30 miles out from the Golden Gate, on grounds at 300 ft. Check the marine forecast before you go.
What months are bluefin off San Francisco?
SF Standard gives arrival as roughly July through late November. Golden State Guide Service runs trips March through December. The fish do not show up predictably.
When do Emeryville trips leave?
Golden State Guide Service departs Emeryville around 5 to 6 AM.
How long do bluefin fights last here?
Active NorCal reports fights running past half an hour, which is why heavy tackle and enough crew matter.
Are Alcatraz, Raccoon Strait and the other inside-Bay spots tuna water?
No. They are the Bay’s striper and halibut spots and landmarks. The bluefin ground is the Farallon Islands.
