By Okuma® Staff

Fishing the San Francisco Bay Area: Species, Techniques, and the Perfect Rods for Every Trip

The San Francisco Bay Area has one of the most diverse and exciting fisheries on the West Coast. Anglers can chase California halibut, striped bass, salmon, and the massive white sturgeon. Each species requires different tactics, different baits, and gear that can handle the wide range of conditions found throughout the Bay.

Whether you are drifting live bait for halibut, trolling for salmon, casting plugs for stripers, or soaking heavier rigs for sturgeon, having the right rod can make all the difference. This is exactly why the new Okuma Bay Area Custom rods were designed. These rods match the unique demands of Bay anglers, providing sensitivity, strength, and control for every target species.

Let’s break down the top species, how to catch them, and why the Bay Area Custom rods are the perfect match for local waters.

Target Species in the San Francisco Bay Area

California Halibut

Halibut are one of the most popular targets during spring and summer. These fish sit close to the bottom, waiting to ambush live bait or slow-moving lures.

Popular Techniques:

• Drifting live anchovies or smelt
• Slow trolling with hoochies or small spoons
• Bouncing ball rigs with attractor flashers
• Jigging swimbaits or vertical jigs along drop-offs

Best Baits and Lures:
Live anchovies, sardines, smelt, soft plastic swimbaits, FishLab Mad Eel, bucktail jigs, and small spoons.

Rod Match:
Halibut fishing requires a rod with a sensitive tip for detecting subtle bites and enough backbone to control the fish during the fight. The Bay Area Custom lineup includes models built specifically for this light to medium inshore work. From the Downrigger to the bounce ball, these rods are built for the bay.

Striped Bass

Striped bass roam the Bay year-round, providing action for anglers casting from boats, jetties, piers, and beaches. They hit aggressively and fight hard, which makes them a favorite.

Popular Techniques:

• Casting topwater lures during low light periods
• Jigging spoons and blade baits around bait schools
• Trolling stickbaits or umbrella rigs
• Soaking cut bait or live bait from anchor

Best Baits and Lures:
Topwaters, jerkbaits, spoons, bucktails, bloodworms, pile worms, anchovies, and live bullheads.

Rod Match:
Striped bass techniques require rods that can cast well, absorb shock during surges, and control fish in tidal currents. The Bay Area Custom rods are built with balanced tapers that handle both artificial and bait techniques with confidence.

Salmon

When salmon enter the Bay or pass through the Golden Gate, anglers use specific gear and methods to target these powerful, migratory fish.

Popular Techniques:

• Trolling with flashers and hoochies
• Running large spoons or plugs behind divers
• Mooching with anchovies while drifting

Best Baits and Lures:
Anchovies, herring, hoochies, large spoons, FishLab Ultra Slim Spoon, and trolling plugs.

Rod Match:
Salmon require rods with a softer tip for trolling but enough lifting power to fight fish that surge toward deep water. Bay Area Custom salmon models are tuned to meet these demands, providing smooth power curves and reliable strength. These rods load up perfectly when fishng the downrigger and heavy flashers. 

White Sturgeon

White sturgeon are the largest fish in the Bay and can grow over 100 inches. These prehistoric giants require specialized setups.

Popular Techniques:

• Soaking bait on a slider rig while anchored
• Fishing during strong tidal movement when they feed
• Using heavy tackle to maintain bottom contact

Best Baits:
Ghost shrimp, grass shrimp, herring chunks, eel, anchovies, and lamprey.

Rod Match:
Sturgeon rods need serious backbone, powerful midsections, and handles that provide maximum leverage. The Bay Area Custom heavy models are engineered for long, grueling fights with large fish while remaining comfortable to fish all day.

Why the Okuma Bay Area Custom Rods Are Perfect for Local Waters

The Bay Area fishery is incredibly diverse. Instead of forcing one rod to do everything, Okuma designed the Bay Area Custom series to meet the exact needs of Northern California anglers.

Key features include:

• Responsive and durable 24-ton carbon and E-Glass composite blanks
• UXR: Ultimate X Reinforced Multi-Directional Fiber Technology
• UFR: Ultimate Flex Reinforced rod tip technology
• SeaGuide XQ series 316 stainless steel guide frames
• Zirconium inserts offer compatibility for both braid and mono
• Heavy duty aluminum reel seat with double lock nut
• Tapered shrink tube grips for non-slip surface and durability
• All models feature a heavy duty stainless-steel hook keeper
• Bay Area Custom rods are backed by a 3-year limited warranty

Whether you are jigging in the South Bay, trolling near Alcatraz, or soaking bait in the Carquinez Strait, there is a Bay Area Custom rod designed specifically for your fishery.

If you want gear that matches the way you fish the Bay, it is time to check out the new Okuma Bay Area Custom series.