For November 16, 2024, in the San Francisco Bay area, here’s what you can expect for your fishing trip:

First off, let's look at the conditions. The sunrise today is at 6:43 AM, and sunset will be at 4:53 PM. Tides are crucial, and today you'll see a high tide at 9:17 AM with 6.4 feet, and a low tide at 3:34 PM with 0.8 feet.

Weather-wise, it's expected to be partly cloudy with a high of around 62°F and a low of 50°F. There might be some light winds, but nothing too severe.

Yesterday's fish counts were decent, despite the time of year. For those targeting groundfish, rockfish were abundant, with several party boats reporting significant catches. For example, in the broader Northern California area, boats like the Avenger out of Morro Bay brought in 90 rockfish on a half-day trip[1].

In the San Francisco Bay itself, the focus is often on species like striped bass, white seabass, and halibut. However, the recreational fishery for Pacific halibut closed on November 15, 2024, or when the quota was reached, whichever came first[2].

For today, you might want to target California halibut, which remain open year-round north of Point Sur. The daily bag limit is two fish, with a minimum size limit of 22 inches total length[2].

Best lures and bait vary by species, but for halibut, live bait such as anchovies or sardines works well. For rockfish and other groundfish, jigs tipped with squid or shrimp can be very effective.

Hot spots in the area include the Golden Gate Bridge area, where you can find a mix of rockfish and lingcod, and the tidal areas around the San Pablo Bay, which can be good for striped bass and white seabass.

Remember to check the latest regulations, as some species have specific restrictions and closures[2]. Enjoy your day on the water