Bite Report — August 2026: A Rare White Seabass in Half Moon Bay

Week of August 10, 2026 — last updated August 2026.

Every week I send out a San Francisco fishing report to the Hao2Fish list. Here's the lightly-cleaned web version of the August 10 report for anyone who isn't on it.

Salmon

I went on the Hog Heaven on Saturday, August 8, and missed one salmon at 32 ft in the shipping channel. Total 21 salmon for 16 anglers, up to 25lbs. We did go to Pacifica as well, with only a shaker caught and one missed bite. Most of the party boats were fishing the shipping channel.

HMB: a huge white seabass was caught in Half Moon Bay near the red buoy. This is rare, but it makes sense since there are kelp forests near the red buoy. Word is salmon are deep in Half Moon Bay, cruising near the bottom — so when you're trolling for them, try to go 5ft above the bottom. I expect the bite to improve in September; it's still slim pickings.

Bolinas: Duxbury Reef (green buoy) was quieter this past weekend, with some limits on boats but overall just one fish per rod.

Bodega: limits all around for kayakers, the bite was hot but there's no guarantee that'll be the case. They come in batches, and I believe this batch happened to land on the weekend. Up to 20lbs.

I made a full gear list video because I've been getting lots of questions about what salmon gear to get. See it here.

Striped bass

It's in full season. Anywhere along the beaches such as Ocean Beach, Mussel Rock, and Pacifica are places to try. Catching striped bass on the SP Minnow.

Halibut

Slow reports since most people are going for salmon, however Santa Cruz skiff rentals are getting them and most people are getting 2 per rod up to 30 inches.

Rockfish

Most people have not been concentrating on rockfish. Although Santa Cruz has a few, mainly gophers. You can still get them on the shrimp fly in rocky areas in Santa Cruz and Half Moon Bay. Just don't expect the monsters — they go deep in the summer months.

Squid

No reports. Make sure to get a squid jig before trying.

All reports are from friends and public sources of Hao2Fish.

Hao2fish Tip

Use a 4 inch flasher. I noticed the Hog Heaven only had 4 inch flashers and not the 6 or 8 inch ones.

My gear recommendations

• Scotty Downrigger — essential for catching salmon and getting your bait down.
• Penn Rival Reel — I've been using this for 5 years. Works for salmon and halibut.
• SP Minnow — for stripers. Tested by surf casters for striped bass, very enticing action.
• Ugly Stik Salmon Rod — medium 6'6" rod to absorb the salmon headshakes.
• Trilene 30lb Mono — great for salmon, all the stretch you need to tire them out.
• Bubble Box Air Pump — keep your crabs alive with this bubbler. Also great to purge your crabs by leaving them in a bucket overnight with it.

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This report covers the NorCal side of Hao2Fish. If you're fishing offshore for bluefin tuna out of San Diego instead, the gram-to-foot rule for jig weight is the other pillar.

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