Where to fish for shark in the San Francisco Bay

Although my shark fishing has always been from a boat, we had good luck off the west side of Angel Island for leopards and soupfins.  Yellow bluff off of Sausilito for 6 and 7 gill sharks.  And just north of the San Rafael bridge for leopards. Follow the charter boat "The Fury" and you will find sharks.

Interesting....I've kayaked over to the west side of Angel Island and to Yellow Bluff before, but never threw out a line at either place.  I'll have to try that too.  I have tried fishing right off Treasure Island (the bridge side) once because it was recommended to me by a local charter boat operator.  However, I didn't even get a bite there. 

Yellow Bluff would be tough in the kayak.  The current and tides can rip through there pretty good, not to mention its pretty deep there.  We used left over salmon bellies for bait, steel leaders and braided line with 1 to 2 lbs balls to keep on the bottom.  I've seen a 300lb seven gill come out of there.  The winter months were usually the best for shark fishing.  I've heard TI is another good spot for sharks but have never fished there for them.  Good luck.  Be sure to let us know how you do. 

If crabbing isn't as good as it was last year, I might just have to break out the shark gear and give it a try.

REPORT BACK:  Thought I'd give an update on my shark fishing trip.  Unfortunately, I got skunked.  Not even a bite.

I drove to Redwood City today and fished for a few hours (12-3pm).  I left out of the port and headed out.  Tried trolling as well as tying off to various channel markers and fishing the bottom.  I used anchovies, squid, and even tried a lure. 

Oh well.  The quest to catch a shark off my kayak continues.  Even thought I didn't catch anything, a day out on the water sure beats a day at work.

That sux dude.  Maybe time of year?  i know in spring it can go off there.  good place to work out the off season kinx in preparation for the 'real' saltwater season.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17592.0

Wow I am shocked. It must be the time of year...What was the tide? The real sweet spot is Palo Alto. The tide gets super low and I think the sharks and rays are stuck (landlocked).

That sux dude.  Maybe time of year?  i know in spring it can go off there.  good place to work out the off season kinx in preparation for the 'real' saltwater season.

http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=17592.0

Nice report and pics in the attached link you guys!  That's what I'm hoping for.   

Maybe it was the time of year.  Not sure.  I see you guys hit it in Spring and seemed to do well.  Guess I'll have to wait til then.

It was still good to get out on the water.  I recently picked up a new kayak (Hobie) and needed to give it a good test run to see what improvements I can make to it.  Will be making those this week and should be set up just the way I like it next time I go out.

Try 7th street pier at night in Oakland. I caught my first Leopard Shark (5 feet long)  theire and a few afer that using squid. If you keep the Leopard Shark you want to bleed it out right away or else it will piss through its skin and the it wont be very tasty.

I can't believe you didn't even get a bite.  I don't know what to tell ya, just keep at it. They are out there for sure. Not even a ray, that's weird as hell.

I can't believe you didn't even get a bite.  I don't know what to tell ya, just keep at it. They are out there for sure. Not even a ray, that's weird as hell.

exactly my thoughts. that is the go to place for kids b/c you will get something. I guess we are just making it worse.....keep at it for sure!

I can't believe you didn't even get a bite.  I don't know what to tell ya, just keep at it. They are out there for sure. Not even a ray, that's weird as hell.

exactly my thoughts. that is the go to place for kids b/c you will get something. I guess we are just making it worse.....keep at it for sure!

Too funny. I guess next time I need to bring some kids with me.

This is kinda trippin me out man. Let's go over your set up. Are you using a bottom rig? Hi-low? When you reel in, is your bait still on the hook? What size weight and hook are you using? The middle of summer is when I remember doing best for leopard sharks. But I've caught them year round. I haven't specifically targeted them in a while, but it's strange to me that you didn't even catch a ray. We gotta get you on some fish! Let figure this thing out!

Not sure how valid this is but on a charter fishing trip out of Crockett years back for stripers and leopards the Captain told us that in his 40 years of fishing he had only seen two leopards caught on bullheads. According to him, over the years bullheads have evolved and developed a scent or enzyme that keeps leopards from liking them and stripers not being native to the west coast haven't been here long enough for bullheads to evolve a defense for them. He would have midshipmen and bullheads in the livewell and if a bullhead was on the the hook (except for those two times) it would yield a striper. Anyone ever hear or experience this? I've done and been around a good deal of fishing with bullheads and have yet to see a leopard taken on one but that may also be because waters that I've fished were a little too brackish for the leopards.

Not sure how valid this is but on a charter fishing trip out of Crockett years back for stripers and leopards the Captain told us that in his 40 years of fishing he had only seen two leopards caught on bullheads. According to him, over the years bullheads have evolved and developed a scent or enzyme that keeps leopards from liking them and stripers not being native to the west coast haven't been here long enough for bullheads to evolve a defense for them. He would have midshipmen and bullheads in the livewell and if a bullhead was on the the hook (except for those two times) it would yield a striper. Anyone ever hear or experience this? I've done and been around a good deal of fishing with bullheads and have yet to see a leopard taken on one but that may also be because waters that I've fished were a little too brackish for the leopards.

I bet if you cut the bullhead open under the stomach it will attract a leopard. Ive heard of leopards eating bullheads but never happen to me.

My set up is is a simple dropper loop or a sliding (slido) sinker with enough weight to keep it on the bottom. A big chunk o squid. I find the edges of channels or shallow spots a bit more productive. Every 5 min I pick up the rod and raise the bait and let it settle down. I also think a current helps so they can swim up the scent line. To much current may be an issue since that may confuse them when trying to locate the bait.  As I said before if I have some old freezer burnt anchovies or other bait fish I cut it into to chunks and toss them out in the general area of my bait.

This is kinda trippin me out man. Let's go over your set up. Are you using a bottom rig? Hi-low? When you reel in, is your bait still on the hook? What size weight and hook are you using? The middle of summer is when I remember doing best for leopard sharks. But I've caught them year round. I haven't specifically targeted them in a while, but it's strange to me that you didn't even catch a ray. We gotta get you on some fish! Let figure this thing out!

I appreciate the interest/help.

I was using a 2-hook ocean leader with either a 3 or 4 ounce weight at the bottom. I had squid hooked on both of the hooks, which I think were 2/0 in size. Each time I reeled in, the squid was always there apparently untouched. The only good thing about that was that I didn't have to re-bait the whole trip.

I've caught sharks and rays with this setup before from a pier, but if there's a better/preferred setup I am open to trying it. I have yet to catch one from my kayak, which kinda sucks because fishing from my kayak was one of the main reasons I bought it.

I also tried trolling some soft plastic saltwater lure, both by themselves and with anchovies added to them. No bites on that either.

Any suggestions are welcome.