Rockfish Fishing Berkeley: Lingcod and Rockfish on the Coastal Reefs

If you searched for rockfish fishing Berkeley, this is the trip you want. We run out of the Berkeley Marina to the coastal reefs and fish for lingcod and a mixed bag of rockfish. We call it the reliable one. Of all the trips we run, this is the one with the best odds of a full sack. It suits people who want fish to take home more than they want to chase one big fish all day. If you want the big one, that is the bluefin trip. If you want to come back with fillets for the freezer, start here. It works for a group of friends, a family, or one person looking for a seat on the boat.

When can you go? Our home page says salmon, lingcod and rockfish are on right now. Rockfish also show up in the Crab Combo, which runs in November and December. That trip is Dungeness crab plus lingcod or rockfish. Beyond that, I am not going to put exact rockfish dates on this page. Seasons and openings can shift, and I would rather give you the right answer than a guess. Get in touch with the captain and he will confirm which dates are open for rockfish fishing out of Berkeley and what the reefs are doing.

What does it cost? The Lingcod and Rockfish trip is $330 per angler, up to 6 guests on the boat. Gear is included. Cleaning is included. You do not pay extra to have your fish cleaned. If you want the whole boat for your own group, the Whole Boat Lingcod and Rockfish trip is $1,980 for the boat, up to 6 guests. That is one price and nobody on board you did not invite. In November and December, the Crab Combo is $350 per angler, or $2,100 for the whole boat, and the whole haul is cleaned for free.

This is a small, captain-run charter. Capt. Ben Mechling runs Reel Addiction Sportfishing out of the Berkeley Marina. We have two 30-foot six-pack boats and two licensed captains. Our captains are USCG licensed master captains. Each boat takes six anglers, so you are never fishing shoulder to shoulder with a crowd. Two boats means 12 anglers a day across both. Besides rockfish, the same boats run salmon, halibut, lingcod, bluefin tuna, sturgeon, sharks and Dungeness crab, so the crew spends a lot of days on the water in this area.

Trips depart from 201 University Avenue, Berkeley, at the Berkeley Marina. The areas we fish include Berkeley, San Francisco, San Francisco Bay, Oakland and Emeryville, and the rockfish trip heads out to the coastal reefs. I am not listing a meeting time here because it can change from trip to trip. When you book, ask the captain what time to be at the dock and where to park. He will tell you how the morning runs so you are not guessing when you get there.

What should you bring? Gear and tackle are on the boat. You do not need your own rods or rigs. Cleaning is included, so you do not need to bring a fillet knife either. For anything else, like food, drinks, clothing, or something to carry your fish home in, ask the captain when you book. He knows what the day looks like and will tell you what makes sense for that trip.

Do I need a fishing license? This page does not cover licenses, and I do not want to tell you something wrong. Ask the captain when you book and he will tell you exactly what you need before you show up at the dock.

Can we take the whole boat? Yes. The Whole Boat Lingcod and Rockfish trip is $1,980 for the boat, up to 6 anglers. It is a good fit for private groups who want the boat to themselves. If your group wants to leave the call to the captain, the Whole Boat Ocean Potluck is also $1,980 for the boat.

What if rockfish are not the best bet that day? Book the Ocean Potluck. It is the captain's choice, and he goes after lingcod, rockfish or halibut, whichever the conditions are pointing at on the day. It is $330 per angler, up to 6 guests. You let the captain pick, and you still go fishing.

Ready to book rockfish fishing in Berkeley? Use the Book a Trip button on reeladdictionsportfishingllc.com to pick your day, or go to the Contact page to reach the captain with questions about dates, meeting times or licenses. Book a single seat or take the whole boat. Follow Reel Addiction Sportfishing on Facebook, too. That is where we post first when new dates open.