Bass Tub Sportfishing is a long running open party boat off San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, a 54 foot Westport that has put walk on anglers on salmon, rockfish, and halibut for years. Captains Aaron Anfinson and Patrick Harrington run a loyal, repeat following, the kind of regulars who book the same boat season after season. It is the most central, accessible deep sea option in the city, steps from the Wharf hotels, and it fishes the same Farallones and salmon grounds as the rest of the fleet.
The verdict and where it ranks
At 7.3, Bass Tub ranks in the lower middle of the strong San Francisco field, a solid, no fuss walk on boat with a real advantage: location. If you are staying on the Wharf without a car, you can walk to the boat. It suits an angler who wants a straightforward ocean day and does not mind a busy rail. Two things hold it back: the boat is licensed for up to 30 anglers on a fishing trip, so the rail gets crowded on a sold out day, and the operator does not post its current fishing rates online, so you call to book. For a less crowded boat, New Rayann caps its numbers; for posted pricing, California Dawn lays it out. See the San Francisco ranking.
The boat
The Bass Tub is a 54 foot Westport on twin John Deere diesels, a powerful, capable ocean party boat that handles the run out the Golden Gate and carries up to 30 anglers on a fishing trip, more on a bay cruise. The size and power are a plus for the open run; the head count is the catch, since a full boat means a packed rail, elbow to elbow on a good salmon day. It is a working party boat, central and practical rather than plush, and it does the job it is built for.
The fishing and what you target
Bass Tub fishes the local calendar from the most convenient address in the fleet. King salmon is the 2026 draw, with the ocean season reopened off San Francisco for the first time since 2022 and the area north of Pigeon Point opening June 27 under an in season guideline that can close it early, so confirm before booking a salmon date. Rockfish and lingcod run at the Farallon Islands from April 1 to December 31, the steady fallback, and halibut and striped bass fill the potluck trips through the warmer months.
Trips and prices
This is the boat’s weak spot on our card. Bass Tub books direct through its own reservation system and does not post current fishing rates online, so you call (415) 456-9055 for the price on the trip you want. Reviewers describe the pricing as reasonable, in line with the other Wharf party boats, but a boat that does not show its number scores lower on transparency than one that does. Expect typical Bay Area party boat pricing for a full ocean day. Our cost guide sets the range, and the party boat versus private charter guide covers the shared rail.
The crew
Captains Aaron Anfinson and Patrick Harrington, with their deckhands, draw warm, repeat reviews, the recurring line being that regulars have never had a bad trip on the boat. The crew gets praise for helping with gear and keeping the mood light on a long day, and the loyalty of the following is the clearest signal here. It is a steady, experienced operation; the sentiment volume sits below the very biggest party boats, which holds the score in the strong rather than the top range.
Booking and what to know
Book by phone or through the reservation system on the operator’s site, ahead for salmon openers. The boat leaves from 286 Jefferson Street on Fisherman’s Wharf. Bring warm, waterproof layers, food and drinks, and motion sickness medication if the open ocean is new to you, since the run to the islands or the salmon grounds is exposed.
How we scored it
Bass Tub earns 7.3 as a capable, central, long running party boat with a loyal base. It is held back by a rail that gets crowded at up to 30 anglers and by pricing it does not post online, not by anything wrong on the water. For a walk on ocean day from the heart of the city, it is a sound choice. See how we scored this boat and the San Francisco ranking for the field.