Our fisheries
Explore our fish, shellfish & unique products
FISH FROM LOCAL WATERS
The majority of our products come from our local Bay Area and Half Moon Bay hook & line fishing fleets. We also receive a significant amount of fish from the Santa Cruz, Moss Landing and Monterey Bay harbors. Occasional pickups are made at harbors in Bodega Bay, Crescent City, Fort Bragg and Morro Bay. Here’s a list of the origins and interesting facts about the most popular fish we carry:
WHITE SEA BASS
White sea bass are most commonly found in Southern California waters; however, Northern California waters see these fish in great numbers during the summer and fall. Our white sea bass comes most frequently from Monterey, Santa Cruz, Half Moon Bay, and Southern California fishermen. White sea bass range from 7-50 pounds with an average weight of ~25 pounds. The fish are usually delivered whole/gutted and yield about 65% fillets.
We never buy “California” white sea bass or halibut from Baja California. Our local fishery for these fish is regulated and sustainable, and the same cannot be said on a consistent basis in regards to the Baja fishery. Many times, Baja fish is of fine quality but it’s also somewhat questionable as to how it’s caught and handled. Our business has been built on the local fishery and we strive to never risk hurting this reputation or consistency.
HALIBUT
Most of the halibut we supply live off the San Mateo and Marin coasts. During late spring, some of these fish enter San Francisco Bay to spawn. Most of our halibut is caught by SF Bay based fishermen fishing the North Bar, the Marin Coast, or the South Bar in front of Seal Rock and SF Ocean Beach. Occasional catches are made at Crissy Field, Angel Island, Treasure Island, and other SF Bay locations.
KING SALMON
Local SF King Salmon originate in the Sacramento River Delta System and the tributaries within this system. Starting off as smolt, they make their way down the Delta, into the SF Bay waters, under the Golden Gate Bridge and out into the ocean. They then spend the first 3-5 years of their lives in waters off the California coast before heading back under the Golden Gate Bridge, up through the Delta River System to where they hatch. Once there, they will spawn and die.
Early in the salmon season, fish are further offshore and are usually feeding on krill in the Monterey, Half Moon Bay, and in extreme Northern California waters. These krill-fed fish will have a deep red-orange flesh. During the late summer and early fall months, fish begin to congregate along the San Francisco and Marin Coasts gorging themselves on anchovies and sardines before heading back into the SF Bay and up the Delta to spawn. Late season, anchovy-fed salmon will have a lighter flesh color and be much fattier than the early season krill-fed fish.
BLACK COD/SABLE FISH
Black cod are caught in pots or in set bottom lines along the entire California Coast in offshore waters ranging from 800-3,000 feet deep! Black cod generally has a 50% yield from whole to fillet due to the large size of the fish's head in comparison to its body.
LINGCOD & VERMILLION ROCKFISH
Our small boat fishermen often catch lingcod and the big headed Vermillion rockfish while fishing for halibut and white sea bass. There are also times when they specifically target these fish which are usually caught from the waters between south of Monterey to up North off the coast to Bodega Bay. Vermillion rockfish run larger than your typical inshore rockfish and are suitable for fillets or sold whole.
DUNGENESS CRAB
We buy live Dungeness crab off local boats to support one of San Francisco's most historical fisheries. Our fishermen fish along the Northern coast and land their catch at Pier 45 in San Francisco to bring you the best live crab fresh off the boat.
ALBACORE TUNA
Albacore tuna is available for a very limited time during the year due to the fish moving through the local waters. We only buy dayboat albacore when temperature break of warm water is no more than 40-50 miles out. This ensures small boat fishermen can depart in the morning and be back as nightfalls to ensure the freshest product caught that day. Availability is limited because we do not buy from fishermen who are making 4-7 day long trips. True day boat albacore quality is much more exceptional and we pride ourselves in delivering the very best albacore that cooks nicely and won't fall apart on the grill.
CALIFORNIA YELLOWTAIL
Our hook and line yellowtail is caught mostly by fishermen who are also catching halibut and white seabass around the Channel Islands. This is a premium product that distinguishes itself from the yellowtail caught in Mexico (caught with nets that harm the flesh and decrease the quality).
SMALL FISH
The majority of our small fish (anchovies, sardines and hand premium local California squid) are caught locally between Monterey and the Marin Coast. Herring from San Francisco Bay are available when they come in from the ocean to spawn. Our non-dip net California market squid is caught by the local squid purse seine fleet off the coast of Monterey or further south in San Pedro.
LOCAL SUSTAINABLY FARMED FISH
Mt Lassen Red Rainbow Trout
Sacramento Sturgeon
OTHER FISH FROM COAST 2 COAST
We are proud to support fishing communities and aquaculture farms in the US and abroad by bringing in premium sustainable products from areas such as Alaska, Maine, Pacific Northwest, and Europe.
Local fish become a scarce resource in the winter months, and as much as we love Dungeness crab, we simply can't run a business on crab alone. Therefore, we form relationships with fishing co-ops, such as our Alaskan Halibut fishermen, Maine Lobstermen, and other fishermen and farms from the Pacific Northwest, Baja California, Gulf of Mexico, and Europe. We ensure that they’re practicing sustainable methods of fishing and farming and delivering a premium quality product. We are always working to find new and interesting products to offer you.
Check out our daily product sheet for the current availability and give us a call to make a request and we can see what we can do.