We used their services for spreading ashes. Great communication leading up to the date, their boat was easy to find and super clean. Captain Smitty was kind, helpful and attentive to my family. I dont think it couldve gone better. Everything went very smooth and I would highly recommend them.

The captain and his crew were GREAT! We really enjoyed our trip! Would definitely use them again!

Went on Riptide Charter several times..had a very good experience each time..Captain is very nice and make sure all his customers are comfortable and well taken care of the entire time..i will be returning soon

My brother and I just had an absolutely perfect day of fishing aboard the Riptide with Captain Smitty and his crew. We met a bunch of great guys that have been fishing with Captain Smitty for decades. It was easy to see why. Captain Smitty took us out and put us right on the king salmon. We limited out the boat by 11am and everyone took home two nice fish. The veteran fishermen were handing off their rods (and fish) after they caught their first couple to anyone that hadnt caught one yet. Everyone hauled in at least one. It was such a great atmosphere. We had an awesome time and I cant wait to go again.

My first time on a boat and I got huge salmon ! Thanks to the amazing crew.

Ive been working with Captain William (a.k.a Captain Smitty) for a few weeks now, and hes been extremely professional and an absolute pleasure to work with. Would definitely recommend!

It was a horrible experience. The captain basically fished a lot, if I remember correctly it was more than 30, which I believe is illegal per California recreational fishing license regulation. Also, the crew is not supposed to catch any fish and give it to the people. As soon as we hit the limit we returned. The whole fishing was only for an hour. Hope they change the way they do their business. My wife wasn’t happy with their attitude either. There were not accessible lifejackets on the boat and when my wife asked to have one near her, the helper on the boat stated only for emergencies and we can’t have them out. My wife then went down to the bottom of the boat looking for lifejackets and she only could find four. When she brought up one for herself and myself the helper on the boat rolled his eyes and seemed very annoyed. It did not feel like a safe experience. We will never go back on that boat again.

Fun trip experienced crew didnt catch a fish but there will be bext time! Great first experience

Captain Smitty proficiently provided us the opportunity to fulfill my in-laws final wishes for their ashes to be cast upon the waters of Half Moon Bay on their 71st wedding anniversary. He guided me through the process necessary to allow a small group of family and friends to be on his vessel and celebrate their lives while saying goodbye. His efforts and mother nature’s cooperation could not have provided a better experience.

The crew will make your trip fun, definately recommend if your a first timer, my son had his first trip and it was a amazing.

Today 9/08/19 every boat for Half Moon Bay Sport fishing went fishing except the Riptide. The other charters were full. Our charter only had 4 people for a 15 passenger boat. I imagine they would probably end up losing money only taking 4 people salmon fishing. We were told the captain was waiting until 0530 to make a decision on strong winds. Im all for safety and appreciate the captain looking out for all of us. It was windy and the swell wasnt too bad. I wish he had made the decision to cancel last night as winds and swell are easily predicted. Or if you feel taking only four people doesnt justify the cost of the trip, be honest and say so. It would have been professional of the captain to actually show up and explain the cancellation instead of literally phoning it in. Does this mean the other Captains are wreckless? I doubt it but they clearly have different limitations when it comes to safety.Edited for the captains response below.Your response without an apology is very telling. The three people waiting on you in Half Moon Bay Sportfishing did wait after you called in and cancelled. We were all offered spots to go on the rockfish charter since the Real Screamer salmon charter was already full. Half Moon bay showed only 3 boats operating that day so your math is off and your dishonesty is really showing. The three of us had all come for salmon and declined going on the rockfish charter. I thanked the lady working the register for the coffee and left. She was really nice and apologetic. No tantrum, just more dishonesty on your part. I wish I had read your other reviews as Im clearly not the only one with a bad experience. At some point youll have to look in the mirror and realize its you. I have worked in Seward, AK on charter fishing boats and had a career in weather. I know what a professional captain is, and you are not it.

No fish, no bites, cold, wet. But the crew was great and tried their best as did the Cpt.

I dont usually write reviews but yesterdays experience was an exception.We left for fishing at 7am and came back to the pier shortly after 11am. The amount time they gave us to actually catch fish was only about an hour.The deckhand were busy fishing and filling our bags with tiny fish, and when I told them I didnt want my bag filled with bunch of small fish, their response was were almost done- this was 10:15am.Ive been on this boat and several others multiple times in the past, but never had such horrible experience. This was by far the worst experience Ive had in my 10+ years of charter fishing. I didnt pay to let the captain and deckhand fish for us. Their lack of decency was beyond disappointing. Im never coming back again.

My 15yr. old son went out on the Riptide with some of his fishing buddies today. He loves fishing beyond and came home one happy fisherman. He limited out on rockfish, said he cant wait to go back out again. Thank you for giving this fishing kid a GREAT 1st experience.

In the words of the capt., today just sucked. This was only my second time salmon fishing, and it was not good. To be 100% fair, most of it was out of the control of the Riptide -- bad weather, bad seas, no fish. Some days are like that.BUT several issues made whole thing worse, especially when compared with my previous experience this time last year with a different boat. This time:- only half the rods were set up with a spinner/flasher (previous experience: all rods had a spinner, some had 2). Im no gear head, but it seems like a spinner should be standard for each setup. I was told to talk to the capt. about getting one for my pole, but I was too seasick to follow up.- The head stank and emitted foul odor before we even set out. This did not help the sea sickness.- The capt.s cigar smoke did not help either, but I didnt say anything to him about it.- We seemed to be circling the same ground all day even though we got 0 hits there. We heard over the radio where other boats were having success. Maybe there were reasons for not trying other spots -- out of range? I dont know, but some COMMUNICATION would have helped.- The crew were cool and did their job, making the rounds to keep the lines clear and baited, but last year we were instructed how to be proactive in working the gear ourselves, checking the line was baited and clear of seaweed, etc. This time was a set-it-and-forget-it approach. Half of us, myself included, were too sick to do much anyway, but there was no effort to involve the fisherman in the fishing.So it was a bum trip. Some communication/active management from the Riptide could have helped. Maybe next year (and Ill remember to take my dramamine).

Ive been working with Riptide Charters for about a year now. I love working with Captain Smitty, he is a consummate professional and really knows his craft.

Its a waste of my money . Didnt even get to do my own fishing! The crew wouldnt let me even touch my own fishing pole! Very disappointed!!! What a waste of $120!!!

Ive been onboard Riptide for many years. I enjoyed every trip with Cap Smitty. Hot fishing or not, Captain Smitty always tries his best to locate fish for his customers. Whenever there is a fish-on captain will move his boat towards the fish so you dont have to fight the water that hard. He will guide you and direct the boat traffic to help you land the fish. I cannot say enough good things about captain Smitty and his crew.I think you should try Riptide some time to enjoy ocean fishing.

This charter boat was the worst charter boat I have ever been on in my life not only that the captain was rude he told the deck hand to ignore us so whenever I needed help hed walk right past us and would trip us wen e were getting off the boat, the caption also likes to curse at little kids and there familys would not recommend it for people who are trying to have fun. BTW Im 14 and this is my first review and I had to make a google account just to make sure this never happens to a happy family.

Ive been on the Riptide many times and always enjoyed it. Sometimes fishing is tough and the fish arent biting but Capt. Smitty will move from spot to spot looking for that hungry school of fish. At times the deckhand seems to busy untangling lines when you need him but eventually he will get to you.Its summer time and looking forward to go fishing on the Riptide again.

Bad bad bad experience never go back to this boat again!

Great time rock fishing! Caught the limit and had fun.