About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Ken Payne
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.

Ken Payne

Certified Damn Good Guide
A Certified Damn Good Guide is someone who goes above and beyond to show you an incredible experience on your trip. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Independent Guide
Talkative
Laid-back
Instructional
Expert Oriented
Comfortable
Quantity
Captain Ken is as laid-back as they come, the kind of guide who makes you feel at home the moment you step aboard his 2015 39’ Pursuit Sportfisher. Running trips out of Berkeley, he’s logged countless hours on these waters and loves nothing more than sharing what he’s learned. If you like a captain who talks you through the why—not just the how—he’s your guy.

Ken’s style is equal parts calm and encouraging. Whether you’re trying your first drift for halibut or fine-tuning your jigging rhythm for striped bass, he’ll walk you through every step with patience and a grin. And when a sturgeon decides to test your grit, he’ll be right there giving tips, cheering you on, and making sure you enjoy every second of the fight.

Using a mix of bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, jigging, and other tried-and-true techniques, Captain Ken puts you in the best position to hook the Bay Area’s favorite species. He believes the only real way to learn is on the water—with good company, good conversation, and plenty of hands-on experience.

Hop aboard and...

About Your Guide

Profile photo of Captain Experiences guide Ken Payne

Ken Payne

Certified Damn Good Guide
Independent Guide
Captain Ken is as laid-back as they come, the kind of guide who makes you feel at home the moment you step aboard his 2015 39’ Pursuit Sportfisher. Running trips out of Berkeley, he’s logged countless hours on these waters and loves nothing more than sharing what he’s learned. If you like a captain who talks you through the why—not just the how—he’s your guy.

Ken’s style is equal parts calm and encouraging. Whether you’re trying your first drift for halibut or fine-tuning your jigging rhythm for striped bass, he’ll walk you through every step with patience and a grin. And when a sturgeon decides to test your grit, he’ll be right there giving tips, cheering you on, and making sure you enjoy every second of the fight.

Using a mix of bottom fishing, trolling, drifting, jigging, and other tried-and-true techniques, Captain Ken puts you in the best position to hook the Bay Area’s favorite species. He believes the only real way to learn is on the water—with good company, good conversation, and plenty of hands-on experience.

Hop aboard and
see for yourself.
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Josie Mac Sportfishing Trips

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Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Rio Vista

Sturgeon Delta (Private)

100% (3)
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $1,000
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

Inshore, River Fishing in Rio Vista

Striped Bass

100% (3)
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $525
Damn Good
Certified Damn Good Guides offer 10/10 trips. Guides earn this badge through quality reviews, quick and responsive communication, and low cancellation rates.
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin
Fishing in Destin

River Fishing in Rio Vista

King Salmon Delta

100% (3)
39 ft 1 - 6 People From $525

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Recent Reviews of Josie Mac Sportfishing

5.0
based on 1 review

Demetric

Verified Review

5

Demetric

Verified Review

5
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Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .
  • Get it while it's HOT!
  • This species is in play.
  • You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
  • Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Recent Fishing Reports

Early October 2026
First fish ever 10-year-old 12-year-old 24 pounder and it's 17 pound
/
Early October 2026
Limits today by 10 yesterday by noon
/
Mid September 2026
/

Josie Mac Sportfishing Photo Gallery

Striped Bass
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Sturgeon Delta (Private)
May 13th, 2026
Pittsburg, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Sturgeon Delta (Private)
May 13th, 2026
Pittsburg, California
Striped Bass
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Sturgeon Delta (Private)
May 13th, 2026
Pittsburg, California
Striped Bass
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Sturgeon Delta (Private)
May 13th, 2026
Pittsburg, California
Striped Bass
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Striped Bass
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
Sturgeon Delta (Private)
May 13th, 2026
Pittsburg, California
King Salmon Delta
September 16th, 2026
Rio Vista, California
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