Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Perciformes›Sciaenidae›Atractoscion›Atractoscion nobilis
Overview
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Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Alaska south to Baja California and the Gulf of California, most abundant from Central California to Baja California. Found around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and sandy bottom near structure in 10–200 feet. A prized California sport fish with recovering populations.
Preferred Water Temperature: 58°F–68°F. Follow squid spawning aggregations in spring — March through June is prime season off Southern California. Kelp bed edges and rocky reefs with sandy bottom nearby are prime habitat.
Size & Weight: Typically 10–25 lbs and 2–3 feet. Trophy fish reach 50–60 lbs. World record: 83 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished by a prominent ridge along the bottom of the tail base. One of the finest-eating Pacific fish — large, white, firm fillets. Minimum size limits apply throughout California.
Best Lures: Large soft plastic swimbaits (5–8 inch) in sardine and mackerel colors are the dominant technique. Iron jigs worked at mid-depth produce fish. Large swimbaits fished slowly near the bottom in sandy areas. Topwater lures produce strikes at night near kelp.
Best Baits: Live squid are the number one bait during spring squid runs — the most productive period. Live mackerel produce large fish. Live anchovies work in kelp. Ghost shrimp are effective year-round. Squid-rigged on a sliding sinker for bottom fishing is the winter standard.
Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Alaska south to Baja California and the Gulf of California, most abundant from Central California to Baja California. Found around kelp beds, rocky reefs, and sandy bottom near structure in 10–200 feet. A prized California sport fish with recovering populations.
Water Conditions
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58°F–68°F. Follow squid spawning aggregations in spring — March through June is prime season off Southern California. Kelp bed edges and rocky reefs with sandy bottom nearby are prime habitat.
Tackle & Bait
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Best Lures:
Large soft plastic swimbaits (5–8 inch) in sardine and mackerel colors are the dominant technique. Iron jigs worked at mid-depth produce fish. Large swimbaits fished slowly near the bottom in sandy areas. Topwater lures produce strikes at night near kelp.
Best Baits:
Live squid are the number one bait during spring squid runs — the most productive period. Live mackerel produce large fish. Live anchovies work in kelp. Ghost shrimp are effective year-round. Squid-rigged on a sliding sinker for bottom fishing is the winter standard.
Top Fishing Locations
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Filter by State:
6 fishing locations where you can catch White Seabass
Coastal
🌊 Saltwater
Isla Cedros
🌊 Saltwater
La Jolla
🌊 Saltwater
La Jolla, CA
Bahía de los Ángeles
🌊 Saltwater
Bahía de los Ángeles, MX
Ensenada
🌊 Saltwater
MX
La Bocana
🌊 Saltwater
MX
Size & Sport
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Typically 10–25 lbs and 2–3 feet. Trophy fish reach 50–60 lbs. World record: 83 lbs 12 oz. Distinguished by a prominent ridge along the bottom of the tail base. One of the finest-eating Pacific fish — large, white, firm fillets. Minimum size limits apply throughout California.
Whoppers — Biggest Catches
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🥇
70.00 lbs
Keith and Doralene Abrahamson
First StringMay 27, 2008
🥈
70.00 lbs
Keith and Doralene Abrahamson
First StringMay 27, 2008
🥉
67.10 lbs
Ryan Burson
19's ToyNov 30, -0001
#4
67.00 lbs
Steve Slee
May 8, 2008
#5
60.00 lbs
Al Verrell
Erna BMar 15, 2003
#6
60.00 lbs
John Specht
American AnglerJul 21, 2006
#7
60.00 lbs
Jackpot Winners
American AnglerJul 14, 2006
#8
60.00 lbs
Steve Lamb
MirageMay 11, 2006
#9
60.00 lbs
MirageMay 11, 2006
#10
57.00 lbs
Bill Brown
Patriot (Newport)Mar 2, 2005
#11
55.80 lbs
Mike Livingston
Nov 30, -0001
#12
55.00 lbs
Jackpot Winners
Red Rooster IIIJun 26, 2005
#13
54.00 lbs
Chris Mazza
UltraJul 6, 2006
#14
54.00 lbs
Chris Mazza
UltraJul 6, 2006
#15
54.00 lbs
Chris Mazza
UltraJul 6, 2006
#16
54.00 lbs
Eliazar Villegas
Ranger 85Nov 30, -0001
#17
54.00 lbs
Ashley DeLoach
Royal PolarisAug 13, 2005
#18
54.00 lbs
Evan (West Hills, CA)
New HustlerApr 2, 2017
#19
53.50 lbs
Kenny Itomura
Island TakMay 29, 2002
#20
51.00 lbs
Jimmy Stathis
Jul 1, 2001
#21
51.00 lbs
Bill Meecham
Pierpoint LandingFeb 16, 2002
#22
50.50 lbs
Dan Adams
Royal StarNov 11, 2006
#23
48.09 lbs
Jackpot Winners
Royal PolarisJun 26, 2005
#24
47.00 lbs
Adam Louchios
Royal PolarisJul 17, 2006
#25
47.00 lbs
Captain Josh
Pacific QuestJun 4, 2010
State & Agency Records
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1 official record on file for White Seabass
🥇
79 lbs. 0 oz.
Justin Barry
Pajaro River Mouth, CAOct 14, 2011Ocean AnglingCDFW