Species guide

White Seabass

Atractoscion nobilis

The ghost of the kelp beds

White seabass are the most prized inshore gamefish in Southern California — big, wary, and famously moody. They feed on squid in spring and on mackerel and small baitfish through summer, and the bite often lasts only minutes at grey light. Patience and quiet boat handling matter more than anything else.

Season: March through July, with a squid-driven spring peak
Best bite: Grey light and the first hour of a moving tide
Typical size: 20–40 lb, with 50 lb-plus fish each season
Where we fish: La Jolla kelp, Point Loma kelp, Coronado Islands

How we catch them

Dropper-loop live squid on the bottom
Slow-trolled live mackerel along kelp edges
Surface iron at first light
Sight fishing when they show on the meter

Tackle we use

30–40 lb mono
Fluorocarbon leader 30–40 lb
2/0–4/0 live bait hooks
Sensitive rods to detect the soft bite

Baits & lures

Live squid
Live mackerel
Sardine
Surface iron (white/blue)

Captain's tips

Silence matters: no hatch slamming, no gaffs banging the rail.
Let the fish eat before you swing — they mouth a bait first.
Fish the dark of the moon during the squid spawn.

Table quality

Premium white fillets — mild, firm, and outstanding grilled or pan-seared.

Regulations

One fish per angler per day for most of the year, 28-inch minimum — verify current CDFW rules.

Ready to target White Seabass?

Private charters aboard the Kate Elizabeth out of Seaforth Marina, Mission Bay.

(619) 431-3070