Fish

Barred sand bass

Cabrilla de arena

Paralabrax nebulifer

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

20–100 ft.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Gray-brown bass with dark bars across the back and sides and yellow-brown spots on the head; the third dorsal spine is much longer than the others.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 26 in and 13 lb.
Diet: Small fish (anchovies, sardines, señorita), squid, crabs, shrimp and urchins around the kelp and rocks.
Behavior: Lives in and around kelp forests, rocky reefs, breakwaters and artificial reefs and ambushes bait from cover.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern California. Sand next to rocks, artificial reefs, breakwaters and pipelines; big spawning schools gather in summer off Huntington Beach, the Silver Strand and Long Beach.
Habitat: Sand next to rocks, artificial reefs, breakwaters and pipelines; big spawning schools gather in summer off Huntington Beach, the Silver Strand and Long Beach.
Depth: 20–100 ft.
Fishing depth: 10–80 ft along kelp edges, rock piles and breakwaters.
Best season: All year; best from late spring through early fall when the water warms.
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.
Best tides: A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.
Best weather / conditions: Calm to moderate seas; warm, clear water is best.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live anchovies, sardines and squid.
Best artificial lures: Plastic swimbaits and grubs on 3/4–1 oz heads hopped on the bottom; dropper-loop rigs with a plastic.
Tackle setup: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel.
Hook size: 1/0–4/0 live-bait hooks; 1/2–1 oz swimbait jig heads.
Line: 20–40 lb braid or mono.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Sand next to rocks, artificial reefs, breakwaters and pipelines; big spawning schools gather in summer off Huntington Beach, the Silver Strand and Long Beach.
Rig up: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Live anchovies, sardines and squid. Lures: Plastic swimbaits and grubs on 3/4–1 oz heads hopped on the bottom; dropper-loop rigs with a plastic.
Fish it: Drift or anchor on sand edges next to structure and bounce a swimbait on the bottom. In summer, look for the spawning schools on the sonar.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days. A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.

Fishing techniques: Drift or anchor on sand edges next to structure and bounce a swimbait on the bottom. In summer, look for the spawning schools on the sonar.
BigJoe's tip: Sand bass bite best when the summer spawn is on — but go easy on the big females.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Good white meat for tacos and fried fish.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp gill covers and dorsal spines; keep fishing lines out of the kelp and watch for swell on the rocks.
Regulations: Same rules as kelp bass in California: 14 in minimum and a combined bag limit. Check CDFW for current numbers. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits