Fish

Giant sea bass (black sea bass of the Pacific)

Mero gigante del Pacífico (pescara)

Stereolepis gigas

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

Adults 100–300 lb.

Depth

15–150 ft.

Best time

Do not target.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A giant, heavy-bodied fish with a huge mouth; adults are dark gray to black with faint dark spots, while young fish are bright orange to red with black spots.
Typical size: Adults 100–300 lb.
Maximum size: About 7½ ft and over 550 lb; it can live more than 75 years.
Diet: Fish, crabs, lobsters, squid and small sharks and rays.
Behavior: Slow, curious giant of kelp forests and rocky reefs; gathers to spawn in summer.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern California and Baja & Sea of Cortez. Kelp beds and rocky reefs from central California to Baja California and the northern Gulf of California, most common around the Channel Islands, La Jolla and Catalina.
Habitat: Kelp beds and rocky reefs from central California to Baja California and the northern Gulf of California, most common around the Channel Islands, La Jolla and Catalina.
Depth: 15–150 ft.
Fishing depth: Do not target in California.
Best season: Do not target.
Best time: Do not target.
Best tides: Do not target.
Best weather / conditions: Do not target.

What to tie on and what to throw.

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

As an Amazon Associate, BigJoe earns from qualifying purchases. It costs you nothing extra and helps keep this guide free.

Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Kelp beds and rocky reefs from central California to Baja California and the northern Gulf of California, most common around the Channel Islands, La Jolla and Catalina.
Rig up: Do not target. Do not target.
Pick your bait: Do not target. Lures: Do not target.
Fish it: If you hook one by accident while fishing for other fish, release it fast — use a descending device if it came from deep water.
Time it: Do not target. Do not target.

Fishing techniques: If you hook one by accident while fishing for other fish, release it fast — use a descending device if it came from deep water.
BigJoe's tip: Divers love them — a giant sea bass in the kelp is one of the best sights in California waters.
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.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Huge and powerful; can pull a person off a boat or pier.
Regulations: California has banned keeping giant sea bass since 1982; it must be released. It is listed as threatened by the IUCN, and Mexico has its own rules. 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: Nearly wiped out by fishing by the 1980s; protection has helped it slowly come back.

Tap an area to open its fishing map.

Sources & photo credits