Species guide · California
Kelp bass fishing in California
Paralabrax clathratus, a nearshore species also called calico bass, calico and bull bass. Listed for the Southern California region. Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in East Santa Barbara Channel from Pt. Conception to Pt. Mugu CA including Santa Cruz Island at 67, one of 4 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Shoulder seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Southern California
Shoulder season, about 5 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Off season
- May: Shoulder season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Off season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: Jun to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): May to Oct.
Research notes, Southern California region
Caught year-round. CPFV kept landings 2013-2023: July 31%, June 21%, August 20%, September 10%, May 6%, October 6%, under 2% each month November through April. Spawning April to November, peaking in summer, with aggregations in kelp and over reefs. Big fish still bite in winter on deeper reefs. Range reaches the Columbia River but the fishery is south of Point Conception. Regulatory note: 14 inch minimum and 5 fish aggregate bass limit since 2013.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 4
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's kelp bass score this hour.
Best window today 8-10 PM (70) · Best day Thu, Sep 24 at 7 AM (71) · 17 named spots
Best window today 8 PM-12 AM (69) · Best day Fri, Sep 25 at 5 PM (70) · 9 named spots
Best window today 8-10 PM (65) · Best day Fri, Sep 25 at 7 AM (70) · 61 named spots
Best window today 7-10 PM (65) · Best day Fri, Oct 2 at 6 PM (66) · 117 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 57°F to 77°F, best between 62°F and 72°F.
- Water depth
- 5 to 120 ft of water.
- Structure
- Kelp, reef, jetty, point, wreck and pier, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers moving water and incoming tide, with moderate current.Moving water triggers the bite, with fish staging on the up-current edge of kelp and reefs. Tide changes and the stronger tides around new and full moon are favored, especially on deep winter reefs.
- Light
- Bites best around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Kelp bass live in kelp beds, rocky reefs and breakwaters, most often in 9 to 70 feet of water, and seldom move far from home. In summer cast swimbaits or fish live anchovies along the up-current edge of the kelp and let them swim into the canopy. In winter the bigger fish move to reefs in 90 feet or more, where a squid-tipped jig works better.
- Methods
- casting to kelp, live bait fishing, jigging, kayak fishing
- Lures
- swimbaits, plastic grubs, surface irons, diamond jigs
- Bait
- live anchovy, live sardine, squid
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 20, 2026. Rules shown verified Sep 13, 2026.
5 per day (5 kelp bass, barred sand bass and spotted sand bass combined) · Minimum 14 in, total length. Or 10 inches alternate length.
Season: No closed season on file
Fillets must be at least 7.5 inches long with a one-inch square patch of skin.
CDFW 2026 California Ocean Sport Fishing Regulations booklet (last updated July 17, 2026) · verified Sep 13, 2026