Kelp bass Paralabrax clathratus
2 of 7worth the trip today
Best right now at Oceanside Beach, California. Water is inside the 60–74° range kelp bass like at 6 of the 6 spots with a live reading.
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About kelp bass
Southern California's calico bass: a kelp-bed and rocky-reef predator caught on swimbaits, plastics and live anchovy around kelp, breakwaters, jetties and pier pilings from Point Conception south. Bites best once the water warms in spring and summer. Most anglers release them, since big calicos are slow-growing.
Paralabrax clathratus, family Serranidae.
Kelp bass, spot by spot
All 7 spots with kelp bass in season, scored for kelp bass, best first.
73° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
73° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
74° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
74° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
The water they want
Kelp bass feed from about 60° to 74°F and best near 67°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 6 of 6 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water60–74°F, best near 67°
- TideEither, as long as it moves
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 5–100 ft
- Active monthsApr–Oct
Scored against their own temperature range and tide preference first, then wind, weather and warnings. Solunar periods only break ties. How the score works
Keep or release
- California14" minimum · 5 a day14" total length (10" alternate length) minimum. 5/person/day in any combination of kelp bass, barred sand bass and spotted sand bass, with no more than 4 barred sand bass. Fillets at least 7½" with a 1" patch of skin.Pacific waters · verified Oct 21, 2026 · source
Rules change, and they differ by state and often by water. Each spot page shows the limits for its own water. Kelp bass are fished at spots in 1 state: California.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as kelp bass, and how they’re doing today.
California halibutParalichthys californicus5 of 25 spots worth the trip
Best now at Zuma Beach, CA92
Bites in 55–72° water
Barred surfperchAmphistichus argenteus2 of 19 spots worth the trip
Best now at Avila Beach, CA83
Bites in 50–68° water
Spotted bay bassParalabrax maculatofasciatus0 of 4 spots worth the trip
Best now at Mission Bay, CA60
Bites in 62–80° water