Spotted bay bass Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
0 of 4worth the trip today
Best right now at Mission Bay, California. Water is inside the 62–80° range spotted bay bass like at 4 of the 4 spots with a live reading.
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About spotted bay bass
The spotted sand bass of Southern California's bays and harbors (San Diego and Mission Bays, Newport Harbor, Alamitos Bay), holding on eelgrass, docks, rock edges and channel drop-offs. A warm-water light-tackle fish taken on small plastics and crankbaits, and largely released.
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus, family Serranidae.
Spotted bay bass, spot by spot
All 4 spots with spotted bay bass in season, scored for spotted bay bass, best first.
74° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
74° water · 15 mph wind · incoming tide
The water they want
Spotted bay bass feed from about 62° to 80°F and best near 71°. Each pin is one spot’s water right now, from NOAA and USGS gauges; 4 of 4 are inside the range.
How they feed
- Water62–80°F, best near 71°
- TideEither, as long as it moves
- MoonEither
- DepthUsually 2–30 ft
- Active monthsMar–Nov
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. Spotted bay bass are fished at spots in 1 state: California.
Fished in the same water
Species people target at the same spots as spotted bay bass, and how they’re doing today.
California halibutParalichthys californicus
Kelp bassParalabrax clathratus