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Speckled Sanddab

Citharichthys stigmaeus

SanddabSaltwaterSport Fish

Range

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Alaska south to Southern California. Found on sandy bottom in 20–1,200 feet — most common at 60–300 feet. Similar to the Pacific Sanddab but distinguished by more numerous speckles on the eyed side. A left-eyed flatfish — one of the few left-eyed flatfish in Pacific waters.

How to Catch Speckled Sanddab

Equipment

40°F–55°F. A cold-water Pacific flatfish found on sandy bottom at moderate to considerable depths. Similar habitat and behavior to the Pacific Sanddab.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Rarely taken on lures. Small jigs occasionally produce at depth.

Best Baits:
Fresh squid is the top bait. Small pieces of fresh shrimp work well. Multi-hook dropper rigs dropped to sandy bottom in 100–300 feet are the standard approach.

Game Qualities

Typically 8–14 inches and under 1 lb. Sweet, delicate white meat — same eating quality as Pacific Sanddab. Good table fish, rarely specifically targeted separately from Pacific Sanddab.

Taxonomy

kingdom	Animalia
phylum	Chordata
class	Actinopterygii
order	Pleuronectiformes
family	Paralichthyidae
genus	Citharichthys
species	Citharichthys stigmaeus

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