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Barred Sand Bass

Barred Sand Bass

Paralabrax nebulifer
Sand BassSaltwater26 inchesEdibility: GoodSport Fish

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Monterey Bay, California south to Baja California and throughout the Gulf of California. Most abundant from Santa Barbara south through Southern California and the Channel Islands. Found over sandy and rocky bottom near kelp beds and reefs in 6–200 feet.

Preferred Water Temperature: 58°F–70°F. Move shallower in summer and retreat to deeper water in winter. Spawn in dense aggregations ("boils") in June and July offshore from Southern California — a spectacular fishing phenomenon.

Size & Weight: Typically 1–4 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 8 lbs. World record: 13 lbs 3 oz. Identified by the tall third dorsal spine — taller than the adjacent spines (vs. Kelp Bass where spines are equal). Good eating — firm, white meat.

Best Lures: Swimbaits in white and natural colors produce excellent results. Soft plastic jigs worked near the bottom. Drop shot rigs with small swimbaits are very effective in deeper water. Surface iron jigs during spawning boils produce fast action.

Best Baits: Live anchovies are the top bait during spawning season. Fresh squid on a sliding sinker rig catches fish year-round. Live sardines work well. Dead anchovies on a light sliding sinker produce off sandy bottom.

San Diego Catch by Month

Barred Sand Bass caught per month

2026
1,054
Jan
1,764
Feb
2,157
Mar
180
Apr
319
May
3,542
Jun
3,580
Jul
5,262
Aug
3,595
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
21,453 Barred Sand Bass counted 1,275 trips over 9 months best month Aug (5,262) Season totals by boat →

Range

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Monterey Bay, California south to Baja California and throughout the Gulf of California. Most abundant from Santa Barbara south through Southern California and the Channel Islands. Found over sandy and rocky bottom near kelp beds and reefs in 6–200 feet.

Habitat

Barred sand bass inhabit nearshore coastal waters from the surf zone to depths of approximately 600 feet, though they are most commonly found between 20 and 180 feet. They strongly prefer sandy or mixed sand-rock bottoms near kelp beds, rocky reefs, and artificial structures such as oil platforms and breakwaters. Juveniles typically occupy shallow sandy areas and eelgrass beds in bays and harbors, while adults move to deeper offshore waters and congregate around structured habitat. Water temperatures between 55°F and 72°F are optimal, with the species showing seasonal movements following temperature gradients. During summer spawning season, adults aggregate in large schools over sandy flats adjacent to rocky outcrops and kelp forests. They are structure-oriented predators that use both reef edges and open sand as hunting grounds, often positioning themselves near the interface between hard and soft bottom where prey is abundant.

How to Catch Barred Sand Bass

Equipment

58°F–70°F. Move shallower in summer and retreat to deeper water in winter. Spawn in dense aggregations ("boils") in June and July offshore from Southern California — a spectacular fishing phenomenon.

Tackle & Bait

Best Lures:
Swimbaits in white and natural colors produce excellent results. Soft plastic jigs worked near the bottom. Drop shot rigs with small swimbaits are very effective in deeper water. Surface iron jigs during spawning boils produce fast action.

Best Baits:
Live anchovies are the top bait during spawning season. Fresh squid on a sliding sinker rig catches fish year-round. Live sardines work well. Dead anchovies on a light sliding sinker produce off sandy bottom.

Game Qualities

Typically 1–4 lbs and 12–18 inches. Maximum approximately 8 lbs. World record: 13 lbs 3 oz. Identified by the tall third dorsal spine — taller than the adjacent spines (vs. Kelp Bass where spines are equal). Good eating — firm, white meat.

Taxonomy

kingdomAnimalia
phylumChordata
classActinopterygii
orderPerciformes
familySerranidae
genusParalabrax
speciesParalabrax nebulifer
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