Species Facts
Science Name:
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Atractoscion nobilis
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Other Names:
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Sea trout (juvenile), weakfish, king croaker
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Description
The body of the white seabass is elongate, and somewhat compressed. The head is
pointed and slightly compressed. The mouth is large, with a row of small teeth
in the roof; the lower jaw slightly projects. The color is bluish to gray above,
with dark speckling, becoming silver below. The young have several dark vertical
bars (as pictured above) . The white seabass is closely related to the corbina.
They are most easily separated from other croakers by the presence of a ridge
running the length of the belly.
Where to Find
White seabass inhabit the eastern Pacific, mainly between San Francisco,
California, and Baja California, Mexico, and in the northern Gulf of California.
They are found as far north as southern Alaska and as far south as Chile.
Habitat
Preferring deep, rocky environments, white seabass are usually hold near kelp
beds in depths of 12 to 25 fathoms. They are sometimes found in shallow surf or
deeper waters.
Feeding Habits
White seabass for the most part feed on anchovies, pilchards, herring, and other
fish, as well as on crustaceans and squid.
World Record
83 lbs. 12 oz. was caught Mar. 31, 1953 in San Felipe, Mexico by L.C.
Baumgardner.
Tips for Fishing
White seabass are fished primarily with live bait in relatively shallow water,
but they will also take a fast-trolled spoon, artificial squid or bone jig. Live
squid appear to be the best bait for a white seabass, but large anchovies and
medium-size sardines are also good. At times, large white seabass will bite only
on fairly large, live mackerel. The young of this species are exceptionally
vulnerable to sport anglers for two reasons. The first is that as juveniles they
inhabit shallow nearshore areas, bays, and estuaries, and the second is that
they are not easily recognized as white seabass by the average angler. Commonly,
these young fish are mistakenly called "sea trout" because of their sleek
profile and vertical bars or "parr marks". To add to the confusion, these bars
fade as the fish grows. There is a 28 inch size limit and current fishing
regulations should be checked concerning bag limits.