The bay cousin of the calico. Spots, a slightly different profile, and a preference for back-bay structure instead of open kelp.
Warm, shallow bays, eelgrass, and dock water — Alamitos Bay and sheltered Long Beach corners more than open Malibu kelp.
Counts in the same five-fish, 14-inch Paralabrax bag. In LA County they show most consistently in Alamitos Bay and warmer Long Beach Harbor corners. Light swimbaits, drop-shot plastics, and live bait around docks and eelgrass edges are the usual program.
Same measurement and fillet rules as kelp bass.
CDFW Southern ocean regs — spotted sand bass →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
