🐟
Calico Bass
Paralabrax clathratus
Eating Quality
Fight Rating
Catch Heatmap (28 days)
About
The most popular nearshore game fish in SoCal. Ambush predator in kelp. Explosive strikes on topwater.
Kelp BassCalico
Typical Catch Size
2.5 lbs
avg weight
1–10
weight range (lbs)
10–26"
length
CA Regulations (CDFW)
12"
minimum keep length
∞
daily bag limit
📋 No daily bag limit; 12" minimum
⚠️ Regulations change — always verify with CDFW before your trip.
Habitat & Season
🌊
Habitat
Kelp beds and rocky structure, 5–150ft.
📅
Season
Year-round; peak spring–fall
Data Sources
SportfishingReport.com
Daily catch data · Dock reports · Party boat totals
CA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW)
Official regulations · Bag limits · Size minimums
W
Wikipedia
Biology · Distribution · Taxonomy
Catch statistics aggregated from public sportfishing reports. Size/weight data represents typical party boat catches in SoCal waters.
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