Pastor Dan Heard with the biggest Sand Bass I have ever seen caught out of San Pedro, California
Sand Bass
Paralabrix nebulifer
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Sand Bass Description
Sand Bass are a staple of the local sport fishing fleet here in Southern California. They are also found in the northern part of Baja in Mexico. They are a nearshore fish that can often be caught from shore but are more effectively targeted from a boat. Generally they are found in 60 to 100 feet of water. As their name suggests they are usually found in sandy bottom areas.
The Sand Bass is a great fish to get kids started on fishing if you live in Southern California. Averaging 1-3lbs and maxing out in the low double digits they can be found in great numbers at certain times. During their summer spawning period in Southern California they concentrate in large schools and will eat pretty much anything you throw in front of them. They are not the most elegant-looking fish but are fun to catch especially when they are schooled up. You can handle them by grabbing their lower lip.
Sand Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 4 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Sand Bass are not particularly strong for a saltwater fish. They don't make big runs, try to jump, or try to wrap you up in cover. If you hook them well, you aren't going to lose many.
Sand Bass Culinary Rating - Low
Sand Bass taste ok, but are not a highly desirable food fish. There is a reason you don't see them on restaurant menus.
Sand Bass Tackle
A heavy freshwater bass rod rated 8-17lbs should be fine for Sand Bass. 10lb-15lb test line will work, either braid or mono. If fishing from your own boat (rather than a party boat) you could definitley go lighter. A Shimano Curado reel is perfect for these guys. They are not all that tough on tackle so almost any rig should work ok.
Sand Bass Techniques
Sand Bass are readily caught with both baits and lures. The best time for numbers is the summer during the spawn. Night fishing can be very productive, especially during full moon phases. I generally avoid fishing for them during the day during the full moon phase. Check the internet reports, hop on a party boat, and go fishing. You can also catch them in some of the harbors in So Cal fishing out of a small skiff. On occasion they can be caught from shore.
Sand Bass Lures
Most of the Sand Bass I have caught have been on 3”-5” plastic swimbaits such as those made by Storm, Wham, or Big Hammer. Clear with a chartreuse/lime green back has always been my go-to color. I haven't had to experiment much with color because it seems like that one always works. If you are not a lure purist you can add a strip of squid to the lure.
A medium size silver Krocodile spoon also works well. It is a versatile lure that can be jigged off the bottom, retrieved on the surface, or anywhere in between depending on where the fish are.
When targeting Sand Bass I have rarely had to deviate from these two lures. A steady slow retrieve usually works fine. It is important to figure out what depth the fish are feeding at. I once went on a party boat with 30 people on it who caught a total of 80 Sand Bass. I caught 40 of them. My secret was that I figured out that the fish were suspended in the middle of the water column. I found this out by casting my plastic lure out and letting it sink to different depths before retrieving. Once I found the depth they were at, I got a bite on almost every cast. Everyone else was fishing either on the surface or on the bottom and not getting bit. People around me assumed I must be using some magic lure and I lent out all my extras but no one caught any fish with them because they weren't fishing the right depth.
Paralabrix nebulifer
HOME
Other Species
Sand Bass Description
Sand Bass are a staple of the local sport fishing fleet here in Southern California. They are also found in the northern part of Baja in Mexico. They are a nearshore fish that can often be caught from shore but are more effectively targeted from a boat. Generally they are found in 60 to 100 feet of water. As their name suggests they are usually found in sandy bottom areas.
The Sand Bass is a great fish to get kids started on fishing if you live in Southern California. Averaging 1-3lbs and maxing out in the low double digits they can be found in great numbers at certain times. During their summer spawning period in Southern California they concentrate in large schools and will eat pretty much anything you throw in front of them. They are not the most elegant-looking fish but are fun to catch especially when they are schooled up. You can handle them by grabbing their lower lip.
Sand Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 4 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Sand Bass are not particularly strong for a saltwater fish. They don't make big runs, try to jump, or try to wrap you up in cover. If you hook them well, you aren't going to lose many.
Sand Bass Culinary Rating - Low
Sand Bass taste ok, but are not a highly desirable food fish. There is a reason you don't see them on restaurant menus.
Sand Bass Tackle
A heavy freshwater bass rod rated 8-17lbs should be fine for Sand Bass. 10lb-15lb test line will work, either braid or mono. If fishing from your own boat (rather than a party boat) you could definitley go lighter. A Shimano Curado reel is perfect for these guys. They are not all that tough on tackle so almost any rig should work ok.
Sand Bass Techniques
Sand Bass are readily caught with both baits and lures. The best time for numbers is the summer during the spawn. Night fishing can be very productive, especially during full moon phases. I generally avoid fishing for them during the day during the full moon phase. Check the internet reports, hop on a party boat, and go fishing. You can also catch them in some of the harbors in So Cal fishing out of a small skiff. On occasion they can be caught from shore.
Sand Bass Lures
Most of the Sand Bass I have caught have been on 3”-5” plastic swimbaits such as those made by Storm, Wham, or Big Hammer. Clear with a chartreuse/lime green back has always been my go-to color. I haven't had to experiment much with color because it seems like that one always works. If you are not a lure purist you can add a strip of squid to the lure.
A medium size silver Krocodile spoon also works well. It is a versatile lure that can be jigged off the bottom, retrieved on the surface, or anywhere in between depending on where the fish are.
When targeting Sand Bass I have rarely had to deviate from these two lures. A steady slow retrieve usually works fine. It is important to figure out what depth the fish are feeding at. I once went on a party boat with 30 people on it who caught a total of 80 Sand Bass. I caught 40 of them. My secret was that I figured out that the fish were suspended in the middle of the water column. I found this out by casting my plastic lure out and letting it sink to different depths before retrieving. Once I found the depth they were at, I got a bite on almost every cast. Everyone else was fishing either on the surface or on the bottom and not getting bit. People around me assumed I must be using some magic lure and I lent out all my extras but no one caught any fish with them because they weren't fishing the right depth.
Top to Bottom: Krocodile spoon, Big Hammer swimbait, Storm swimbait
Sand Bass caught on a Krocodile spoon in San Quintin, Mexico
Sand Bass caught out of Marina Del Rey, California back in the day
Sand Bass Baits
Anchovies and sardines are probably the most commonly used baits. I like either a large anchovy or a small sardine. Given the choice I go with the large anchovy. I fish them either weightless or with a small sliding sinker if needed if the fish are near the top. If they are on the bottom you can use a dropper loop with a 1-2oz weight.
Dead baits also work. Probably the best of these is fresh dead squid, which can be fished on a dropper loop or on a lead head jig (my preferred way).
Where to get the big Sand Bass
You can catch a lot of fish of all sizes during the summer spawn in Southern California. I find the bigger ones are usually deeper as is the case with many species of fish. Regardless of the season there are always some around. When I have fished in San Quintin, Mexico I have noticed the average size is very large.
Other Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch Sand Bass. The resources below will provide a wealth of information:
Here is an old article from Calfishing.com that still has some relevance: http://www.calfishing.com/saltwater/sandbass.html
Ronnie Kovach's book Saltwater Fishing in California has some great tips.
Anchovies and sardines are probably the most commonly used baits. I like either a large anchovy or a small sardine. Given the choice I go with the large anchovy. I fish them either weightless or with a small sliding sinker if needed if the fish are near the top. If they are on the bottom you can use a dropper loop with a 1-2oz weight.
Dead baits also work. Probably the best of these is fresh dead squid, which can be fished on a dropper loop or on a lead head jig (my preferred way).
Where to get the big Sand Bass
You can catch a lot of fish of all sizes during the summer spawn in Southern California. I find the bigger ones are usually deeper as is the case with many species of fish. Regardless of the season there are always some around. When I have fished in San Quintin, Mexico I have noticed the average size is very large.
Other Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch Sand Bass. The resources below will provide a wealth of information:
Here is an old article from Calfishing.com that still has some relevance: http://www.calfishing.com/saltwater/sandbass.html
Ronnie Kovach's book Saltwater Fishing in California has some great tips.
Sand bass eagerly hit all kinds of plastics