The author's Spotted Bay Bass caught in San Evaristo, Baja Sur, Mexico
Spotted Bay Bass
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
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Spotted bay Bass Description
The Spotted Bay Bass, as the name suggests, is found throughout bays and harbors in Southern California and Baja. It has been heavily fished in Southern California and is not nearly as abundant as it used to be, but if you know what you are doing you can still land a good number of them in Newport Harbor and other harbors down the coast. They are also very prevalent in some parts of Baja.
This is a great fish to target if you don’t have a boat because you can catch them from shore or from float tubes. They are a scrappy fighter for their size, although they only get to a few pounds. A 4lber is a nice size fish and puts up quite a fight on ultralight tackle.
I have no idea how they taste because I have always thrown them back. I encourage everyone to do the same.
Spotted Bay Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Spotted Bay Bass are very scrappy for their size. However, they don't get all that big. They fight a bit harder pound for pound than Calico Bass or Sand Bass in my opinion.
Spotted Bay Bass Culinary Rating - Medium
I have heard they taste ok, but I have released all the ones I have caught.
Spotted Bay Bass Tackle
This is a light tackle fish. I would use a light spinning or baitcasting setup rated 4-8lbs. I usually use 6lb test line. A Daiwa Certate in the 2000 size would be perfect.
Spotted Bay Bass Techniques
I recommend targeting obvious structure in bays and harbors such as pilings. They eat a variety of baits and lures. Make sure you fish when the tide is moving. Let your bait or lure drift the same direction that the tide is flowing past structures.
Spotted Bay Bass Lures
Most of the Spotted Bay Bass I have caught have been on 3” plastic swimbaits such as those made by Big Hammer. A variety of colors will work; personally I like lime green with a brown back. Cast them towards structure and let them sink. The bite is often quite subtle so you have to watch the line for any indication that something has stopped the lure. When in doubt, set the hook. You will catch a lot more fish that way.
Trolling small crankbaits such as Rapala DT6 in shiny colors works well although I’m not usually a big fan of trolling.
Spotted Bay Bass Baits
Small anchovies work very well. Just cast them towards structure without any weight and set the hook as soon as something hits. I have heard they eat ghost shrimp and blood worms as well although I have never used those.
Where to get the big Spotted Bay Bass
I have never fished for them on the Pacific side of Baja, but I have heard that there are some big ones in the lagoons near Mag Bay and La Bocana. Newport and San Diego harbor still have some, although you have to work harder to get them than you used to.
Paralabrax maculatofasciatus
HOME
Other Species
Spotted bay Bass Description
The Spotted Bay Bass, as the name suggests, is found throughout bays and harbors in Southern California and Baja. It has been heavily fished in Southern California and is not nearly as abundant as it used to be, but if you know what you are doing you can still land a good number of them in Newport Harbor and other harbors down the coast. They are also very prevalent in some parts of Baja.
This is a great fish to target if you don’t have a boat because you can catch them from shore or from float tubes. They are a scrappy fighter for their size, although they only get to a few pounds. A 4lber is a nice size fish and puts up quite a fight on ultralight tackle.
I have no idea how they taste because I have always thrown them back. I encourage everyone to do the same.
Spotted Bay Bass Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 5 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Spotted Bay Bass are very scrappy for their size. However, they don't get all that big. They fight a bit harder pound for pound than Calico Bass or Sand Bass in my opinion.
Spotted Bay Bass Culinary Rating - Medium
I have heard they taste ok, but I have released all the ones I have caught.
Spotted Bay Bass Tackle
This is a light tackle fish. I would use a light spinning or baitcasting setup rated 4-8lbs. I usually use 6lb test line. A Daiwa Certate in the 2000 size would be perfect.
Spotted Bay Bass Techniques
I recommend targeting obvious structure in bays and harbors such as pilings. They eat a variety of baits and lures. Make sure you fish when the tide is moving. Let your bait or lure drift the same direction that the tide is flowing past structures.
Spotted Bay Bass Lures
Most of the Spotted Bay Bass I have caught have been on 3” plastic swimbaits such as those made by Big Hammer. A variety of colors will work; personally I like lime green with a brown back. Cast them towards structure and let them sink. The bite is often quite subtle so you have to watch the line for any indication that something has stopped the lure. When in doubt, set the hook. You will catch a lot more fish that way.
Trolling small crankbaits such as Rapala DT6 in shiny colors works well although I’m not usually a big fan of trolling.
Spotted Bay Bass Baits
Small anchovies work very well. Just cast them towards structure without any weight and set the hook as soon as something hits. I have heard they eat ghost shrimp and blood worms as well although I have never used those.
Where to get the big Spotted Bay Bass
I have never fished for them on the Pacific side of Baja, but I have heard that there are some big ones in the lagoons near Mag Bay and La Bocana. Newport and San Diego harbor still have some, although you have to work harder to get them than you used to.
A photo from the author's youth, caught in Newport Harbor, California.
Click a pic below to enlarge
