Kelp Bass
Paralabrax clathratus
FR Bar des laminaires · ES Cabrilla
Also known as: Calico BassCabrillaBar des laminaires
Reef/KelpShoreBoat
Reef
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Depth
0–30m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak Jun–SepGood May–Oct
Depth range
0–30mMedium
Best fishing techniques
Jigging80%
Spinning70%
Preferred seabed
RockMixed
Findr bio
Kelp-forest lurker — I hold tight to the canopy edge and slam jigs dropped straight into my living room.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Rocky shoreShallow water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSoft plastics
Diet
Small fishCrabShrimpSquidOctopus
Effective techniques
JiggingSpinning
Gear
Best times
DayDawn
Also known as calico bass — I rarely stray far from the kelp canopy I ambush from.
Field notes
Where to find them
California kelp beds and rocky shoreline
Where they hang out
Kelp beds and rocky shore, shallow to moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Live bait, plastics fished near kelp edges
Temperature vibe
Broadly tolerant
Fave weather
Calm seas needed to hold position over structure
Fun fact about me
Kelp-bed loyalist — catch me, release me, I'll likely be back on the same patch tomorrow.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits, some MPAs closed — check CDFW rulesCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Looking after them
Least Concern
Other regions where you can target Kelp Bass