California Halibut
Paralichthys californicus
FR Flétan de Californie · ES Fletán de California
Also known as: California FlounderLenguado de CaliforniaCardeau CalifornienFletán de CaliforniaFlétan de Californie
BenthicBoat
Flatfish
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight drift fishing
Depth
3–60m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–SepGood Apr–Oct
Depth range
3–60mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom Fishing / Ledgering80%
Jigging65%
Preferred seabed
SandMud
Findr bio
Sandy flats, ambush and wait. I bury in, strike fast, and reward light-tackle SoCal anglers who work the drop-offs patiently.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Sandy beachEstuaryShallow water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSoft plastics
Diet
AnchovySmall fishShrimpSquidAmphipods
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingJigging
Gear
Best times
DayMid floodEarly ebb
I'm supposed to be left-eyed like my Bothidae cousins, but nearly 4 in 10 of us come out mirror-flipped — even biology can't agree on my face.
Field notes
Where to find them
California sandy/muddy inshore bottom
Where they hang out
Sand/mud bottom, shallow to moderate depth
Prime time
Year-round; daylight drift fishing
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Live bait or jigs drifted near bottom
Temperature vibe
Broadly tolerant
Fave weather
Manageable drift conditions needed
Fun fact about me
Sand-floor shapeshifter — blink and I've matched the seabed again.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits common — check CDFW rulesCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW)
Looking after them
Least Concern
Other regions where you can target California Halibut