The signature SoCal kelp fish — aggressive, structure-oriented, and the reason a lot of LA kayaks leave the harbor at first light.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Kelp beds, rocky reefs, breakwaters, and jetty rock from the surface to about 60 ft along Palos Verdes, Redondo, Malibu, and Catalina.
CDFW sets kelp, barred, and spotted sand bass as one bag: five fish combined, 14-inch total length, and no more than four of those may be barred sand bass. Palos Verdes kelp, King Harbor rocks, Cabrillo, and Catalina kelp edges are the local factories. Dawn topwater and a 4–5 inch swimbait tight to the blades are the two highest-percentage LA presentations.
Kelp bass (Paralabrax clathratus), called calico bass by most local anglers, are olive to brown fish with pale, rectangular blotches along the back and sides. The third and fourth dorsal spines are roughly the same length, a detail that helps separate them from barred sand bass, whose third spine is noticeably longer. Spotted sand bass, the third member of the group, are covered in small dark spots.
Calico are structure fish. They hold in kelp forests, rocky reefs and boulder fields along the Palos Verdes Peninsula, Point Dume and Catalina Island, and around man-made rock such as the King Harbor breakwater, the Marina del Rey jetties, the Alamitos Bay jetties and the Los Angeles and Long Beach breakwaters. Pier anglers find smaller fish around pilings.
The species is open all year. Fishing is typically best when the water warms from late spring into fall; in cold water they become less aggressive and anglers often slow down with bait.
Because hooked fish dive straight back into kelp or rocks, use enough line strength to turn them, and keep the rod tip up immediately after the bite.
Calico have firm white meat. OEHHA's LA coastal advisories (both the Ventura Harbor–Santa Monica Pier zone and the zone south of the pier to Seal Beach) set kelp bass at 1 serving a week for every group. Many anglers release larger fish, which are slow-growing.
CDFW's Southern region rule is a 14-inch total length minimum (10 inches alternate length) and a 5-fish bag for kelp bass, barred sand bass and spotted sand bass combined, with no more than 4 barred sand bass. Fillets taken on a boat must be at least 7½ inches and keep a 1-inch patch of skin. Garibaldi, the bright orange fish often seen in the same kelp, may not be taken.
Boat fillets must be at least 7.5 inches with a 1-inch skin patch.
CDFW Southern ocean regs — kelp, barred, spotted sand bass →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Yes. Calico bass is the local name for kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus.
Up to 5 in combination with barred and spotted sand bass, each at least 14 inches total length, with no more than 4 barred sand bass.
Rocky shorelines, breakwaters and jetties such as King Harbor, the Marina del Rey and Alamitos Bay jetties, and Palos Verdes rocks outside the marine protected areas.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
