The bay cousin of the calico. Spots, a slightly different profile, and a preference for back-bay structure instead of open kelp.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Warm, shallow bays, eelgrass, and dock water — Alamitos Bay and sheltered Long Beach corners more than open Malibu kelp.
Counts in the same five-fish, 14-inch Paralabrax bag. In LA County they show most consistently in Alamitos Bay and warmer Long Beach Harbor corners. Light swimbaits, drop-shot plastics, and live bait around docks and eelgrass edges are the usual program.
Spotted sand bass (Paralabrax maculatofasciatus) look like a slimmer cousin of the barred sand bass, but the head, body and fins are peppered with small dark spots. Like barred sand bass, they have a long third dorsal spine. They are generally smaller than kelp bass and are mostly a bay fish rather than an open-coast fish.
Spotted bass favor warm, shallow, protected water with eelgrass, mud and sand, rock, docks and pilings. In LA County that points to the inner parts of Alamitos Bay and the back basins of other harbors. They are seldom caught along the open surf.
The season is open all year, but they are most active in the warmer months when bay water heats up. Moving tide is usually better than slack water.
Many local anglers practice catch-and-release with spotted bass because bay populations are limited and fish stay close to home.
Spotted sand bass are not named separately in OEHHA's two LA coastal advisories. OEHHA's general guidance is to eat smaller fish of legal size, eat skinless fillets and trim fat, and check its advisory map for the water you fished.
Spotted sand bass share the 14-inch total length minimum (10 inches alternate length) and the 5-fish combined bag with kelp bass and barred sand bass. Boat fillets must be at least 7½ inches with a 1-inch skin patch. Open all year.
Same measurement and fillet rules as kelp bass.
CDFW Southern ocean regs — 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.
Shallow, protected bay water with eelgrass and docks, such as the inner channels of Alamitos Bay in Long Beach.
Yes. Kelp, barred and spotted sand bass share one 5-fish combined bag, with a 14-inch minimum.
Small soft plastics or grubs on light lead heads, fished slowly along eelgrass and dock edges.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
