catalog Serranidae · predator

kelp bass

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea

Calico bass of the kelp forests of the Pacific coast of Baja California. It lives for decades, strikes swimbaits and surface lures near the kelp, and is one of the most fished fish in northwestern Mexico.

Also called: cabrilha-sargaceira, calico bass, kelp bass

forecast for kelp bass where found

common size: 25–45 cm
maximum: 72 cm
common weight: 0.2–1 kg
record/max.: 7.0 kg
depth: 2–40 m
ideal water: 15–21 °C

overview

who is the kelp bass

Serranid of the northeastern Pacific, from the Columbia River (USA) to southern Baja California. It lives in and near kelp forests and rocky reefs, usually between 2 and 21 m; the largest ones are deeper. Juveniles eat bottom crustaceans, and adults eat fish and squid. It grows slowly and can live past 30 years, so large specimens are few and valuable. It is one of the mainstays of sport fishing in southern California and northern Baja California, from boats, kayaks and rocky shores, with swimbaits, silicone lures, jigs and live anchovy. Known for a short, strong run toward the kelp.

fun facts

FishBase records specimens up to 34 years old.
The English name, calico, comes from the checkered pattern that resembles printed fabric.

how to recognize it

identification

Elongated, slightly compressed body, olive-brown to greenish back with square pale spots that form a checkerboard pattern, pale belly. The third and fourth dorsal spines are nearly the same length. The barred sand bass (P. nebulifer) has a much longer third spine and dark bars; the spotted sand bass (P. maculatofasciatus) is covered in spots. The Peru and Chile cabrilla is another species (P. humeralis).

how kelp bass fishing looks

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Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.

distribution

where found

open on the large map

Not found in Brazil. Northeastern Pacific, from the Columbia River (USA) to southern Baja California; in Mexico, the Pacific coast of the Baja California peninsula, more common in the north.

Habitat: Kelp forests, rocky shores and shallow rocky reefs; the big ones on deeper rocks.

calendar and clock

when to fish

best season

time of yearbest: May–Oct

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Best in warm water, from late spring to early autumn. In winter it stays deeper and slower.

best time of day

Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Feeds by day, with peaks at dawn and dusk near the kelp; in clear water and strong sun it drops into the middle of the kelp.

weather, water and behavior

what affects the kelp bass
sensitivity The little bars show how much each factor affects this species. Five full: it feels it a lot.

cold and cold fronts

Cold upwelling shuts down activity for a few days.

atmospheric pressure

Little direct effect.

moon

Little effect.

rain

Little effect at sea; runoff muddies the shore.

water level

Does not apply at sea. The equivalent is the current through the kelp.

noise

Kelp fish are wary when a boat is overhead; cast from the edge of the kelp.

wind

Choppy seas hinder precise casting in the kelp.

tide

Current that leans the kelp activates fish at the edge of the algae.

depth

From 2 to 20 m in the kelp; the largest down to 40 m on rocks.

technique, gear and bait

how to fish

Mid-water casting Surface casting Natural bait with float Rocky shore Bottom fishing from a boat

rod: 7' to 7'6", fast action, 12 to 25 lb
spinning / baitcasting reel: low-profile baitcasting reel or spinning reel 3000 to 4000
line: braid 30 to 50 lb
leader: fluorocarbon 20 to 30 lb
hook: jig head 1/4 to 1 oz; single hook 1/0 to 2/0 on live bait

lures

10 to 15 cm swimbait on a jig head
jerkbait
light spoon
popper at dawn

natural baits

live anchovy and sardine
lula

accessories

alicate
descender for fish from deep rock

tip from an angler

Cast close to the edge of the kelp and reel slowly over the top of the algae: the calico bass comes out from the middle and runs back; pull firmly during the first seconds.

what the law says

rules for the kelp bass

Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Conservation: It grows slowly and can live 34 years; large specimens are vulnerable to fishing.

Mexico: up to 5 per species and 10 saltwater fish per day

5 specimens of the species per angler per day, within the limit of 10 saltwater fish

In recreational sport fishing in Mexican federal waters, each angler may keep up to 10 saltwater fish per day, no more than 5 of the same species. The calico bass (cabrilla sargacera) is not among the species reserved for sport fishing under art. 68 of the General Law of Sustainable Fishing and Aquaculture, and has no quota of its own. Fish over the limit must be returned alive to the water, and sport-caught fish may not be sold. Anglers fishing from a boat need a Conapesca permit.

Source: Amendment to NOM-017-PESC-1994 (recreational sport fishing in federal waters of Mexico), published in the DOF on Nov 25, 2013, items 4.9.1 and 4.9.5 (Sagarpa/Conapesca)

catch and release
catch and release Releasing the fish alive, quickly and with a wet hand. During a closed season it isn't always allowed: what the regulation says applies.

Release the big ones: they are old and rare. Remove the hook with pliers, hold it by the mouth and return it quickly; fish brought up from deep rock may need a descender.

in the kitchen

White, delicate flesh, good fried or grilled.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

total length (cm)

Length-weight relationship W = a·L^b (a = 0.00933, b = 3.05; FishBase). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.

estimated weight

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sources and references

The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.

scientific FishBase — Paralabrax clathratus (ficha da espécie)Names, distribution, biology, length-weight relationship, country list and references. Page checked on Oct 13, 2026.
scientific IUCN Red List — Paralabrax clathratus (avaliação global: Pouco Preocupante, LC, 01/05/2008)Global assessment. Link given on the FishBase entry (Red List, version 2025-2).
scientific Love, M. S.; Brooks, A.; Busatto, D.; Stephens, J.; Gregory, P. A. (1996). Aspects of the life histories of the kelp bass, Paralabrax clathratus, and barred sand bass, P. nebulifer, from the southern California Bight. Fishery Bulletin 94: 472-481.FishBase reference for the usual depth range. PDF checked on the NOAA website.
scientific Heemstra, P. C. (1995). Serranidae. In: Fischer, W. et al. (eds.). Guía FAO para la identificación de especies para los fines de la pesca. Pacífico centro-oriental. Roma: FAO.FishBase reference for feeding and use as a sport fish.
official DOF — Modificação da NOM-017-PESC-1994, para regular a pesca deportivo-recreativa em águas de jurisdição federal do México (publicada em 25/11/2013)Daily limits at sea (item 4.9.1) and in fresh water (4.9.2), one rod in inland waters (4.6 b), ban on live fish as bait in inland waters (4.7 c) and on fishing in closed areas and seasons (4.10).

don't confuse

similar species

Serranidae

Peruvian rock seabass

Paralabrax humeralis

A sea bass of the rocky shores of the South American Pacific, heavily fished from rocks and boats in Peru and Chile. Takes natural bait and jigs near the rocky bottom.

Sea

time of yearbest: Nov–Mar