catalog Sciaenidae · predator

white seabass

Atractoscion nobilis

Sea

The large croaker of the Pacific coast of Baja California, exceeding 1.5 m and 40 kg. Shy and nocturnal, it is sought near the kelp with live squid and jigs.

Also called: corvina-branca-do-pacífico, white seabass

forecast for white seabass where found

Scientific illustration of White seabass

common size: 70–120 cm
maximum: 166 cm
common weight: 3.5–19 kg
record/max.: 41.0 kg
depth: 2–50 m
ideal water: 14–20 °C

overview

who is the white seabass

The largest croaker on the North American Pacific coast, reaching 1.66 m and 41 kg and living about 20 years. It occurs from Alaska to southern Baja California and in the Gulf of California, but is rare north of California. Adults travel in schools over rocky bottoms and in kelp forests, and sometimes enter the surf; juveniles live in bays and sandy beaches. It eats fish, squid and crustaceans. It is a difficult trophy: it appears and disappears, feeds heavily at night and during squid spawning, and fights with long runs. In Mexico it is fished from boats and from beaches along the Pacific coast of Baja California and the northern gulf.

fun facts

Despite the name, it is not in the genus Cynoscion, of the best-known croakers and seatrouts, but in Atractoscion.
In California, hatchery-reared juvenile release programs try to restore the species.

how to recognize it

identification

Elongated, slightly compressed body, blue-gray to bronze back, silvery flank and pale belly; juveniles have dark vertical bars. Large mouth, no chin barbel, and a fleshy fold at the base of the pelvic fins. Do not confuse it with the totoaba, which lives only in the Gulf of California and is protected, with fishing prohibited in Mexico: if in doubt, release. The orangemouth corvina has canine teeth at the tip of the upper jaw and an orange mouth inside.

how white seabass 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 Alaska (rare) to southern Baja California and the Gulf of California; in Mexico, the Pacific coast of Baja California and the northern gulf.

Habitat: Rocky bottoms, kelp forests and reef edges; also in the surf. Juveniles in bays and sandy beaches.

calendar and clock

when to fish

best season

time of yearbest: Apr–Aug

JanFebSeaAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

The best period usually runs from spring to early summer, when squid spawn and the schools move closer to shore.

best time of day

Night and twilight. Feeds most from dusk to before dawn and on overcast days; by day it stays deeper, near the kelp and rocks.

weather, water and behavior

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

cold and cold fronts

Very cold upwelling pushes the schools away from shore.

atmospheric pressure

Fronts with a turning sea hinder night fishing.

moon

New moon and waxing moon nights often coincide with concentrations of squid.

rain

Little effect at sea.

water level

Not applicable at sea.

noise

Very wary: anchor far from the school and avoid excess light and noise.

wind

Rough seas hinder beach fishing and fishing from an anchored boat.

tide

A moving tide and current along the edge of the kelp are best.

depth

From 5 to 30 m near the kelp and rocks; in the surf, a few meters.

technique, gear and bait

how to fish

Natural bait with float Bottom fishing from a boat Jigging Beach fishing Mid-water casting

rod: 7' to 8', 20 to 40 lb; 10' to 12' surf rod in the surf
spinning / baitcasting reel: medium conventional baitcasting reel or spinning reel 5000 to 8000
line: braid 30 to 50 lb
leader: fluorocarbon 30 to 50 lb, 1.5 m
hook: circle 4/0 to 7/0

lures

metal jig, 60 to 150 g
15 to 20 cm swimbait
heavy spoon

natural baits

live or fresh squid
live sardine and mackerel

accessories

large passaguá or gaff
red light lantern

tip from an angler

Let the live squid work near the kelp without extra weight and be patient: white seabass bite slowly; wait for the line to tighten before reeling in.

what the law says

rules for the white seabass

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: Not listed in the NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 list of species at risk (2010 text).

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 white seabass (corvina blanca) 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.

Large fish with a long fight: revive it in the water before releasing, holding it facing the current until it swims off on its own.

in the kitchen

White, firm and very tasty flesh; grilled, roasted or in ceviche.

calculator

how much it weighs without taking it out of the water

total length (cm)

Length-weight relationship W = a·L^b (a = 0.00813, b = 3.06; 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 — Atractoscion nobilis (ficha da espécie)Names, distribution, biology, length-weight relationship, list of countries and references. Page checked 13/10/2026. The FishBase country list includes Nicaragua as a doubtful record.
scientific IUCN Red List — Atractoscion nobilis (avaliação global: Pouco Preocupante, LC, 03/09/2019)Global assessment. Link given on the FishBase entry (Red List, version 2025-2).
scientific Eschmeyer, W. N.; Herald, E. S.; Hammann, H. (1983). A field guide to Pacific coast fishes of North America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. 336 p.Printed work; the URL is the bibliographic record in FishBase, which cites this work for habitat and distribution.
official Semarnat — NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010, espécies nativas da flora e fauna silvestres do México em risco (texto de 2010)The totoaba (Totoaba macdonaldi) is on the list; the white seabass is not. The 2019 revision of the list was not checked.
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

Sciaenidae

Orangemouth corvina

Cynoscion xanthulus

The large croaker of the Gulf of California, with an orange mouth inside, over 1 m. Fished from beaches, from boats and in estuaries with mid-water lures and fish.

SeaEstuary