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Barred Sand Bass |
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Family: |
Serranidae (Sea Basses) |
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Genus and Species: |
Paralabrax nebulifer
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Description: |
The body of the barred sand bass
is rather elongate and compressed. The mouth is large and the
lower jaw protrudes slightly. The color is gray white on the back,
white on the belly and there are dark vertical bars on the sides.
Barred sand bass can be easily distinguished from kelp bass by the
height of the third dorsal spine. In barred sand bass, this spine
is the longest of the dorsal spines, while in the kelp bass, the
third, fourth and fifth dorsal spines are of about equal length.
Barred sand bass can be distinguished from spotted sand bass by
the lack of spots on the body. |
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Range: |
Barred sand bass occur from
Magdalena Bay, Baja California, to Santa Cruz, California. This
species occurs from shallow water to depths of 600 feet; however,
most fish are taken in 60 to 90 feet of water. |
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Natural History: |
The barred sand bass diet
includes crabs, octopus, squid, and small fishes. The adults
aggregate and spawn during warmer months. The eggs are free
floating. The striped young appear in southern California
nearshore areas and eelgrass beds during fall and winter. |
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Fishing Information: |
Most barred sand bass landed in
California are taken between May and October. They are fished in
three main areas: Horseshoe Kelp to Newport Beach, Dana Point to
Oceanside and the Silver Strand off San Diego. The best method for
catching barred sand bass is to search a sandy area with an
echosounder until a school is located. The boat then can be
anchored and fishing commenced with live anchovies. Barred sand
bass will usually "build" or gather under the boat when chummed so
it pays to wait for awhile before moving. |
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Other Common Names: |
sand bass, sandy, ground bass,
sugar bass, kelp bass, California sandbass, rock bass. |
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Largest Recorded: |
26 inches; 11.1 pounds. |
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Habitat: |
Shallow Sandy Environment |
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