|
|
 |
 |
| Courtesy of California Dept. of Fish and Game |
 |
 |
Common name: Spotted bay bass
(Other common names: Spotted sand bass, bay bass, spotty, cabrilla pinta (Mexico)
Scientific name: Paralabrax maculatofasciatus: Serranidae (Sea Basses)
Description: The characteristics of a spotted bay bass are similar to those of a barred sand bass. Its body is fairly slender and compressed. Its mouth is large and the lower jaw is slightly protruded.
The body of a spotted bay bass is olive brown or yellowish tan, with a white under belly. Orange, brown and black spots cover its body, head and fins, and fuse together forming mottled bars on its sides. Like a barred sand bass, the third dorsal spine is longer than then rest.
Spotted bay bass grow very fast and can reach up to 9-10 inches in length during their first year. Then after their second year growth rate slows dramatically. The largest bay bass recorded was 24 inches and 6.75 lbs. And the oldest bay bass recorded was 14 years old and 18 inches long, though majorities of spotted bay bass don’t live past 9 or 10 years. They are able to tolerate high and low temperatures.
Habitat: Spotted bay bass have been found in San Francisco bay to Mazatlan, Mexico and a good amount have been in the northern portion of the Gulf of California. In SoCal, spotted bass are restricted to shallow, warm areas such as bays, harbors and quiet, protected areas of the coast.
Reproduction: Spotted sand bass tend to aggregate around underwater structures such as rocks or pilings from June to August. Females lay pelagic eggs, which enter the plankton in coastal waters.
During mating season, males will turn a high contrast black and white with white chins and jaws and prominent white spots below their dorsal fins and females will have golden hues and yellow chins and jaws.
Also, depending on location, spotted bay bass will change from female to male.
Eating habit: Bay bass are known to eat anything that can fit in their mouths, but they usually feed on clams, crabs, and small bay fishes such as gobies, kelpfish and topsmelt.
Best times of the year for targeting this species: The best time for targeting spotted sand bass is from March to November, with peak catches occurring during the spawning season from May to June. Most fish caught are between 12 and 13 inches long and taken at depths up to 200 feet.
|
