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California Flounder

California Flounder (Paralichthys californicus) Description

The California Flounder or the California Halibut is notable for having a tiny head and a well-developed set of large teeth. Like all the other flatfish species, it lies on its side and blends well into the sandy ocean floor as an adult.

A juvenile California Flounder normally starts out with eyes on both sides, and as it matures, its eyes migrate to the other side until it is able to swim on its side upon maturity. Its coloring on its eyed side is typically greenish-brown or greyish, speckled to blend more naturally with the sand or mud, while its “belly” or bottom side is lighter in color, usually white or cream.

Compared to the Pacific Halibut for which it is typically mistaken, the California Flounder is smaller and has a more oval-shaped body. Its dorsal and anal fins are also a little more curved in appearance compared to the Pacific Halibut which has more edgy and triangular fins.

Size & Diet

The California Flounder can grow to at least 60 inches in length and 72 pounds in weight. These fish species are reported to live up to 30 years of age. The California Flounder typically spends most of its time on the seafloor, but it does venture up to feed. When feeding, it can use its camouflaging powers and sharp teeth to attack its prey. It can also actively chase down prey, which is why they can sometimes be seen on the water surface. Its diet typically consists of squids, sardines, and anchovies.

Interesting Facts about the California Flounder

• The California Flounder has the ability to change its coloring to adapt to the color of the seafloor.
• The California Flounder is atypical of flatfishes. Normally, it is considered a left-eyed flatfish, but roughly half of its observed population is also right-eyed.
• This fish species is also an atypical flatfish in that its teeth are quite well-developed and very sharp. Anglers are advised to take caution when handling this fish as it can bite hard.
• The California Flounder is not a particularly migratory fish species. Its young are considered pelagic until they reach 1 year, at which point they begin their journey to the bottom where they will settle as adults.
• When served raw, the California Flounder has a clean taste and buttery texture.
• The California Flounder is also quite easy to prepare and cook as its flesh easily absorbs flavors. It should be cooked with a light touch and must not be overcooked - or else it will become tough to eat.
• Eating a single serving of the California Flounder will satisfy 30 percent of an adult’s recommended daily intake of protein. It is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins B-6 and B-12, and potassium.
• The skin only moderately shrinks when cooked, allowing for fillets to be fried or poached without distorting the meat.

Fishing Technique: How to Catch California Flounder

The California Flounder is not a popular game fish as it is not a fighter. A particularly popular method to catch this species is by flounder gigging. This is especially true in Texas. This is done typically at night, when anglers will go on flats-stye boats, aim LED lights at the bottom to prevent the flounder from changing colors and blending with the bottom, then target them with gigs.

Anglers will do well catching them through drift fishing with a light tackle. The best baits for this fish include bull minnows, live squid, sardines, Pacific mackerel, mullet, pinfish, spots, croakers, and shrimp if you’re aiming for a large one.

Using a trap hook is also recommended because some California Flounder will just bite a portion of your bait so you may not be able to hook them. If you’re using a single hook, you may have to wait a few seconds for the flounder to swim away with the bait before you can set it.

Artificial lures will not yield as much success as live bait. However, some anglers have reported moderate success bouncing along with the bottom plastic grubs on jig heads.

The California Flounder can typically be caught on the shores of Southern California. It is available all-year-round, but fishing for them in the late spring during the spawning period is particularly fruitful. While it may not be a big fighter, it can make quite a scene once on the boat. Anglers are also advised to handle it with care as its teeth are particularly sharp.

Habitat and Distribution

The California Flounder occurs in the waters of Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico up to Quillayute River, British Columbia. It can also be found in the upper Gulf of California. A majority of its population also occurs in the southern part of San Francisco.

It is a demersal fish species at adulthood, preferring to stay in sandy sediments. It congregates and spawns on bays and estuaries. Juveniles are found settling in nurseries where they are born. Male juveniles swim towards the open coast upon maturity at 2 to 3 years. Females are much larger when they migrate towards the coast. Some of these fish species can be found near the surf zone up to 330 feet but most are typically found 100 feet away.

Leopard Shark

Leopard Shark (Triakis Semifasciata) Fish Description

The Leopard Shark may be from the “shark” family but they’re not as vicious as its cousins. Similar to the Whale Shark that also suffers from the same misconception, Leopard Sharks are not vicious. They’re virtually harmless. Their name, Leopard Shark, comes from the spots that cover its body. It has a long, slender body with the usual structures of a shark. 

It has a tall dorsal fin with a moderately stout body to the point its still borderline slender. It also has a short, rounded snout with nares on the tip of their snout. The Leopard Shark also has wide, oval eyes with a well-developed eyelid that serves as a protective covering. They do have teeth despite their passive nature, around 41-55 for the top row and 34-45 on the lower row.

Leopard Shark Diet

Leopard Sharks love eating crabs. However, they do also eat bony fish such as anchovy, herring, croakers, topsmelt, gobies, rockfish, surfperch, midshipmen, flatfish, and croakers. Lepoard Sharks are also fine with eating shrimp, benthic and animals that stay near shore. They are also known to eat Ghost Shrimp if presented the opportunity and clams.

Leopard Shark Size

Leopard Shark are known to grow to at least 1.2 – 1.5 meters, a round 3.9 to 4.9 ft. However, males can grow past the average size but rarely do they reach past 1.5 meters. Whereas female Leopard Sharks can grow up to 1.8 meters. However, there’s been a record of a female Leopard Shark hitting at least 2.1 meters, weighing at 18.4 kg (41 lbs).

Interesting Facts about the Leopard Shark

• There was one Leopard Shark attack but there were no traces of bites or the sort on the victim.
• They generally are passive to humans. Leopard Sharks are more aggressive to fish.
• Leopard Sharks are active species. They like cruising around the bottom or slightly beyond the surf zone.
• They’re nocturnal creatures, meaning to easily catch a Leopard Shark might be best in the day rather in the night. Unless you want a good fight then, catching one at night is okay also. Catching Leopard Sharks in the morning might mean you’ll have to trace them all the way to their habitat where they lay low in the dark.
• Like their other cousins in the Shark family, Leopard Sharks give birth to live young.
• Female Leopard Sharks always follow the warmest patch of water.
• Leopard Sharks have more red blood cells, making them process oxygen a whole lot better than most fish.
• Leopard Sharks like their cousins are sensitive to blood. However, they are just known to harass rather than to attack. The single recorded attack from a Leopard Shark was due to the fact the diver had a nose bleed.
• Leopard Sharks are generally wary of humans.
• Leopard Shark can live up to 30 years but they grow very slowly.

Leopard Shark – Fishing Techniques: How to Fish for a Leopard Shark

To catch a Leopard Shark, you have to attract them with pieces they consider “candy”. These “candy” are baits made of squid and pacific mackerel chunks. However, herring, anchovies, small crabs, and sardines all work well also. Make sure the bait is positioned in the way that it won’t fall off the hook as the pressure might throw it off. Since Leopard Sharks lay more on the bottom, you’ll need a heavier weight to make sure the bait and hook don’t get thrown off.

If your bait is mushy, try tying a bait thread around it. That way, it won’t fly off. Also, keep the bait away from the sun so it doesn’t dry up.

As for your equipment, some recommend dropper loops and fish finder rigs with a 5/0 to 7/0 circle. Others would say octopus hooks would work just as well.

Leopard Shark fishing is under regulation. In some places, you’re only allowed to catch 3 Leopard Fish before the rest you have to perform CPR and release them back.

Leopard Shark Habitat 

Leopard Sharks stay in bays and estuaries, normally at the shallower part. They do love roaming through kelp forests though where they usually patrol and hide underneath. At times, they can be found in deep waters but the deepest ever recorded was 300 feet. 

Striped Bass

Striped Bass (Morone Saxatilis) Description

The Striped Bass (Morone saxatilis), or Atlantic Striped Bass, Stripers, or Linesider, is a popular game fish for recreational and commercial fishers. As the name suggests, it has seven to eight stripes running down the sides of its body; its color can vary from light green and olive to brown and black. It also has a shimmering white belly and plump bodies that can grow as heavy as 70 pounds and as long as 5 feet, making it easily distinguishable from other species. 

Although this fish mostly lives in saltwater during its adult life, it’s anadromous as it spawns (and is even known to adapt well) in a freshwater environment.

It can naturally be found along the East Coast (from as far north as Canada to down south in the Gulf of Mexico). However, you can find it in most water bodies in North America as the species was introduced across the continent for recreational fishing and for controlling the gizzard shad population, which the Striped Bass is known to prey upon.

Interesting Facts 

Striped Bass spawn in freshwater and many of the Stripers become landlocked because of dams and other human-made obstructions; but, as earlier mentioned, they adapt well and can thrive in a freshwater habitat. 

If you’re fishing for food, the Striped Bass is excellent for eating not only for its plump and meaty body but also for its exquisite, sweet taste, similar to its close relative, the Black Sea Bass.

Striped Bass Size and Speed

For those of you who are planning to fish for this species, yes, they are known to be powerful swimmers, but they’re not particularly fast, making them reasonably easy to catch. Although they can grow much bigger, most caught weigh around twenty to forty pounds. 

Where do Striped Bass Live?

You can fish for Striped Bass pretty much any time of the year and can find them in nearly every body of water in the United States. It’s also worth noting that the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland is the major producer while the Hudson River in New York and New Jersey is the second. 

However, if you’re on the West Coast, you may want to try your luck in the San Francisco Bay and the surrounding coastline. Colorado rivers and lakes such as Lake Havasu, Lake Mead, Lake Powell, Lake Pleasant, and Lake Mohave are also known to have a great abundance of Striped Bass. 

Striped Bass is a structure-oriented fish meaning they can be found around physical structures such as coral reefs, sand bars, and drop-offs. They stay at the bottom of the ocean along the shores as it looks for food.  And because they love to swim in moving waters, you can most locate Stripers within yards of the shorelines.

Striped Bass Migration

One of the most exciting aspects of striped bass is their annual migration patterns. These fish are known to migrate long distances, sometimes thousands of miles, which makes them a fascinating subject for study. Striped bass prefers moderate temperatures between 55° F and 68° F. To stay within this temperature range, most striped bass migrate up and down the Atlantic coast from spring to fall. 
Scientists have been studying striped bass migration for many years, and they have discovered that these fish travel from estuaries to the open ocean and back again each year. Striped bass can migrate up to 2,000 miles during their lifetime! They typically move northward in the spring and summer months when water temperatures warm up, then head south towards warmer waters in the fall.

The spring striped bass migration begins from the deeper waters off the Virginia and North Carolina coasts. In the spring, the stripers start their northern migration stopping to spawn in the rivers, estuaries, and bays such as the Delaware River, the Hudson River, and the Chesapeake Bay. The Stripers continue north and eventually spend their summers in the cool waters in New England, and sometimes further North to Canada. 

The striper migration bait typically begins in the fall as the water cools. If you want to experience this unique opportunity, you'll want to head for one of the most amazing events that an angler can experience. Striper bait, including pogies, peanut bunker, and silversides, will come out of bays and into the ocean early. The hungry stripers want to fatten up for the cold season as winter approaches, so they're actively searching out prey. Stripers seek out the enhanced bait pods that create feeding frenzies. Look for baitfish volcanoes erupting from the water or birds signaling the wounded baitfish. If you are truly fortunate, you will see whales coming from below the baitfish volcano. Fall migration continues all the way until December around the New Jersey coast and parts of January in the Virginia region.

Check out this detailed Striped Bass Migration article. 

Is Striped Bass Good to Eat?

Striped bass, also known as "striper," is a popular saltwater fish that can be found along the Atlantic coast of North America. Many people wonder if striped bass is good to eat, and the answer is yes! Striped bass is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients that can benefit your health. 

One of the benefits of eating striped bass is its high omega-3 content. Omega-3s are essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation in the body, improve brain function, and even lower your risk of heart disease. Striper meat contains about 0.5 grams of omega-3s per 100 grams, making it an excellent nutrient source. Additionally, striped bass is rich in protein - a crucial component for building and repairing tissues in your body. A serving size of just 100 grams provides approximately 20 grams of protein.

Fishing Techniques - How to Catch Striped Bass

Striped Bass can be caught year-round and in almost any condition; you can, however, increase your chances if you know exactly what, when, where, and how to look. Stripers are known to swim around and feed in moving waters, near structures along the shores, and you will find them where the water is cooler near the surface during dusk and dawn.  Cast your lines out early or late in the day from bridges, piers, bulkheads, or even while wading in the surf.

Choosing the Right Bait

Striped Bass are mostly finicky predators being picky about the baits they will take. It’s best to use live baits such as herring, menhaden, mackerel, eels, squid, anchovies, bloodworms, or shad as it will help attract them with the live bait’s movement.

Choosing the Right Equipment

Although you can use almost any rod and reel for Striped Bass fishing, you can be more successful using rods that are 8 to 14 feet in length, especially for fly fishing.  You should use a thinner and more sensitive yet stronger line with little stretch like a  braided line. If you prefer using the monofilament type, make sure that it’s strong enough to withstand up to 20 pounds of weight as these fish are not only big, heavy fish, but also strong fighters.

Find fishing tips, techniques, and the best destinations for Striped Bass Fishing

Why are Striped Bass Called Striper?

Striped bass, or Morone saxatilis, is a popular game fish native to the Atlantic coast of North America. It is widely known as "striper," which begs the question: Why do they call striped bass striper? The answer to this question lies in the distinct markings on the fish's body. 
The name "striped bass" comes from its characteristic stripes running along its sides. These stripes are typically seven to eight in number and run from just behind the gills to the base of the tail. When viewed from afar, these stripes can appear like bars or lines that make up a striped pattern on their silver-green skin.

Given that this species has such distinctive vertical stripes, it makes sense why they are called stripers. The name has become so widely used among anglers and fishing enthusiasts that it is now more common than calling them by their scientific name.

What is the Hybrid Striped Bass?

Hybrid striped bass is a popular fish species among anglers and seafood enthusiasts. As the name suggests, it's a crossbreed between two different types of bass: striped and white. The hybridization process has resulted in a fish with desirable traits such as rapid growth, aggressiveness, and resistance to diseases and parasites. 

Hybrid striped bass can grow up to 30 inches in length and weigh as much as 15 pounds. They have streamlined bodies with dark stripes running along their sides, which give them an attractive appearance. Moreover, these fish are known for their delicious taste and versatility in cooking methods.

Due to its popularity, hybrid striped bass is widely farmed across several regions in the United States. It's commonly used by chefs in various dishes such as sushi rolls, grilled fillets, or stews.

Striped Bass Population

The wild striped bass population is an essential aspect of marine fisheries conservation efforts. Striped bass are a popular game fish that attract recreational anglers from all over the world. Stripers also play an essential role in the natural resources ecosystem in the Atlantic Ocean and the many tributaries like Delaware Bay, Delaware River, Hudson River, and many coastal rivers.  Striped bass are a top predator in many coastal habitats, feeding on smaller fish and crustaceans. 

Unfortunately, the striped bass population has been under pressure for several decades due to overfishing and habitat loss. One of the primary conservation efforts underway is the implementation of regulations aimed at protecting striped bass populations from overfishing. This includes restrictions on fishing methods and gear, as well as limitations on catch limits for both recreational and commercial fishermen. Additionally, many states have implemented size limits for the fish that can be caught to allow younger fish to reach their reproductive age.

Despite these efforts, the future of the striped bass population remains uncertain. Climate change is causing significant shifts in ocean temperatures and currents that could impact the availability of prey species for striped bass.

A Few Striped Bass Resources:

-Striped Bass Migration, article tracking the Striped Bass Atlantic Coast migration

-Striped Bass Lures, expert guides weigh in with the best striped bass lures

-Striped Bass Bait, top 10 striped bass baits

-Striped Bass Cape Cod, expert guide talks about catching striped bass on Cape Cod 

-Striped Bass Chesapeake Bay, expert guides talk about catching striped bass on Chesapeake Bay