How to catch California halibut

California halibut feed in 56–72°F water and bite best at 60–68°F. Fish Scouter's season calendar follows them in 2 waters.

40 pts · trophy at 36"Feeds 56–72°FBest 60–68°FIn season nowBeach / surfGrass flatChannel edgeFishing pierPass / inletDock / pilings

About

The flatfish of the Southern California bays and beaches and San Francisco Bay: a big-toothed ambusher on the sand that moves shallow to spawn in spring and summer. A 'slab' over 30 pounds is a real trophy.

How to fish it

Slow drifts over sand next to structure — channel edges, kelp edges, pier pilings — with live bait or a swimbait dragged on the bottom on the moving tide.

What it eats

live anchovy and sardineswimbaitslive smelt and shiner perch

Live bait for it

Anchovies (Pacific)Nose- or collar-hooked on a #4 to 1/0 hook and fly-lined with no weight, or on a dropper loop; a dozen tossed over the side as chum keeps the bass and bonito up.

Sardines (Pacific)Collar- or nose-hooked on a 1/0 to 3/0 hook and fly-lined for yellowtail, white seabass and calico bass; a sinker a few feet up to get it under the bait ball.

What to fish it with

the sizes that fish it

Leader20–40 lb fluorocarbon

Hook#1–4/0

Jig head1/8–1/2 oz

Braid10–30 lb

The rule

not confirmed here

Rules differ by state — check CDFW before you keep one.

The current rule →

Where it is, month by month

PPeakSSpawningAArriving·AroundLLeaving

Pacific

Southern California Bight

Central Coast & San Francisco Bay

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