The largest member of the croaker family Sciaenidae found in California waters; it is not a true sea bass.
Southern California fish guide
White Seabass
Atractoscion nobilis
- white sea bass
- seabass
- king croaker
Despite the name, white seabass is California's largest croaker. Read the long silver body, large mouth, belly ridge, dark side specks, and black pectoral-base mark together.
Sources reviewed 2026-07-288 source records
- Large mouthThe head carries a large mouth without the prominent paired canine teeth used to separate shortfin corvina.
- Speckled silver sidesAdults are gray-blue to copper above with dark side specks and a silver belly; juveniles can show bars.
- Pectoral-base markLook for the black spot at the inner base of the pectoral fin plus the raised ridge along the belly.
At a glance
Sources stay attached to every fact
CDFW lists sandy areas, estuaries, piers, jetties, kelp beds, rocky reefs, offshore banks, and open ocean across life stages.
Documented prey includes northern anchovy, Pacific sardine, market squid, mackerel, blacksmith, silversides, and pelagic red crab.
White seabass has a species-specific minimum size, bag limit, and fillet rule. Confirm the current Southern Region entry and measure before keeping.
Fish guide
Quick answers with sources when you need them
Read multiple features
Identification & look-alikes
The head carries a large mouth without the prominent paired canine teeth used to separate shortfin corvina. Adults are gray-blue to copper above with dark side specks and a silver belly; juveniles can show bars. Look for the black spot at the inner base of the pectoral fin plus the raised ridge along the belly.
Use body shape, fin placement, color pattern, and the official California identification resources together. Never make a keep decision from one color mark or a count-category name alone.
Scale changes the silhouette
Size & growth
Match the forage class
Diet
How the fish uses the water
Behavior
Start with structure and water column
Habitat & depth
Availability is not a promise
Southern California seasonality
A source-backed starting point
Techniques & tackle
Decide before the fish reaches the rail
Handling & release
Use tackle strong enough to land the fish without an exhausting fight, and keep a dehooker or suitable release tool ready.
If releasing, dehook in the water when possible. Never gaff a fish you plan to release, keep air exposure brief, wet your hands, avoid eyes and gills, and support the body rather than hanging the fish by its mouth.
Face a sluggish fish into the current until it can swim away under its own power.
Snapshot checked 2026-07-28
California regulations
White seabass has a species-specific minimum size, bag limit, and fillet rule. Confirm the current Southern Region entry and measure before keeping.
White seabass has a species-specific minimum size, bag limit, and fillet rule. Confirm the current Southern Region entry and measure before keeping.
Review the general ocean regulations for possession, filleting, gear, protected-area, and boat-limit rules before departure.
From species to a trip plan
Only trips that name this fish
Recent verified countsOpen the live count view. Missing source reports remain labeled, never converted to zero.
Current source status →Open tripsBrowse verified schedule inventory. Current beta inventory does not claim that a trip targets this species.
Targeting not yet verified →Landing sourcesInspect official count and schedule sources by Southern California landing.
Source directory →Boats reporting tripsSee boats present in verified schedule feeds. Species targeting is shown only when a source proves it.
Honest coverage →Sources for this guide
8 source records
- Nearshore Fishes: White SeabassCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial identification, fishery, habitat, and research summary for white seabass. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- Life History Information for Selected California Marine FishesCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial habitat, depth, reproduction, and life-history summaries for California marine fishes. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- California Marine Species PortalCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeCurrent California common names, scientific names, and species aliases. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- Southern Region ocean regulationsCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial current Southern Region season, size, bag, and possession summary. The page states it was updated July 1, 2026. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- General ocean fishing regulationsCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial general limits, boat limits, gear rules, and fillet requirements. The page states it was updated July 24, 2026. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- Marine Fish and Shellfish IdentificationCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial California identification hub, including rockfish groups and Southern California sport-fish references. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- Catch and release fishing best practicesNOAA FisheriesOfficial handling and release guidance. NOAA states the page was updated September 3, 2025. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
- Ocean Sport Fishing hubCalifornia Department of Fish and WildlifeOfficial entry point for licenses, identification, current regulations, marine protected areas, advisories, and release guidance. Reviewed 2026-07-28.
Continue learning
Return to the guide for another fish, or open the latest count report for this species.