White Seabass
The largest croaker on the Pacific coast of North America, white seabass range from Baja California through the eastern Pacific and into the Gulf of California, pushing north during warm-water years.
They're a fish that rewards patience and preparation — most serious catches happen at low light over squid beds, and a 40-pound fish is the kind of thing anglers talk about for years.
Scientific Name: Atractoscion nobilis
Also known as White weakfish, King croaker, Sea trout
- Bluish-gray back with dark speckling fading to silver on the belly; juveniles show several bold dark vertical bars that fade with age.
- A raised ridge running the full length of the belly is the single most reliable field mark — no other Pacific croaker has it.
- Elongate, slightly compressed body with a pointed head and a lower jaw that projects just past the upper.
- Average fish run around 20 lb and 3 ft; fish over 50 lb are typically loners, and the IGFA all-tackle record stands at 88 lb.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the eastern Pacific from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, through the Gulf of California and north along the coast; the population center sits off central Baja California.
- During El Niño warm-water events, the range can push dramatically northward — fish have been recorded as far north as southeastern Alaska in those years.
- Adults use rocky reefs, kelp beds, offshore banks, and open water down to about 400 ft; juveniles spend their first few years in protected bays, eelgrass flats, and near piers and jetties.
Specific Spots
- Kelp bed edges and the deep rocky bottom beneath them concentrate baitfish and squid — white seabass move through these corridors, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Offshore banks and underwater structure where squid gather at night draw the largest fish; anchoring over these spots after dark is a proven approach.
- Juveniles hold in eelgrass beds inside bays and estuaries, using the grass for cover while feeding on small baitfish — worth knowing when targeting younger fish.
White Seabass FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for White Seabass?
Live squid is the top bait when available; large live anchovies and medium sardines are close seconds and are often more consistently available through bait receivers and party boats.
What do White Seabass eat?
Anchovies and sardines are the core forage for most of the year, live-lining a large anchovy or medium sardine on a circle hook is the most direct imitation of what they're already eating.
Where do White Seabass live?
Native to the eastern Pacific from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, through the Gulf of California and north along the coast; the population center sits off central Baja California.
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