Petrale Sole
A northeastern Pacific flatfish that lives most of its life on soft, sandy bottoms well offshore, petrale sole is far more common on restaurant menus than on recreational fishing reports.
The species ranges from the Bering Sea south to northern Baja California, spending summers in moderate depths on the continental shelf and winters in deep offshore water.
Its large mouth, delicate white flesh, and the challenge of reaching it make it a worthwhile target for anglers willing to run offshore.
Scientific Name: Eopsetta jordani
Also known as Jordan's flounder, California sole, Round-nosed sole, Petral, Brill
- A right-eyed flounder with an oval to round body; the eyed side runs uniformly light to dark brown, the blind side white, sometimes with faint pink tones.
- Large mouth with two rows of small, arrow-shaped teeth on the upper jaw — the key ID feature separating it from the similar Flathead sole, which has only one row.
- Lateral line curves gently over the pectoral fin with no accessory dorsal branch; caudal fin is longest in the middle with slightly indented edges.
- Females grow larger than males — up to 28 inches and 8+ lbs — while males typically top out around 21 inches.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the northeastern Pacific, from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands south along the entire North American coast to northern Baja California.
- A bottom-dwelling species of sandy and muddy seafloor, with a depth range from near-surface to roughly 1,800 feet — though most fish are found between 180 and 420 feet from spring through fall.
- In winter, the population shifts into much deeper water — 900 to 1,500 feet — for spawning, making recreational access seasonal and weather-dependent.
Specific Spots
- Flat, sandy or muddy bottom on the continental shelf is the core habitat; fish hold where the seafloor is soft and relatively featureless, not over reef or hard structure.
- During the accessible season (roughly spring through fall), the most productive depths run 180–420 feet — close enough to shore for day trips when seas cooperate.
- Bait presented directly on or just above the bottom is essential; petrale sole feed tight to the substrate and rarely chase anything suspended in the water column.
Petrale Sole FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Petrale Sole?
Small pieces of squid on multi-hook bottom rigs are the most widely used bait, durable, visible, and a close match to the crustaceans and soft-bodied prey petrale sole eat. Clam necks, sand shrimp, and cut herring or anchovy also produce well; the common thread is fresh, scented natural bait fished hard on the bottom.
What do Petrale Sole eat?
Adults eat shrimp, crabs, krill, herring, anchovy, hake, pollock, and other flatfish, a mixed diet of crustaceans and small fish that explains why cut bait works so well.
Where do Petrale Sole live?
Native to the northeastern Pacific, from the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands south along the entire North American coast to northern Baja California.
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