Overview
THE quintessential surf fishing species in California. Caught directly from the beach in the surf zone.
Identification
Dark vertical bandsSmall mouthLarge eyesSpiny pelvic finsForked tailProminent lateral line
- Body
- Laterally compressed body with an oval shape.
- Colouration
- Silver body with dark vertical bands on both sides.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not very evident
- Growth
- medium, with regular growth under favorable conditions
Taxonomy
- Family
- Embiotocidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Amphistichus koelziAmphistichus rhodoterusHyperprosopon argenteumEmbiotoca jacksoniPhanerodon furcatus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- sand, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the eastern Pacific coast, from Baja California to Washington.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found in the surf zone between the waves near the shore.
Prefers areas where wave turbulence aids in exposing prey.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Na Costa Ovest SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- shrimp, copepods, amphipods
- Secondary prey
- isopods, polychaetes, small bivalves
- Occasional prey
- algae, small fish
- Feeding behaviour
- Hunts in groups close to shore, using the wave action to expose prey.
- Natural predators
- sea lions, dolphins, large predatory fish
Utilizes wave movements to gain access to prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- large_schools
- Aggressiveness
- low
- Migration
- resident, but may move along the coast in response to food availability.
- Seasonal behaviour
- Moves closer to shore during the summer season for spawning.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles form small schools and stay near the shore.
- Adults
- Adults form large schools and may venture slightly farther offshore.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- June, July, August
- Spawning depth
- surface to a few meters deep
- Eggs
- eggs are not laid; live-bearing, the young are born alive.
- Larval stage
- Not applicable; the newborns resemble adults.
- Sexual maturity
- 2-3 years
When to catch Barred Surfperch
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
sandy beachesjettiesareas with strong surfnear rocky outcrops
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
surfcastingfly fishingnatural bait fishingmarine angling
Other applicable
SurfcastingBeach FishingSurfcasting LeggeroBeach LedgeringPesca A FondoPesca A Fondo Leggera
Recommended baits
sea wormfresh shrimpsmall fish lurescopepod imitations
Baits by pressure
Low
Pompano jigShrimp artificiale (gomma)Softbait piccolo / LRFVibe lure / Blade
Medium
Gambero morto / GamberoGambero vivoPulce di sabbia
High
Verme di mareVerme di sangueArenicolaChicken rigVerme americano
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Fights vigorously with rapid lateral movements.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid damage to the delicate skin.
- Release
- Ensure the fish is released carefully to promote recovery.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- The all-tackle IGFA world record for the striped surfperch is approximately 2.25 kg, caught in 1995 at Corona del Mar, California. Specimens of this species in their natural habitat rarely exceed 2.5 kg in weight but are highly sought after for sport fishing along the Pacific coast of the United States.
- In the kitchen
- Delicacy and often cooked grilled or fried.
- Cultural notes
- Popular among sport fishermen in California.
- Historical notes
- Surf fishing for this species is a long-established tradition along the Californian coast.
