Common Fish Species, Limits, and Other Regulations for Surf Fishing

What are the most commonly caught species of fish off of Southern California’s coastline? That’s the main question I’ll be diving into with this article. I want to point out some of the most common species in surf fishing as well as some “not so common” species in the surf. The main focus of this article will be to educate anglers (new and experienced) on what’s out there, how to identify your catch, the legal limits, and the legal sizes. If you’re looking for MLPA’s check out the government website here. My page on San Diego beaches goes into some specifics on MLPAs and parking but so far it’s still just San Diego. I will be making an effort to expand that list north to eventually cover all or most beaches in So Cal.

Please note that this article is not exhaustive nor are the legalities listed meant to be a legal reference for you. The Department of Fish and Wildlife updates fishing regulations every year and it’s important to check in with original and official sources. That said, I will be doing my best to keep this page relevant and current with all regulations. It’s also worth mentioning that it is absolutely possible to catch other species of fish than the ones listed in this article. I’ve had my fair share of surprise and I’m sure I’ll have some more. That’s one of the many beauties of surf fishing in So Cal. In 2020, I was shocked to have hooked up on a yellowtail from the surf! If you come across a species that you’re unfamiliar with, the best thing to do is to release it safely and take a photo only if you can do so quickly. When you get home afterward, do some quick research and expand your knowledge of common species and uncommon species.

Coastal Fish Identification

SpeciesPeak SeasonGeneral Season
California CorbinaJun-AugMay-Oct
Yellowfin CroakerJun-AugApr-Oct
Spotfin CroakerJun-AugMay-Oct
Barred Surf PerchNov-AprYear Round
Walleye Surf PerchNov-AprYear Round
Shovelnose Guitar FishJun-AugMay-Oct
Sting RayJun-AugYear Round
Bat RayJun-AugYear Round
Leopard SharkMay-AugApr-Oct
California HalibutMar-JunYear Round
Soupfin SharkMar-JulYear Round
White SeabassMar-JunFeb-Sep
Calico BassMar-SepYear Round

Summary:

The species with “learn more” links each have an individual profile page. This list will likely be expanding and many of the pages that do not have “learn more” links will soon have them. If you have a photo of a species that “needs pic”, and would like it to be featured, send it in here.

California Corbina

California Corbina Catch and Release
California Corbina
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)28-inches/8.5-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeGulf of California, Mexico – Point Conception, California
Habitatshallow/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the California Corbina

Spotfin Croaker

Surf Fishing Gear and Tackle
23-inch spotfin croaker
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)27-inches/14 pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)10/10
RangeMazatlan, Mexico – Point Conception, Mexico
HabitatShallow/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Spotfin Croaker

Yellowfin Croaker

Yellowfin Croaker
Yellowfin Croaker
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)21.6-inches (an 18-incher was recorded at 4.5-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)Hit: 9/10 | Fight: 5/10
RangeGulf of California, Mexico – Point Conception, California
HabitatFlat/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Yellowfin Croaker

Barred Surfperch

barred surf perch
Barred surfperch
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit per species of perch (no more than 20 total surfperch)
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)17-inches/4.5-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)6/10
RangePlaza Maria Bay, Baja California – Bodega Bay, California
Habitatflat/sandy | rocks and other structure with sandy flats intermixed
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Barred Surfperch

Walleye Surfperch

Walleye Surfperch
Walleye Surfperch
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit per species of perch (no more than 20 total surfperch)
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)12-inches/unknown weight
Fighting Strength (-/10)4/10
RangeBaja California – British Columbia
Habitatflat/sandy/rocks and other structure with sandy flats intermixed
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Walleye Surfperch

Black Surfperch

Black Surfperch
Black Surfperch
Legal Limit (#)10 Bag Limit per species of perch (no more than 20 total surfperch)
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)unknown but supposedly grow up to 15-inches
Fighting Strength (-/10)6/10
RangeBaja California – Northern California
Habitatflat/sandy | rocks and other structure with sandy flats intermixed
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Shovelnose Guitarfish

Shovelnose Guitarfish
Shovelnose Guitarfish
Legal Limit (#)10 bag
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)61.5-inches/40-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeGulf of California, Mexico – Northern California
HabitatFlat/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Shovelnose Guitar Fish

Sting Ray

sting ray
Sting Ray
Legal Limit (#)10
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)22-inches (across disc)
Fighting Strength (-/10)1/10
RangePanama to Humboldt Bay, California, including the Gulf of California
HabitatFlat/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Sting Ray

Bat Ray

bat ray
Bat Ray
Legal Limit (#)10
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)60-inches wingspan (weight unknown)
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeGulf of California to Oregon
HabitatFlat/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Bat Ray

Leopard Shark

A Fisherman's Tale
Leopard Shark
Legal Limit (#)3
Legal Size (in)36-inches
Record Size (in/lb)72-inches/51-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeMazatlan, Mexico, to Oregon
HabitatFlat/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Leopard Shark

California Halibut

California Halibut
Legal Limit (#)(3) fish north of Point Sur, Monterey County, and (5) fish south of Point Sur, Monterey County
Legal Size (in)22-inches
Record Size (ft/lb)5-feet/72-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeMagdalena Bay, Baja California, to the Quillayute River, British Columbia
HabitatShallow/Sandy (nearby structure helps)
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the California Halibut

Soupfin Shark

surf fishing tackle
Soupfin Shark
Legal Limit (#)1
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)79-inches/unknown weight
Fighting Strength (-/10)9/10
RangeWorldwide, but the West Coast population ranges from So Cal to British Columbia
HabitatShallow waters, canyons, and reefs as well as flat/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Soupfin Shark

Gray Smoothhound Shark

gray smoothhound shark
Gray Smoothhound Shark
Legal Limit (#)unknown
Legal Size (in)unknown
Record Size (in/lb)64.25-inches/unknown weight
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
RangeMazatlan, Mexico, to Cape Mendocino, California
HabitatShallow/Sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Sargo

Sargo fish
Sargo
Legal Limit (#)6
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)23.6-inches/unknown weight
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
RangeBaja California, Mexico to Santa Cruz, California
HabitatShallow/Sandy but rocky structure helps (better from piers)
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Shortfin Corvina

Shortfin Corvina
Legal Limit (#)10
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)unknown length/10-pounds six-ounces
Fighting Strength (-/10)7/10
RangeMazatlán, Mexico to Sant Barbra, California
Habitatshallow/sandy (piers and bays are best)
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

White Sea Bass

White Sea Bass
White Sea Bass
Legal Limit (#)(3) fish except that only (1) fish may be taken in waters south of Point Conception between March 15 and June 15
Legal Size (in)28-inches
Record Size (in/lb)unknown length/83.5-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
RangeBaja California, Mexico to San Fransisco
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the White Sea Bass

Calico Bass

calico bass
Calico Bass
Legal Limit (#)5 in any combination (kelp, barred sand, spotted sand)
Legal Size (in)14-inches
Record Size (in/lb)28.5-inches/14.5-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeBaja California, Mexico to the Mouth of the Columbia River
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Barred Sand Bass

Barred Sand Bass
Barred Sand Bass
Legal Limit (#)5 in any combination (kelp, barred sand, spotted sand)
Legal Size (in)14-inches
Record Size (in/lb)26-inches/13-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeBaja California, Mexico to Santa Cruz, California
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Opaleye

opaleye fish
opaleye
Legal Limit (#)10
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)unknown
Fighting Strength (-/10)8/10
RangeBaja California, Mexico to the Mouth of the Columbia River
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Learn more about the Opaleye.

Jack Smelt

Legal Limit (#)N/A
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)unknown/ found sources that said 17.5-inches (I’d believe much bigger)
Fighting Strength (-/10)6/10
RangeBaja California, Mexico to Oregon
Habitatbays, piers, jetties, sandy flats
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Sevengill Shark

Legal Limit (#)1
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (ft/lb)9.8 feet/ weight unknown
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
RangeGlobally in tropical to temperate water temps
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Spiny Dogfish Shark

Legal Limit (#)10
Legal Size (in)N/A
Record Size (in/lb)unknown
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
Rangeworldwide in temperate and subarctic temperatures
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds/sandy
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

California Sheephead

Legal Limit (#)5
Legal Size (in)12-inches
Record Size (in/lb)unknown length/34.8-pounds
Fighting Strength (-/10)unknown
RangeGulf of California to Monterey Bay
Habitatrocky/reefy/kelp beds
All information within this chart and this page is unofficial. Refer to the Department of Fish and Wildlife for official numbers and regulations.

Common Species: California Fish Types

Here are some graphs that display which species of fish in Southern California are caught at which times of year. The first graph is yellowfin croaker, followed by corbina and a complete graph of common species per time of year.

Best time of year for surf fishing
Stacked Species Chart
best time of year to catch yellowfin croaker
Best Time of Year for Yellowfin Croaker Fishing
Best time of year for surf fishing for corbina
Best time of year to catch California Corbina
pea Seasons for Surf Fishing San Diego
San Diego Coastal Fish Species

These graphs are strictly for the year of 2018 but are a good representation of when these species are caught every year. I hope this page helps you out as you navigate through each common species link and learn about each fish local to California.

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