Some native saltwater fishes of Southern California!

I do alot of fishing with artificial lures here in the harbors near my home..

Paralabrax Maculatofasciatus "Spotted Sand-Bass", a native serranid of southern california's bays, found as far south as nicaragua.







Paralichthys californicus "California Halibut" A largetooth flounder, and close relative of summer and gulf flounders.


Umbrina Roncador "Yellow-fin Croaker", common drums found here, they are actually a nuisance species for me, often getting between me and more desirable fish..




..regardless, they are still very strong fighters, and are alot of fun on light line.

Amphistichus Argenteus "Barred Surfperch", a relative of the "Tule Perch", in the family Embiotocidae, distantly related to Wrasses!


Embiotoca jacksonii "Black Surfperch"yet another member of the family Embiotocidae! They can have quite variable coloration, as well!




And here's a non-native fish you all should know



Poor thing had part of its premaxilla damaged, yet it still has no trouble feeding!

All these fish were released to get big and break some lines

Very cool, thanks for sharing. I lived in California until I was 16 but only got to fish saltwater once or twice (and the only thing I ever caught was an anchovy that got snagged trying to school with my minnow plug). Those surfperch are much more impressive than I'd expected. I always thought they were small 6-8 inch fish.

Barred surfperch get even bigger! State record for Barred Surfperch is some 17 inches, I believe? In winter the monsters come to the surf to spawn.

Check out this monster!



Those spotted sand bass actually make excellent aquarium fish, they are tolerant to extreme temperatures. Illegal to catch and keep them alive though. Legal to import live specimens from mexico, however.

There are even more. I might break out the micro gear and catch some small species, like Bay Blennies, Staghorn Sculpin, and the like.

thanks for your comment! =)