COMMON MARINE FISHES 



67 



WHITE SEA BASS 

 Cynoscion nobilis 



Relationship: Not a true sea bass, but a member of the croaker family, Sciaen- 

 idae, together with the yellowfin, spotfin and black croakers, the California corbina, the 

 queenfish and the kingfish. Closely related to the weakfish of the Atlantic coast, the 

 Mexican corbina, the totuava, and the shortfin sea bass. 



Distinguishing Characters: The lower jaw projecting slightly beyond the tip of 

 the upper ; the two dorsal fins being at least in contact with each other ; the lack of a 

 barbel on the lower jaw ; the pectoral fin being more than one-half the length of the head 

 (separating it from the shortfin sea bass) ; the base of the second dorsal being much 

 longer than the base of the anal fin ; the absence of teeth on the vomer ; the two weak 

 spines at the front of the anal fin. Reaches a length of four feet and a weight of 80 

 pounds, but specimens of as much as 60 pounds are rare. Color: Bluish gray to 

 steely blue above, frosted silvery to whitish below ; inner base of the pectoral with a 

 dusky spot. Young with three to six cross bars. Back and sides with very small dark 

 points. 



Distribution: Alaska south to the Gulf of California, becoming less common 

 north of Pt. Conception and uncommon north of San Francisco. 



Fishing Season: Throughout the year, with heaviest landings during the sum- 

 mer and fall months. A small portion of tke catch is made in Mexican waters. 



Importance: The most important croaker in California. Landed mostly in 

 Southern California with greatest poundage in 1946 in the Santa Barbara region. A 

 valuable market fish and second only to albacore in general popularity as a sport fish in 

 Southern California. 



Fishing Gear: Gill nets, hook and line. Illegal to take with purse seities or other 

 round haul nets in California waters. 



Unauthorized! Name: Sea trout. 



