FISHING THE PACIFIC 



corbina, yellowfin and spotfin croaker which are taken by 

 California anglers throughout the year. 



The corbina, a delicious food fish and a great favorite with 

 gourmets, has been taken up to seven or eight pounds but 

 probably averages about two and a half to three and a half 

 pounds. These fish range from San Luis Obispo southward, 

 and are taken from the surf in large numbers. Best baits to use 

 for them are sand crabs, pile worms and mussels. Corbina 

 travel in large schools and may be found over sandy bottoms, 

 around kelp beds and in the lee of large rocks. 



The yellowfin croaker is a member of the same family 

 but runs to much smaller size. This species ranges all along 

 the California coast but is usually most plentiful oflf the 

 southern part of the state. Averaging around two pounds, 

 this croaker has been taken up to five pounds. The spot- 

 finned croaker sometimes weighs as much as eleven or 

 twelve pounds, but probably averages only three to four 

 pounds. 



Both of these croakers are often taken at the same time 

 from sandy beaches, their favorite diet being shellfish, min- 

 nows and pile worms. They are also caught in goodly num- 

 bers from offshore fishing barges and other craft, and when 

 fished in this manner live bait is definitely first choice. In the 

 surf they are very wary but will grab a bait with a decided 

 pull. The hook should not be set too heavily because they 

 have the weak mouth that is a typical characteristic of the 

 croaker family. The sinker used in this fishing should be only 

 heavy enough to permit a cast to the desired point. One that 

 drags the bait slowly inward with the action of the water 

 seems to work best. A 2/0 or 3/0 hook and a lo-pound-test, 



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