The White Sea-bass 29 
The spawning season is in June and July, 
the young, which are found in San Diego, New- 
port, and San Pedro (California) waters, are 
supposed to be different fish, and are known 
as sea-trout. The young resemble the adults, 
but have three or four black or dusky stripes. 
The fins are darker than in the adult, and the 
pectoral fin bears at its base a blotch of color 
more or less distinct. The young, or sea-trout, 
afford excellent sport with an eight-ounce split 
bamboo. The angler who desires to try them 
should engage from the bait-catchers very small 
sardines or smelt, and use a number two Sproat 
hook, or any hook of that size. 
The white sea-bass swim in long lines, four 
or five in a column, move leisurely, and impress 
one by their dignity and beauty. I confess 
to never having caught one but I was tempted 
to release it. They rank among the fine table 
fishes of the Pacific coast, baked white sea-bass 
of a large size with a dash of port being a savory 
dish. The misnamed sea-trout are delicious. 
They should be served whole, broiled or baked. 
When cut into slices and disguised with some 
individuality-killing sauce, they might be called 
by any name and would be quite as unpalatable. 
