Kelp bass (calico bass)

Olive-brown to dark gray back covered with pale, square-ish blotches (the "calico" pattern), a white belly and a large mouth; the third and fourth dorsal spines are about the same length.

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 28 in (72 cm).

Up to about 28 in (72 cm) long and 15 lb (7 kg). Source: FishBase

Young ones eat bottom invertebrates, especially crustaceans; adults eat fishes and squid or octopus. Both may eat plankton when it is plentiful.

It lives in or near kelp beds and moves throughout the water column. Bigger fish usually stay in deeper water.

Found from Southern California.

Kelp forests, rocky reefs, breakwaters and the islands (Catalina, San Clemente, the Channel Islands and the Coronados) from Santa Barbara to Baja.

From 3 ft to 200 ft deep (1–61 m), usually 10 ft–82 ft (3–25 m).

10–80 ft along kelp edges, rock piles and breakwaters.

All year; best from late spring through early fall when the water warms.

Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.

A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.

Calm to moderate seas; warm, clear water is best.

Live anchovies and sardines, live squid and strips of squid.

Swimbaits on 1/2–1 oz heads, plastic grubs, and surface iron along the kelp line.

7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel.

1/0–4/0 live-bait hooks; 1/2–1 oz swimbait jig heads.

20–40 lb braid or mono.

20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

Cast swimbaits or fly-line a live sardine right into the edge of the kelp and swim it back; when it hits, pull hard to get the fish out of the kelp before it wraps you.

Calicos are slow-growing — a 5-pounder can be 15 years old. Keep one or two for dinner and let the big ones go.

Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Good eating when fresh.

Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.

Mild white fillets: fish tacos, fried or grilled.

Sharp gill covers and dorsal spines; keep fishing lines out of the kelp and watch for swell on the rocks.

California sets a minimum size of 14 in and a combined bag limit with sand bass; check CDFW for the current numbers and the marine protected areas. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.

Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.