California halibut

California halibut
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Pleuronectiformes
Family:	Paralichthyidae
Genus:	Paralichthys
Species:	P. californicus
Binomial name
Paralichthys californicus (Ayres, 1859)

The California halibut or California flounder, Paralichthys californicus, is a large-tooth flounder native to the waters of the Pacific Coast of North America from the Quillayute River in Washington to Magdalena Bay in Baja California. It feeds near shore and is free swimming. It typically weighs 6 to 50 pounds (3 to 23 kg). It is much smaller than the larger and more northern-ranging Pacific halibut that can reach 300 pounds (140 kg).

A top level predator that hunts by stealth, it is prized by fishermen as great table fare.

Sport fishers typically use light fishing gear and live baits for this halibut. Baits include anchovies, sardine, squid, mackerel, and queenfish (brownbait). Some anglers use plastic lures and scampitype "lead heads" to fool a halibut into striking.

Mostly fishing from boats in the coastal regions, anglers catch good quantities of halibut in 10 to 80 feet of water. Sometimes the fish are caught from shore or by kayak fishermen in very shallow water. Slow trolling and drift fishing is the preferred method of bait presentation.

This is an unusual fish in that one eye has to migrate around from one side to the other as it grows from an upright fry or baby fish into an adult fish that lies on its side. The adult has two eyes on the up-side as it lies on the bottom. Most flatfish are generally either right-eyed or left-eyed, but the California halibut is unusual in having a roughly even number of each type. Like other flatfish, the halibut hides under sand or loose gravel and blends into the bottom.

Sportfishing

The halibut is loved as a sport fishing target species and prized by fishermen of the southern California coastline. It has been taken frequently from shore by surf fishermen. It is sometimes caught from the rocks or near piers. However the most common way to catch them is from a boat with a live bait while drifting across the water. Santa Monica Bay and Los Angeles Harbor are famous for the success of catching them this way.

In Marina Del Rey the name of the coast guard boat is the "Halibut" in reflection of the quality fish.

A fishing event in Santa Monica Bay relies on this love of halibut fishing to produce an annual charity fishing event. The Marina Del Rey Halibut Derby. (see links)

If you want to fish for California Halibut you can try the following sport fishing boats: From Del Rey Sportfishing in Marina Del Rey

* Betty-O
* New Del Mar
* Tortuga

From Redondo Beach

* Redondo Special
* Tradition
* Spitfire

From LA Harbor

* Gail Force
* First String
* Pacific Adventure
* Sport King
* The Matt Walsh

From Channel Islands Sportsfishing Center

* Sea Jay
* Pacific Islander
* Mirage - (The current World and State Record California Halibut was caught July 1, 2011, aboard the Mirage)
* Ranger 85
* Coral Sea
* Island Tak
* Aloha Spirit
* Erna B
* Cobra
* Gentleman
* Speed Twin
* Seabiscuit
* Breakewater

There are others and the boats change from time to time. It is best to check the "Fish Counts" on the web and watch to see what boats are getting Halibut before you make a reservation and pay for your fare.

Some web sites that cover the local Southern California fishing conditions for private boaters are also very useful to learn what is currently working to find good productive fishing grounds. Such as 976-Tuna and BloodyDecks and AllCoast. Their message boards give sportfishing anglers a place to share the current news.

References

• "Paralichthys californicus". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Retrieved 18 April 2006.
• Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Paralichthys californicus". FishBase. February 2006 version.

External links

• Dr. Larry Allen of CSUN.edu on California Halibut
• California Halibut is key fish of oldest fishing tournament in Southern California - MDR Halibut Derby
• Tips for California Halibut fishing.
• http://www.channelislandssportfishing.com/world-records California World Record Halibut

Further reading

• Miller, D.L. and R.N. Lea. 1972. Guide to the coastal marine fishes of California. Calif. Dept. Fish and Game, Fish Bull. 157. 299 p
• Oda, D. 1991. Development of eggs and larvae of California halibut Paralichthys californicus and fantail sole Xystreurys liolepis (Pisces: Paralichthyidae). Fishery Bulletin, U.S. 89:387-402.