Creature Feature: Silver Surfperch

Silver surfperch are found statewide, primarily in sandy surf zones, although they are sometimes caught among shallow rocks from piers and in bays as well. They are plentiful, easy to catch, and occur in large numbers in surf, shore, and pier creels. Silver surfperch are found to a depth of 360 ft.

Creature Feature: California Corbina

California Corbina are found from Point Conception southward off California to a depth of 45 ft. Small groups of this species travel along the bottom off sandy beaches and in shallow bays. Adults have been observed feeding in the surf, at times in water so shallow that their backs were exposed. 

Creature Feature: Bocaccio

The Bocaccio is a member of the rockfish family, and found statewide to depths of around 1,050 ft. Juveniles can be found schooling around kelp beds or central California piers. When mature, they seek deeper water and begin to school near the bottom rather than near the surface. As adults, they are commonly found in waters from 250 to 750 ft. deep over somewhat irregular, hard, or rocky bottoms.

Creature Feature: California Grunion

The California grunion is usually found south of Morro Bay, but they have been taken on occasion as far north as San Francisco Bay. Most often they school a short distance from shore in 15 to 40 ft. of water.

Creature Feature: Yellowfin Croaker

Yellowfin croaker are found south of Point Conception, California. They frequent bays, channels, harbors, and other nearshore waters that have sand bottoms. These croakers are more abundant along beaches during the summer months and may move to deeper water in winter.