{ "feed": "species", "site": "https://www.tidesandtails.net", "description": "Species guides: habitat, water-temperature tolerances and season-by-season bait and lure guidance.", "docs": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/llms.txt", "index": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/feed/index.json", "license": "Free to read and cite with attribution to Tides & Tails (tidesandtails.net).", "generated": "2026-09-11T05:50:41.397Z", "count": 26, "items": [ { "slug": "speckled-trout", "name": "Speckled Trout", "scientificName": "Cynoscion nebulosus", "alsoKnownAs": "Spotted seatrout, specks, gator trout (25\"+)", "signatureSpecies": true, "blurb": "The signature light-tackle fish of the Gulf and Southeast. Aggressive, schooling, and honest about conditions — when tide, temp and light line up, specks eat.", "habitat": "Seagrass flats in 2–6 ft, sand potholes in grass, channel edges, oyster bars and dock lights at night. In winter they stack in deep holes, rivers and dredged canals where water is a few degrees warmer.", "waterTempF": { "low": 58, "high": 82, "ideal": "65–75°F" }, "lightPreference": "Classic low-light fish: first two hours of daylight and last hour before dark are prime. Overcast skies stretch the topwater window all day. Bright bluebird high-pressure days after a front push them deep and tight-lipped — downsize and slow down. A moving tide (incoming or outgoing) matters more than the clock.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Grass edges of St. George Sound, potholes on the incoming tide." }, { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "St. Joseph Bay turtle-grass flats — a numbers factory spring through fall." }, { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "St. Andrew Bay grass lines and dock lights after dark." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Wells and reefs in the open bay, wade-fishing shorelines on southeast wind." }, { "locationSlug": "pamlico-sound", "note": "Marsh points and slough drains; NC holds true gator trout." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Lower-bay grass beds and stump fields, best late summer into fall." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live shrimp under a popping cork; mud minnows", "lures": "Soft-plastic jerk shads, 3\" paddle tails on 1/8–1/4 oz jigheads", "notes": "Fish move from winter holes onto flats as water passes 62°F. Work the transition edges first." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live croaker or pigfish for big trout; live shrimp early", "lures": "Walk-the-dog topwater at dawn, then jigs in 4–8 ft grass by mid-morning", "notes": "Bite compresses to low light. Night fishing dock and bridge lights is the reliable pattern." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live shrimp — the white shrimp flush turns the whole bay on", "lures": "Paddle tails, popping-cork rigs, suspending twitchbaits", "notes": "Best numbers of the year. Birds working over shrimp = trout (and ladyfish) underneath." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Fresh dead shrimp fished dead-slow on bottom", "lures": "Suspending twitchbaits (MirrOlure-style) with long pauses; scented plastics crawled in deep holes", "notes": "Find 8–15 ft holes and river bends. Warmest, calmest afternoon of a warming trend is the window." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/speckled-trout" }, { "slug": "red-drum", "name": "Redfish (Red Drum)", "scientificName": "Sciaenops ocellatus", "alsoKnownAs": "Reds, puppy drum (slot), bull reds (oversize)", "signatureSpecies": true, "blurb": "The people’s champion of inshore fishing — tailing in inches of water, crushing topwaters, and pulling like a truck from CA transplants’ dreams to the Chesapeake.", "habitat": "Marsh edges, oyster reefs, flooded spartina grass on big high tides, sand flats, surf troughs and pier pilings. Slot fish live shallow year-round; bull reds stage at passes and inlets in fall to spawn.", "waterTempF": { "low": 52, "high": 88, "ideal": "62–78°F" }, "lightPreference": "Far less light-shy than trout. Sunny, calm days are an advantage for sight-fishing tailers and cruisers. In wind-churned muddy water, switch to vibration and scent (gold spoons, cut bait) — they feed by smell and feel as much as sight.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "East Bay marsh drains on falling tide; oyster bar points." }, { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Sight-fishing pods over light sand inside the cape." }, { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Grand Lagoon flats and jetty rocks at the pass." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Marsh lakes and bayous; bull red run at the jetties in October." }, { "locationSlug": "pamlico-sound", "note": "World-class old drum (40 lb+) around the sound in late summer." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Bull reds over lower-bay shoals May–June and again in fall." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live shrimp or mud minnows under a cork; fresh cut mullet", "lures": "Gold weedless spoons over grass, 3.5\" paddle tails, spinnerbaits in stained water", "notes": "Fish push shallow with warming water. Watch for wakes and nervous bait on protected shorelines." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live finger mullet, cracked blue crab for bigger fish", "lures": "Topwater at dawn along marsh edges, weedless soft plastics in flooded grass", "notes": "Flood-tide tailing season in spartina marshes — hunt fins, cast past the fish, drag into view." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Cut mullet or menhaden on fish-finder rigs at passes and jetties", "lures": "Big paddle tails and bucktails for bulls; spoons and corks for slot fish", "notes": "The bull red spawning run is the event of the year at Gulf passes and mid-Atlantic shoals." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Fresh dead shrimp fished slow on clean bottom", "lures": "Scented soft plastics hopped slowly; small gold spoons on sunny afternoons", "notes": "Clear water and big schools on shallow dark-bottom flats that warm in the sun. Long casts, light line." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/red-drum" }, { "slug": "flounder", "name": "Southern Flounder", "scientificName": "Paralichthys lethostigma", "alsoKnownAs": "Flatfish, doormat (5 lb+); summer flounder/fluke fill the niche in MD", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The ambush specialist. Slow, methodical bottom presentations near current and structure.", "habitat": "Sand and mud bottom next to structure — channel edges, drop-offs, creek mouths, jetty rocks and dock pilings. They lie buried facing into the current waiting for bait to wash past.", "waterTempF": { "low": 62, "high": 78, "ideal": "65–74°F" }, "lightPreference": "Less light-driven than trout; tide and current position matter most. Moving water across a drop is the trigger. Clear water helps them see a slowly dragged bait.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Legendary November run out of the bayous toward the Gulf." }, { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Creek mouths and dock edges on falling tide." }, { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Pass jetties and channel edges, best in fall." }, { "locationSlug": "pamlico-sound", "note": "Sloughs and drop-offs; NC manages the fishery tightly — check season." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Mud minnows on a jighead or Carolina rig", "lures": "Scented swimming-mullet soft baits dragged slow", "notes": "Fish return inshore from winter offshore spawn." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live finger mullet, mud minnows", "lures": "White or chartreuse paddle tails hopped along bottom", "notes": "Spread through creeks and bay edges." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Finger mullet — the run bait", "lures": "Heavier jigheads at passes and jetties", "notes": "October–November migration to the Gulf/ocean is the peak. Seasons often close — verify regs." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Mostly offshore", "lures": "—", "notes": "Adults spawn offshore; inshore catch is incidental." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/flounder" }, { "slug": "sheepshead", "name": "Sheepshead", "scientificName": "Archosargus probatocephalus", "alsoKnownAs": "Convict fish, sheepies", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Human-toothed structure bandit. The classic cold-month inshore target.", "habitat": "Anything vertical with barnacles: bridge and dock pilings, jetties, seawalls, channel markers, oyster reefs. Late winter they gather on nearshore reefs and at passes to spawn.", "waterTempF": { "low": 55, "high": 74, "ideal": "58–68°F" }, "lightPreference": "Clear, slower-moving water makes the subtle bite easier to detect. Slack-ish tide windows around structure are workable; heavy current makes them hug pilings tighter.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Bridge pilings and the pass jetties, Dec–Mar." }, { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Oyster bars and channel markers." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Jetty rocks and pier pilings all winter." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "CBBT-style structure fish; lower bay, summer into fall." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Fiddler crabs, shrimp pieces", "lures": "Small jigs tipped with shrimp", "notes": "Post-spawn fish scatter back to inshore structure." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Fiddlers, barnacle scrapings as chum", "lures": "—", "notes": "Steady pier/dock fishery, smaller average size." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Shrimp, fiddlers", "lures": "Jig-and-shrimp near pilings", "notes": "Bite improves as water cools below 72°F." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Fiddler crabs — the money bait", "lures": "—", "notes": "Peak season. Spawning schools at jetties and nearshore reefs; set the hook on anything unusual." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/sheepshead" }, { "slug": "black-drum", "name": "Black Drum", "scientificName": "Pogonias cromis", "alsoKnownAs": "Puppy drum (small), big uglies (30 lb+)", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Redfish’s bottom-feeding cousin. Puppies eat great; giants pull hard and get released.", "habitat": "Muddy flats, oyster bars, bridge and dock pilings, deep holes in bays. Feeds by feel and smell with chin barbels — dirty water bothers them least of any inshore fish.", "waterTempF": { "low": 55, "high": 82, "ideal": "60–75°F" }, "lightPreference": "Light matters little; scent and current matter a lot. A dead-stick natural bait on bottom beats any lure. Great muddy-water, post-front backup plan.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Big spring run at jetties and channels, Feb–Apr." }, { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Oyster bars with shrimp on bottom, year-round." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Trophy fish on lower-bay shoals in May." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Half blue crab, fresh shrimp", "lures": "Rarely — scented plastics fished dead slow", "notes": "Spawning run of big fish at passes and bay bridges." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Shrimp on bottom rigs", "lures": "—", "notes": "Puppy drum around bars and docks." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Shrimp, crab chunks", "lures": "—", "notes": "Mixed with sheepshead and reds on structure." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Fresh dead shrimp", "lures": "—", "notes": "Deep holes and canals; slow, reliable bite." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/black-drum" }, { "slug": "snook", "name": "Snook", "scientificName": "Centropomus undecimalis", "alsoKnownAs": "Linesider, robalo", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The glamour fish of Florida inshore — ambush predator with a drag-melting first run.", "habitat": "Mangrove shorelines, passes, beaches in summer, dock and bridge lights at night. Historically south of the big bends, but the range keeps creeping north along the Gulf — St. Joseph Bay now holds fish most years.", "waterTempF": { "low": 68, "high": 88, "ideal": "72–84°F" }, "lightPreference": "Night and low light around lighted structure is the classic pattern. Cold fronts shut them down hard — below ~60°F they go lethargic and below the mid-50s cold kills are a real risk. Fish warming trends only in the cool months.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Northern-edge fishery: creek mouths and lighted docks in high summer." }, { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Occasional catches in the rivers — a range-expansion story, not a target fishery." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live pilchards, threadfins", "lures": "Jerk shads and swimbaits along mangroves", "notes": "Fish slide from rivers toward passes as water warms." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live bait at passes", "lures": "Flair-hawk-style jigs at night, topwater at dawn on beaches", "notes": "Spawning at passes; heavily regulated — check seasons before keeping anything." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Pilchards, pinfish", "lures": "Paddle tails, twitchbaits", "notes": "Feeding up before the first fronts." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Slow-fished jumbo shrimp", "lures": "Suspending twitchbaits, dead slow", "notes": "Rivers, canals and dark-mud backwaters that hold heat." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/snook" }, { "slug": "tarpon", "name": "Tarpon", "scientificName": "Megalops atlanticus", "alsoKnownAs": "Silver king, poon", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "A 100 lb fish that jumps like a bass. The Gulf beach migration is a bucket-list bite.", "habitat": "Beach troughs and bars during the May–July migration, passes and bay mouths, river mouths late summer. Rolls on the surface to gulp air — look before you cast.", "waterTempF": { "low": 74, "high": 88, "ideal": "76–84°F" }, "lightPreference": "Dawn glass-calm beach mornings are prime for sight-casting rolling schools. They spook badly in bright midday sun and boat traffic. Fish the edges of light around bridges at night.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "West Pass and the beach line, June–August." }, { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Migrating strings along Cape San Blas in early summer." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "The old \"Tarpon Alley\" nearshore fishery fires late summer." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live crabs on the hill tides", "lures": "Swimbaits, DOA Baitbuster-style plugs", "notes": "First pushes arrive as water crosses 74°F." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Pass crabs, threadfins, mullet", "lures": "Big soft plastics presented ahead of rolling fish", "notes": "Peak migration. Circle hooks, heavy leader, revive fish fully." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Mullet during the run", "lures": "Swimming plugs at river mouths", "notes": "Stragglers follow the mullet run south." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Gone south / offshore. Juveniles winter in warm backwaters." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/tarpon" }, { "slug": "gag-grouper", "name": "Gag Grouper", "scientificName": "Mycteroperca microlepis", "alsoKnownAs": "Gags, grass grouper (juveniles)", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Yes, a grouper on the inshore list — juveniles prowl Gulf grass flats and rock edges within sight of land.", "habitat": "Juveniles in seagrass and around inshore rock piles (St. Joseph Bay is famous for it); keeper fish on nearshore hard bottom and ledges in 20–60 ft. First run for the rocks — heavy leader or lose.", "waterTempF": { "low": 62, "high": 80, "ideal": "66–75°F" }, "lightPreference": "Structure and current over light. Overcast helps shallow-water gags roam off the rocks. Fall cool-down pulls keeper fish surprisingly shallow.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Grass-flat juveniles all summer; keepers on nearshore rock in fall." }, { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Jetty rocks and nearshore ledges on the fall inshore run." }, { "locationSlug": "apalachicola", "note": "Live-bottom patches off the cape." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live pinfish", "lures": "Deep-diving crankbaits over rock", "notes": "Check season dates — Gulf gag seasons shift year to year." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Pinfish, sardines", "lures": "Big paddle tails on 1 oz heads", "notes": "Juveniles thick in the grass; most are shorts." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live pinfish or mullet", "lures": "Trolled lipped plugs along ledges", "notes": "The shallow-water run — best inshore shot at a keeper." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Cut and live bait deeper", "lures": "Slow-pitch style jigs nearshore", "notes": "Fish slide deeper; seasons usually closed — verify." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/gag-grouper" }, { "slug": "striped-bass", "name": "Striped Bass", "scientificName": "Morone saxatilis", "alsoKnownAs": "Rockfish (Chesapeake), stripers, linesides", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The mid-Atlantic icon — and a genuine West Coast surf target in Monterey Bay.", "habitat": "Chesapeake: channel edges, light lines at night, bridge pilings, tributary mouths. California: surf troughs and river mouths in summer. Follows bait and comfortable temps religiously.", "waterTempF": { "low": 50, "high": 70, "ideal": "55–68°F" }, "lightPreference": "Dawn, dusk and night are the money hours; big fish feed after dark around lights and current seams. Midsummer heat pushes Chesapeake fish deep and stresses them — fish early, land fast, or leave them alone above 80°F.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Topwater on shallow rock and stump fields in fall; light lines at night." }, { "locationSlug": "monterey", "note": "Surf stripers on swimbaits, June–September." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Bloodworms, cut menhaden (where legal)", "lures": "Bucktails, swim shads on channel edges", "notes": "Trophy season around the spawn — heavy regulation, check current MD rules." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live spot, eels", "lures": "Topwater at first light; CA surf: 5\" swimbaits", "notes": "Chesapeake heat = fish deep or early. Monterey surf bite peaks." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live eels at night", "lures": "Walk-the-dog topwater, jigging spoons under birds", "notes": "Best all-around season on the bay." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Cut bait deep", "lures": "Big soft plastics jigged slow", "notes": "Ocean-run fish off VA/MD; bay fishery mostly catch-and-release — verify regs." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/striped-bass" }, { "slug": "spanish-mackerel", "name": "Spanish Mackerel", "scientificName": "Scomberomorus maculatus", "alsoKnownAs": "Spanish, macks", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Speed in a yellow-spotted wrapper. Find diving birds, cast anything shiny, retrieve fast.", "habitat": "Beachfronts, piers, passes and open bays wherever glass minnows and menhaden ball up. A warm-season migrant that shows when water passes ~68°F and leaves with the first cold snaps.", "waterTempF": { "low": 68, "high": 84, "ideal": "70–80°F" }, "lightPreference": "Bright sun and clear water actually help — flash triggers strikes. Morning and evening see the biggest surface blitzes. Long casting distance beats finesse; add 40–50 lb fluoro or light wire against the teeth.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Piers and the pass, April through October." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Jetties and beachfront on green-water days." }, { "locationSlug": "pamlico-sound", "note": "Inlets and ocean piers all summer." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Lower bay, July–September." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live glass minnows rarely needed", "lures": "Silver casting spoons, Gotcha plugs", "notes": "First arrivals with 68°F water." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Free-lined greenbacks off piers", "lures": "Spoons behind a trolling weight, jigs under birds", "notes": "Everywhere there’s bait. Fast retrieve, then faster." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Bait schools along beaches", "lures": "Spoons, small topwater during blitzes", "notes": "Feeding frenzy before the exit — best size of the year." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Migrated south to FL/warmer water." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/spanish-mackerel" }, { "slug": "pompano", "name": "Florida Pompano", "scientificName": "Trachinotus carolinus", "alsoKnownAs": "Pomps", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Pound for pound the surf’s hardest fighter, and arguably its best dinner.", "habitat": "Surf zone sandbars and troughs, sandy passes and clean-water beaches, digging sand fleas (mole crabs) and coquina clams off the bottom. Runs the beach in spring and fall migrations.", "waterTempF": { "low": 65, "high": 80, "ideal": "68–75°F" }, "lightPreference": "Water clarity is the big variable — they want clean, green, sandy-clear surf. An incoming tide through mid-morning is classic. After big blows, wait for the surf to clean up.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "Beach troughs March–May; look for \"pompano skip\" behind waves." }, { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Cape San Blas surf is a spring-run highway." }, { "locationSlug": "galveston", "note": "Clean-water windows on the beachfront, spring and fall." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live sand fleas, fresh peeled shrimp, Fishbites strips", "lures": "Pompano jigs (banana style) tipped with shrimp", "notes": "Main migration along Gulf beaches." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Sand fleas early morning", "lures": "Small jigs in the swash", "notes": "Scattered resident fish; dawn is best before swimmers." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Sand fleas, shrimp on 2-drop rigs", "lures": "Jigs bounced through troughs", "notes": "Second run as water cools back through the low 70s." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Shrimp/Fishbites on calm warm spells", "lures": "—", "notes": "South FL holds the winter fishery; northern Gulf is spotty." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/pompano" }, { "slug": "cobia", "name": "Cobia", "scientificName": "Rachycentron canadum", "alsoKnownAs": "Ling, lemonfish, crab eater", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The brown bomber of the spring beach run — sight-fished from towers, hooked within sight of the sand.", "habitat": "Cruises the beach in spring migration, shadows rays and turtles, holds on buoys, wrecks, and channel markers. Chesapeake fish summer over lower-bay shoals.", "waterTempF": { "low": 68, "high": 82, "ideal": "70–78°F" }, "lightPreference": "A sight-fishing game: high sun (10am–3pm) and clean water are your friends for spotting fish. Dirty water after fronts kills the run for days. Keep a pitch rod rigged and ready — the shot lasts seconds.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "panama-city", "note": "The historic spring sight-fishery off the beach, late March–May." }, { "locationSlug": "port-st-joe", "note": "Fish rounding Cape San Blas on the migration." }, { "locationSlug": "chesapeake", "note": "Chumming and sight-casting lower-bay shoals, June–August." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live eels, big shrimp", "lures": "2–3 oz bucktails with eel-style trailers", "notes": "Beach migration east-to-west along the Gulf. Regulations tightened recently — check limits." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live eels, croaker over shoals", "lures": "Bucktails pitched to markers and rays", "notes": "Chesapeake peak; Gulf fish scatter to structure." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live bait on wrecks", "lures": "Jigs over nearshore structure", "notes": "Reverse migration; incidental inshore catches." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Offshore/south. Plan for the spring run." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/cobia" }, { "slug": "calico-bass", "name": "Calico Bass", "scientificName": "Paralabrax clathratus", "alsoKnownAs": "Kelp bass, calicos, bull bass (5 lb+)", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The West Coast's resident light-tackle king. Calicos live in the kelp their whole lives, hit like fish twice their size, and reward the angler who can put a swimbait a foot off the stringers without hanging up.", "habitat": "Kelp forests, boiler rocks and breakwater walls — anywhere hard structure meets moving water. Big fish hold on the up-current corners of the kelp and the wash around boiler rocks. Harbor walls like the LA breakwater grow genuine trophies in flat-calm water.", "waterTempF": { "low": 58, "high": 74, "ideal": "62–70°F" }, "lightPreference": "A gray-light and edge-of-day fish. Overcast mornings keep calicos loose and hunting off the kelp; bright midday sun pins them deep in the stringers where only a weedless bait reaches them. A little current beats any light condition — slack water is the real bite killer.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "la-long-beach", "note": "Trophy fish on The Wall — weedless swimbaits tight to the rocks on calm days." }, { "locationSlug": "oceanside-carlsbad", "note": "Outer kelp stringers off Carlsbad, up-current corners first." }, { "locationSlug": "newport-dana-point", "note": "Boiler rocks south of the harbor and the headland kelp." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "Malibu and Palos Verdes kelp on clear-water mornings." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-barbara-ventura", "note": "Island kelp at Anacapa and Santa Cruz in summer." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live squid when the nests form", "lures": "Weedless swimbaits, hard jerkbaits off the kelp edge", "notes": "Fish wake up with the water. Squid in the count means calicos in the game." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live anchovies and sardines fly-lined at the kelp", "lures": "4–6\" weedless swimbaits in the stringers, surface iron over bait", "notes": "Peak season. Big fish shallow in the kelp and on the boilers — this is the window for a legitimate bull calico." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Sardines on the kelp line", "lures": "Swimbaits and jerkbaits as the bait schools push through", "notes": "Steady fishing until the water drops through the low 60s." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Live squid fished slow and deep", "lures": "Heavier swimbaits crawled along deep structure", "notes": "Fish slide deeper on the same structure. Slow down and go to the 20–40 ft zone." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/calico-bass" }, { "slug": "california-halibut", "name": "California Halibut", "scientificName": "Paralichthys californicus", "alsoKnownAs": "Flatties, barn doors (20 lb+)", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The West Coast's answer to the flounder — bigger, meaner and worth planning around. A legal halibut off the sand is a trophy anywhere; the record-class water off Santa Barbara grows genuine barn doors.", "habitat": "Sand and mud flats near structure: channel edges in the bays, harbor mouths, and open-beach sand in 15–60 ft. An ambush fish that buries in the sand facing up-current and eats whatever the tide washes past. The bay flats fish shallow in spring; open-coast fish hold deeper year-round.", "waterTempF": { "low": 56, "high": 74, "ideal": "60–68°F" }, "lightPreference": "Light matters less than water movement and clarity — halibut feed by sight from below, so clean water and a bait swimming just off the bottom get bit at noon. The classic program is a drift on a moving tide, any light, with live bait bounced slow.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "The premier drift fishery — live smelt on the sand in 40–60 ft." }, { "locationSlug": "san-diego", "note": "Channel edges in Mission and San Diego bays on swimbaits." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-barbara-ventura", "note": "IGFA-record water on the sand off the Ventura flats." }, { "locationSlug": "oceanside-carlsbad", "note": "Sand outside the harbor mouth, spring and winter drifts." }, { "locationSlug": "monterey", "note": "Flats in 15–25 ft when the swell lies down." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live smelt and small mackerel drifted on the flats", "lures": "White swimbaits slow-rolled on the bottom", "notes": "The wake-up. Fish move onto the bay flats and harbor-mouth sand as the water warms." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live anchovies and smelt on a Carolina rig", "lures": "Carolina-rigged grubs, 5\" swimbaits bounced on the drift", "notes": "Steady on the open-coast sand. Moving tide over clean water." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live bait on the deeper sand", "lures": "Swimbaits worked along channel drops", "notes": "Fish slide toward deeper edges but keep eating." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A patient live smelt in the channels", "lures": "Grubs and swimbaits crawled dead-slow", "notes": "The bay program: deeper channels, slower drifts, fewer but quality fish." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/california-halibut" }, { "slug": "california-yellowtail", "name": "California Yellowtail", "scientificName": "Seriola dorsalis", "alsoKnownAs": "Yellows, forktails, mossbacks (trophy class)", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The fish SoCal builds its summer around. A yellowtail on the surface iron is the West Coast's signature moment — brutal first run, no quit, and a bite that lives and dies with the warm water.", "habitat": "Kelp lines, offshore paddies, high spots and bait schools from San Diego to the Channel Islands. Warm-water pelagics that push inshore when the current runs blue and warm — some years within casting range of the harbor mouths, other years a long ride out.", "waterTempF": { "low": 62, "high": 78, "ideal": "66–74°F" }, "lightPreference": "Gray light is the classic window — the dawn surface-iron bite along the kelp is a religion. Bright midday can still fire when bait is pinned up, but the fish get boat-shy and iron-shy; go longer casts and live bait. Birds working are worth more than any light reading.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "newport-dana-point", "note": "Kelp line off the headlands at gray light — surface iron over bait." }, { "locationSlug": "san-diego", "note": "The Coronados-side kelp and offshore paddies in warm water." }, { "locationSlug": "oceanside-carlsbad", "note": "Outside the kelp on the greener water, summer through fall." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-barbara-ventura", "note": "Summer–fall island runs at Anacapa and Santa Cruz." }, { "locationSlug": "la-long-beach", "note": "Outside the breakwater chasing bait in fall." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live squid on the nests when they form", "lures": "Yo-yo iron dropped through marks on the high spots", "notes": "First fish show as the water crosses 62°F — deep on the squid before they ever boil." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Fly-lined sardines on the kelp line", "lures": "Surface iron at dawn, poppers on foamers", "notes": "Peak season. Warm blue water pushes fish inside — the surface-iron window of the year." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Sardines and mackerel under the bird schools", "lures": "Surface iron and yo-yo iron under working birds", "notes": "The last strong push as bait stacks along the coast. Some years the best month." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Gone south with the warm water. Island stragglers only in mild winters." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/california-yellowtail" }, { "slug": "spotted-bay-bass", "name": "Spotted Bay Bass", "scientificName": "Paralabrax maculatofasciatus", "alsoKnownAs": "Spotties, bay bass", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The year-round heartbeat of the SoCal bays. Spotties eat every month, fight over their weight class, and turn an hour of dock-and-eelgrass fishing into the West Coast's most reliable bite.", "habitat": "Bay structure: eelgrass flats, dock pilings, rip-rap, channel edges and moorings in 2–20 ft. They hold tight to whatever breaks the current and eat what the tide brings past. San Diego, Mission Bay, Newport Bay and the LA inner harbors are the strongholds.", "waterTempF": { "low": 56, "high": 78, "ideal": "62–72°F" }, "lightPreference": "Tide over light, every time. A moving tide across an eelgrass edge out-fishes any dawn window on slack water. That said, low light keeps them roaming off structure; bright sun pushes them tighter to the shade of docks and rip-rap — shorten your casts and hit the shadow lines.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "san-diego", "note": "Eelgrass edges in Mission and San Diego bays — the year-round staple." }, { "locationSlug": "newport-dana-point", "note": "Newport Bay moorings and dock lines on the moving tide." }, { "locationSlug": "la-long-beach", "note": "Inner-harbor rip-rap and dock structure, every month." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Ghost shrimp on the flats", "lures": "3\" grubs on darter heads, small spinnerbaits over eelgrass", "notes": "Fish spread onto the warming flats. The bite builds weekly." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live smelt and ghost shrimp", "lures": "Grubs, dropshot plastics on dock lines, topwater early", "notes": "Peak numbers. Moving tide plus eelgrass equals fish — the most honest bite in the bay." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Ghost shrimp on channel edges", "lures": "Grubs and small swimbaits slow-rolled deeper", "notes": "Steady as the water cools; fish slide toward channel edges." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A slow ghost shrimp in the channels", "lures": "Dropshot plastics worked dead-slow on structure", "notes": "They never really quit — slow down, fish deeper structure, count your bites." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/spotted-bay-bass" }, { "slug": "barred-sand-bass", "name": "Barred Sand Bass", "scientificName": "Paralabrax nebulifer", "alsoKnownAs": "Sand bass, barries' cousin, grumpies", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The summer structure fish of the SoCal coast. Sand bass gang up on hard bottom and artificial reefs by the hundreds in the spawn months — when the bite is on, it is the easiest quality fishing on the coast.", "habitat": "Sand-adjacent structure: artificial reefs, wrecks, hard-bottom patches and breakwater bases in 20–100 ft, plus bay channels in the off-months. Summer spawning aggregations stack over structure flats — meter the school, drop on it, stay on it.", "waterTempF": { "low": 60, "high": 75, "ideal": "64–72°F" }, "lightPreference": "A structure-and-current fish more than a light fish. Overcast keeps the schools looser and higher off the bottom; bright sun tightens them to the shadow of the structure. The tide matters most — a moving tide across the reef turns the school on.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "la-long-beach", "note": "The summer structure spawn — big schools on the harbor reefs." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "Winter structure fish on the artificial reefs." }, { "locationSlug": "san-diego", "note": "Bay channels in the cool months, hard bottom outside in summer." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live anchovies over the reefs", "lures": "Yo-yo'd iron and swimbaits as schools form", "notes": "Fish start ganging up on structure as the water warms." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live sardines and anchovies dropped to the school", "lures": "Big grubs and swimbaits on 1–2 oz heads, yo-yo iron", "notes": "The spawn aggregation — the season the party boats plan around. Find the school, stay on it." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live bait on the deeper structure", "lures": "Swimbaits slow-rolled along the bottom", "notes": "Schools break up and slide deep. Pick fish off structure." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Ghost shrimp and cut squid in the bay channels", "lures": "Dropshot plastics and grubs worked slow", "notes": "A scattered, technical pick — the bay channels fish best." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/barred-sand-bass" }, { "slug": "white-seabass", "name": "White Seabass", "scientificName": "Atractoscion nobilis", "alsoKnownAs": "Whites, ghosts, croaker royalty", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The ghost of the kelp. White seabass follow the squid, bite for twenty minutes a day, and haunt the anglers who chase them — which is exactly why a 40-pounder in gray light is the West Coast inshore fish of a lifetime.", "habitat": "Kelp edges, squid grounds and structure adjacent to deep water. The whole fishery keys on squid: find spawning squid at the islands or along the coast and the seabass are underneath. Gray light and the last hour of the night are when they slide shallow to feed.", "waterTempF": { "low": 56, "high": 70, "ideal": "58–66°F" }, "lightPreference": "The classic gray-ghost window: dawn, dusk and after dark on the squid grounds. Bright sun sends them deep and lockjawed — the sportboat program is anchored on the squid before first light. A big tide swing in the dark hours is the trigger.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "santa-barbara-ventura", "note": "The island squid grounds at Santa Cruz and Anacapa." }, { "locationSlug": "oceanside-carlsbad", "note": "Kelp edges on the spring squid." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "Kelp edges off Malibu and Palos Verdes, summer–fall." }, { "locationSlug": "monterey", "note": "Fall squid runs along the kelp — soaked whole squid at night." }, { "locationSlug": "newport-dana-point", "note": "Spring squid nests off the headlands." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live squid on the nests — the whole ballgame", "lures": "White jigs and big swimbaits over the squid", "notes": "The peak. Spawning squid concentrate every seabass on the coast — be there in gray light." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Live squid where you can make it, sardines otherwise", "lures": "Heavy swimbaits along the kelp edges", "notes": "Island fish and kelp-line locals. Dawn patrol only." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Fresh-dead squid soaked at night", "lures": "White jigs yo-yo'd through bait schools", "notes": "A second squid push some years — Monterey's window." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Fresh-dead squid on deep structure", "lures": "—", "notes": "Scarce and deep. A patient soak for the true believers." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/white-seabass" }, { "slug": "pacific-bonito", "name": "Pacific Bonito", "scientificName": "Sarda chiliensis", "alsoKnownAs": "Bones, boneheads, striped tuna", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The everyman's tuna. Bonito crash bait in schools, eat anything shiny retrieved fast, and pull like fish twice their size — the West Coast's best light-tackle arm-burner and the fish that hooks kids for life.", "habitat": "Open water over bait: harbor mouths, kelp lines, bait receivers and bird schools from San Diego to Monterey. A warm-water schooling pelagic — where anchovies ball up, bonito find them, often within casting range of a jetty or breakwater.", "waterTempF": { "low": 60, "high": 75, "ideal": "64–72°F" }, "lightPreference": "Any light, as long as the bait is up. Feeding schools boil in full sun without a care — birds and breaking water matter infinitely more than the light window. Retrieve speed is the real variable: fast, then faster.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "la-long-beach", "note": "Boiling off the Queen's Gate on anything shiny retrieved fast." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "Bait schools across the bay, summer–fall." }, { "locationSlug": "san-diego", "note": "Harbor mouth and kelp-line schools on the warm water." }, { "locationSlug": "monterey", "note": "Warm-water years bring schools onto the bay." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live anchovies fly-lined", "lures": "Small chrome spoons and jigs retrieved fast", "notes": "First schools show with the warming water." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Fly-lined anchovies and sardines", "lures": "Krocodile-style spoons, surface iron, small poppers", "notes": "Peak season. Bird schools and boils — cast past the school and burn it back." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Live bait under the birds", "lures": "Chrome spoons and feathers trolled or cast", "notes": "The heaviest fish of the year fatten on fall bait." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Gone with the warm water. Wait for spring." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/pacific-bonito" }, { "slug": "rockfish", "name": "Rockfish", "scientificName": "Sebastes spp.", "alsoKnownAs": "Reds, rockcod, the rail-rattlers", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Not one fish but a family — vermilion, copper, bocaccio and a dozen more — that turns West Coast hard bottom into the most dependable meat fishing on the coast. Check the seasonal closure dates before every trip; they change.", "habitat": "Hard bottom, reefs, pinnacles and kelp-adjacent rock from 30 ft to deep water. Structure fish that barely move — find rock on the meter and the fish are there. Shallower species (grass and kelp rockfish) live in the kelp itself; the quality reds hold deeper.", "waterTempF": { "low": 48, "high": 62, "ideal": "50–58°F" }, "lightPreference": "Nearly light-proof — they live deep enough that surface light barely reaches them. Current is the driver: enough to wash bait past the rock, not so much you can't hold bottom. Overcast and fog change nothing down there.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "santa-barbara-ventura", "note": "The island reefs at Anacapa — quality reds and lingcod when open." }, { "locationSlug": "monterey", "note": "The kelp-edge rock — the classic Central Coast program." }, { "locationSlug": "santa-monica-bay", "note": "Deeper reefs off Palos Verdes when the season allows." }, { "locationSlug": "newport-dana-point", "note": "Local banks in season." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Cut squid and anchovies on dropper loops", "lures": "Shrimp flies with a diamond jig on the bottom", "notes": "Season typically opens in spring — verify current CA dates before you go." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Strip squid on double-dropper rigs", "lures": "Shrimp flies, diamond jigs, heavy swimbaits on the rock", "notes": "Peak access — calm weather opens the deeper pinnacles." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Cut squid and mackerel strips", "lures": "Diamond jigs yo-yo'd off the bottom", "notes": "Strong until the winter closure — check the calendar." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "—", "lures": "—", "notes": "Closed in most CA management areas — the annual conservation closure. Verify current rules." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/rockfish" }, { "slug": "rainbow-trout", "name": "Rainbow Trout", "scientificName": "Oncorhynchus mykiss", "alsoKnownAs": "Stockers, 'bows, planters", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The stocked-lake staple of the West — hatchery rainbows planted when the water is cool, plus holdovers that grow smart and fat. The fish that teaches most Western kids to fish.", "habitat": "Cool, oxygenated water. In reservoirs they cruise the top 10 feet when the surface is under 65°F — dam faces, inlet flows and wind-blown points — then slide deep to the thermocline as summer heat builds. Fresh stockers hold near the plant site for days before spreading out.", "waterTempF": { "low": 45, "high": 68, "ideal": "52–62°F" }, "lightPreference": "Low light and overcast stretch the bite; bright, calm middays push them deeper and make them line-shy. A light ripple is your friend — it breaks up the surface and lets trout feed shallow in comfort. In winter, the warmest hour of the afternoon can out-fish dawn.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "brite-lake", "note": "Seasonal stockings, spring and fall — dam face and west shore at first light." }, { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "Stockings plus the Kern River inflow — the fall cool-down turns the bite on." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Dough bait off the bottom, inflated nightcrawlers, salmon eggs", "lures": "Inline spinners, small casting spoons, trolled small plugs", "notes": "Stocking season. Fresh plants stay shallow and near the plant site — fish the banks." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Nightcrawler on a slip rig fished deep, early only", "lures": "Spoons counted down to the thermocline", "notes": "Surface water gets too warm; fish deep, early, or near cold inflows. Handle fish fast in warm water." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Dough bait, nightcrawlers as the water cools through the 60s", "lures": "Inline spinners along the banks, small spoons", "notes": "The cool-down brings trout back shallow and stockings resume. Second-best window of the year." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Dough bait or a nightcrawler soaked patiently off the bottom", "lures": "Slow-rolled spoons and spinners on warm afternoons", "notes": "Slow but honest — the biggest holdover trout of the year come to the angler willing to wait." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/rainbow-trout" }, { "slug": "largemouth-bass", "name": "Largemouth Bass", "scientificName": "Micropterus nigricans", "alsoKnownAs": "Bucketmouth, green fish, largies", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "America's fish. An ambush predator that lives on cover — tules, flooded brush, dock shade — and eats anything it can fit in a mouth the size of a coffee can.", "habitat": "Cover and edges: tule lines, flooded timber and brush, weed edges, dock pilings and rocky points. Shallow (2–10 ft) around the spring spawn, deeper on points and channel breaks in summer heat and winter cold. Always tight to something — a bare bank is dead water.", "waterTempF": { "low": 50, "high": 85, "ideal": "65–78°F" }, "lightPreference": "Low light moves them out of cover to hunt — dawn, dusk and overcast are topwater time. Bright sun pins them into shade and thick cover, where a slow soft plastic dropped on their nose still gets bit. Wind on a bank beats glass calm almost every time.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "brite-lake", "note": "Tule edges and weed lines — wacky-rigged worms fished slow." }, { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "Coves and flooded brush at dawn — spinnerbaits before the wind comes up." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Nightcrawlers on light wire hooks near cover", "lures": "Spinnerbaits along the banks, Texas-rigged worms in the tules, squarebills on rock", "notes": "Pre-spawn through spawn as water passes 60°F — the year's shallowest, most aggressive fish." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Nightcrawlers at dawn before the sun gets on the water", "lures": "Walk-the-dog topwater early, then Texas rigs and drop shots on deeper edges", "notes": "First and last light are the show. Midday, slow down and fish shade and depth." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Nightcrawlers on breeze-blown banks", "lures": "Squarebill crankbaits, spinnerbaits — cover water", "notes": "Bass chase bait shallow ahead of winter. Moving baits shine; follow the wind." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A slow-soaked nightcrawler on deep structure", "lures": "Ned rigs and drop shots crawled on rocky points", "notes": "Cold water, slow fish. Downsize, drag the bottom, and take the warm afternoons." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/largemouth-bass" }, { "slug": "smallmouth-bass", "name": "Smallmouth Bass", "scientificName": "Micropterus dolomieu", "alsoKnownAs": "Smallies, bronzebacks, brown bass", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "Pound for pound the hardest-pulling black bass — a rock-and-current fish that hits like it's twice its size and jumps like it's mad about it.", "habitat": "Rock: rocky points, riprap, gravel flats, boulder fields and the old river channel. Cleaner and deeper water than largemouth, less love for weeds and wood. On Isabella they hold the rocky points near the dam and the Kern channel edges.", "waterTempF": { "low": 48, "high": 80, "ideal": "60–72°F" }, "lightPreference": "More willing to feed in bright sun than largemouth — clear-water sight hunters that use light to their advantage. That same clear water makes them line- and lure-shy: go lighter and smaller than feels right. Wind-broken surface turns cautious followers into biters.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "Rocky points near the dam and river-channel edges — tubes and Ned rigs." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Nightcrawlers drifted along gravel points", "lures": "Ned rigs and tubes on rock, suspending jerkbaits early", "notes": "Spawn on gravel as water passes 55–60°F — the best big-smallie window of the year." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Nightcrawlers on a drop shot, deep", "lures": "Drop shots and Ned rigs on 10–25 ft rock, topwater at dawn", "notes": "Fish slide down the points as the surface warms. Follow them with your electronics or a count-down." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Nightcrawlers on wind-blown rock", "lures": "Squarebills and spinnerbaits over the rocks, jerkbaits as it cools", "notes": "A strong feed as bait pushes shallow — the moving-bait season on the points." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A dead-slow nightcrawler on deep structure", "lures": "Ned rigs dragged on deep rock, barely moving", "notes": "Deep, slow, patient. One good afternoon bite on warming trends." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/smallmouth-bass" }, { "slug": "channel-catfish", "name": "Channel Catfish", "scientificName": "Ictalurus punctatus", "alsoKnownAs": "Channel cats, whiskers, fork-tails", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The night shift. Channel cats feed by smell and taste in the dark, pull hard and honest, and turn a warm summer evening on the bank into a fish fry.", "habitat": "Channel edges, holes, flats near deep water and inflow mouths. Daytime they hold deep and shaded; after dark they prowl shallow flats and shorelines hunting by smell. Warm water is their season — they feed hardest when everything else slows down in the heat.", "waterTempF": { "low": 55, "high": 90, "ideal": "70–85°F" }, "lightPreference": "The classic after-dark bite: dusk through the first hours of night is prime, and cloudy, muggy evenings extend it. Bright midday sun sends them to the deepest, darkest water. Sight means little to a catfish — scent trails carried on a little current or wind are what find your bait.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "brite-lake", "note": "Evenings near the ramp and dam — cut bait and dough after dark." }, { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "Channel edges on the night bite — the summer program when the wind quits." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Nightcrawlers and cut bait on the warming flats", "lures": "—", "notes": "Feed builds as water passes 60°F. Evenings get better week by week." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Cut bait, stink bait or chicken liver on a sliding sinker rig", "lures": "—", "notes": "Peak season. Set up on a flat near deep water at dusk and let the scent work." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Cut bait and nightcrawlers, earlier in the evening", "lures": "—", "notes": "Still strong until the water drops through the low 60s." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A patient nightcrawler or cut bait soaked in the deepest holes", "lures": "—", "notes": "Slow and deep — a warm-afternoon soak for the diehards." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/channel-catfish" }, { "slug": "black-crappie", "name": "Black Crappie", "scientificName": "Pomoxis nigromaculatus", "alsoKnownAs": "Slabs, papermouths, speckled perch", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The schooling panfish worth planning a trip around — find the timber, find one crappie, and you've usually found fifty. Isabella's spring run is the stuff of coolers.", "habitat": "Structure in open water: flooded timber, brush piles, submerged trees and marina shade. Suspends at a precise depth with the school — a foot off in either direction can mean no bites. Moves shallow to spawn in spring, then hangs deeper off the same cover the rest of the year.", "waterTempF": { "low": 50, "high": 80, "ideal": "60–70°F" }, "lightPreference": "Soft light is best — early, late and overcast days keep schools shallower and feeding. Bright sun drops them deeper into the timber shade, not out of reach, just deeper. Their bite is a gentle tick on the fall of the jig: watch the line, not the rod tip.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "The legendary spring run in the flooded timber — minnows and tube jigs." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Live minnows under a slip bobber in the timber", "lures": "1/16 oz tube jigs swum past the branches", "notes": "The run. Water in the 60s stacks spawning slabs in the flooded timber — the year's peak by far." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Minnows fished deeper off the same trees", "lures": "Tube jigs counted down to the school's depth", "notes": "Schools suspend deeper. Finding the exact depth is the whole game." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Minnows on brush piles", "lures": "Tube jigs worked slow through the cover", "notes": "A steady second season as the water cools through the 60s." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "Minnows fished dead-slow and deep", "lures": "Tiny jigs barely swimming", "notes": "Deep, tight schools. Slow bites, but the fish run big." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/black-crappie" }, { "slug": "bluegill", "name": "Bluegill", "scientificName": "Lepomis macrochirus", "alsoKnownAs": "Bream, sunfish, 'gills", "signatureSpecies": false, "blurb": "The first fish, the kids' fish, and — on light tackle — a genuinely great fish. Aggressive, everywhere, and willing all day, which is exactly why it hooks people on fishing for life.", "habitat": "Shallow cover: dock pilings, tule edges, weed lines and brushy banks in 2–8 ft. Big bulls spawn in dish-shaped beds on firm bottom in late spring and guard them fearlessly. Bigger fish hang a cast deeper than the dinks that mob the bank.", "waterTempF": { "low": 55, "high": 85, "ideal": "65–80°F" }, "lightPreference": "The most forgiving fish on the lake — they bite through bright midday when everything else quits, though the biggest bulls still feed best early and late. Calm, sunny banks warm first in spring and hold the first active fish of the year.", "whereItBites": [ { "locationSlug": "brite-lake", "note": "Docks and tules — anything small under a bobber, all season." }, { "locationSlug": "lake-isabella", "note": "Coves and brushy banks, year-round — the sure thing when the wind blows out the main lake." } ], "seasons": [ { "season": "Spring", "bait": "Red worms or a piece of nightcrawler under a bobber", "lures": "1/32–1/16 oz jigs, tiny inline spinners", "notes": "Bedding season in late spring — big bulls shallow and fearless on firm-bottom coves." }, { "season": "Summer", "bait": "Worms, crickets, dough balls — they're not picky", "lures": "Small jigs and spinners along weed edges", "notes": "The all-day bite. Fish a cast deeper than the bank dinks for the better grade." }, { "season": "Fall", "bait": "Worm pieces under a bobber near cover", "lures": "Small jigs fished slower as it cools", "notes": "Steady around cover until the water drops into the 50s." }, { "season": "Winter", "bait": "A small worm fished slow and deep near structure", "lures": "Tiny jigs, barely moving", "notes": "Schooled deep and sluggish — small baits, slow hands." } ], "url": "https://www.tidesandtails.net/species/bluegill" } ] }