Pursuing an Inshore Favorite:
A Calico Primer
by Craig Smith
An introduction to chasing one of our favorite fish. All photos by author, except where noted.
Background
The kelp bass, commonly referred to by anglers as "calico bass", is one of the most popular inshore gamefish species along the Southern California coast. Calico bass can be found from Magdalena Bay, Baja California, north to the Columbia River. However, they are most frequently found from central Baja north to Pt. Conception. Calico bass get their name from their unique bronze coloration pattern, which loosely resembles a calico quilt. For the same reason, they are also called "checkers" or "plaids".
Calico bass get as large as 28” and 14 lbs. with smaller fish in the 10”-15” range being most common. However, a 3-4lber is considered "a good fish", and anything over 5lbs has reached "lunker" status. Calico bass grow slowly, first capable of reproduction at 7” to 10” in length and 3-5 years of age. Though we strongly advocate catch and release angling for these fish, California allows anglers to keep fish for the table if they are at least 12” long. Spawning season runs from May through September.
Calico bass are typically taken from the surface, down to about 150 ft. Squid, sardines, smelt, and anchovies are prime forage, but calico bass will also eat crustaceans such as crabs and shrimp. They are most often found in coastal kelp beds and on nearshore reefs, as well as in harbors and bays. This makes them ideal targets for anglers with small boats, kayaks, and surfboards.
Calico bass are a great target for fly-fishermen. Powerful fighters, they will immediately head for cover when hooked, and can be very difficult to stop, even with heavy tippets. At times they can be easy to catch, and at other times maddeningly frustrating to entice. While sometimes overlooked by fishermen chasing "glamor" species like yellowtail or tuna, the "man in the plaid suit" is always a worthy adversary on fly tackle.
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