Also known as
- California Flounder US
- Calibut US
- Cali Hali US
Identification
A large oval flatfish with a laterally compressed build adapted for seafloor ambush from a camouflaged resting position. Delivers explosive short-range acceleration and surprising pulling power for its profile. Females grow larger than males.
- Dark upper surface that changes tone to match bottom substrate, bright white underside
- Both eyes on the left side of the body — a left-eyed flatfish
- Wide mouth with sharp canine-like teeth built for seizing fast baitfish
Where it holds
- Sandy Shores
- Inshore
- Estuaries
Behaviour
Ambush predators that spend most of their time lying flat on the bottom, often partially buried, using the flattened body profile as camouflage. Launch rapid strikes within three body lengths at passing prey. Will rise into the water column to chase schooling baitfish and have been observed jumping clear of the surface during hunts. Feeding occurs day and night but peaks during daylight. Most active in moderate current where prey concentrates along substrate transitions.
Diet: Anchovies, Sardines, Squid, Crabs, Herring
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Drift Fishing
Drift live anchovies, sardines, or squid on a trap rig (J-hook with stinger treble) across sandy flats and kelp-bed edges at about 1 knot. Keep the sinker ticking bottom at all times — off-bottom presentations get ignored. A trolling motor holds drift speed in slack current.
Bottom Fishing
Anchor near drop-offs, sandbar edges, and channel transitions and work cut squid, anchovy, or sardine on a Carolina rig with enough weight to hold bottom in current. Stationary, slow presentations work best — give the fish time to fully engulf the bait before setting hard.
Spinning
Cast soft plastics and swimbaits along sandy flats and structure edges and work them with a slow bouncing retrieve that keeps the lure ticking sand. Pauses on the drop trigger strikes from fish pinned to the bottom. Rarely effective worked fast or high in the water column.
Spear Fishing
Inshore Spearfishing
Scan sandy flats and sand-to-reef transitions in 3-15m for the diamond-shaped outline of a buried fish — often only the eyes give away the position. Approach slowly from upcurrent and take the shot at close range before the fish launches. Clear-water days dramatically improve success.
