Speckled Sanddab

Citharichthys stigmaeus

Speckled sanddab is a small Pacific left-eyed flatfish found on sandy bottoms from shallow coastal waters to the continental shelf. It is a minor bycatch rather than a targeted game fish, but it can be taken on small bait rigs or jigs.

海水

Speckled Sanddab reference image — Jerry Kirkhart from Los Osos, Calif., cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. 来源： Wikimedia Commons.

识别要点

Left-eyed flatfish with both eyes on the dark, upper side
Upper side covered in small dark speckles on a brown to tan background
Small mouth and a slender oval body with long dorsal and anal fins

栖息地

Soft sandy and muddy bottoms over the inner continental shelf, often near kelp edges, estuary mouths, and deeper nearshore flats from shallow water to well offshore.

饵料备注

Use small pieces of shrimp, squid, mussel, or cut bait on light bottom rigs; small soft plastics, baited hooks, and tiny jigs also work. Downsize tackle and keep offerings near the bottom.

行为

A bottom-dwelling ambush feeder that lies buried or camouflaged in sand and feeds on small fish, shrimp, and worms. It is most active near the seabed and readily strikes small moving prey.

注意事项

Handle carefully because flatfish have sharp gill covers and can flop hard on deck; local size and bag rules may apply. Consumption concerns are generally low, but follow California/Oregon seafood advisories if fish are kept.

钓法备注

Fish slow along sandy bottom with a dropper loop or Carolina-style rig, or hop a small jig just off bottom. Best results come with light line, small hooks, and a gentle retrieve; it is usually caught incidentally rather than targeted.