The Fishing Report
Fishing seasons & conditions by region
Corbina Menticirrhus undulatus
Corbina Size, Range & Diet
| Typical size | 14–22 in, 1–4 lb |
|---|---|
| Maximum | up to 30 in and about 8.5 lb |
| Lifespan | up to 11 years |
| Range | Southern California surf from Point Conception south along Baja and into the Gulf of California. |
| Habitat | The wash on sandy beaches and shallow bays — often in inches of water over troughs and cuts, and seldom deeper than about 40 ft. |
| Diet | Sand crabs above all, plus clam siphons and other small crustaceans sifted out of mouthfuls of sand. |
Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.
How to Identify a Corbina
- Elongated, slightly rounded silvery-gray body, darker on the back
- Single short fleshy barbel under the tip of the lower jaw
- Faint wavy/diagonal markings, no strong vertical bars
- Underslung (subterminal) mouth for bottom feeding
- Long low first dorsal and small head
Tell it apart: The single chin barbel under the lower jaw plus the elongated body separate California Corbina from the deeper-bodied, barbel-less Barred Surfperch.
Easily confused with: Barred Surfperch
Side by side: Corbina vs Barred Surfperch
How to Catch Corbina
Gear links open Amazon searches. As an Amazon Associate, The Fishing Report earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you. Using these links helps keep the site ad-free.
- A summer suds fishery, June through August — sight-cast mole-crab baits or small soft plastics to fish feeding in the inches-deep wash.GearMole-crab Carolina rigSmall circle hooksLight surf rod
When & Where Corbina Are in Season
Peak Good Fair Slow
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Inshore |
Corbina Regulations
Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.