How to Hunt White Seabass: Spearfishing Tips, Techniques, and What You Need to Know

White seabass are one of the most prized and challenging gamefish for spearfishers along the California coast. They're fast, skittish, and incredibly rewarding to land. Unlike many reef species that hold tight to structure and give you time to set up a shot, white seabass often appear and vanish in seconds. Landing one consistently requires patience, stealth, and a solid understanding of their behavior.

Whether you've been chasing white seabass for years or you're targeting them for the first time, these spearfishing tips will help you increase your chances of connecting with one of California's most iconic gamefish.

Surface Hunting: Let the Fish Come to You

One of the most effective techniques for hunting white seabass is surface hunting. Swim slowly on the surface, scanning the water below for fish cruising underneath you. Move quietly and avoid splashing with your fins — white seabass are extremely sensitive to noise and disturbance. The key is to cover ground without alerting every fish in the area.

When you spot a white seabass below, resist the urge to immediately dive on it. Instead, track its direction and speed, position yourself ahead of its path, and make a calm, controlled descent to intercept. White seabass are curious fish — if you're quiet and non-threatening, they'll sometimes swim right up to you. Let them come into range rather than chasing them down.

Hunting in Kelp Forests and Around Structure

White seabass love kelp forests. The thick canopy provides cover, attracts baitfish, and creates the kind of ambush environment where these predators thrive. Working the edges and openings of kelp beds is one of the most productive strategies. Position yourself at the boundary where kelp meets open water and wait — white seabass frequently patrol these transition zones.

Rocky structure and reefs adjacent to sand flats are also prime territory. White seabass cruise sand channels between reef patches searching for squid, sardines, and other prey. If you can find a spot where current pushes bait against structure, you've found a high-probability ambush point. Settle on the bottom, stay still, and be ready — white seabass often appear out of nowhere and you'll only have a few seconds to take the shot.

Water Temperature and Seasonal Timing

White seabass are temperature-sensitive fish. In Southern California waters, they tend to move inshore and become more active when water temperatures climb into the upper 50s to mid 60s. Springtime warming often triggers the best white seabass action of the year as fish move into the shallows to spawn and feed aggressively.

Track sea surface temperature charts and local dive reports to time your hunts. When temperatures hit the sweet spot and squid are in the area, white seabass fishing can go from zero to epic in a matter of days. Being plugged into your local spearfishing community and monitoring conditions consistently will put you on fish when the window opens.

Shot Placement and Gear for White Seabass

White seabass are powerful fish with soft mouths, which means shot placement is critical. Aim for the head or spine behind the gill plate for a clean kill shot. A body shot on a big white seabass can result in a torn-out shaft and a lost fish. Use a speargun with enough power to get solid penetration — a 110cm to 130cm gun with at least two bands is ideal for most white seabass encounters.

A slip tip setup is highly recommended for white seabass. The toggle tip anchors in the fish and prevents the shaft from pulling out during the fight. Pair your gun with a reliable floatline and surface float to give the fish something to run against without risking your shaft or reel.

Patience Pays Off

Hunting white seabass is a test of patience, stealth, and preparation. Master surface hunting techniques, learn to work kelp forests and structure, time your dives with water temperature, and make every shot count with proper placement and gear. The white seabass you land will be one of the most satisfying catches of your spearfishing career. For more species-specific spearfishing tips, visit SpearFactor.com.