Sargo

5-10lbs on average. The largest sargo of all are caught in 10 feet of water or less at Catalina Island during the white sea bass bite.

Sargo are schooling fish that are found near the bottom from shallow subtidal waters to 198 feet, most often in 40 feet or less. They like to hang around structure such as rocks, kelp, oil platforms and pier pilings. They are abundant in marinas under the boats near the mooring pilings. Occur in coastal waters, frequently in rocky reefs and occasionally over sandy bottoms; often near kelp beds. Juveniles form schools in littoral pools. Feed on crustaceans, mollusks and bryozoans. Pelagic spawner

Sargos are deep bodied, perch shaped fish. They have vertical dark bars on their side near midbody. They are silvery and sometimes brassy colored. They don¹t get as large as a spotfin but there are reports of 6 pounders being caught. Sargo have a resemblance to spotfin and sometimes are mistaken for them. Very large individuals are caught at Catalina Island by anglers fishing with squid for white sea bass.

Distinct pairing during breeding. Pelagic spawner

Summary of Distribution: Eastern Central Pacific: Santa Cruz in central California, USA to southern Baja California, Mexico; isolated population in the Gulf of California. Sargo have been found from Santa Cruz in central California to southern Baja, California. They were planted in the Salton Sea in 1951 and have done very well there. They are abundant from Santa Monica southward.
Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Not many are caught in the surf but they are caught piers and in bays. Light tackle can be used efficiently. 8 to 9 foot rods with 8 LB to 10 LB test line works well around the base of piers and rocks. Mussels, razor clams, and ghost shrimp are the best baits for sargo. Fish for sargo during the fast water tidal flow around bridges, piers and bays.