Pacific Ocean Whitefish Fishing Guide

Pacific ocean whitefish are elegant, torpedo-shaped fish that school by the thousands over offshore banks and seamounts, making them the most reliably available species when anchored over deep structure south of Point Conception. Their mild, flaky white flesh is excellent table fare, and they readily hit jigs and cut bait at depth — making them a beloved fill-in when rockfish counts are limited.

Pacific Ocean Whitefish is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Offshore banks, seamounts, and deep rocky structure from 100 to 500 feet, primarily from Point Conception south through Baja and the Channel Islands.

Diet

Small fish, squid, crustaceans, and bait caught mid-water and near the bottom.

Fishing Techniques

• Vertical jigging with chrome or white iron jigs
• Dropper loop with cut squid or anchovy
• Live bait on a light rig at depth
• Sabiki rigs with cut bait around offshore banks

Best Seasons

Year-round, Spring, Summer, Fall

Size & Records

Average weight: 3 lbs. World record: 17.06 lbs (Hurricane Bank, California, USA (2011)).