In the narrowest of margins, the California Fish and Game Commission has voted to establish a four-fish daily sub-bag limit for barred sand bass for the next three years, forestalling a no-take summer season for this species. The vote was 2-1.

“The Coastal Conservation Association of California worked diligently with our coalition partners and others in the sand bass working group assembled by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop these recommended solutions,” says Chris Arechaederra, executive director for CCA CAL. “We are delighted that the Commission has voted to accept these CDFW recommendations.”

The Commission’s vote concludes a process that began last year when the CDFW proposed reducing the take of barred sand bass based on data showing declining sport-landings over the past several years, particularly during the June-to-August time frame when great numbers of the barred sand bass sometimes gather to spawn over mud flats. Based on this study, some Commissioners were leaning toward a closure of barred sand bass starting with the 2025 summer season.

Based on a belief that catch rates alone are not sufficient to support such drastic measures, CCA CAL and its coalition partners—including the Sportfishing Association of California and the American Sportfishing Association—jumped into action. CCA CAL, SAC and ASA met individually with members of the Commission to voice the concerns of the sportfishing community, present key points to consider and seek alternative solutions to a seasonal closure.

CCA CAL also encouraged its members and other anglers to respectfully voice their concerns and fears regarding a no-take season in letters to the Commission, as well as in public comments at the February 2025 meeting and the April 2025 meeting, at which the Commission cast its vote in favor of CCA CAL’s position, thus avoiding a seasonal closure.

“CCA CAL has also agreed to lend a hand with much-needed data collection on barred sand bass,” says Arechaederra. “We look forward to helping the Department and Commission develop a more accurate stock assessment to better inform regulatory decisions regarding this important recreational species going forward.”

Under the new regulations—which become effective June 1, 2025—the four-fish sub-bag-limit for barred sand bass exists within an aggregate five-fish bass limit that can also include kelp bass and spotted sand bass. Prior to this change, no sub-bag-limit for barred sand bass existed within the aggregate five-fish limit. Minimum legal size for each fish is 14 inches.