ID of Fish

[Fishman Fishman]

Anyone know name of this fish? Caught at Seal Beach pier. Sardine? Thank you.

 

[Mahigeer]

My guess would be smelt, but we have more knowledgeable anglers here.

I am sure Ego would know if he sees this post.

 

[K1n]

Looking at the head, I know for sure it's an anchovy...my guess is deep body anchovy

 

[Fishman Fishman]

I'm guessing a sardine or anchovy. Caught two of them. Both about 5 inches. Bluish/Silver in color. With a white lateral line from head to tail. Using them as live bait!

 

[DarrenD]

From the mouth, it looks like a fat anchovy

 

[Ken Jones]

Pretty sure it's a Deepbody Anchovy. I caught one at the Seal Beach Pier way back in 1997.

 

[Fishman Fishman]

What about the possibility of a Pilchard? Pilchards in SoCal waters? Common baitfish in Florida.

 

[Fishman Fishman]

Thanks everyone for helping ID this fish. First time for me catching this specie. Caught two today at Seal Beach pier.

 

[K1n]

pilchards are same as sardines. Mouth is different from sardine to anchovy. To me, sardines have a more shad/tarpon like mouth vs anchovies have the filter feeder style head of an extremely large mouth and blunted nose.

 

[Bendopolo]

Back when Newport Bay was loaded with Striped Bass. Every Deepbody Anchovy we caught resulted in a Striper. They would pester a regular Anchovy and follow it around and occasionally eat one, but the Deepbodys were lethal !