Opaleye bait

SC McCarty

Well-Known Member
#1
In Ken's book he mentions "moss" as bait for opaleye. I have used peas, and caught them on mussels, but I am not sure what is meant by "moss." Is it any green algae? I assume it is not the terrestrial plant.

Steve
 

EgoNonBaptizo

Well-Known Member
#2
"Moss" refers to a number of soft green and brown algae found on the CA coast. I do not know the exact species, however. A more in-depth analysis of opaleye diets may help.
 

Ken Jones

Administrator
Staff member
#3
An old Department of Fish and Game booklet (Marine Baits of California by Charles H. Turner and Jeremy C. Sexsmith) simply calls the moss "green sea moss" and uses the generic Enteromorpha spp. as the scientific name (thus including several different species).

According to their description, "green sea moss is a low-growing plant, almost grasslike in appearance. It forms a tick green mat, encrusting almost any substrate in shallow intertidal pools, on exposed rocks and pilings, and in shallow quiet bays and estuaries...The plants are from 1 to 15 inches long, depending on the species and local growth conditions. Some species, particularly bay forms, die or otherwise deteriorate n the winter."

The moss is certainly one of the top opaleye baits at Catalina and is perhaps the favorite bait used by the "professional" (or at least "semi-pro") Korean fishermen who travel to the Cabrillo Mole to fill their coolers with opaleye. I've heard some anglers call it "opaleye moss" and most get it off the rocks at different jetties from San Diego to Los Angeles. Some small bays (i.e., Mission Bay) and lagoons (i.e., Carlsbad) are also places where it's found — generally on the bottom. I've been told it's available at some bait shops in the Los Angeles area but not sure which ones. I think, but I could be wrong, that I've occasionally seen it at "Big Fish B&T" in Seal Beach.
 

Mahigeer

Senior Member
#4
I get mine form a Korean owned tackle shop. Joy's fishing tackle on Santa Monica Blvd. Korean markets may carry it too.

It is called "parre (spel?)" in Korean. Not too easy to keep on hook, but very effective bait for opaleye.

I learned about it from Korean anglers who come to Avalon just to catch opaleye.
 

SC McCarty

Well-Known Member
#5
Thanks for all of your replies.

According to Wikipedia, Enteromorpha has been incorporated into Uva, the sea lettuces. While grasslike does not seem like a good description for sea lettuce, I could see it being a tempting bait for opaleye, if I could keep it on the hook.

Steve