White Sea Bass Flavor Profile
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White Sea Bass is one of many different fish which are called “Sea Bass” and is not actually a Bass. The White Sea Bass is part of the Croaker family, and is the largest of the Pacific Croakers.
White Seabass are a moderately low fat fish with a mild flavor, meaty texture, and large white flakes. Their flavor is somewhat similar to halibut.
Typical Cooking Methods
- Bake
- Broil
- Deep-Fry
- Grill
- Poach
- Saute
- Smoke
- Steam
- Sushi
Alternate Names
Corbina, Corvina Blanca, California White Sea Bass, King Croaker, Pacific White Sea Bass, Sea Trout, White Seabass, White Weakfish
Typical Wholesale Products
Head-On Dressed
Skin-On Fillets
Skin-Off Fillets
White Sea Bass Description (Atractoscion nobilis)
White Sea Bass is the largest of the Pacific Croakers, and although they reach weights up to 90 pounds, the average weight is 15 – 40 pounds. It has an elongated body, large mouth, and a raised ridge along the length of its belly. White Sea Bass are grey-blue to copper on the back, with dark specks on the sides and a silver belly. It has a black spot on the inner base of its pectoral fins. Young White Seabass have dark bars on the side. White Seabass may be confused with the Shortfin Corvina (which has 1 or 2 large canine teeth on each side of the upper jaw) or the Queenfish (which has a wider gap between the dorsal fins and more soft rays in its anal fin).
White Sea Bass Fresh Availability
Fresh seafood availability chart: green areas show peak availability, light green show limited availability, gray indicates not available fresh. Frozen available all year long.
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White Sea Bass Butchering Yield Percentage and Recovery
Item | To Skin/On Fillets | To Skin/Off Fillets | Notes |
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Whole Round ungutted | 33% | ||
Whole Head/On gutted | 46% | 40% | |
Skin/On Fillets | — | 87% | If you have yield info on this fish please comment below. |
Yield % varies according to a number of factors including: size of fish, season, sex, and the skill of your fishmonger. |
Range & Habitat
White Seabass are found along the eastern Pacific, mainly between San Francisco, California, and Baja California, Mexico, as well as in the northern Gulf of California. They are found as far north as southern Alaska and as far south as Chile.
White Sea Bass prefer rocky areas near kelp beds at depths of about 70 to 150 feet, although they are sometimes found in shallow surf. Juveniles inhabit shallow coastal areas, estuaries, and bays.
White Sea Bass Sustainability Info
Name | Alternate Names | Catch Method | Catch Region |
Seafood Watch |
Ocean Wise |
Sea Choice |
Mercury Concerns |
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White Sea Bass, Atractoscion nobilis | King Croaker, Seatrout, Weakfish |
Wild – Hook & Line, Handline | US – California | ![]() |
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Moderate |
Wild – Gillnet | ![]() |
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Disclaimer: The sustainability info above is accurate to the best of our knowledge. However, each program randomly updates their information without our knowledge. We therefore recommend that you verify the current accuracy of this information. | |||||||
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Updated August 2013 |
For additional info on sustainable seafood and options for purchasing sustainable seafood visit FishChoice.
Commercial Fishing Method
Wild Caught: Gillnet, Hook & Line
Aquaculture: not raised commercially
Nutritional Informationbased upon a 6 oz (171 grams) raw edible serving.
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Suggested Reading
I just tasted White Sea bass purchased from farmers market in south pasadena. I wanted a taste similar to halibut and it was so delicious. Very meaty moist and mild flavor. A new favorite
Glad that you enjoyed it! It is possible that it may have been Striped Bass, a fabulous East Coast fish. https://www.chefs-resources.com/seafood/finfish/striped-bass/