Saltwater · Year-round from the Gulf of California to Peru; one of the two high-quality corvinas sold in Costa Rica.

Stolzmann's Weakfish

Cynoscion stolzmanni

The largest eastern Pacific weakfish in this set, sold as yellowtail corvina, ranging from the mouth of the Gulf of California to Peru and prized as one of Costa Rica's two premium corvinas.

Seasons · Peak

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Stolzmann's Weakfish — AI-generated image

Identifying features

Yellowish caudal fin — the source of the name yellowtail corvina
Large size, to 115 cm, with an oblique mouth and projecting lower jaw
Pair of large canines at the tip of the upper jaw; no chin barbel
Silvery body without back striping
Soft dorsal fin with a scaly base but not a full scaly sheath

Habits

Inhabits coastal waters, lagoons and estuaries, also found offshore
Feeds mainly on small fishes and shrimps
Common length around 40 cm despite a very large maximum
One of only two corvinas sold as high-quality product in the Gulf of Nicoya

Distribution

Mazatlán & the Mainland Pacific Coast · Sinaloa to OaxacaCommon

Pacific Coast, Guatemala · GuatemalaCommon

Pacific Coast, Costa Rica · Costa RicaCommon

Panama — Pacific, Canal & Caribbean · PanamaCommon

Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) · Baja California Sur, Sonora & SinaloaOccasional

Where to find them

Estuaries and bays from Sinaloa to Guatemala
Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica
Coastal grounds of Pacific Panama

Where they live

Coastal water, lagoons and estuariesSandy bottoms in open baysOffshore water to 30 m

How to catch them

Bottom fishing with natural bait Boat

Rig: Two-hook paternoster or Carolina rig with 1-3 oz sinker

Bait/lure: Live or fresh shrimp

Key tip: Keep the bait on the bottom over sand or mud and wait for the soft, tapping bite.

Live-bait fishing under structure Boat

Rig: Circle hook on fluorocarbon leader, free-lined or under a float

Bait/lure: Live shrimp or small live baitfish

Key tip: Present the bait beside floating debris, pilings or buoys and be ready for a slow, powerful run.

Slow jigging and soft plastics Boat

Rig: Light jigging rod with 1/2-2 oz jig head or metal jig

Bait/lure: Shrimp-imitating soft plastic or small metal jig

Key tip: Work the lure slowly just above the bottom; most strikes come on the fall.

Best baits & lures

Live shrimpLive or cut sardineBucktail jig

Techniques for Stolzmann's Weakfish →

Baseline setup

Rod: Medium spinning or conventional rod 7-9 ft
Line: 20-30 lb braid with 30 lb fluorocarbon leader
Terminal: 2/0-4/0 circle hooks, 2-4 oz sinker or jig

Recommended gear for this species

Rod · Best value

7'6" medium-heavy jigging rod

≈ US$110-170

Works 2-6 oz jigs over rock and reef and still has the backbone to lift a halibut off the bottom.

Line · Budget

50 lb braid with 40 lb leader (200 yd)

≈ US$25-40

Thin braid cuts the current so jigs stay vertical; the leader shrugs off rock and teeth.

Terminal · Budget

Leadhead jigs, swimbaits and two-hook bottom rigs

≈ US$25-40

A leadhead with a swimbait tail is the universal bottom-fish catcher, from rockfish to cod to flounder.

Picks are never paid placements. Prices are guides; price links are coming soon and none is an affiliate link yet.

Typical size

Up to 115 cm and 9.5 kg (IGFA record 9.52 kg, Mazatlan); commonly about 40 cm.

On the table

Fine, firm flesh; a valued local food fish, good steamed, fried or in soups.

Similar species

Reticulated WeakfishReticulated has dark striping on its back and a smaller maximum; Stolzmann's is plain with a yellowish tail.

Regulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →

Plan a trip for Stolzmann's Weakfish

Build today's plan

⚠ Heads-up: Stolzmann's Weakfish doesn't occur around Vancouver, BC (or is very rare there), so it's not a sensible local target. Your plan stays in Vancouver, BC and is built around the fish that actually live there.