Saltwater · Year-round; best in spring and summer in harbours and estuaries
Topsmelt
Atherinops affinis
A small, slender silverside that is the default baitfish of California harbours and lagoons. Smaller and more estuarine than the jacksmelt, it schools around piers and eelgrass and is taken on micro sabiki rigs and tiny baits — mostly as bait or for the fun of light tackle.
Seasons · Peak
Identifying features
- Small, slender silverside body, usually well under 10 in (25 cm)
- Silver stripe along the side with a greenish to bluish back
- Small, slightly pointed mouth
- Forked tail and two separate dorsal fins
- Much smaller and finer than a jacksmelt of the same school
Habits
- Schools in harbours, estuaries and lagoons year-round
- Feeds on zooplankton and tiny crustaceans near the surface
- Spawns in spring and summer, attaching eggs to eelgrass and algae
- Smaller and more estuarine than jacksmelt, rarely far offshore
- A staple forage fish for bass, halibut and other harbour predators
Distribution
Where to find them
- Harbour and marina docks in California
- Lagoon and estuary edges over eelgrass
- Pier waters where small bait schools gather
Where they live
How to catch them
Micro sabiki fishing in bays and harbours Shore
Rig: Micro sabiki rig of tiny flies on size 12-14 hooks with a small float or light sinker, in bays, estuaries and around piers
Bait/lure: Micro sabiki flies, tipped with tiny shrimp if needed
Key tip: Keep the rig near the surface and move slowly until a school loads it up.
Float fishing with tiny baits in harbours Shore
Rig: Ultralight tackle, small float and size 12 hook fished in harbours and lagoons over eelgrass
Bait/lure: Tiny shrimp or bread pieces
Key tip: Use the smallest baits you have — topsmelt mouths are tiny and big hooks are ignored.
Best baits & lures
Baseline setup
- Rod: Ultralight 5-6 ft (1.5-1.8 m) spinning rod
- Line: 2-4 lb (0.9-1.8 kg) mono
- Terminal: Micro sabiki rigs, size 12-14 hooks, small floats
Recommended gear for this species
Rod · Best value
9' 5-weight fly rod outfit
≈ US$180-260
Covers chironomid lakes and small rivers with one setup.
Flies · Budget
Chironomid assortment (30 patterns)
≈ US$25-40
Chironomids are 60% of a lake rainbow's diet in spring.
Picks come from our rule library — never paid placements. Prices are guides; affiliate links may earn us a commission.
Typical size
Common 4-7 in (10-18 cm); large fish to about 9-10 in (23-25 cm)
On the table
Poor as food — tiny and bony; mostly used as bait or released.
Similar species
JacksmeltJacksmelt is far larger, commonly 10-14 in (25-36 cm), and works open coast and piers; topsmelt is the small harbour and estuary fish, rarely over 10 in (25 cm)
California GrunionCalifornia grunion comes ashore on night high tides to spawn in wet sand; topsmelt stays in harbour and estuary water and does not beach-spawnRegulations vary by area and can change in-season — always check the official rules for your area before you fish. Regulations guide →
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