Features: California halibut are usually solid brown to black or mottled with light and dark patches on the eyed side and white underneath. They have the ability to change skin color patterns to blend in with the ocean floor. The eyes on a California halibut are most commonly on the left side but may be on the right side as they are on a Pacific halibut.  The upper jaw in a California halibut extends to the rear of the lower eye, while on a Pacific halibut the upper jaw only extends to the front of the lower eye.  In both the California and Pacific halibuts the lateral line, which runs along the side of the fish, makes a high arch above the pectoral fin.

Habitat: California halibut spend most of their time buried in sandy bottoms of the ocean floor, but will gladly chase after schools of anchovy. In Oregon, California halibut are rare north of Coos Bay.

Technique: Using live bait fish near the bottom is the way to go if you're targeting a California halibut. A technique called bounce-balling is another way to get this fish's attention.