Topsmelt Silverside
Atherinops affinis
Also called topsmelt
A small, slender schooling fish with a distinctive silver stripe along its side. Topsmelt silversides are an important baitfish and forage species in coastal waters.
Topsmelt Silverside at a glance
- Scientific name
- Atherinops affinis
- Typical size
- 3-6 inches
- Water
- Saltwater
- Habitat
- Inshore
- Rarity in the Fishdex™
- Common
Habitat
Found in shallow coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and near-shore areas along the Pacific coast. They form large schools and are primarily used as bait by anglers targeting larger gamefish rather than being sought as a target species themselves.
Catch one and it is yours
Log a topsmelt silverside through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your photo, your personal best, and the exact conditions on the day. The app also carries the slot and season rules for wherever you are standing.
How the Fishdex™ worksTopsmelt Silverside questions people ask
Topsmelt Silverside is Atherinops affinis. Anglers also call it topsmelt.
A typical topsmelt silverside runs 3-6 inches. Cobia records the length and weight of every topsmelt silverside you log and keeps your personal best on its Fishdex entry.
Found in shallow coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and near-shore areas along the Pacific coast. They form large schools and are primarily used as bait by anglers targeting larger gamefish rather than being sought as a target species themselves. It is a salt water species, filed under inshore in the Fishdex.
Yes. Log one through the Cobia Camera and this entry fills in with your own photo, your personal best, and the conditions on the day you caught it. The app also carries the slot limits and season dates for wherever you are standing. It is free.
Tomorrow morning starts tonight
Set your home water, pick a drive radius, and wake up to a plan.
Android coming soon
iPhone, iOS 17 or later. Setup takes about a minute.