If you’re in the mood to cook your own catch, we recommend Rockfish fishing. These fish aren’t much to look at, but they cook up like you wouldn’t believe. Known for their soft texture and sweet – some say nutty – flavor, you can substitute them in almost any recipe. Baked, steamed, or grilled, it’s hard for them not to taste good.
Now, to anglers in Maryland and vast swaths of the East Coast, the only “Rockfish” that matters is Striped Bass. We hear you, but that’s not what we’re talking about. Instead, we’re drooling over some gnarly Groundfish on the West Coast that often take your bait when you’re busy fishing for something else.
Rockfish aren’t usually at the top of anyone’s catch list, but you’ll almost always fill your cooler with them. And after one bite tonight, you’ll be glad that you did!
How to Identify Rockfish
There are more than 100 Rockfish species around the world, spanning the Pacific, South Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Many belong to the genus Sebastes, though there are a few exceptions. Some species are erroneously referred to as “Seabass” (e.g. Black Seabass), but true Seabass do not belong to the same family as Rockfish.
Most Rockfish live in the North Pacific, from Japan all the way to the Gulf of California (Sea of Cortez). With so many species concentrated on the West Coast, this is where anglers catch them the most.
Rockfish are aptly named due to the fact that they take cover in rocky areas, but they also inhabit kelp forests. These Groundfish thrive in relatively shallow water but they can feel at home at depths beyond 1,500 feet. This makes some species accessible from shore, while others live so deep that recreational anglers rarely catch them.
Some of the most commonly caught Rockfish are Pacific Rockfish, Yelloweye Rockfish, Quillback Rockfish, Canary Rockfish, Copper Rockfish, Vermilion Rockfish, Black Rockfish, Black-and-Yellow Rockfish, Blue Rockfish, China Rockfish, and Bocaccio. These species come in a wide range of colors, from bright red and orange to dark green, brown, and black. They also wear many patterns, such as stripes, spots, or mottled skin.
No matter the species, pretty much all Rockfish share key physical traits. These include their large faces, flat tails, and spiny dorsal fins. Their top-heavy design gives these fish a tear-drop shape, while their broad, droopy lips make them look disappointed every time you reel them in. Rockfish range in size from about 5 to 40 inches. While most run quite small, some species grow as big as 40 pounds.
Given how similar some species look, telling them apart can be a challenge – but, it’s very important. Why? Well, because some are legal to keep while others are not. Exactly what species you’re allowed to take home varies depending on the area and the season. The most important one to recognize is Yelloweye Rockfish, which you should always release.
Best Rockfish Fishing Spots
If you’re eager to fill your freezer with some Rockfish, we’ve got great news! You can easily catch a variety of species up and down the West Coast. Sometimes you don’t even need a boat. Here are some key spots to fill your buckets:
Whittier, Alaska
The Prince William Sound is home to about 30 kinds of Rockfish, including some that bustle around the seafloor and other pelagic species that roam higher up in the water column. You can expect your fair share of these on a charter fishing trip out of Whittier, which is poised right at their doorstep! The Gulf of Alaska also offers plenty of rockfishing opportunities, with numerous charters based in Seward and Homer, too.
Common pelagic Rockfish in Alaska include Black, Dusky, Yellowtail, and Widow Rockfish. There are also many non-pelagic species, such as Copper, Yelloweye, Quillback, and China Rockfish, to name a few.
The current regulations in Prince William Sound allow anglers to keep three Rockfish per day, and only one of these may be a non-pelagic species. Meanwhile, Yelloweye Rockfish are closed to harvest from April 1 through June 30.
Westport, Washington
Westport is known for some of the best deep sea fishing in Washington. Not only does it produce most of the state’s Chinook Salmon, but it’s also home to great rockfishing – especially if you show up during the deepwater season. No boat? No problem. Try surf fishing from the Westport Jetty near Westhaven State Park and you may catch some smaller Rockfish from shore.
Bocaccio, Canary, and Yellowtail Rockfish are all in the cards here. Rockfish season in Westport opens in March and you can keep the species mentioned above all the way through October, with a bag limit of seven Rockfish. Copper, Quillback, and Vermilion are also open to harvest, except from May 1 through July 31. Note that Yelloweye Rockfish are always limited to catch and release.
If you’re interested in deepwater fishing, there’s a separate season open from June 1–15 and again from September 1–30. You can find out more about local Rockfish seasons and Westport’s sportfishing rules here (look for Marine Area 2).
Newport, Oregon
With its dramatic cliffs and boulder-studded coastline, Oregon certainly has its share of Rockfish. Ask around and locals will tell you one of the best places to go fishing for Rockfish is Newport, thanks to miles of nearshore reef stretching between South Jetty and Seal Rock. Depoe Bay just up the coast is another option, though it’s a little less beginner-friendly due to fewer amenities on shore.
Common species here include Black, Blue, Copper, Vermilion, Canary, and China Rockfish. Yelloweye and Quillback Rockfish also make a frequent appearance, but they’re never legal to harvest in Oregon. For all other species, Oregon has a general marine fish bag limit of five fish per angler, per day.
San Francisco Bay Area, California
San Francisco Bay has long been known for its Lingcod and Rockfish. You’ll find experienced charter boats near Fisherman’s Wharf, as well as numerous cities surrounding the Bay, including Tiburon, Berkeley, and Emeryville. Fishing from any of these locations comes with the added bonus of gorgeous city views.
Rockfishing regulations in California are some of the trickiest to follow. In addition to specific rules for every zone up and down the coast, Rockfish are divided into categories based on how deep they live: nearshore, (continental) shelf, and slope. With this in mind, Rockfish season in the San Francisco Bay Area varies depending on what species you catch and how far from shore you’re fishing.
Generally speaking, you can fish for legal species inshore (up to the 20-fathom line) from May 1 through September 30, and again during November. In April, October, and December, you can fish offshore (seaward of the 50-fathom line) for “shelf” and “slope” Rockfish. Several species, including Yelloweye and Quillback Rockfish, are always off-limits.
Los Angeles, California
Once again, we aren’t just recommending the city of Los Angeles, but the entire area surrounding it. And that includes the Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands, which have some of the best rockfishing around! Some of the most popular species are Copper Rockfish (aka Chuckleheads) and Vermilion Rockfish (sometimes referred to locally as Red Snapper).
If you’re fishing from shore, try casting from either end of Catalina Island. You can also book a charter boat from the island or plenty of towns on the mainland, such as Marina del Rey, Long Beach, and Huntington Beach.
Rockfish fishing season in LA is open at all depths from April 1–June 30. From July through September, rockfishing is limited to inshore waters (up to the 50-fathom line). Meanwhile, shelf and slope Rockfish are open to harvest offshore (seaward of the 50-fathom line) from October to December 31.
How to Go Fishing for Rockfish
The key to finding Rockfish is – surprise, surprise – rocks. Or really, any similar structure. This can include hard-bottom areas, especially if you’re fishing near an island like Santa Catalina.
Rockfish school in large numbers, so once you hook one, you know you’re onto something. You can locate schools using a fishfinder or, if you’re fishing from shore, make an educated guess by checking out satellite imagery of the area ahead of time.
When you’re fishing from a boat, depth matters. Not just because of regulations, but because of your own experience level. Rockfish are a great target for kids and beginners, especially when you’re fishing 150 feet deep or less. In relatively shallow water like this, you can develop a good feel for hooking the fish, and reeling them in won’t be too strenuous. On the flip side, these Rockfish will be smaller.
Experienced anglers should try fishing at a time and place where it’s legal to target Rockfish as deep as 250 feet or more. These fish will be the bigguns, and bringing them aboard offers a little bit more of a challenge.
Fishing for Rockfish is straightforward, so anglers rely on just a small handful of techniques:
Jigging
Jigging for Rockfish is a go-to technique for anglers. Some swear this coaxes the biggest fish out of the depths, especially when you’re using a metal jig. One caveat here is that your hook can get caught in the rocks below, so consider using a lead weight at the end of your line while tying your hooks a bit higher to keep them just above the seafloor.
That being said, jigging can add some unnecessary effort to catching Rockfish. After all, they’re likely to bite your bait so long as you drop it in the right place. Also, remember that not all Rockfish swim directly on the bottom, but will suspend themselves over structure instead. This sometimes means reeling up through the water column until you feel a bite.
Drift Fishing
If you’ve got a boat, then the name of the game is drift fishing. Bear in mind that drifting can eventually take you away from the hot spot on your sonar, so bringing the boat around again or actively working with the motor to keep it somewhat stationary may help.
It’s ideal to drift over large areas of structure so you maximize the time you get over the fish. However, smaller areas can be just as productive if you know what you’re doing. A slow drift is recommended, at less than 1 knot.
Surf Fishing
You don’t necessarily need a boat to catch Rockfish. Sometimes, you can get a nice haul right from shore! Jetties are choice locations for them, especially near ports or river mouths. Just take care not to slip on the rocks or trip in any holes!
You should also be mindful of water conditions, since not all tides are created equal. That means picking the right ones will increase your chances of success. Avoid huge swells and heavy currents, since these will toss your hook around and make it hard to keep your bait on the bottom. Large waves also pose a risk to your safety.
Aside from that, it’s pretty simple! Drop a weighted hook and let it sink to the bottom, then wait for a bite. Alternatively, you can float fish using a slip float system and light tackle.
Rockfish Gear & Bait
There’s no need to break the bank for Rockfish, just grab a 7′ medium-action rod. Spinning and conventional gear both work fine. You can err on the light side when you’re fishing from shore to make it feel sportier, while a short, basic rod is best for deep water. Pair your pick with a medium conventional or baitcasting reel.
Since you’ll be casting around rocky areas, a braided line is a must. You don’t usually need to go super heavy. Experienced Rockfishers recommend 20–50 lb braid for your main line and a monofilament leader of about 30 lb test.
You’ll want to add a sinker, something between 3–20 ounces, depending on the depth you’re fishing at. And hook size also varies depending on your bait. For soft baits like shrimp imitations, use 1/0–2/0 hooks. Meanwhile, you’ll lose less natural bait with 2/0–3/0 hooks.
Before diving into bait and lures, there’s one last piece of gear we should mention: a descending device. This is required when releasing any Rockfish you catch in relatively deep water. The specific depth where you’re legally required to use one varies by state.
Rockfish Bait and Lures
If you prefer to use natural bait, there’s no need to experiment with much beyond sardines, anchovies, and squid strips. These baits are so tried and true that anglers rarely target Rockfish using anything else.
Don’t limit yourself to bait fishing, though, because some of the best baits for Rockfish are, in fact, artificials. These include metal jigs as well as soft plastics on lead-headed jigs. Top recommendations include:
- Metal jigs like laser minnows, spoons, and copper pipes
- Bucktail jigs
- Soft plastics such as curly tail grubs, scampi tails, or squid and octopus imitations
- Swimbaits
- Shrimp flies
When to Go Fishing for Rockfish
Rockfish aren’t migratory, so you’ll find them around their local haunts all year long. But this doesn’t mean you can always fish for them. As we’ve already mentioned, some Rockfish are illegal to keep during certain months, while others are open to harvest year-round. Yelloweye Rockfish are the most protected species and you should always release them.
Depending on the exact species, state regulations dictate when and where you can catch these fish. Rockfish seasons usually open in March or April, but it may depend on how far from shore you’re fishing. Many states on the West Coast divide their coastal waters into marine management areas, which have boundaries to the north, south, and seaward at various depths.
All of this to say… Do your homework by reading current regulations for your area. Or, better yet, book a licensed charter boat so you can get out and enjoy some fishing without having to worry about those technicalities.
Rockfish: Hidden Treasures
You won’t find Rockfish swimming in plain sight – and even if you did, you probably wouldn’t be impressed by them. But, it’s worth digging a little for these fish, because they make a delicious meal.
Being relatively easy to catch and available close to shore also makes them beginner-friendly. So, next time you’re looking to unplug with the kids, why not take them fishing for Rockfish? It promises to be a memorable experience that keeps everyone talking through dinner!
Have you ever been Rockfish fishing? What’s your favorite spot? Any tips and tricks to share? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
The post How to Go Rockfish Fishing: The Complete Guide for 2024 appeared first on FishingBooker Blog.
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