Overview
One of the most prized rockfish on the Pacific coast. Lives deep among rocks and structures.
Identification
Prominent dorsal spinesLarge eyesLarge mouthPowerful jawsWide pectoral finsSmall scalesBand patternRed coloration
- Body
- Sturdy, laterally compressed body typical of scorpionfish.
- Colouration
- Bright red with a lighter belly and darker bands on the sides.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Absent/not obvious
- Growth
- slow
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sebastidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sebastes ruberrimusSebastes pinnigerSebastes entomelasSebastes flavidusSebastes auriculatus
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs, open_sea
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Common along the Pacific coast of North America, from Southern California to Alaska.
- Micro-habitat
- Often hides in cracks and rocky crevices, or among artificial structures.
Often, adult individuals occupy the same refuge for long periods.
Presence by sea area
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Na Costa Ovest SudPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, squid, small fish
- Secondary prey
- shrimp, octopus, krill
- Occasional prey
- plankton, jellyfish
- Feeding behaviour
- Predator that feeds mainly in mid-water, using ambush and quick strikes.
- Natural predators
- seals, sharks, large teleost fish
Uses imagination and strategy to catch a variety of prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- diurnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Sedentary, but might make short seasonal migrations.
- Seasonal behaviour
- In winter, tends to move to deeper waters for more stable temperatures.
- Juveniles
- Young often gather in small schools near the shore.
- Adults
- Adults prefer to position themselves near the seabed, in well-defined territories.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- April, May, June
- Spawning depth
- between 20 and 60 meters
- Eggs
- Pelagic eggs, kept for a short period before hatching.
- Larval stage
- Pelagic larval stage with rapid growth in early phases.
- Sexual maturity
- 5-7 years
When to catch Vermilion Rockfish
Activity calendar
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
PeakGoodLowInactive
Activity by season
Best times
DayDawn
Night—
This species shows peak fishing activity in spring, summer and autumn, when the productivity index (FPI) reaches its highest values.
Fishing activity decreases in winter, when conditions are less favourable.
Ideal conditions
Water temperature
10°COptimal zone: 14-24°C27°C
Preferred tide: moving
Where to catch it
Best spots
reefswrecksrocky bottomscoral reefs
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
bottom fishingtrawlingtrollingspearfishing
Other applicable
BolentinoVertical JiggingSlow JiggingBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteKabura Tai RubberLive BaitingPesca A FondoPesca A Fondo Pesante
Recommended baits
sardinesshrimpsquidoctopus
Baits by pressure
Low
Jig head + softbaitSlow pitch jigInchikuKabura / Tai rubberMetal jig medio (40-100g)Paddle tail softbait
Medium
Calamaro interoGambero morto / GamberoPezzo di pesceStriscia di calamaroTrancio di sardinaEsca viva profondaFiletto di pesce
High
ArenicolaEsca naturale (generica)Verme coreano
Catch & handling tips
- Fight
- Combative and resilient, often seeks refuge among rocks.
- Handling
- Handle carefully to avoid dorsal spines.
- Release
- Release slowly into the water, ensuring it's well oxygenated.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- In the northern Pacific, the largest vermilion rockfish catches reach 15 pounds, an impressive size for this species. Popular along the western US coast where it's often caught in deep waters.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued in cooking, roasted or grilled, often used in fish stews.
- Cultural notes
- In Native American culture, an integral part of the diet and a symbol of strength and endurance.
- Historical notes
- Commercial fishing already developed in the 20th century along the Pacific coast.
