Overview
The Pacific 'Red Snapper'. One of the largest and longest-lived rockfish, can live over 100 years.
Identification
Occhi gialliBright colorationRobust bodyProminent dorsal spinesWide mouthRounded caudal finDistinct lateral lineVisible scales
- Body
- Has a robust and streamlined body with a prominent head and large eyes.
- Colouration
- Bright yellow and orange coloration with whitish areas on the lower jaw and fins.
- Sexual dimorphism
- Not very noticeable
- Growth
- Slow, typical of long-lived species.
Taxonomy
- Family
- Sebastidae
- Order
- Scorpaeniformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
Related species
Sebastes alutusSebastes melanopsSebastes paucispinisSebastes pinnigerSebastes aurora
Habitat & distribution
- Environment
- coast, reefs
- Preferred bottom
- rock, reef
- Geographic distribution
- Found along the Pacific coast of North America, from the Gulf of Alaska to Baja California.
- Micro-habitat
- Often found near rocky substrates, sheltering among rock crevices and corals.
Prefers areas with complex structures where it can easily hide from predators.
Presence by sea area
Na Pacifico NwPeak
Na Costa Ovest NordPeak
Na Costa Ovest CentroPeak
Diet
- Primary prey
- crustaceans, cephalopods, smaller fish
- Secondary prey
- amphipods, gastropods, krill
- Occasional prey
- octopuses, fish larvae
- Feeding behaviour
- Opportunistic hunter, feeds mainly at night taking advantage of the cover provided by rocky substrates.
- Natural predators
- seals, sea lions, sharks
Adapts its diet based on the availability of local and seasonal prey.
Behaviour
- Activity
- nocturnal
- Social behaviour
- solitary
- Aggressiveness
- medium
- Migration
- Resident, with limited seasonal movements for spawning.
- Seasonal behaviour
- During warmer months, tends to move to deeper waters.
- Juveniles
- Juveniles tend to stay in shallower waters, hidden amongst seaweeds and corals to avoid predators.
- Adults
- Adults are solitary, patrolling near rocks, waiting for prey to pass by.
Reproduction
- Spawning season
- March, April, May
- Spawning depth
- between 150 and 300 feet
- Eggs
- Small pelagic eggs, released en masse.
- Larval stage
- Larvae are planktonic, developing at the mercy of currents until settling in their rocky habitats.
- Sexual maturity
- 5-6 years
When to catch Yelloweye 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
submerged rockscoral reefsrocky bottomscoastal upwellings
Bottom preference
Spot type
Fishing techniques
Recommended
light trollingvertical jigginglive bait fishinglongline
Other applicable
BolentinoVertical JiggingSlow JiggingBolentino MedioBolentino PesanteKabura Tai RubberLive BaitingPesca A FondoPesca A Fondo Pesante
Recommended baits
cut baitfishsquidshrimpsmall octopuses
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
- Tough with strong downward pulls, typical of fish that take refuge among rocks.
- Handling
- Use gloves to protect hands from spines, take care with the sharp dorsal fins.
- Release
- If possible, use barbless hooks to minimize damage during release.
Curiosities & culture
- Record catches
- One of the largest recorded Scorfano occhi gialli weighed 86.2 lbs, caught off the coast of Alaska. It is a long-lived species, with specimens living over 100 years.
- In the kitchen
- Highly valued for its white and firm flesh, ideal for baking or grilling.
- Cultural notes
- Often depicted in coastal art and used in local narratives for its long life.
- Historical notes
- Historically fished by native populations for centuries along the Pacific coast, using traditional artisanal methods.
