Fish

California sheephead

Vieja de California

Bodianus pulcher

Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 36 in (91 cm).

Depth

From the surface down to 492 ft (150 m), usually 10 ft–98 ft (3–30 m).

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Large wrasse with big protruding teeth. Males have a black head and tail, a red-pink middle and a white chin; females are all pinkish-red. They all start as females and some change into males.
Typical size: Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 36 in (91 cm).
Maximum size: Up to about 36 in (91 cm) long and 35 lb (16 kg). Source: FishBase
Diet: It often feeds on hard-shelled animals such as sea urchins, mollusks, lobsters and crabs.
Behavior: It prefers rocky bottoms, especially in kelp beds. Its large teeth can cause serious bites.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern California.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and kelp beds, especially around the islands.
Depth: From the surface down to 492 ft (150 m), usually 10 ft–98 ft (3–30 m).
Fishing depth: 10–80 ft along kelp edges, rock piles and breakwaters.
Best season: All year; best from late spring through early fall when the water warms.
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.
Best tides: A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.
Best weather / conditions: Calm to moderate seas; warm, clear water is best.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Squid, shrimp, crabs and mussels.
Best artificial lures: Small jigs and swimbaits bounced on the rocks.
Tackle setup: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel.
Hook size: 1/0–4/0 live-bait hooks; 1/2–1 oz swimbait jig heads.
Line: 20–40 lb braid or mono.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky reefs and kelp beds, especially around the islands.
Rig up: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Squid, shrimp, crabs and mussels. Lures: Small jigs and swimbaits bounced on the rocks.
Fish it: Fish a piece of squid or shrimp right on the rocky bottom and strike when you feel the crunching bites.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days. A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.

Fishing techniques: Fish a piece of squid or shrimp right on the rocky bottom and strike when you feel the crunching bites.
BigJoe's tip: Sheephead eat sea urchins and help keep the kelp forests healthy — keep only one or two.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, white meat often compared to lobster — great in fish tacos and chowder.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp gill covers and dorsal spines; keep fishing lines out of the kelp and watch for swell on the rocks.
Regulations: California has a minimum size of 12 in and a bag limit, and sheephead fall under the groundfish season and depth rules. Check CDFW. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits