Fish

Leopard grouper (cabrilla)

Cabrilla sardinera (cabrilla pinta)

Mycteroperca rosacea

Guide by Captain Big Joe (Joe Arias)

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 34 in (86 cm).

Depth

From 3 ft to 164 ft deep (1–50 m).

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon.

Found in

2 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Gray-brown grouper densely covered with small reddish-brown spots and blotches, with a tail edged in white; about 1 in 100 is a bright golden 'xanthic' color.
Typical size: Most catches are smaller than the top size of about 34 in (86 cm).
Maximum size: Up to about 34 in (86 cm) long and 21 lb (9.6 kg). Source: FishBase
Diet: Adults feed on schools of herring and anchoveta when available, or on other fishes. Young ones eat bottom fishes and crustaceans all day.
Behavior: It prefers shallow rocky areas. Most feed at dawn and dusk, with peak activity about 20 minutes after sunset.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Baja & Sea of Cortez and Pacific Mexico.
Habitat: Rocky reefs, island shores and points throughout the Sea of Cortez and south along the Pacific side of Baja to Jalisco; the most common grouper around La Paz, Loreto and Bahía de los Ángeles.
Depth: From 3 ft to 164 ft deep (1–50 m).
Fishing depth: 5–100 ft along rocks, reefs and drop-offs.
Best season: All year; spring through fall is best for most inshore fish in the Sea of Cortez.
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon.
Best tides: Moving water — the first hours of a strong tide around points and island edges.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas; the Sea of Cortez can blow hard in winter (the 'norte').

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Live sardines and mackerel, and cut squid.
Best artificial lures: Leadhead jigs, metal jigs, swimbaits and diving plugs worked close to the rocks.
Tackle setup: 7 ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or 6000-size spinning reel.
Hook size: 2/0–5/0 live-bait or circle hooks; 1–3 oz jigs.
Line: 30–50 lb braid or mono.
Leader: 30–60 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, island shores and points throughout the Sea of Cortez and south along the Pacific side of Baja to Jalisco; the most common grouper around La Paz, Loreto and Bahía de los Ángeles.
Rig up: 7 ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or 6000-size spinning reel. 30–60 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Live sardines and mackerel, and cut squid. Lures: Leadhead jigs, metal jigs, swimbaits and diving plugs worked close to the rocks.
Fish it: Cast or troll diving plugs along rocky shorelines, or drop a live sardine to the bottom near rocks. Once it bites, crank hard and pull it away from the rocks, because it will try to dive back into its hole.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon. Moving water — the first hours of a strong tide around points and island edges.

Fishing techniques: Cast or troll diving plugs along rocky shorelines, or drop a live sardine to the bottom near rocks. Once it bites, crank hard and pull it away from the rocks, because it will try to dive back into its hole.
BigJoe's tip: If you lose fish in the rocks, tighten your drag and point the rod at the water. Cabrilla must be stopped in the first few seconds.
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: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, flaky white meat, perfect for Baja-style fish tacos, ceviche or 'zarandeado' on the grill.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Strong sun and heat — bring water, shade and sunscreen. Hooked fish run straight for the rocks, so fish with a tight drag.
Regulations: Counts toward Mexico's daily limit of 10 fish (no more than 5 of one species); many islands are inside national parks where you must follow park rules. Mexico requires a sport fishing license (CONAPESCA) for every person aboard a fishing boat, even those not fishing. The general daily limit is 10 fish per person, no more than 5 of one species, and only 1 billfish (marlin, sailfish or swordfish) or 2 of dorado, roosterfish, tarpon or shark. Billfish, dorado and roosterfish are reserved for sport fishing, and many islands and coasts are parks or biosphere reserves with their own rules.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits