Fish

Quillback rockfish

Rocote espinoso (quillback)

Sebastes maliger

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–2 lb.

Depth

10–900 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

4 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Brown to orange-brown rockfish with a very tall, deeply notched spiny dorsal fin (the 'quills'), yellow-orange speckles on the head and front of the body, and a pale rear back.
Typical size: 1–2 lb.
Maximum size: About 2 ft.
Diet: Shrimp, crabs and small fish.
Behavior: Lives alone among rocks and crevices; can live more than 90 years.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon & Washington and Central & Northern California. Rocky reefs from the Gulf of Alaska to northern California, common in Puget Sound and British Columbia.
Habitat: Rocky reefs from the Gulf of Alaska to northern California, common in Puget Sound and British Columbia.
Depth: 10–900 ft.
Fishing depth: 40–200 ft.
Best season: Where open.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Slack or light tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas.

What to tie on and what to throw.

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 from the Gulf of Alaska to northern California, common in Puget Sound and British Columbia.
Rig up: Medium bottom rod. 30–40 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Herring, squid and shrimp. Lures: Jigs and shrimp flies.
Fish it: Fish jigs or bait tight to rocky bottom; if you must release it, use a descending device.
Time it: Daytime. Slack or light tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish jigs or bait tight to rocky bottom; if you must release it, use a descending device.
BigJoe's tip: Learn its tall, ragged dorsal fin so you can release it fast where it's protected.
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: Good white meat where legal to keep.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Venomous spines — handle with gloves.
Regulations: California prohibits keeping quillback, Puget Sound bans rockfish retention, and British Columbia has Rockfish Conservation Areas closed to bottom fishing. Check local rules. Rules are set by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Fisheries and Oceans Canada (a tidal waters sport fishing licence in British Columbia), and the Washington, Oregon and California wildlife agencies with NOAA Fisheries. Groundfish seasons, depth limits and closed areas change often — check before you go.
Conservation: Overfished and very slow to recover.

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Sources & photo credits