Cabezon

Oceans & Range: Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Sitka, Alaska south to Baja California. Most abundant from Oregon south through Southern California. Found over rocky reefs, kelp beds, and rocky shore areas in 0–250 feet. A heavyweight bottom fish of the Pacific Northwest and California rocky reef fisheries — the largest member of the sculpin family.

Preferred Water Temperature: 46°F–58°F. A cold-water Pacific species found on or near rocky bottom. Lies motionless on the reef waiting to ambush prey — colors match the surrounding bottom. Common in shallow rocky areas and tide pools as juveniles; larger fish prefer deeper rocky structure.

Size & Weight: Typically 5–15 lbs and 20–30 inches. Maximum approximately 25 lbs and 39 inches. World record: 23 lbs from Oregon. Highly variable coloring — green, red, brown, or mottled depending on the substrate they inhabit. Important note: The roe (eggs) of Cabezon are poisonous — never eat the eggs. The flesh is blue or green when raw but turns white when cooked — excellent eating.

Best Lures: Large swimbaits worked slowly near rocky bottom are very effective — Cabezon attack large prey readily. Large tube jigs produce strikes. Heavy jigs with large soft plastic tails work well. Fly fishing with large sculpin patterns in shallow rocky areas is productive.

Best Baits: Fresh whole octopus is the top bait — Cabezon love octopus. Fresh squid works very well. Fresh whole crabs are excellent. Live rockfish produce large specimens. Large fresh anchovies on a sliding sinker near rocky bottom catch fish consistently.

Eastern Pacific Ocean — from Sitka, Alaska south to Baja California. Most abundant from Oregon south through Southern California. Found over rocky reefs, kelp beds, and rocky shore areas in 0–250 feet. A heavyweight bottom fish of the Pacific Northwest and California rocky reef fisheries — the largest member of the sculpin family.

46°F–58°F. A cold-water Pacific species found on or near rocky bottom. Lies motionless on the reef waiting to ambush prey — colors match the surrounding bottom. Common in shallow rocky areas and tide pools as juveniles; larger fish prefer deeper rocky structure.

Best Lures: Large swimbaits worked slowly near rocky bottom are very effective — Cabezon attack large prey readily. Large tube jigs produce strikes. Heavy jigs with large soft plastic tails work well. Fly fishing with large sculpin patterns in shallow rocky areas is productive. Best Baits: Fresh whole octopus is the top bait — Cabezon love octopus. Fresh squid works very well. Fresh whole crabs are excellent. Live rockfish produce large specimens. Large fresh anchovies on a sliding sinker near rocky bottom catch fish consistently.

1 fishing location where you can catch Cabezon

Typically 5–15 lbs and 20–30 inches. Maximum approximately 25 lbs and 39 inches. World record: 23 lbs from Oregon. Highly variable coloring — green, red, brown, or mottled depending on the substrate they inhabit. Important note: The roe (eggs) of Cabezon are poisonous — never eat the eggs. The flesh is blue or green when raw but turns white when cooked — excellent eating.

1 official record on file for Cabezon