Yelloweye Rockfish
Sebastes ruberrimus
Yelloweye Rockfish is a long-lived Pacific rockfish that inhabits deep, cold reefs and rocky slopes. It grows slowly and can be highly vulnerable to overfishing, so many areas have strict limits or closures.
Identification points
- Bright yellow to orange-red eye ring with a pale to golden iris
- Robust red-orange body with a mottled or darker blotchy pattern
- Large rockfish with a deep body and a slightly pointed head
Habitat
Cold, deep rocky reefs, pinnacles, ledges, and steep continental shelf slopes, usually from about 20-300+ m; adults often sit tight to structure near kelp edge, boulders, and high-relief bottom.
Bait notes
Best with cut bait, squid strips, octopus, small live or dead baitfish, and jigs that reach bottom cleanly. In areas where retention is prohibited, fish it only for catch-and-release if allowed.
Behavior
A slow-growing ambush predator that feeds on small fish, squid, and crustaceans. It is often sedentary, faithful to structure, and may show limited movement once established on a reef.
Caution
Observe strict local regulations: yelloweye rockfish is often subject to severe harvest limits or retention closures due to overfishing. It is a deepwater species prone to barotrauma; release methods may be required.
Fishing notes
Fish deep structure with baited hooks, metal jigs, or slow-pitched jigs on stout tackle. Keep presentations near bottom and use a steady lift-drop; minimize barotrauma by descending fish if required by local rules.