Penpoint Gunnel
Apodichthys flavidus
The Penpoint Gunnel is a slender, eel-like intertidal fish of the northeast Pacific. It lives in cold coastal shallows and is most often seen hiding among algae, eelgrass, and rocks rather than being targeted by anglers.
Identification points
- Long, thin body with a continuous low dorsal fin running most of the back
- Yellowish to olive-brown coloration with small dark markings on the body and fins
- Small pointed head with a narrow tail and no obvious separated spiny dorsal fin
Habitat
Rocky intertidal and shallow subtidal zones with dense kelp, eelgrass, mussel beds, tide pools, and algal cover; typically in protected bays and nearshore coasts.
Bait notes
Not a common sport species. If caught incidentally, small natural baits like bits of shrimp, clam, worm, or amphipods work best; tiny soft plastics or beads drifted near cover may also draw strikes.
Behavior
Secretive and bottom-dwelling, it stays tucked into crevices and vegetation and feeds on small benthic invertebrates such as amphipods, isopods, and worms; often active in low-light and tide-change periods.
Caution
Handle carefully around slippery rocks and sharp barnacles during tidepool fishing; not generally targeted for food, and local regulations on collecting intertidal fishes may apply.
Fishing notes
Use ultra-light tackle and present baits right against weed edges, tidepool margins, or rock crevices at slack or moving tide. Hookups are usually incidental while fishing for other nearshore species.