Fish

Blue rockfish (blue and deacon rockfish)

Rocote azul

Sebastes mystinus

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–2 lb.

Depth

Surface to 300 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

3 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Blue-black to slate-gray rockfish with lighter blue mottling, two dark bands slanting back across the head, a small mouth and a slightly forked tail. The very similar deacon rockfish (Sebastes diaconus), mostly from Oregon north, was split off as its own species in 2015.
Typical size: 1–2 lb.
Maximum size: About 21 in.
Diet: Jellyfish, krill, small fish and algae.
Behavior: Schools in midwater over kelp and rocky reefs, often near the surface.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Central & Northern California, Southern California and Oregon & Washington. Kelp forests and rocky reefs along the California coast, with the deacon rockfish replacing it northward.
Habitat: Kelp forests and rocky reefs along the California coast, with the deacon rockfish replacing it northward.
Depth: Surface to 300 ft.
Fishing depth: 10–80 ft.
Best season: Where groundfish seasons are open.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: 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: Kelp forests and rocky reefs along the California coast, with the deacon rockfish replacing it northward.
Rig up: Light to medium rod. 20–30 lb mono.
Pick your bait: Squid strips and small pieces of fish. Lures: Small swimbaits, shrimp flies and small metal jigs.
Fish it: Fish small swimbaits or shrimp flies through midwater over kelp and reefs.
Time it: Daytime. Light tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish small swimbaits or shrimp flies through midwater over kelp and reefs.
BigJoe's tip: Blues often feed high in the water — fish up off the bottom.
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: Softer meat than other rockfish; best fresh, fried or in tacos.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Venomous spines — handle with gloves.
Regulations: Part of the rockfish bag limit; seasons and depth limits vary. Check local rules. Licenses, size and bag limits and seasons are set by each state — the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (wildlife.ca.gov), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (myodfw.com) and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (wdfw.wa.gov) — together with NOAA Fisheries and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. Rules change often, and many areas are no-take marine reserves: check before you go.
Conservation: Common in kelp areas.

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Sources & photo credits