Fish

California sheephead

Vieja de California

Bodianus pulcher

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

3–10 lb.

Depth

10–100 ft on the rocks.

Best time

Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.

Found in

1 area

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Large wrasse with big protruding teeth. Males have a black head and tail, a red-pink middle and a white chin; females are all pinkish-red. They all start as females and some change into males.
Typical size: 3–10 lb.
Maximum size: About 3 ft and 36 lb.
Diet: Small fish (anchovies, sardines, señorita), squid, crabs, shrimp and urchins around the kelp and rocks.
Behavior: Lives in and around kelp forests, rocky reefs, breakwaters and artificial reefs and ambushes bait from cover.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Southern California. Rocky reefs and kelp beds, especially around the islands.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and kelp beds, especially around the islands.
Depth: 10–100 ft on the rocks.
Fishing depth: 10–80 ft along kelp edges, rock piles and breakwaters.
Best season: All year; best from late spring through early fall when the water warms.
Best time: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days.
Best tides: A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.
Best weather / conditions: Calm to moderate seas; warm, clear water is best.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Squid, shrimp, crabs and mussels.
Best artificial lures: Small jigs and swimbaits bounced on the rocks.
Tackle setup: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel.
Hook size: 1/0–4/0 live-bait hooks; 1/2–1 oz swimbait jig heads.
Line: 20–40 lb braid or mono.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

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 and kelp beds, especially around the islands.
Rig up: 7–7½ ft medium-heavy rod with a conventional or spinning reel. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Squid, shrimp, crabs and mussels. Lures: Small jigs and swimbaits bounced on the rocks.
Fish it: Fish a piece of squid or shrimp right on the rocky bottom and strike when you feel the crunching bites.
Time it: Early morning and late afternoon, and on overcast days. A moving tide that pushes bait along the kelp line.

Fishing techniques: Fish a piece of squid or shrimp right on the rocky bottom and strike when you feel the crunching bites.
BigJoe's tip: Sheephead eat sea urchins and help keep the kelp forests healthy — keep only one or two.
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: Firm, white meat often compared to lobster — great in fish tacos and chowder.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Sharp gill covers and dorsal spines; keep fishing lines out of the kelp and watch for swell on the rocks.
Regulations: California has a minimum size of 12 in and a bag limit, and sheephead fall under the groundfish season and depth rules. Check CDFW. 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: Keep only what you'll eat, release the rest quickly, and follow size and bag limits.

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Sources & photo credits