At a glance
1–2 lb.
1–30 ft.
Daytime, high tide.
2 areas
Know it
Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.
- Identification
Oval, olive-green fish with bright opal-blue eyes, a small mouth and usually one or two white spots on the back below the dorsal fin.
- Typical size
1–2 lb.
- Maximum size
About 2 ft and a few pounds.
- Diet
Mostly seaweed, plus small invertebrates.
- Behavior
Schools in shallow, rocky water and white-water surge zones, picking at seaweed.
Find it
Where, when and how deep to look.
- Where to find it
Found from Southern California and Baja & Sea of Cortez. Rocky shores, tide pools, jetties and kelp beds from central California to southern Baja.
- Habitat
Rocky shores, tide pools, jetties and kelp beds from central California to southern Baja.
- Depth
1–30 ft.
- Fishing depth
2–15 ft in the surge.
- Best season
All year.
- Best time
Daytime, high tide.
- Best tides
High and incoming tides over the rocks.
- Best weather / conditions
Moderate surf with white water.
Bait & gear
What to tie on and what to throw.
- Best bait
Frozen green peas, moss (green seaweed), mussels and bread.
- Best artificial lures
Rarely.
- Tackle setup
Light rod with a small float.
- Hook size
Size 6–4.
- Line
6–10 lb.
- Leader
6 lb.
BigJoe's setup for Opaleye
The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.
Also at Bass Pro Shops: RodReelLineFloatsHooksShoes
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Catch it
Step by step, from first cast to landing.
Step-by-step: how to catch it
- Go where it lives: Rocky shores, tide pools, jetties and kelp beds from central California to southern Baja.
- Rig up: Light rod with a small float. 6 lb.
- Pick your bait: Frozen green peas, moss (green seaweed), mussels and bread. Lures: Rarely.
- Fish it: Float a couple of frozen peas or green seaweed on a small hook in the white water along the rocks and jetties.
- Time it: Daytime, high tide. High and incoming tides over the rocks.
- Fishing techniques
Float a couple of frozen peas or green seaweed on a small hook in the white water along the rocks and jetties.
- BigJoe's tip
Yes, frozen green peas really work — bring a bag from the grocery store.
- 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.
Clean & cook
Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.
- Edibility
Edible but not prized — strong or bony; many anglers release it.
- Cleaning
Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
- Cooking suggestions
Fair eating; bleed it and skin it to avoid a strong taste.
Stay safe & legal
Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.
- Safety warnings
Wave-washed rocks and jetties — watch for big sets and wear non-slip shoes.
- Regulations
California sets bag limits; 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.