Fish

Red scorpionfish (rascasse)

Cabracho (rascacio)

Scorpaena scrofa

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

1–3 lb.

Depth

60–1,600 ft.

Best time

Daylight and night.

Found in

7 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: A big, red to orange-brown scorpionfish with a large spiny head, skin flaps on the chin and head, mottled camouflage, and a dark spot on the spiny dorsal fin.
Typical size: 1–3 lb.
Maximum size: About 20 in and up to about 6 lb.
Diet: Fish, shrimp and crabs ambushed from the rocks.
Behavior: Sits still and camouflaged on rocks and ambushes prey.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Spain & Portugal (Azores, Madeira & Canaries), France, Italy & Malta, Greece & the Adriatic, Turkey, Cyprus & the Eastern Mediterranean, Morocco & West Africa and United Kingdom & Ireland. Rocky reefs and muddy-sandy bottoms through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from the British Isles to Senegal and the Canaries.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and muddy-sandy bottoms through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from the British Isles to Senegal and the Canaries.
Depth: 60–1,600 ft.
Fishing depth: On the bottom.
Best season: All year.
Best time: Daylight and night.
Best tides: Light current.
Best weather / conditions: Calm days.

What to tie on and what to throw.

Best bait: Squid, sardine and shrimp.
Best artificial lures: Small jigs and soft lures fished right on the bottom.
Tackle setup: Medium boat rod.
Hook size: Size 1–2/0 hooks.
Line: 20–30 lb braid.
Leader: 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Rig Weight Hooks Bait

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky reefs and muddy-sandy bottoms through the Mediterranean and the Atlantic from the British Isles to Senegal and the Canaries.
Rig up: Medium boat rod. 20–30 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Squid, sardine and shrimp. Lures: Small jigs and soft lures fished right on the bottom.
Fish it: Drift slowly over rocky bottoms with a baited hook or a small jig touching bottom.
Time it: Daylight and night. Light current.

Fishing techniques: Drift slowly over rocky bottoms with a baited hook or a small jig touching bottom.
BigJoe's tip: Scorpionfish rarely move far; once you find a rocky patch that holds them, fish it carefully.
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: Excellent eating — one of the best-tasting fish in its range.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Firm, sweet white meat: the essential fish in French bouillabaisse and Spanish 'pastel de cabracho'.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: The dorsal, anal and pelvic spines are venomous and very painful. Use pliers and gloves; if stung, soak the wound in hot water (as hot as you can stand) and get medical help.
Regulations: Minimum sizes apply in some countries; marine reserves are closed. Sea fishing rules change by country: the UK, Ireland and France need no sea license, Spain, Portugal, Croatia and Greece sell or require recreational sea licenses or permits, and Italy asks for a free online registration. All have minimum sizes, and marine reserves have no-fishing zones.
Conservation: Keep only what you'll eat.

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Sources & photo credits