Copper Rockfish
Sebastes caurinus
FR Sébaste cuivré · ES Rocote cobrizo
Also known as: Rock CodRocote CobrizoRocote cobrizoSébaste cuivré
Reef/KelpBoat
Reef
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Depth
0–90m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–AugGood Apr–Sep
Depth range
0–90mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Jigging80%
Bottom Fishing / Ledgering65%
Preferred seabed
RockMixed
Findr bio
Copper-streaked and camera-shy – I sit tight in mottled disguise, so work jigs slow along the rocks and I'll practically ambush the hook.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Pier harborRocky shoreWreck reefShallow water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSoft plastics
Diet
CrabShrimpSquidSmall fish
Effective techniques
JiggingBottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
Day
My colors shift by zip code – darker up north, pinker down south, which once had biologists convinced I was two different fish.
Field notes
Where to find them
Pacific NW/California nearshore — reefs, kelp beds, bays, harbors
Where they hang out
Shallow to moderate, 3-60m; often close inshore incl. bays/eelgrass
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Squid strips, shrimp, small baitfish over rock/kelp edges
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species, tolerates shallow warmer inshore water
Fave weather
Calm seas needed to hold position over structure
Fun fact about me
Homebody of the reef — I'll spend a lifetime on one patch of structure.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits common — check state rulesState fisheries agency (e.g. CDFW, WDFW)
Looking after them
Least Concern