Tiger Rockfish
Sebastes nigrocinctus
FR Sébaste tigre · ES Rocote tigre
Also known as: Banded RockfishBlackbanded RockfishRock CodRocote tigreSébaste tigre
Reef/KelpBoat
DeepwaterReef
Score
—
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Depth
30–180m
Platform
Boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–AugGood Apr–Sep
Depth range
30–180mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Jigging80%
Bottom Fishing / Ledgering65%
Preferred seabed
RockMixed
Findr bio
Deep-rock ambusher with the stripes to prove it – slow-drop jigs tight to boulder fields well past sixty feet and you might just find me.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
Rocky shoreWreck reefDeep water
Recommended baits
Fish baitsSoft plastics
Diet
HerringJuvenile fishShrimpCrabAmphipods
Effective techniques
JiggingBottom Fishing
Gear
Best times
Day
Five bold vertical bars streak my pink-and-white body – the only Pacific rockfish that actually looks like its namesake big cat.
Field notes
Where to find them
Pacific NW/California deep rocky reef
Where they hang out
Deep rocky reef
Prime time
Year-round; daylight structure fishing
Tide game
Moderate
What they're into
Squid strips over deep rocky structure
Temperature vibe
Cold-water species
Fave weather
Calm seas needed to hold position over structure
Fun fact about me
Red-and-white barred flanks — reef camouflage that doubles as a warning label.
Dinner material?
6/10Edible, nothing special
Play by the rules
Size/bag limits, depth closures — check state rulesState fisheries agency (e.g. CDFW, WDFW)
Looking after them
Least Concern