Black and Yellow Rockfish

Black and Yellow Rockfish from the Monterey Coast Guard Pier

Species: Sebastes chrysomelas (Jordan & Gilbert 1881); from the Greek word sebastes (magnificent), and the Latin word chrysomelas (black and yellow).

Alternate Names: Black-and-tan rockfish, black-and-yellow rock cod, and sand bass. Early commercial fishermen in California (who often were Italian or Portugese) usually referred to them as yellow garrupa (grouper) or cifulatano. Called rocote mulato or rocote negro y amarillo in Mexico; aosuji menuke by Japanese fishermen.

Identification: Typical stout, bass-like shape with tall, strong head spines. Body mostly blackish or olive-brown, with about 5-7 large irregular yellow blotches on the back; pale below. There’s a yellow patch between the dorsal fin spines and faint dark stripes radiate from the eye. Almost identical in every “ecological and morphological” aspect with gopher rockfish (Sebastes carnatus) from which they cannot be distinguished genetically (Love, etc. 2002). The exceptions are the depth at where most are found (black-and-yellows in shallower waters) and the coloring. Black-and-yellows are, no surprise, black/brown/yellow instead of the gopher’s brown/pink/white.

A Black & Yellow Rockfish caught at Citizens Dock in Crescent City

Size: To 15.3 inches; most caught from piers are less than 12 inches. There is no listed California record.

Range: Natividad Island, central Baja California (although some sources say Punta Salsipuedes in northern Baja), to Cape Blanco, Oregon. Until recently most reference books listed Eureka as the northern range of these fish but PFIC reports recorded their capture from rocks adjacent to Citizen’s Dock in Crescent City (Songslinger, 2001). Later scientific studies showed their presence at the Trinidad Pier, 23 miles north of Eureka (Donahue, 2007). The northern limit at Cape Blanco is cited in the Resource Inventory of Marine and Estuarine Fish of the West Coast and Alaska (Love, Mecklenburg, Mecklenburg and Thorsteinson, 2005). So, PFIC was once again ahead of the curve. In regard to these northern limits, I have caught them at the Trinidad Pier (2013) and Citizens Dock in Crescent City (one in 2016, three in 2017). Although black-and-yellows are considered uncommon south of Point Conception, I caught one at a Long Beach Shoreline pier in March of 2004.

Habitat: Found intertidal to 120 feet but usually less than 60 feet. Adults like holes and crevices in rocky areas and typically are found right on the bottom. They’re most active at dawn and dusk although feeding occurs throughout the night. Their primary food is bethnic (bottom dwelling) shrimp and crabs although they will also swallow down careless fish that get just a little too close. A fairly aggressive and territorial rockfish that will try to keep other rockfish away from their domain. Considered, along with the grass rockfish, to have the most shallow depth distribution.

Black and Yellow Rockfish from the Monterey Coast Guard Pier

Piers: Only caught at piers located near rocky areas or reefs. Best bets: Cabrillo Mole (Avalon), Goleta Pier (Pipe Reef), Morro Bay South T-Pier, Monterey Coast Guard Pier (the best), Santa Cruz Wharf, Point Arena Pier, Trinidad Pier and Citizen’s Dock (inshore).

Shoreline: A common catch by rocky shore anglers in southern and central California.

Boats: Rarely seen by boaters although a few are taken by kayakers fishing inshore waters.

Bait and Tackle: Use a high/low leader, number 6 or 4 hooks, and pile worms, fresh mussel, small pieces of shrimp, or strips of squid.

Food Value:  An excellent eating, mild-flavored fish that is best fried.

Comments: Black-and-yellows can live to about 30 years in age but few reach 20. Some fish reach maturity (and reproductive age) at 6 inches and 3 years of age, most are mature at 7 inches and 4 years, all are mature by 9 inches and 7 years. Black-and-yellows are often caught inshore around rocks, or under the pier by the pilings. Once established, they rarely move more than a mile from their home base.

Black & Yellow Rockfish caught at Citizens Dock in Crescent City

Many thanks to Robert O’H for the help with the pictures

One day we received a post on Pier Fishing In California message board asking why some of the black and yellow rockfish have bright orange-colored fins. To date I do not have an answer.

Black and Yellow Rockfish with bright fins caught by Frozendog while rock fishing in the central coast.