Also known as
- Red Snapper US
- Rasphead Rockfish US
- Turkey Red Rockfish US
Identification
A North Pacific deep-reef ambush predator and one of the longest-lived fish on the planet (147 years). Powerful headshaking resistance.
- Bright yellow to golden eyes — the namesake feature
- Colour shifts with age: reddish young, vivid crimson adults, pale yellow in old age
- Multiple sharp spines across the head and gill covers
- Deep heavily built body with large head
Where it holds
- Rocky Shores
- Offshore
Behaviour
A North Pacific deep-rocky-reef specialist that holds long-term territory in caves, crevices, overhangs, and boulder fields in 30-300m. Sedentary site-faithful adults strike herring, small reef fish, shrimp, and crabs from cover. Juveniles use shallower rocky habitat before settling deeper. Extreme longevity — up to 147 years documented — and slow growth make populations highly vulnerable to fishing pressure. Stocks ESA-listed in parts of Puget Sound and BC.
Diet: Herring, Small Reef Fish, Shrimp, Crabs, Octopus, Squid
How it's caught
Line Fishing
Bottom Fishing
The dominant Pacific NW yelloweye method. Drop fresh herring, squid, or rockfish fillet on a 5/0-7/0 circle hook with a 250-450g sinker over rocky reef and boulder fields in 90-180m. Stout tackle and constant bottom contact mandatory — descending devices required for any release.
Jigging
Highly productive over deep rocky reef and boulder fields in 90-180m. Drop heavy 175-350g metal jigs and large soft-plastic swimbaits to bottom and bounce vertically with sharp lifts and controlled drops. Stinger hook rigged on top (rather than treble below) drastically reduces snags in rock.
