The Fishing Report

Fishing seasons & conditions by region

Cabezon Scorpaenichthys marmoratus

Cabezon Size, Range & Diet

Typical size	14–22 in, 2–8 lb
Maximum	up to 39 in and about 25 lb
Lifespan	up to about 14 years
Range	Rocky Pacific coast from southeast Alaska through British Columbia, Washington and Oregon down to central Baja California.
Habitat	Shallow rocky ground — reefs, pinnacles, jetties, kelp and tidepools — from the intertidal out to about 650 ft, though most come from far shallower water.
Diet	Crabs, small lobsters, octopus, squid, abalone and small fish, engulfed in one lunge from ambush.

Sizes are typical rod-and-reel and documented maximum figures, not size limits — see the regulations links below for the rules where you fish.

How to Identify a Cabezon

Broad, flattened, scaleless head
A single fleshy flap (cirrus) on the snout plus a branched cirrus over each eye
About 11 stout dorsal spines; jaws lack the large canine teeth lingcod have
Mottled red, brown, or green blotchy body
Broad pectoral fins; body completely scaleless

Tell it apart: The single fleshy flap on the snout, a fully scaleless body, and the absence of big canine teeth distinguish cabezon from the toothy lingcod and from the smaller sculpins.

Easily confused with: Lingcod

Side by side: Cabezon vs Lingcod

How to Catch Cabezon

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Best in the cold months, December through March — fish shrimp, squid, or crab baits tight to rocky structure on a short dropper rig.GearRock-fishing dropper rig Octopus bait hooks Soft-plastic swimbaits
Available year-round, best in the cold months around January and December — drop crab, shrimp, or squid baits tight to rocky structure.GearRock-fishing dropper rig Octopus bait hooks Soft-plastic swimbaits

When & Where Cabezon Are in Season

Peak Good Fair Slow

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Northern California Nearshore
Pacific Northwest Nearshore

Cabezon Regulations

CaliforniaCalifornia Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW), Marine Region NOAA Fisheries (West Coast Region)PFMC WashingtonWashington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW)OregonOregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW)

Always check local regulations — seasons, size, and bag limits vary by state and species, and change year to year. When in doubt, release.

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