California’s Inshore Fishes
October 28 2011
I ILLUSTRATED SOME OF CALIFORNIA’S INSHORE FISHES. IF I’VE COLORED ANY OF THEM ACCURATELY, IT WAS A COMPLETE ACCIDENT. THE QUOTED TEXT IN THE CAPTIONS COMES FROM INSHORE FISHES OF CALIFORNIA, A BOOKLET VERY APPARENTLY PUBLISHED FIVE DECADES AGO.
Grass Rockfish (Sebastodes rastrelliger). “The grass rockfish is the most important of the rockfishes to rocky shore and jetty fishermen. When caught from the shore this cagey scrapper will use every trick in the book. He will sulk in cracks, crevices and caves or will tangle himself in seaweed, making his conquest difficult but rewarding if successful. Stripbaits, mussels, clams or shrimp will all entice this fellow to bite.”
Barred Surfperch (Amphistichus argenteus). “Almost nothing is known about the red tail and calico surfperch. There is especial need for information about large-sized ones… Surfperch fishing is good the year around; however old timers will tell you that December and January are consistently the best.”
Opaleye (Girella nigricans). “One of the most important fish in the rocky shore fisherman’s bag, in recent years opaleye have more or less come into the limelight… Opaleye are considered a good fish by many. Too many anglers discard them without giving them a good try.”
California Corbina (Menticirrhus undulates). “They are very particular feeders, apparently spitting out bits of clamshells and other foreign matter. About 90% of the food they eat is sand crabs. Clams and other crustaceans are of lesser importance.”
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