Bocaccio
The largest of the Pacific rockfishes, bocaccio range from the Gulf of Alaska south to Baja California and are built around one defining feature: a cavernous, underslung mouth that can engulf prey nearly half their body length.
Adults live deep — most are caught between 300 and 700 feet down — making them a bottom-fishing target for anglers willing to work serious depth over rocky structure.
Scientific Name: Sebastes paucispinis
Also known as Salmon Grouper, Rock Salmon, Pacific Red Snapper
- The lower jaw juts well past the upper and the corner of the mouth extends behind the eye — no other common Pacific rockfish has a mouth quite this large relative to its head.
- Juveniles are light bronze with small brown spots; adults shift to olive-brown, burnt orange, or dark grayish brown on the back, fading to pink or silvery on the belly.
- Head spines are weak, and the nasal and parietal spines are usually absent — a useful distinction from most other rockfish species.
- Grows to roughly 36–39 inches and can exceed 20 lbs; fish over 10 lbs are a realistic target in productive deep-water grounds.
What to know
Habitat Distribution
- Native to the northeast Pacific, from the Gulf of Alaska south through the length of the Pacific Coast to central Baja California, Mexico.
- A reef-associated marine species capable of living from near the surface to depths beyond 1,500 feet, though most adults concentrate between 300 and 740 feet.
- Juveniles spend their early months in shallower, pelagic water — often sheltering under floating kelp mats or driftwood — before gradually moving deeper as they grow.
Specific Spots
- Rocky reefs, underwater pinnacles, and hard-bottom structure are the core holding areas — bocaccio position near relief where baitfish and invertebrates concentrate, not over featureless mud.
- Low-relief hard bottom can also hold fish, particularly where current pushes forage across the bottom and gives the fish an easy intercept point.
- Depth matters more than any single feature: the most consistent fishing happens where the bottom drops into the 300–700-foot range, so reading your sounder for structure at those depths is the starting point.
Bocaccio FAQ
Answers from onWater's species guide.
What are the best lures and bait for Bocaccio?
Cut squid, strips or whole heads, is the most consistent bait across the range; it stays on the hook at depth, holds scent, and matches a natural food source.
What do Bocaccio eat?
Adults eat primarily fish, anchovies, sardines, and smaller rockfish are the main targets, which is why cut or live baitfish consistently outperforms other presentations at depth.
Where do Bocaccio live?
Native to the northeast Pacific, from the Gulf of Alaska south through the length of the Pacific Coast to central Baja California, Mexico. A reef-associated marine species capable of living from near the surface to depths beyond 1,500 feet, though most adults concentrate between 300 and 740 feet.
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