Spearfishing the California Sheepshead Fish

Lets get to know them…What do they look like?

California Sheepshead fish are ugly, live along the coast of North America in the Pacific Ocean, and belong to the wrasse family of fish. They can live to be up to 20 years old in ideal conditions, and can grow to be up to three feet long and weigh 35 pounds. Making them something to be proud of if you can land the large ones.

All California Sheepshead are female when they are born, but they morph into male form at various points in their lives, depending on the conditions of the environment that they live in. Male and female sheepshead differ in color. Males are black at the head and tail, with red midsections. Females are pale pink with light underbellies. The males are larger and the coloring makes them easier to spot.

Where are they?

These fish usually live in areas with dense amounts of kelp or in rocky reefs, so be ready to enter the kelp forests. These fish like to be in more closed-off spaces as opposed to open ocean with minimal landscape. They tend to get very attached to their personal habitats, and don’t migrate much. They feed on crabs, mollusks, sea urchins, and lobsters, which are also commonly found in these habitats, so look for them near the bottom. They will occasionally journey out into sandy areas to forage for food if they cannot find enough to eat in the more covered areas.

When are they out?

They usually feed during the daytime, and are essential in controlling the prey population in these areas of the Pacific Ocean. Like humans, sheepshead are diurnal, meaning their schedules are based on night and day cycles. They complete a circle between their feeding areas and their rest areas twice per day.

Ok, how do I get one?

California sheepshead fish are extremely popular catches for spearos. However, there are still plenty out there so here are some tips:

In California you need a fishing license with a salt water endorsement

Also in CA they must be larger than 12 inches and you have a 5-fish bag limit

You need your kelp gear so consider a gun mounted reel over a float line.

Consider a shorter gun for maneuverability and limited line of site in the kelp.

They are bottom dwellers, so keep low and check under ledges rocks to find them

Check out Youtube for this great shot of a Sheepshead

I got one! Time to eat

Sheepshead can be eaten a variety of ways. They can be filleted in a pan, although the meat does tend to crumble a bit with this method. They can also be steamed, which makes for better presentation. They do have a deep, ‘fishy’ taste to them, so they taste good when paired with other flavorings to balance that aspect out.