Bocaccio Fishing Guide

Bocaccio are one of the largest and most aggressive rockfish in the Pacific, called "Salmon Grouper" by Bay Area anglers for their salmon-orange hue and impressive size. They school over deep rocky structure and seamounts and are notorious for striking large jigs, live bait, and whole squid with voracious abandon. Their pink, firm flesh is outstanding table quality — among the finest eating rockfish on the coast.

Bocaccio is a saltwater species.

Habitat

Deep rocky reefs, offshore banks, and seamounts from 50 to 1,000 feet along the entire Pacific Coast from Alaska to Baja California.

Diet

Small fish, squid, and crustaceans — aggressive ambush predators at depth.

Fishing Techniques

• Heavy iron jigs at deep offshore banks
• Live bait on a dropper loop near bottom
• Whole squid rigged on a Mustad hook
• Slow pitch jigging on deep structure
• Live sardine or anchovy on a knocker rig

Best Seasons

Year-round, Fall, Winter

Size & Records

Average weight: 5 lbs. World record: 27.875 lbs (Elfin Cove, Alaska, USA (2011)).