A long, large-mouthed rockfish. On a good deep drop you can load the bag with them, which is why the 10-fish RCG cap still matters.
Last reviewed: October 2026
Deeper shelf rock and wrecks on the San Pedro / Catalina side, often mixed with vermilion.
No extra sub-limit beyond the 10-fish RCG. No size minimum. Most LA anglers see them on a half-day or three-quarter boat, not from the rocks at Cabrillo. Use a descending device on anything you cannot keep.
Bocaccio (Sebastes paucispinis) are long, olive-brown to reddish rockfish with a very large mouth whose lower jaw juts well past the upper. Juveniles, often caught in mid-water, are lighter brown with spots.
Bocaccio live over deeper rocky reefs and the outer shelf. Near LA they are caught mainly from sportfishing boats on deep reefs in the Santa Monica Bay and San Pedro Channel.
Bocaccio were once overfished along the West Coast. NOAA Fisheries declared the stock rebuilt in 2017, which is one reason they now count in the general RCG bag without a separate sub-limit.
CDFW's 2026 Southern Management Area table for boat-based anglers: closed January through March; open at all depths April through June; open only shoreward of 50 fathoms July through September; and from October 1 through December 31, nearshore rockfish, cabezon and greenlings are closed while shelf and slope rockfish and lingcod may be taken only seaward of 50 fathoms. Shore-based anglers and divers are not bound by these seasons and depth limits.
Bocaccio are good eating; OEHHA's LA coastal advisories put rockfish at 1 serving a week for women 18–49 and children and 2 for others. Bocaccio count in the 10-fish RCG bag with no separate sub-limit and no minimum size.
Still no take of cowcod. When unsure, ask the crew and release with a descending device.
CDFW groundfish summary — bocaccio / RCG →
Independent-site disclaimer: this summary is for orientation only and can change in-season. Confirm with CDFW before you keep a fish. Fish in LA is not affiliated with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.
No. Bocaccio count in the 10-fish RCG bag with no separate sub-limit.
From a boat, only seaward of 50 fathoms through December 31, as a shelf rockfish.
Yes. NOAA Fisheries declared the West Coast stock rebuilt in 2017.
Last reviewed: October 2026. Rules, stocking and access change; confirm with the agency linked above before you go.
