How to Catch Quillbacks?

[Tinman]

I'd like to learn how to target quillback rockfish. I caught one at Three Arches yesterday, and grilled it whole on the BBQ...delicious! I really like the distinctive flavor and texture of quillbacks.

Does anybody know how to specifically find and catch quillbacks? And is the resource healthy?

[Mark Mc]

Hay Charles,

The lures / gear isn't any different than for other nearshore rockfish. However it's easier to find them (and other nearshore "exotics") if you can get away from the masses of blue & black rockfish.

You still want the hard, rocky bottom. Also try close to the kelp.

Hope that helps.......... MM

[Mypursuit]

Hey TInman, we picked up 2, actually, when we were close to you at the south end away from everyone else. We were bouncing blue/chrome 4 oz herring jigs with red and blue shrimp flies off the edges from 111 - 120 feet...about 10AM. One hit the blue fly, one hit the jig...

[Tinman]

Mypursuit, you must have been in the Arima then. You should have hailed me on the radio, I didn't recognize you. Crazyfish was out there too, I was talking to him on 68.

[PIR8 Hook]

Charles, I catch them on herring on a mooching rig below a banana weight just like cod and the rest.... They hang together so where you find one you may find more.

[kenai]

We pulled up 2 of the quillbacks just S. of you Saturday.
First time I've caught any at 3 arches.
THEY ARE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE

[Tinman]

MM, thanks. And thanks for the pic of the fried whole fish on another thread. I did mine on the BBQ with good result.

Kenai, you should have hailed me on the radio, I didn't know you were out there. I worked pretty hard for my half-dozen rockfish and one legal ling. There were zillions of short lings out there, and lots of cabezon, which I tossed back.

[snaggedup]

Last season caught one that nailed me in the thumb with its spines , injects poison like bee or wasp hurt like
hell , made my thumb go numb for about 45 min and hurt at same time . Didn't let up until I hooked a butt
then I forgot about it until after. When we landed was telling the fish checker girl about it she says to drain the fluid fron the eye of a quillback is anedote for sting?????
What you think ever heard of this.

[Greg516]

Now this is Quillback Rockfish right?

[snaggedup]

Yes ID positive by fish checker.