Cabezon
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus
Cabezon hold tight to rocky reef, kelp holdfasts, and jetty rock, waiting to ambush crabs and small fish rather than chasing bait into open water. A 15in minimum size applies statewide as part of the rockfish and cabezon complex, check current limits before keeping one.
Typical size: 15-30in · Peak season: summer, fall. Always check current CDFW regulations for size and bag limits before keeping fish.
Leadhead Jig Rig
intermediateboat & kayak & jetty
A single heavy leadhead rigged with a large soft plastic swimbait, dropped straight to bottom and worked with a swim-pause-drop retrieve right in rocky structure. Heavier than a dropshot and fished actively rather than held still, built for punching through current to reach lingcod and cabezon holding tight to reef.
- Main line50-65 lb braid
- Leader40-60 lb fluorocarbon
- Leader length3-5ft from braid to jig via a leader knot or swivel
- Hooks4-8oz leadhead jig with a built-in hook, sized to depth and current
- WeightJig head itself, no separate sinker
- Line to sinkerNot applicable, weight is molded into the jig head
- BaitSwimbait or cut bait worked slowly along rock and kelp bottom
Dropshot Rig
The hook ties above the weight rather than below it, holding bait at a fixed height off bottom.