Species guide · California
Cabezon fishing in California
Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, a nearshore species also called cab, cabbie and marbled sculpin. Listed for the Northern California region. Peak season, about 2 more weeks.
Right now it scores best in San Francisco Bay South of the Bay Bridge at 72, one of 7 California bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.
Season now
Peak seasonSeason by month
From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.
Northern California
Peak season, about 2 more weeks- Jan: Off season
- Feb: Off season
- Mar: Off season
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: Peak season
- Jun: Peak season
- Jul: Peak season
- Aug: Peak season
- Sep: Peak season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Shoulder season
- Dec: Off season
Peak: May to Sep. In season (shoulder or peak): Apr to Nov.
Research notes, Northern California region
Cabezon fall under the RCG complex: 2026 boat season closed Jan 1 to Mar 31 north of Point Conception, with shore anglers and divers exempt. California spawning runs October to March and peaks in January, with males guarding nests.
Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.
Where it's scoring now · 7
California bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's cabezon score this hour.
Best window today 5-7 PM (72) · Best day Thu, Sep 17 at 6 PM (75) · 30 named spots
Best window today 5-6 PM (71) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 28 named spots
Best window today 5-7 PM (71) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (78) · 28 named spots
Best window today 5-7 PM (70) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (76) · 159 named spots
Best window today 5-8 PM (68) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (80) · 27 named spots
Best window today 5-9 PM (61) · Best day Fri, Sep 18 at 7 AM (74) · 50 named spots
How and where it feeds
- Water temperature
- Feeds from 46°F to 64°F, best between 50°F and 58°F.
- Water depth
- 3 to 100 ft of water.
- Structure
- Kelp, reef, jetty, point, pinnacle and grass, in that order of preference.
- Tide and current
- Prefers incoming tide and high tide, with light current.Shore anglers on rocky headlands and jetties usually do best as the incoming tide covers the rocks and crevices where cabezon hunt crabs. Low confidence, based on ODFW shore-fishing guidance for the rocky-shore species group rather than cabezon-specific data.
- Light
- Some lift around dawn and dusk.
- Pressure
- Little response to pressure changes.
- Wind and sea limits
- 18 kt of wind and 5 ft of sea. The Waterlands engine scores hours down as conditions pass them.
Tackle and technique
Cabezon sit in rock crevices, kelp beds and jetty boulders from the intertidal zone to about 100 feet and feed mostly on crabs and small fish. Fish a fish-finder rig with sand shrimp, squid or crab right on the bottom in the rocks, or drag a lead-head grub slowly through the kelp. Expect snags, and do not eat the roe, which is toxic.
- Methods
- bottom fishing with a fish-finder rig, poke poling, light jigging from kayak or skiff, spearfishing
- Lures
- lead-head jigs with crab or grub plastics, small swimbaits
- Bait
- sand shrimp, ghost shrimp, marine worms, squid, herring, crab pieces, mussels
Regulations
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with CDFW Sep 16, 2026.
No reviewed cabezon rule for California is on file yet. Check with CDFW before you keep one.