Species guide · Oregon

Cabezon fishing in Oregon

Scorpaenichthys marmoratus, a nearshore species also called cab, cabbie and marbled sculpin. Listed for the Pacific Northwest region. Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks.

Right now it scores best in Coastal waters from Cape Foulweather to Florence OR out 10 nm at 54, one of 5 Oregon bay systems where the Waterlands engine is scoring it.

Season now

Shoulder season

Where it's scoring now All Oregon waters

Season by month

From the Waterlands saltwater species research: when the fish are present and biting, not whether retention is open.

Pacific Northwest

Shoulder season, about 31 more weeks

Jan: Shoulder season
Feb: Shoulder season
Mar: Shoulder season
Apr: Shoulder season
May: Peak season
Jun: Peak season
Jul: Peak season
Aug: Peak season
Sep: Shoulder season
Oct: Shoulder season
Nov: Shoulder season
Dec: Shoulder season

Peak: May to Aug. In season (shoulder or peak): all year.

Research notes, Pacific Northwest region

ODFW describes cabezon as available year round from kelp beds, rocky headlands and jetties. Oregon 2026 limits cabezon to one per day within the general marine bag starting July 1. WDFW notes common catches off the outer Washington coast and in Puget Sound.

Seasons and limits in these notes are background. The regulations below and the regulator’s own page govern.

Where it's scoring now · 5

Oregon bay systems ranked by the Waterlands engine's cabezon score this hour.

54Good

Coastal waters from Cape Foulweather to Florence OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (54) · Best day Fri, Oct 2 at 6 PM (70) · 17 named spots

52Good

Columbia River Bar

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (52) · Best day Sun, Sep 27 at 2 PM (68) · 71 named spots

51Good

Coastal waters from Cape Blanco OR to Pt. St. George CA out 10 nm

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (51) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (68) · 18 named spots

48Good

Coastal waters from Florence to Cape Blanco OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (48) · Best day Sat, Oct 3 at 7 AM (71) · 9 named spots

35Fair

Coastal waters from Cape Falcon to Cape Foulweather OR out 10 nm

Best window today 11 PM-12 AM (35) · Best day Mon, Sep 21 at 9 AM (69) · 32 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

ODFW saltwater regulations Buy a Oregon fishing license License types

Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Synced with ODFW Sep 21, 2026.

No reviewed cabezon rule for Oregon is on file yet. Check with ODFW before you keep one.