Rockfish 101 - Yellowtail Rockfish

Over the course of this series on rockfish, touch on many of the different species I’ve encountered and photographed over the years but this rockfish is probably the one I have seen and captured images of the most.

Diving in the waters off of British Columbia you will run into this fish, it seems to be everywhere and it’s great! I feel that it gives me a little hope that fish stocks are not declining as much as the media claims and that one day my kids will see this fish and many others as I have.

The Yellowtail Rockfish, Sebastes flavidus range from San Diego, California to Dutch Harbor, Alaska. These fish have a long head and protruding jaw, and grow to 26 inches and live to be 64 years old. Wonderfully coloured, these fish pop when taking a picture of them. Often a grayish brown with a brassy yellow wash or sometimes a light grey with yellow hues and speckles.

These fish tend to school in large groups but I have also found solitary ones in various areas. As with most fish approach slow and be patient for your shot. Yellowtail will get comfortable with you and you may end up swimming among the school just part of the team.

Thanks for reading.

Scott

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