Although it is sometimes called a Seward, Alaska Red Snapper it is in fact a Rockfish. These are the largest, most colorful and longest lived Rock Fish that you will encounter while sport fishing in Alaska. The average fish that we catch is 40 – 50 years old. Seward, Alaska red snapper are caught incidentally while fishing for halibut and ling cod. Seldom do we target this species because of their slow rate of reproduction and that as adults they have a very small range, usually staying within a few hundred feet of their home. Although they are easily found, a directed effort in a small area has long lasting effects on the health of the stock.

Using either a halibut style circle hook set up or jigging with scampi set up normally used for ling cod produces results. Although Seward, Alaska yellow-eye rockfish provide a good fight the duration of the confrontation is short as the effects of barotraumas soon causes to fish to become bloated and they float to the surface. Since they are usually caught in waters 165 feet in depth and deeper, the effects of being brought to the surface rapidly makes their chances of survival if released minimal.

Trophy sized fish are twenty pounds and above. Most fish are in the 10 to 16 pound range. The limit for these beautiful fish is one per day or two per day if you fish east of Cape Puget.

They are excellent eating yet do not store well for extended periods. We suggest that the rock fish that you catch be among the first consumed when you get home. Please catch only what you intend to consume and help keep this resource self sustaining.