FISHES OF THE PACIFIC COAST 81 



eyes, and garnished with many beautiful tints, shades 

 and colors. 



It attains a weight of eight or more pounds, and 

 with very light tackle affords some sport, though to 

 the yellowtail or white sea bass angler it is considered 

 a nuisance, as it is an inveterate bait stealer, and in 

 places can with difficulty be avoided. It spawns in 

 August, when fishes of the largest size are taken close 

 inshore. 



This fish is of the type of a number of so-called 

 rock fishes, groupers and others, among the most im- 

 portant fishes of the coast. 



SHEEPSHEAD 



Another bottom fish, found in comparatively shallow 

 water, is the sheepshead, totally different from the 

 sheepshead of the Atlantic or Gulf of Mexico; a large 

 fish, with a prominent domed head and perpendicular 

 stripes, black and red. The male, Fig. 32, is a most 

 striking creature; the dome, jet black, the lower jaw 

 pure white. The fish has a peculiar habit, like the 

 Southern parrot fishes, of rolling its eyes about. 



The female, Fig. 33, is very different in appearance, 

 being gray or white or all red, without the dome. The 

 young are beautiful and graceful little creatures. The 

 sheepshead feeds on shellfish, crabs and various ani- 

 mals, and, in the shallow water of San Clemente, can 

 be seen in great numbers moving slowly about, using 

 its side fins in a peculiar manner. 



The large males often attain a weight of twelve 

 pounds, and are hard fighters on 3-6 tackle. The bait 

 most effective for them is crayfish or abalone, though 



