Species: Rhacochilus toxotes; from the Greek words rhacochilus (rag lip) and
toxotes (pertaining to the East Indian archer fish, because of a presumed resemblance).
Alternate Names: Buttermouth perch, porgee, sprat, or liverlip.
Identification: Typical perch-shape with a deep and heavy body. Their coloring
is brown or brassy with thick, usually white or pink, lips.
Size: Rubberlip seaperch are the largest species of the surfperch/seaperch
family; they reach 18.5 inches in length. Most caught from piers are under 13 inches
long.
Range: Thurloe Head, Baja California to Russian Gulch Beach, Mendocino County.
Most common in the Monterey Bay area.
Habitat: Shallow-water rocky areas, kelp beds and bays.
Piers: A primarily southern and central California perch, common at bay and
oceanfront piers, at least those located near rocky areas, reefs or kelp beds. Best
bets: Ocean Beach Pier, Aliso Beach Pier, Redondo Sportfishing Pier, Hermosa Beach
Pier, Paradise Cove Pier, Stearns Wharf (Santa Barbara), Goleta Pier, Monterey Wharf
No. 2, the Seacliff State Beach Pier, and the Santa Cruz Wharf.
Bait and Tackle: Rubberlip seaperch are usually taken on a high/low leader
and size 6 or 4 hooks baited with fresh mussels, live sea worms or small pieces of
shrimp. Those with the proper know how use plastic grubs and they are the ones who
often bag the largest fish.
Size and Number Limit: No minimum size but no more than ten rubberlip seaperch
may be taken or possessed.
Food Value: Since they are one of the largest perch, specimens often contain
quite a bit of meat. Although their flesh has a mild taste, most gourmets rate it
only fair in taste. They are at their best during the non-spawning season and generally
are pan fried in butter.
Comments: These are less common than black seaperch or white seaperch but
will usually be the largest of the perch taken.