Help Id a rockfish

So I'm pretty sure from the pictures I've found these are gophers, but wanted to make sure. I just want to know for next time so I can id as I catch.

Gopher

Gopher

Rodent hahahahahaha

The funny thing about gophers is that 8 years ago the reefs were swarming with small gophers and many considered them to be a nuisance. Maybe because of regs, the last 3 years, lings have taken over the reefs and gophers have been harder to find. Ironically, they are one of the better eating rockfish and my Vietnamese friends like the gopher and China rockfish over all other RCG species.

I caught one recently and thought it was a brown because of the dark brown blotch behind his head.  But the larger copper blotches with dark band I believe are on the gopher.

The better eating rockfish and my Vietnamese friends like the gopher and China rockfish over all other RCG species.

TOTALLY AGREE, Not to mentioned I never seen any of them has parasite.

Gophers are perfect size for steaming and are one of the best tasting of the rockfish.  (shhhhhhhhhhhhh!)  It's a
secret.

If you catch one this size or bigger. Steam it whole.

If you catch one this size or bigger. Steam it whole.

Except that one looks like a copper.   

-Allen

If you catch one this size or bigger. Steam it whole.

Except that one looks like a copper.   

-Allen

Coppers are lighter orange and have prominent dorsal fins/spines. Definitely not a golden eye or canary.

If you catch one this size or bigger. Steam it whole.

Except that one looks like a copper.   

-Allen

Coppers are lighter orange and have prominent dorsal fins/spines. Definitely not a golden eye or canary.

-Allen

-Allen

Thanks guys! Allen those pictures are great our ca regs pics suck!  I'm going to have to see if I can download some I those to study.

very good pica Allen...I get em confused a bit...

The funny thing about gophers is that 8 years ago the reefs were swarming with small gophers and many considered them to be a nuisance. Maybe because of regs, the last 3 years, lings have taken over the reefs and gophers have been harder to find. Ironically, they are one of the better eating rockfish and my Vietnamese friends like the gopher and China rockfish over all other RCG species.

I didn't realize that. I've caught a lot of gophers this year and haven't kept any since I figured they were not as "prestigious" as the vermillions. I'll definitely keep some in the future.