Spotlighting Black Cod Week at The Sea Ranch

Mark your calendars for Sonoma County’s first Black Cod Week- October 18-27!

Tucked away along the rugged coastline of northern Sonoma County, that offers both residents and visitors a tranquil haven. It is of course our favorite location, The Sea Ranch. Here you are offered the opportunity to enjoy nature’s beauty and bounty. Among the rich offerings from this region, one fish, in particular, is making waves: sablefish, commonly known as black cod. Though it carries the name “cod,” black cod is not actually part of the cod family. Rather, it’s actually a deep-sea delicacy more accurately called sablefish. Sablefish (AKA Black Cod) has fast become a local favorite that we know you will love to dine on too!

To celebrate this incredible fish, Sonoma County is hosting its first-ever Black Cod Week. The event takes place from October 18-27, as all eyes are on this sustainable and healthy fishery. So let’s dive into what makes sablefish – aka Black Cod- such a prized catch.

What is Sablefish (aka Black Cod)?

Despite its name, black cod is not a true cod. Rather sablefish (Anoplopoma fimbria), is a species found in the cold, deep waters of the Pacific Ocean. It is prized for its rich, buttery flavor and silky texture. As result it’s what sets it apart from other fish caught along the Sonoma coast. The meat is incredibly soft, juicy, and tender. The high fat content makes it simply melt in your mouth. As a result it fast becoming a favorite among chefs and seafood enthusiasts alike.

With its mild flavor, sablefish offers a richer, oilier meat compared to the local rockfish and lingcod. Both species are commonly fished in the area. But sablefish’s firmer, flakier textures along with buttery flavor makes it highly versatile. We love it for grilling, baking, broiling, or smoking. Due to its naturally high fat content, sablefish doesn’t dry out as easily as leaner fish. This attribute makes it nearly foolproof for home cooks.

A Healthy and Abundant Fishery

Unlike fish and crab that live in shallow waters, sablefish stocks are abundant. This makes it a great option for seafood lovers who want to make eco-friendly choices. Living in deeper waters they are not as significantly impacted by climate change. Both the United States and Canada, managed the fishery carefully. Its constant monitoring ensures it remains healthy and thriving. For these reasons Sonoma County chose to spotlight Black Cod’s sustainable fishery by honoring it in Black Cod Week.

In Sonoma County, sablefish are particularly abundant along the deeper waters off our Pacific coast. The cold, nutrient-rich waters just off the coast of Sonoma County provide the perfect environment for these fish to thrive. Often times from our windows at Sea Ranch Abalone Bay you can watch the boats in the distance as they fish away.

Fishing for Sablefish in Sonoma County

As an angler interested in fishing for sablefish, you’re in for an exciting challenge. Sablefish live in deeper waters, typically ranging between 200 and 3,000 feet below the surface. Fishing requires more specialized gear and techniques than for other species like rockfish or lingcod found in shallower waters.

Gear and Techniques for Sablefish Fishing

To fish for sablefish, you’ll need:

A boat capable of deep-sea fishing: Shore fishing won’t get you to sablefish depths. Chartering a boat from nearby harbors like Bodega Bay or launching your own craft will be needed.
Heavy tackle: Since sablefish live so deep, you’ll need weighted lines to reach them. A sturdy rod and reel designed for deep-sea fishing, along with heavy sinkers, are a must.
Bait: Sablefish can be caught with squid, anchovies, or other cut baits that attract their attention in the deep.
Fishing license: Don’t forget your California fishing license, which is required for all recreational fishing.

Though sablefish fishing requires more effort than other coastal fishing adventures, the reward is well worth it.

Buying Fresh Black Cod When Staying at The Sea Ranch

However, if you’re not into deep-sea fishing yourself, there’s good news! Fresh black cod is available throughout Sonoma County. For guests staying in The Sea Ranch you can also purchase it right in Gualala at The Surf Market and Gualala Supermarket. King Ling Fishing is our own fishery local source.

King Ling Fishing

For those looking to enjoy sablefish without the hassle of fishing, The Sea Ranch community has its own local fishmonger—King Ling Fishing—who offers fresh black cod directly from the back of his white Tundra truck. This unique service provides residents and visitors alike with top-quality fish, sold at incredibly reasonable prices:

Headless and cleaned sablefish: $7 per pound
Gilled and gutted sablefish: $5 per pound
Whole fish (wholesale): $3.50 per pound

King Ling Fishing alerts the community via his Facebook page when his truck is stocked via his Facebook page. We in turn announce his arrival to our guests directly and through our Facebook Group, The Sea Ranch Vacation Travel Group so be sure to stay tuned for updates. Along with sablefish, he also offers other local catches like lingcod and rockfish, all perfect for a fresh-from-the-sea meal.

Where to Purchase Black Cod in Sonoma County

If you do not already have a seafood contact you work with to source local fish, please feel free to reach out to the following local fish processors and retailers to inquire about Sonoma County Black Cod

Costarella Seafood
(415) 517-3211
bc@costarellaseafoods.com
Inn at the Tides
wholesalefish@innatthetides.com
Oliver’s Market
Tdavis@oliversmarket.com

To avoid issues with inclement weather, and allow for the fishing community to plan, please place your orders early.

Where to Experience Black Cod in Sonoma County Restaurants

Black Cod Week is not just about catching your own fish; it’s also about enjoying this delicious local delicacy prepared by the region’s top chefs. Several Sonoma County restaurants will be showcasing special dishes featuring black cod during the week-long celebration. Here are a few places where visitors and residents alike can indulge in this culinary delight at participating Sonoma County Restaurants:

1. The Dining Room at Sea Ranch Lodge

The Dining Room at The Sea Ranch Lodge provides a gathering place for the community and guests in a fresh and new space that honors the legacy of the Lodge, while tantalizing the palette with flavors that celebrate the bounty that the area has to offer – from lush produce to the freshest catch.

2. River’s End Restaurant & Inn (Jenner)

Located at the mouth of the Russian River, this beloved restaurant offers stunning views of the Pacific Ocean, making it the perfect setting to enjoy sablefish. During Black Cod Week, expect creative dishes like miso-glazed sablefish or black cod with a crispy skin, served with locally sourced vegetables and wine pairings.

3. Fisherman’s Cove (Bodega Bay)

Known for its fresh seafood offerings, Fisherman’s Cove in Bodega Bay is a must-visit spot for any seafood lover. During Black Cod Week, the restaurant plans to serve up their signature black cod tacos, alongside grilled sablefish served with house-made sauces and sides that highlight the natural flavors of the fish.

4. Terrapin Creek Café (Bodega Bay)

Terrapin Creek Café is a Michelin-starred gem in Bodega Bay known for its farm-to-table focus. For Black Cod Week, the chefs will be crafting elegant dishes featuring locally caught sablefish, emphasizing seasonal ingredients and bold flavors that complement the richness of the fish.

5. Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery (Valley Ford)

While primarily known for their artisan cheeses, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery will also be joining in on the Black Cod Week festivities by collaborating with local chefs to create a unique sablefish dish, pairing the fish with their award-winning cheeses and locally sourced ingredients.

6. Saltwater Oyster Depot (Inverness)

Just over the county line, Saltwater Oyster Depot is famous for its seafood-focused menu, and for Black Cod Week, they plan to feature a rotating selection of sablefish dishes, from classic preparations like sablefish with a lemon beurre blanc sauce to more adventurous takes like black cod ceviche.

An Easy Sablefish Recipe

Once you’ve got your hands on some fresh sablefish, preparing a delicious meal couldn’t be simpler. Here’s an easy recipe adapted from Nobu: The Cookbook, that highlights the fish’s natural flavors without overwhelming its rich, buttery texture. This Japanese inspired recipe is famous for a reason: It transforms rich, delicate black cod into sweet-savory deliciousness.

While it is a very simple dish there is some advance preparation for the miso sauce required about 3 days ahead. Other than that, it’s easy and quick.

Tips for Nobu’s Miso-Marinated Black Cod

Prepare the miso marinade 3 days ahead. For best results, the fish needs to marinate for a few days. So, 3 days before cooking the fish, you make the 4-ingredient miso paste marinade. Then, marinate the fish in it, sealed in a covered container in the fridge.
After marinating, there are two cooking options. Broiling, or just a quick sear on the stovetop and then a few minutes in the oven. This makes a very light yet filling meal that is elegant and looks like it took a lot of work, but it really doesn’t. The miso marinade adds a sweetness to the silky and buttery black cod.

Miso-Glazed Sablefish (as published in The Kitchn)

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe ; Food Stylist: Rachel Perlmutter

Ingredients:

2 sablefish fillets (6-8 oz each)
1/4 cup white miso paste
2 tablespoons mirin (Japanese rice wine)
1 tablespoon sake
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon soy sauce

Instructions:

In a small bowl, mix the miso paste, mirin, sake, sugar, and soy sauce until smooth.
Place the sablefish fillets in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the refrigerator.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove the fillets from the marinade and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake the fillets for 10-12 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily with a fork and is golden brown on top.
Serve with steamed rice and sautéed vegetables for a light and flavorful meal.

The miso glaze complements the buttery richness of the sablefish, giving it a savory-sweet finish that is irresistible.

Where to Fish for Sablefish Along the California Coast

While The Sea Ranch is a great base to enjoy fishing, in fresh sablefish, the fish can be caught along much of the California coast. Key areas include:

Bodega Bay: A popular fishing destination known for its deep waters and plentiful fish populations.
Fort Bragg: Just a bit farther north, Fort Bragg offers deep-sea charters that target sablefish along with other species.
San Francisco to Monterey: Sablefish are also found in deeper waters off the coast of central California, making it a great target for anglers in the Bay Area and beyond.

Celebrate Black Cod Week

Sablefish, or black cod, is truly one of Sonoma County’s hidden gems. With its buttery flavor, velvety texture, and sustainable sourcing, it’s no wonder that it’s being celebrated with its very own Black Cod Week. Whether you’re fishing for it off the coast of The Sea Ranch, picking it up fresh from King Ling’s truck, or enjoying it prepared by local chefs, this is one local delicacy you won’t want to miss.

Be sure to mark your calendars for October 18-27 and indulge in all things black cod during Sonoma County’s inaugural celebration of this remarkable fish!

Blog post assisted with Ai