It's a male California Sheephead, pretty good sized one actually (the record is something like 36#). The chompers are for making short work of crunchy things (abalone, crabs, urchins...) They actually change sex during their life. You know this one is a male because of the black head and tail (females are all red). They range from around Monterey Bay in central CA down the coast and throughout the Sea of Cortez.
(And my parents thought that degree in Fisheries Management was four years wasted)
I am considering puting together another trip in 2008 and inviting folks from V20.com. Interested?
TH