The author's largest Roosterfish to date - caught on a live 5lb skipjack tuna in Puerto Vallarta. Any fish that takes more than one person to hold is a nice fish.
Roosterfish
Nematistius Pectoralis
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Roosterfish Description
The Roosterfish is one of the most unique looking fish in the ocean. It is the only species in its genus Nemtistius. It’s distinctive feathery dorsal fins give it away as it slashes through the water hunting down baitfish. It generally feeds not far from shore, sometimes almost beaching itself as it chases bait fish in the surf. Some big ones are occasionally landed from shore.
Roosterfish are often found over sandy bottoms, and tend to follow schools of baitfish around. Rocky points surrounded by sandy areas are always good spots to try. They often migrate up and down coastlines, sometimes for hundreds of miles and can completely disappear from areas that were filled with them a short time ago.
One day in the East Cape of Baja I was coming back from a hard day of fishing. We hunted all day in a boat for Roosterfish and all I had to show for it was one 6lb fish. As we were tying up to the dock a 9-year old boy was fishing from the dock and hooked a monster. He fought it for a while from the dock and then one of the pangas took him in and they chased the fish around for 40 mins. They finally landed it and it went around 60lbs. I guess we should have just fished off the dock that day.
Despite being regarded as a poor tasting fish, it is highly sought after because of its striking appearance and fighting qualities. It is one of my favorite gamefish. It maxes out in the 100lb range but anything over 50lbs is a nice sized fish. Most are released. They are found exclusively in the Eastern Pacific from Baja to Ecuador.
Roosterfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 8 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Roosterfish are extremely strong and will pull well above their weight, but rarely go into rocks and break you off. They may make an occasional jump, but that's rare. This gives you a decent chance of eventually landing them even if you are a little under gunned with you tackle. Be prepared for a very tough battle though.
Roosterfish Culinary Rating - Low
Roosterfish have bloody, dark meat that is not particularly appetizing. Release them to fight another day.
Roosterfish Tackle
Roosterfish are a light tackle fisherman's dream. Like all fish in the Jack family they fight hard, but unlike some Jacks they do not generally go into rocks event though they often live near rocky areas. Therefore, you can land some pretty big fish on pretty light tackle. An Accurate BX500 reel should handle pretty much any Roosterfish. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Roosterfish Techniques
Roosterfish readily attack lures and bait. They are often seen feeding at the surface as they splash around chasing baitfish. They will come right up to shore, sometimes chasing baitfish onto the beach. Their distinctive dorsal fin is a dead giveaway and quickens the pulse of any angler who sees it.
Roosterfish Lures
Most Roosterfish, especially the bigger ones, are generally not easy to land on lures. They sometimes take poppers that are retrieved rapidly, but many times they just follow the lure and then turn away. I have gotten a few on blooper/chugger type poppers worked aggressively with big pops. The one below was caught on a Nomad Chug Norris popper, which has produced a few for me.
Lures that skip on the surface, like the GT Ice Cream lure or the Roberts Ranger lure sometimes get them when they are aggressive.
They occasionally take trolled Rapala-type plugs and jigs but you probably don't want to rely on those if you are serious about targeting them.
Nematistius Pectoralis
Home
Other Species
Roosterfish Description
The Roosterfish is one of the most unique looking fish in the ocean. It is the only species in its genus Nemtistius. It’s distinctive feathery dorsal fins give it away as it slashes through the water hunting down baitfish. It generally feeds not far from shore, sometimes almost beaching itself as it chases bait fish in the surf. Some big ones are occasionally landed from shore.
Roosterfish are often found over sandy bottoms, and tend to follow schools of baitfish around. Rocky points surrounded by sandy areas are always good spots to try. They often migrate up and down coastlines, sometimes for hundreds of miles and can completely disappear from areas that were filled with them a short time ago.
One day in the East Cape of Baja I was coming back from a hard day of fishing. We hunted all day in a boat for Roosterfish and all I had to show for it was one 6lb fish. As we were tying up to the dock a 9-year old boy was fishing from the dock and hooked a monster. He fought it for a while from the dock and then one of the pangas took him in and they chased the fish around for 40 mins. They finally landed it and it went around 60lbs. I guess we should have just fished off the dock that day.
Despite being regarded as a poor tasting fish, it is highly sought after because of its striking appearance and fighting qualities. It is one of my favorite gamefish. It maxes out in the 100lb range but anything over 50lbs is a nice sized fish. Most are released. They are found exclusively in the Eastern Pacific from Baja to Ecuador.
Roosterfish Pound for Pound Fight Rating - 8 out of 10 on the Saltwater Scale
Roosterfish are extremely strong and will pull well above their weight, but rarely go into rocks and break you off. They may make an occasional jump, but that's rare. This gives you a decent chance of eventually landing them even if you are a little under gunned with you tackle. Be prepared for a very tough battle though.
Roosterfish Culinary Rating - Low
Roosterfish have bloody, dark meat that is not particularly appetizing. Release them to fight another day.
Roosterfish Tackle
Roosterfish are a light tackle fisherman's dream. Like all fish in the Jack family they fight hard, but unlike some Jacks they do not generally go into rocks event though they often live near rocky areas. Therefore, you can land some pretty big fish on pretty light tackle. An Accurate BX500 reel should handle pretty much any Roosterfish. Click here for tackle recommendations.
Roosterfish Techniques
Roosterfish readily attack lures and bait. They are often seen feeding at the surface as they splash around chasing baitfish. They will come right up to shore, sometimes chasing baitfish onto the beach. Their distinctive dorsal fin is a dead giveaway and quickens the pulse of any angler who sees it.
Roosterfish Lures
Most Roosterfish, especially the bigger ones, are generally not easy to land on lures. They sometimes take poppers that are retrieved rapidly, but many times they just follow the lure and then turn away. I have gotten a few on blooper/chugger type poppers worked aggressively with big pops. The one below was caught on a Nomad Chug Norris popper, which has produced a few for me.
Lures that skip on the surface, like the GT Ice Cream lure or the Roberts Ranger lure sometimes get them when they are aggressive.
They occasionally take trolled Rapala-type plugs and jigs but you probably don't want to rely on those if you are serious about targeting them.
Beautiful Roosterfish caught on a Nomad Chug Norris Popper in Drake Bay, Costa Rica
Roosterfish Baits
Roosterfish are much easier to catch on live bait than lures. Dead baits can work on occasion, but if you want to maximize your chances you should slow troll a large live baitfish. Roosterfish sometimes play with the bait for a while, so you have to wait until you are sure they have engulfed the bait before setting the hook. Small fish in the jack family are usually good, as are Ladyfish or Lookdowns if you can catch them. Personally I always use circle hooks for these.
Roosterfish are much easier to catch on live bait than lures. Dead baits can work on occasion, but if you want to maximize your chances you should slow troll a large live baitfish. Roosterfish sometimes play with the bait for a while, so you have to wait until you are sure they have engulfed the bait before setting the hook. Small fish in the jack family are usually good, as are Ladyfish or Lookdowns if you can catch them. Personally I always use circle hooks for these.
Big Rooster caught on a live bait out of Quepos, Costa Rica
A couple of good big Roosterfish baits that won't get hassled as much by Needlefish
Lookdowns are a hardy bait that big Roosters will happily chomp on.
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Bridling small members of the tuna family is a good way to target giant Roosters
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Where to get the big Roosterfish
Puerto Vallarta has a fantastic fishery for these in February-April. I would fish around the new moon. The East Cape of Baja also has a good fishery in the summer and that is the place to go if you want to catch one on the fly or from shore. La Paz sometimes has some nice ones in the summer but I've never caught one there. Panama and Costa Rica have their share of big ones as well.
Other Roosterfish Resources
The above barely scratches the surface on how to catch Roosterfish. The resources below will provide a wealth of information:
These guys will put you on Roosterfish in mainland Mexico: www.marlasportfishing.com
These guys will too: www.monsteryellowfin.com
This is a good spot for Roosterfish in Baja and it is very inexpensive: www.rancholeonero.com
These guys can put you on Roosters in Panama and have a great mothership operation: Cebaco Bay Sportfishing Club
A bruiser from a while back in Mexico
Roosterfish in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico