Species › South & Central America › Roosterfish

Saltwater

Roosterfish

Nematistius pectoralis · pez gallo, gallo, rooster

Water temp
72–82°F
Peak season
May–Jul
Best light
Daytime
IGFA record
114 lb (51.71 kg)
Roosterfish (Roosterfish.jpg)

Photo: Carol Neuhoff · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons

OverviewWhere & WhenHow to CatchGearRegulationsRecordsForecastCatches

Overview

Roosterfish are the only member of their family: silver, jack-like fish with two black diagonal stripes sweeping down the body and a comb of seven long dorsal spines that stand up when the fish is excited, ranging along the Pacific coast of the Americas from Baja California to Peru, with Baja's East Cape and Costa Rica's Guanacaste and Osa peninsulas the prime grounds. They hunt mullet, sardines and ladyfish in the surf, around rocky points and over sand flats in 3–40 ft of water, often chasing bait right onto the beach. Hard-running, poor eating and almost always released, they are the ultimate inshore sight-fishing target of the eastern Pacific.

Typical size10–30 lb (4.5–14 kg); 30–42 in
Trophy60 lb+ (27 kg); 80 lb+ is exceptional
Table farePoor — strong-flavored; universally released

Where & when

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Baja's East Cape peaks May–July as warm water and bait arrive; Costa Rica fishes well year-round with the dry season (December–April) the most comfortable and the Osa Peninsula strongest in the shoulder months.

East Cape, Baja California Sur, MexicoBeach and panga fishery; the classic big-rooster coastGolfo Dulce and Osa Peninsula, Costa RicaRocky points and beaches with year-round roostersGuanacaste coast (Papagayo to Tamarindo), Costa RicaRock-and-sand points fished from pangas with live bait

How to catch

Slow-trolling live bait off the beachBridle a live mullet, ladyfish or caballito on a 7/0–9/0 circle hook and slow-troll it from a panga just outside the surf line and around rocky points, or cast it from the beach. Let the rooster run with the bait before coming tight; strike too early and the fish drops it.
Casting poppers and stickbaitsSpot roosters chasing bait along the beach or cruising with combs up and cast large poppers or floating stickbaits ahead of them, working the lure fast with long pauses. Roosters follow and slash repeatedly, so keep the lure moving until the line goes tight.

Gear

Rod7–8' heavy spin rated 2–6 oz, or 10' surf rod for beach casting
Reel6000–10000 spinning with a strong drag
Line40–65 lb braid; 60–80 lb fluorocarbon leader

Lures

large poppersfloating stickbaitsbig soft-plastic swimbaits and jigs

Baits

live mulletlive ladyfishlive caballito (bigeye scad)live sardines

Regulations

Mexico requires a federal sport-fishing license for anyone fishing from a boat, and Costa Rica requires an INCOPESCA recreational license; roosterfish are protected from commercial sale in both countries and sport anglers release them by near-universal practice.

Records

IGFA all-tackle world record: 114 lb (51.71 kg) — La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico, 1960 (Abe Sackheim). State and regional records are kept by each fish & wildlife agency.

Frequently asked

Where is the best place to catch roosterfish?

Baja California's East Cape between Los Barriles and Cabo Pulmo from May through July is the classic big-fish destination, with roosters over 50 lb caught from pangas and the beach each season. Costa Rica's Pacific coast, especially the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce, offers year-round fishing for slightly smaller but more numerous fish in a rainforest setting.

Bite forecast — Roosterfish

Recent catches

Posted by anglers on the live map, filtered to Roosterfish.

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