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This is one of the most exotic of the small game fishes. Depending on whom you ask, Giant hawkfish are either beautiful or hideous looking. Regardless, they certainly are unique in appearance. Unrelated to groupers or cabrillas, they are often mistaken by anglers as being one of either. They appear to be all head and are very strong stubborn fish. The bases of their pectoral fins are muscular and the fins themselves are large and tough. Once hooked, the fish will quickly seek refuge in a crack, open up and lock its pectorals, wedging itself firmly in place, giving the angler the impression that he is snagged up in the rocks. The usual size of this fish is similar to most of the smaller cabrillas; it is built like, and has a round tail, like a cabrilla, although it is not one.

Description: The Spanish name, "Chino Mero" translates to "Chinese Jewfish", which of course, a Jewfish it is not. The Chinese reference comes from its coloration. It is a large-scaled fish, dark maroon to chocolate brown in basic color, with vertical rows made up of small beautiful patches of dark green to brown, fringed in bright blue, resembling oriental inscriptions. Although the Giant hawkfish is by far the largest in the hawkfish family, it is still a relatively small fish in the scheme of things with an average one being only a pound or two, a large one being 4 or 5 pounds. The IGFA All-Tackle record is 9 pounds, 3 ounces.

Fishing Techniques: By Boat: Casting lures from a small boat is the most fun way to target hawkfish. They will aggressively hit top-water popper-type lures (just as a fresh-water bass would), such as a Klassic Poppers or others, cast amongst large tide pools and channels, or allies, between large protruding rocks. They can also be caught with a basic bottom rig and a piece of cut bait such as squid or mackerel, bounced along rocky bottoms. Hawkfish will also hit "Rapala"-type lures trolled along rocky shorelines. Surf Fishing: Shore fishing for these fish will not only test your fishing skills but also your physical condition. Since these fish are exclusive to rockier areas there is a fair bit of hiking, climbing and walking over slippery rocks. Although assorted plastics and spoons will work, generally for the smaller specimens, I use poppers almost exclusively. The hits these fish make when attacking a top-water are simply breathtaking. Regardless of lure choice, cast them between protruding rocks, retrieve the lure on an incoming swell and hang on. Fly Fishing: Most fly fisherman wouldn't even consider hawkfish as being fish to target with flies however I've had more fun catching these fish with my 9 weight fly rod, casting bass poppers and smaller sardine pattern streamers into tide pools along rocky shorelines. If you're fly fishing using IGFA legal leaders, with 12" shock tippets and 20 pound maximum class tippets, be prepared to lose most of your gear. Since there are no fly fishing records attainable for these fish anyway, why bother, unless you feel the need to test your skills to the max? Use three or four feet of 50 pound leader to a three foot length of 30 pound fluorocarbon to your fly.

Edibility & Cleaning: Since Hawkfish feed primarily on shellfish and shrimp it should be needless to say that they are delicious. Fillet as you would any grouper or snapper.

If you want to go reel in your own Giant Hawkfish in Barra De Navidad, Melaque or anywhere in the Costalegre Mexico area please check out our Fishing Rates and Packages