roosterfish (Pez Gallo)
The Roosterfish is far and away the most popular of any of these similar type fish amongst sport fishermen coming to Pacific Mexico, despite being one of the fewest fish of their kind caught. Anglers head there from all over the world to target them in season, which varies, depending on which Western Mexican area you are at. These fish can be found from Mag Bay, along the Western Baja coast, up a fair ways in to the Sea of Cortez and all the way south to Peru. They are not found in the Atlantic.
The Roosterfish is pretty much unmistakable from any other fish species. Like a lot of other Jacks and Trevallies (which the Roosterfish is neither), it is basically grayish-blue to green above with silver sides. Thats where the similarities to any other fish end, though. Pez Gallo have several thick pronounced dark blue-to-gray stripes, which start off vertically from the dorsal fin but quickly veer off horizontally towards the tail. Its dorsal fin has seven long comb-like soft, almost velvety spines. The fish will erect this long unique dorsal fin when excited, such as when it chases a baitfish … or your lure. When relaxed, though, the fin is lowered into a groove, or sheath, along its back. In many cases, the Roosterfish will have a dark spot at the base of the pectoral fin, similar to the Jack Crevalle. Many people think that the two are related. However, according to any marine biologist that I've talked with about this, they are not!
Larger Roosterfish are generally found along long sandy beaches, particularly ones with steeper drop offs and waves slamming on the beach. I have hours and hours of video tape to prove it! You will not likely ever catch any Roosterfish in any area frequented by swimmers, wave-runners, and boats. In my personal history with this fish, I have been spooled by at least a dozen 100 pound class Roosters from shore and have landed at least a dozen over 70 pounds. An average one in peak season would be 15 to 20 pounds, with a 30 to 60 pounder being large and a 70 pound one exceptional. My largest one was officially 84 pounds, surf fishing, and was, oddly enough, the first one I ever caught.
Roosterfish can be caught both by boat and from shore. In both forms of fishing for them, both bait and lures can be used, the latter of which certainly being the most entertaining, as well as the most sporting of methods. From a boat, the Roosterfish is certainly a worthy opponent, but to really test your fishing skills and to truly experience what is Roosterfishing, you need to get one with both feet on the ground, casting Rangers and other topwater lures into crashing waves.
If you can get the attention of a large one, say 50 pounds or more, I guarantee you goose bumps of anticipation and sheer awe as you watch his relentless, mouth agape, pursuit of your topwater lure. Should the fish actually strike, if you don’t have a firm grip on it your rod will be ripped from your grasp. Then, providing he stops after his straight out run, which he’ll most certainly make, before you run out of line, you’ll face a seesaw battle that could last an hour or more. His sheer brute strength will amaze and even scare you. Several times he will be within reach in the surf and you’ll have thought that the pain in your arms was finally over, when he’ll suddenly take off to make yet another reel-stripping run. If your stamina is greater than his and your gear holds out, you will eventually land him, let him go and then go home in pain and soak in a hot bath. A bit dramatic description perhaps? Check it out for yourself!
By the way … Roosterfish taste like crap, in the opinion of most, and should all be released.
For more info on the Roosterfish and other fish species, order my book "Fishing ... Mexican Style".