Roosterfish

Species Information

Scientific Name:	Nematistius pectoralis
Common Names:	roosterfish, rooster
Environment:	Inshore, Nearshore, Surf
Ideal Temp:	70-85°F (21-29°C)

About Roosterfish

The roosterfish, Nematistius pectoralis, is a game fish found in the warmer waters of the East Pacific from Baja California to Peru. It is the only species in the genus Nematistius and the family Nematistiidae.[2][3] It is distinguished by its "rooster comb", seven very long spines of the dorsal fin.

The roosterfish has an unusual arrangement of its ears: the swim bladder penetrates the brain through the large foramina and makes contact with the inner ear. It uses its swim bladder to amplify sounds.

Roosterfish can reach over 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) in length and over 50 kg (110 lb) in weight. The weight of the average fish hooked is about 20 lb (9.1 kg). The fish is popular as a game fish, but it is not considered a good eating fish.

Roosterfish Fishing

World Record:	51.71 kg (114 lb 0 oz) La Paz, Baja California, Mexico 01-Jun-1960
# Fish Caught:	2350 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	12/1/1859 12:00:00 AM and located at 16.85833, -99.94167.
Latest Record:	7/3/2024 8:16:00 AM and located at 24.14264, -110.31275.
Common Techniques:	Casting, Fly, Jigging, Trolling
Popular Lure Types:	Crankbaits, Flies, Jigs, Plugs, Topwater
Fishing Spots:	62 Roosterfish fishing spots.

Latest Roosterfish Fishing Reports and Spots

Roosterfish fishing has been amazing in January - 2/10/2025 10:19:00 PM

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Early February has been super fishing n shore for Roosterfish - 2/10/2025 10:23:00 PM

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February fishing inshore for Roosterfish n Sierra mackerel - 2/10/2025 10:24:00 PM

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Pisces Fleet Anglers enjoy remarkable catches - 2/7/2025 6:09:24 PM

Pisces Fleet Weekly update from January 31 – February 6 2025Catch success rate 83 %Billfish 22.22% Dorado 4.04% Tuna 34.34% Wahoo 3.03% Rooster (View)

Pisces week begins with 235 pound Tuna - 1/31/2025 3:07:26 PM

Pisces Fleet Weekly update from January 24 – 30  2025 Catch success rate 90.67 %All species combined comprise Billfish 25.33% Dorado 17.33% Tun (View)

“Quepos Fishing Adventure: Marlin Roosterfish and Snapper Galore!” - 1/27/2025 11:07:05 AM

Today was another fantastic day aboard the Big Eye 2 Sportfishing charter in beautiful Quepos Costa Rica. As your trusted Captain Franklin Aray (View)

Puerto Vallarta fishing adventures in January - 1/8/2025 9:46:13 AM

Happy Fishmas  from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. My pleasure to bring you the January 2025 fishing report straight (View)

Late December has been great Roosterfish fishing with some really big fish. January will be just as good. We are having some great inshore fishing - 12/31/2024 11:54:00 AM

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“Successful Inshore Gallo Fish Hunt: Daily Report” - 12/19/2024 6:53:27 AM

Today was another beautiful day out on the water in Quepos Costa Rica with Big Eye 2 Sportfishing. We set out from Marina Pez Vela early in the (View)

“Seven Roosterfish and Ten Jacks: Today’s Catch Report” - 12/24/2024 11:29:26 AM

Today was another fantastic day aboard the Big Eye 2 as we set out from the beautiful marina in Quepos Costa Rica. As the owner and operator of (View)