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:	2385 documented in database.
Earliest Record:	12/1/1859 12:00:00 AM and located at 16.85833, -99.94167.
Latest Record:	3/25/2025 8:43:00 PM and located at 22.88360, -109.91127.
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

Tuna! Tuna! Tuna! - 6/28/2025 5:06:00 PM

Pisces Fleet Weekly update from JUNE 22– JUNE 28 2025 Catch success rate 78.31%Billfish 22.89% Dorado 7.23% Other 17.78% Roosterfish 3.61% Tuna (View)

“Roosterfish Galore: A Successful Day at Sea” - 6/29/2025 11:27:02 PM

The day on the water with Big Eye 2 Sportfishing in beautiful Quepos Costa Rica was a memorable one indeed. As the owner and operator I Frankli (View)

“Big Eye 2’s Successful Half-Day Roosterfish Catch” - 6/29/2025 11:28:13 PM

Today we embarked on our daily adventure from the Marina Pez Vela in Quepos Costa Rica aboard the Big Eye 2 our state-of-the-art sportfishing v (View)

WAHOO! BLUE MARLIN DORADO and TUNA - 5/30/2025 9:09:44 PM

Pisces Fleet Weekly update from May 23-29 2025Catch success rate 93.10%Billfish 59.77% Dorado 35.63% Other 16.09% Tuna 40.23% Wahoo 13.79% Roos (View)

Preparing for Your Costa Rica Fishing Adventure - 5/29/2025 8:53:17 PM

Preparing for Your Costa Rica Fishing Adventure: Tips and Essentials If you’ve booked a fishing charter in Jaco or Los Sueños Costa Rica get re (View)

Pisces Weekly Billfish releases exceed 50% of total catch including 1 blue marlin - 5/22/2025 5:03:00 PM

Pisces Fleet Weekly update from May 16–May 22 2025 Catch success rate 77.78%Billfish 55.56% Dorado 13.89% Other 25.00% Tuna 9.72% Wahoo 11.11% (View)

Jeff’s fishing report 5/17/2025 - 5/17/2025 11:14:19 PM

Hello from La Ventana Baja Mexico where Jeff’s Fishing Report is coming to you after a day on the Sea of Cortez catching Roosterfish and many o (View)

Like a time clock May comes around and the Fishing is just wonderful… - 5/11/2025 2:13:00 PM

Like a time clock May comes around and the Fishing is just wonderful in Cabo. Most of the time the fishing is just minutes from the dock and Cab (View)

May Days in Cabo are still FISHY! - 5/13/2025 5:26:00 PM

May 2 to May 8.Catch success rate 95.56%Billfish 60.00% Dorado 40.00% Other 13.33% Tuna 26.67% Wahoo 17.78% If large Wahoo Yellowfin Tuna Strip (View)

“Roosterfish and Sailfish Galore: A Sunny Day’s Catch” - 5/14/2025 4:36:30 PM

Today was another exceptional day on the waters of Quepos Costa Rica aboard the Big Eye 2 Sportfishing vessel. We were pleased to have a group (View)