Roosterfish on a Fly | Scout Boats

The Mexican sun slowly sank into the hazy horizon over the icy Pacific Ocean. One more cast into the crystal-clear blue waters rendered a splash, followed by a fluttering fly that glinted in the last few moments of light. The fly slowly disappeared into the deep blue, holding the rocky outcropping that lived just out of sight.

Like a flash of lightning, the roosterfish obliterated the fly and headed for deep water. He had mistaken it for the mullet he had been crushing all day long, a mistake the fisherman hoped he’d make.

The line snapped tight, and the hook found its home. In a sudden departure from its rapid descent to the safety of the depths, the roosterfish exploded on the surface in a spectacular display. In the last moments of the Mexican sun, the roosterfish kicked its tail back and forth, catching small glints of light as the drag on the reel made its customary whine.

After a prolonged fight, the roosterfish’s magnificent high comb presented itself to the weary fishermen, overjoyed at the culmination of a hard day of fishing the Pacific coast. After pictures were snapped and the roosterfish placed on ice, they made plans for the next day’s pursuit of the addictive fight only a roosterfish can provide. This is the roosterfish on a fly.

All About Roosterfish

Roosterfish are big, predatory fish that are primarily caught off the Pacific coast and are well known for their large, high-comb dorsal fins that give them a very distinct look. While they are primarily a pursuit of fly fishermen in the Baja coast region of the Pacific, they can also be found as far south as Peru.

They are ambush predators that love to hang out around rocky points, drop-offs, ledges, and similar underwater structures that provide concealment for strikes. This leaves them susceptible to being caught using live bait but provides a serious challenge to fly fishermen. Therefore, many roosterfish are caught during low light periods of the day in water where fly fishermen can wade.

Packing the Tacklebox

Catching roosterfish on a fly is no easy task. You have to be at the right place, at the right time and have the right gear if you expect to land one. Though you can’t control many of these factors, one that you can control is the gear you bring to bear on the situation.

Rods—Roosterfish fight extremely hard and require a large fly to entice them. Therefore, you will need a strong rod to land them. A 10 weight will work, but an 11 weight is best. Having a strong rod for the long, intense runs that a roosterfish will provide is an absolute necessity if you want the investment of time and effort to prove fruitful.

Reels— Unlike many other types of saltwater fly fishing, the reel is absolutely critical to landing roosterfish. Having a reel that is capable of holding at least 300 yards of 50lbs. test backing will ensure that the roosterfish has plenty of line to play with. If not, they will quickly run the line off your arbor and end your fishing with a snap. Pay extra attention to the quality and reputation of the drag on the reel. It will be critical in slowing the roosterfish down on those long runs.

Leaders—Roosterfish provide an incredible challenge in terms of leader selection. While they require heavy line and leaders to land, they also inhabit some of the most clear and pristine waters. Being visual predators, you simply can’t afford to let them see your leader. Therefore, you will need 50lb test fluorocarbon tapered down to a 30lbs. test at the fly itself. This seems to be the best mix between strength and stealth. When fishing, keep several spools of different size leader material so you can adjust as needed to the size of fish you find and the conditions.

Flies— Roosterfish are baitfish predators exclusively. If you want to succeed in hooking a roosterfish, you must have a suite of baitfish imitation flies on hand. Start with fishing a mullet or needlefish imitator like an EP Roosterfish Mullet 3/0, then adjust as you see fit. If you see that the roosterfish are chasing other types of baitfish, then switch to an imitator that best matches the size and color of that fish. However, you will have difficulty going wrong with the EP Roosterfish Mullet.

Hooks— Nothing about catching roosterfish is small, tame, or easy. Therefore, you will need a hook that matches the right size for the fish you are after. Have a strong bias for hooks, at least a 3/0, if not bigger. In most scenarios, a 3/0 size fly will be sufficient, but there are cases where exceptionally large roosterfish have been lost due to hooks that are too small. So keep a few larger ones on hand if you find yourself in a school of Hemingway-worthy fish.

Tips for Catching Roosterfish on a Fly

Mornings and Evenings– Like many predatory fish, roosterfish take advantage of the low light conditions of the morning or evening to feed on baitfish in the shallow water. This is a prime opportunity to catch them by simply wading beaches while enjoying a sunrise or sunset. Fish parallel with the surf, allowing your fly to drift like an injured baitfish. If you do this correctly in the evening light on the Pacific coast, you will entice a roosterfish to hammer your fly.

Fish Come In With The Tide- Roosterfish follow the baitfish wherever they go. Since they are small and often chase plankton and other small organisms to feed on, the baitfish are often subject to tide and current. That means when the tide comes in, so do the roosterfish as they chase everything else it brings. Seek a rising tide in the early morning or evening, and you will be pleasantly surprised with how well you do.

Cast Far- Roosterfish are very visually oriented and very sensitive to being hunted by birds and other marine predators. Therefore, you can’t get too close to them. Make sure you know how to effectively double haul a long rod to make presentations at maximum distance.

Pay Attention To Birds- Roosterfish, like many predatory fish, love to push schools of baitfish to the surface and feed on those unable to keep up. If you see a large mass of birds feeding on a certain spot of the surface, you can do no wrong by casting into it and letting the fly drift to the bottom. More often than not, you will find roosterfish just below the school of baitfish.

Catching Roosterfish with Scout Boats

Catching roosterfish can make a lot of demands on a fly fisherman’s mobility. During certain conditions, you will find them farther out in choppy water. However, often, you will find them close to rocky shores chasing needlefish and mullet. Being able to read the conditions and respond accordingly is what separates the successful fly fisherman and everyone else.

The 240 XSF from Scout Boats can get you to any of the places you need to find roosterfish, no matter what conditions you are in. With a fishing deck, sufficient fuel, power, and space, you will be ready for long days chasing roosterfish up and down the Baja coast.

Source: https://scoutboats.com/blog/roosterfish-on-a-fly/

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