Nematistius pectoralis
The emblematic fish of Pacific beaches, from Baja California to Peru. Its crest of seven long spines breaks the surface when it chases the bait in the surf.
Also called: pez-gallo, galo-do-pacífico, papagallo, roosterfish
The only living species of its family, found only in the eastern Pacific from southern California to Peru, including the Galápagos. It lives in shallow water: sandy beaches, surf, rocky points and river mouths, where it hunts mullet, sardines and other schooling fish. Juveniles stay in tide pools. The first dorsal fin has seven very long spines, which it raises like a rooster's comb when attacking. It is one of the most sought-after trophies in beach and boat fishing in Mexico, Costa Rica and Panama, fished with slowly dragged live bait, poppers and even flies. It fights with long, low runs. The flesh is little valued, and almost all sport-caught roosterfish are released. In Mexico it is reserved for sport fishing within 50 miles of the coast.
Tall, compressed body, grey-silver to bluish, with two dark curved bands across the flank. The first dorsal fin has seven very long, flexible spines, like a comb, which lie in a groove when the fish swims. Jacks have no crest and have bony scutes along the lateral line.
Loading the next 7 days…
Each card shows the day's index (0 to 100) and, below it, a strip with the index for each hour, from 0h to 23h. from poor to excellent.
Does not occur in Brazil. Eastern Pacific, from southern California to Peru, including the Galápagos; rare north of Baja California. Classic destinations: the east coast and La Paz, Baja California Sur (Mexico); Guanacaste and the Osa Peninsula (Costa Rica); the Gulf of Chiriquí and islands of the Gulf of Panama.
Habitat: Sandy beaches and surf, rocky points, shallow bays and river mouths; juveniles live in tide pools.
In Baja California the peak usually runs from May to July, as the water warms. In Central America it is fished all year, with good windows in the dry season.
Daytime, with peaks at dawn and dusk. Hunts by day, most active at dawn and late afternoon, when baitfish schools come into the beach.
Water below 22 °C makes fish sluggish; cold upwellings scare the beach bait away.
Little direct effect.
Full and new moon tides move more water over points and river mouths.
Little effect; murky water from a high river pushes fish away from the mouth.
Not applicable at sea. The equivalent is baitfish present along the beach.
A motor near the surf spooks the school; shut it off before and let the boat drift.
Rough sea prevents beach fishing; light chop helps the popper.
The incoming tide and the first hours of the ebb concentrate bait on points and river mouths.
From the shallows of the surf out to about 20 m, over sandy bottoms near rocks.
lures
natural baits
accessories
Drag the live bait very slowly along the edge of the surf. When the crest appears behind the bait, do not stop: the roosterfish follows the bait for meters before striking. With a circle hook, just let the line tighten.
Summary of the regulations we found, with the source for each. Rules change; before keeping or transporting fish, check with the state environmental agency.
Within the 50 nautical mile strip off the Mexican coast, the roosterfish is reserved for sport-recreational fishing. The limit is 2 fish per angler per day, which count as 5 toward the total limit of 10 marine fish per day. Fish above the limit must be released alive, and fish caught in sport fishing may not be sold.
Keep the fish in the water while you remove the hook; hold it by the base of the tail and under the belly, never by the crest. Revive it by moving it forward so water flows over the gills.
Dark, firm flesh of moderate value. In sport fishing it is almost always released.
Length-weight relationship W = a·Lb (a = 0.01072, b = 3.02; FishBase (estimativa bayesiana para a família e o formato do corpo)). It's an average: a fat or lean fish can vary by 10% to 20%.
estimated weight
—
The season weights (months), the time of day and the sensitivities (cold, pressure, moon, wind, rain, tide, strong light, murky water and noise) are the app's editorial estimates, based on the literature below and on the field experience of anglers and guides. They are not official data nor a measurement made for this species, and they may vary by region and year. Closed seasons and legal rules appear in the rules section, with the norm and a link.
Your location is saved only on this device and feeds the forecast, the map and the "today" on the home page.
