Meet the Roosterfish..
While their local name “El Grande Pesca Gallo”, or The Giant Roosterfish, is a mouthful, our lodge’s namesake is mostly called Roosterfish, Rooster or “bastard” on the rare occasion one gets away from us, and they are the star of the show!
Recognized by it’s seven-pronged top fin, thought by many to look like a rooster’s “comb”, these colorful beauties typically weigh in around 20 pounds but can range up to over 100. Even roosters on the smaller end of this scale are a force to be reckoned with. For my money, as their fin cuts the water, it reminds me more of Freddy Kruger’s bladed gloves than a rooster, and the fight they put up can make you feel like you’re in a dream that never ends. But the excitement of pulling one in after a hard-fought battle is what it’s all about, and we want to celebrate those moment’s with you, so here’s a little advice.
The Roosterfish is not a prey for the faint of heart, and you’ll need to bring your A game when it comes to casting. We recommend practice at changing casting directions quickly, as these silvery giants cut their patterns through the water. A Rooster will smash something at the surface, and be a hundred yards away before you can even get a cast off. Anticipation is the name of the game when we’re hunting these bad boys. If you can’t get your fly ahead of them before it they go down, you’re out of luck.
Roosterfish are ferocious when feeding, but you’d better look quick, because once you’ve seen them, you might not see that fish again for thirty to forty-five minutes. They are smart, fast and hard fighting. They make a worthy opponent for even a master fly fishermen, so pay attention to the advice of your captain to have your best chance at getting a nice selfie with one of these beauties.
