Danny Guadagnoli
Every winter, as I know most surfcasters experience, I find myself desperately trying to replace the void created with the lack of striped bass in my life.
There came a point as a youngster when I could no longer tolerate this feeling and had to alleviate it the only way I knew how.
I thought, “there has to be epic surfcasting elsewhere, somewhere warm”.
Around that same time (I was probably about 13 years old), I recall flipping through the pages of The World Atlas of Saltwater Fishing by Ken Schultz.
My eyes immediately glued themselves to a magical creature with the most unique dorsal fin I’d ever seen- the Roosterfish.
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Roosterfish
Since that day, I’ve been to Mexico seven times and Costa Rica twice trying to catch these elusive unicorns of the surf.
I emphasize the word “trying” because these guys are hard to find and require serious attention to detail and relentless hard work on the water.
As Ryan Collins can attest to, and as I’m sure many of you have read in his epic tales from Costa Rica, the Roosterfish offers a tremendously unique challenge for those of us who enjoy surfcasting in New England.
It’s an addictive fish to pursue, and while you’re on the quest after one, there will be plenty of other incredible species keeping you busy in the meantime.
I’ve been lucky to catch handful of these beautiful fish from shore and continue to hone my approach each year.
As we speak, I am planning my next adventure to get my Roosterfish fix.
The Pacific
I am by no means an expert, but in my experiences fishing along the Pacific coast, I’ve soaked in the knowledge of many seasoned surfcasters.
I do what we do here in New England—toss plugs from the beach and rocks.
Every so often, I catch a fish that will make your jaw drop.
From Baja California Sur, Mexico (commonly shortened to simply “Baja”) along the Pacific coast down to Columbia (and I’m sure even further south), there exists a plethora of explosive surfcasting opportunities for the adventurous few that make the journey.
Not only are there Roosters, but enormous Jack Crevalle, Cubera Snapper, Sierra Mackerel, Needlefish, Bluefin Trevally, Snook, various sharks, and a variety of other gamefish.
The list goes on and on, and they are all accessible from the beach.
I even know two gentlemen that target Mahi Mahi (“Dorado” as they say in Latin America) from the beach when the season hits right in certain parts of Baja. I know—crazy; I didn’t believe it at first either.
On top of the exhilarating surfcasting, it just so happens that you find yourself in some of the coolest places imaginable, destinations that offer so much more than fishing.
What To Expect
Over the coming days and weeks, I would like to share with MFCC the following regions I’ve explored and enjoyed mightily in pursuit of the great Roosterfish.
Here are the regions we will visit:
- Los Cabos, Mexico
- East Cape, Mexico
- Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Expect to see the Los Cabos, Mexico report published here later this week.
I hope you find these entries to the new Fishing the World category here on MFCC to be of good value.
If you have a taste for adventure and want to expand your surfcasting bucket list, then take a trip down to Latin America!
More to come very soon...
What do you think?
Let me know
by commenting below
Ahhhhh…that picture of Matapalo brings back a lot of memories. Been addicted to The Osa for 15 years. And in that time I’ve only landed one rooster from the beach. Ryan’s roosters in Zancudo really make me think fishing “the other side” may be the place to go. Looking forward to your updates!
Hey Don, glad it brought back some memories! I think I have the same addiction that will persist for years to come. Osa is a magical place.
I had a similar experience to you, actually. I worked so hard from shore in Matapalo and didn’t do well at all. However, just slightly off shore was loaded with fish.
When I saw how well Ryan did on the other side at Zancudo I had the same thought. He was there for a month and I think he started getting into them after a couple weeks. There’s certainly something to be said for putting that kind of time in, but perhaps Zancudo is an overlooked hidden gem. You never know! I’m still on the hunt for a Rooster that big.
look forward to it. any time clocked in La Paz?
Thanks- I hope you guys find it informative! I have not been to La Paz, but I do know the fishing tends to slow down as you go further up the Baja Penninsula, especially for Roosterfish. The southern portion of Baja seems to be the sweet spot, although you can certainly do well near La Paz.
i have a time share in cabo and family in La Paz so hoping to do some exploring in those areas in the next few years…. young children at home is not always conducive to fishing expeditions I’m finding out..
haha I can imagine! If you’re in Cabo and can get there some time between mid April and mid July then you have a great shot from the beaches there. Plus the family will be pumped to be in paradise. Win – win!
As you go north toward La Paz you’ll pass the East Cape, which is considered the Roosterfish capitol of the world. I’ll have a report on that in the next few weeks for MFCC.
Well written! Looking forward to more….
Thanks, Rick!
Sounds like some great reports coming…looking forward to them!
Thanks, Ryan! Hopefully it inspires some people to get down there and experience these amazing fisheries.
I am very much looking forward to this series Danny.
You are bringing back some great memories of Costa Rica!
Thanks, Ryan!
It’s truly a special place. There’s a whole other world to surfcasting south of the border, and man is it wild.
I’m looking forward to getting back down there asap to land a matching 70lb Rooster haha. What a trip you and Lauren had!
Yeah we really lucked out I think with roosterfish of that size.
I don’ think its an everyday thing, finding 70 pound and up fish running tight along the beach.
Haha it’s definitely extremely rare, especially in Costa Rica. In Cabo it’s more common for the monsters to be tight to shore. Certainly a fish of a lifetime! (Although I know you’re hungry for another)