If one fish belongs to Sámara, it is the roosterfish. It lives close to our beaches and rocks, it fights hard, and you can recognize it at once. Here is what makes it special, and how we fish for it.
A fish you only find on this coast
The roosterfish lives only in the eastern Pacific, from Baja California in Mexico down to Peru. Its name comes from the seven long spines on its back, which stand up like the comb of a rooster when the fish is excited. It is the only species in its family. The average fish hooked weighs about 9 kg (20 lb), but roosterfish can grow to more than 50 kg (110 lb).
Where they live around Sámara
Roosterfish hunt in shallow water: along sandy beaches, around rocks and near river mouths, where they chase small baitfish such as anchovies. That is why we look for them close to the coast, on inshore trips and on our shore fishing walk around Sámara and Carrillo.
When to come
Roosterfish are here all year, in every month we are open. They are strong in the dry season, from December to April, and many guests also catch them in the green season.
How we fish for them
From the boat, the crew mixes methods to suit the day: live bait, poppers on the surface, vertical jigging and the fly. The popper is the most exciting. You see the fish chase it, with its comb up, before it strikes. From the shore, we fish with poppers, live bait or fly, timed with the tide. On boat trips, rods, reels, tackle and bait are included.
Always released
We release every roosterfish. They are too important to this coast to keep, and we want them on these beaches for the next guest. The crew helps you get your photo, and then the fish goes back in the water.
Which trip to choose
For roosterfish, choose an inshore trip of four, six or eight hours, on either boat. Beginners are welcome. If you have some fishing experience and like to walk, try the four-hour shore fishing trip. Fly anglers can ask for fly fishing on both.