Fun in the Sun: Chasing Roosterfish in San Jose del Cabo
If you’re a regular reader of our Sunday newsletter, you know how much my family and I love our frequent trips down to Mexico. Last week, my wife and I headed south to Baja for a few days of R&R. But, to the surprise of absolutely no one, I still found a window to get out on the water.
I met up with my guide for the day, Chuck of Tight Line Anglers, in search of a species that has long tantalized but eluded me — Roosterfish. It was a beautiful day, 84 degrees and sunny with a light breeze. This time of year is still considered part of the high visibility season. Ocean temperatures are still cool, 68-72 degrees, which keeps algae and plankton blooms at bay.
While it’s possible to fly fish for Roosterfish from the beach, we headed out toward open water in Chuck’s preferred captain's panga (boat). It wasn’t long before we were able to find a pod of Sierras, a fast-swimming mackerel game fish excellent for making ceviche, working a small bait ball of sardinas. These weren’t the fish we were looking for, but Sierras and Roosterfish will often compete for bait fish. Find Sierras, and you stand a good chance of finding Roosterfish as well.
We cruised the shoreline, stopping anywhere we saw birds milling around. Seabirds are an indicator of bait balls, just as swallows darting close to the surface of a PNW river might signal an insect hatch. When you find these areas, your boat captain will often throw live sardinas or mullet behind the boat 5-10 at a time, hoping to entice predatory fish. For whatever reason, this tried and true tactic wasn’t yielding results on this particular February day. Instead, we worked the shoreline hard looking for birds and breaks in the surface tension right around the surf line, not far from shore.
After a couple hours of searching, we finally found what we’d been looking for and got into a nice pod of Sierras. As we suspected, there were Roosterfish in the mix as well — one of which we finally brought to hand, along with a pair of nice Sierras. I must have hooked another half dozen fish that got away in the process. All in all, a very productive day on the water, and the ultimate goal was achieved.
Gear, tips and tactics
While I had many rods in tow, the tool for the job at hand was the Loomis IMX Pro 11 weight paired with a Hatch 7+ Reel and lined with Scientific Anglers Tropical Titan intermediate sinking line. We employed a 40LB Rio Fluoroflex straight leader about six feet in length and a host of MFC saltwater flies — but the star of the day was the Navacca.
Fishing an intermediate sinking line, you are stripping big streamer flies faster than you’ve ever done before. These baitfish flee fast, and often jump out of the water to escape predators. You have to match their speed. Casting, however, is an easier proposition. You don’t have to cast directly to where a fish just surfaces, these sight predators have very good eyes and can change direction fast. Aim to get the fly out into their general zone and start stripping. These aren’t trout in a lie, they’re predatory fish that will turn and chase your fly instantly.
Be mindful of your hand positions when you encounter a feeding situation. These fish are incredibly strong and fast. When they eat the fly, don’t trout set — keep your rod tip pointed low and at the fish with a solid, heavy strip set. Then, get your hands and feet out of the way of your line and reel or you’ll end up with finger burns and busted knuckles. I speak from experience on both!
Want to get in on the action? Here’s how.
Our favorite way to explore a new fishery is always with an expert, and while we are not the guides for these particular expeditions we do act as a facilitator, taking advantage of group rates to bring you the best possible prices. Think of us like your fly fishing travel agent, there to ensure you’re having a great experience while we fish right alongside. Going with us will also ensure you have all the right gear on hand before you leave, so that you’re not inclined to spend a ton on expensive gear at destination outfitter prices!
More curious to get out there on your own? Perhaps Mexico is already a favorite destination of yours, and you’re just looking to add a little bit of fun fishing to the equation as you walk your favorite Baja beach. Here’s the good news — you can definitely tackle this fishery all on your own, and on foot.
You’ll need a 10 or 11 weight rod with an intermediate sinking line designed for saltwater environments. Two handed surf rods can also be very beneficial when fighting those surf-induced winds. The key is to cast on the backside of the break, which means you’ll be standing in the water and casting through surf. You will want a stripping basket for line management, so that it doesn’t get tangled in the surf and wrapped around your legs. Once you’ve made your cast, immediately begin a fast strip into your basket while actively moving backward and away from the surf, keeping the line tight to prevent your line from entering a washing machine cycle. These fish want to chase fleeing prey, a presentation that can only be achieved on a tight line.
The ideal time for targeting Roosterfish from the beach is first thing in the morning, when winds tend to be light and baitfish move in toward shore near the breaks. 6:30-9:30 am is usually a good window, which means you can fish in the morning and be back in time for breakfast with the family. Late afternoon can be another option, as the sun lowers and water temperatures cool back down, baitfish will once again return to shore.
Incoming tide is also a prerequisite. Remember to subscribe to the two-hour rule when fishing from shore — two hours before high tide, and two hours after. Use low tide and slower hours to scout and identify underwater troughs, holes and structure to then return and fish when the tide rises. Working the shore is like hunting — look for birds darting to the surface, consistent breaks of the surface and fleeing bait fish.
As outdoor temperatures rise, so does the water, which moves bait fish off the shore and into deeper water. If you’re not in a panga, you can transition to rocky outcroppings with steep drop-offs. Roosterfish use these areas to hunt and trap bait fish against the rocky walls. You’ll need to switch to a sinking line (300-450 grains) to get down to the fish, which can be in up to 30 feet of water. Be sure not to stand too close to the edge, these fish have keen eyesight and are easily spooked.
About San Jose del Cabo
San Jose del Cabo is your gateway to paradise—where golden beaches meet historic cobblestone streets, and every sunset is unforgettable. Dive into a world of world-class cuisine, local art galleries, and laid-back vibes, all framed by the sparkling Sea of Cortez. Whether you crave adventure or pure relaxation, San Jose del Cabo is the escape you’ve been waiting for!
The Golobay's are going to begin hosting trips to various locations in Mexico including San Jose del Cabo where you can be rest assured to get the best service and the most affordable price. If you are interested in a trip, please reach out to the shop.
About David Golobay
David has been an avid fly angler for over 30 years, and most of that time was spent as a trout bum until 3 years ago when the Golobay family bought Northwest Fly Fishing Outfitters from the Hagan family. Since then, David has been on journey to explore more water and new species.