How to Catch Roosterfish on the Fly: Tips from a Baja Legend
With: tothegills
If there’s one fish that’ll test your patience, your casting, and your ability to sprint in the sand like your life depends on it, it’s the roosterfish. Lucky for us, we caught up with Jeffrey, a fly fishing guide who traded the cold waters of upstate New York for the adrenaline rush of chasing roosters in Baja. He’s got the stories, the scars, and the wisdom to prove it. From making flies out of sewing supplies as a kid to landing monster roosters on the fly, Jeffrey’s journey is a wild one—and he’s got some hard-earned advice for anyone looking to take on this surf-dwelling ghost
Jeffrey, what first got you into fly fishing, and how did that lead you to chasing roosterfish in Mexico?
I started fly fishing at the age of 11 while living in upstate NY. My dad had acquired a fly / spin convertible setup by accumulating Marlboro miles. The spinning reel was absolute trash and I’m pretty sure the rod was an eagle claw or a pflueger, the reel was definitely a medalist with some orange floating line that tried hard to float and came with a little needle eyelet thing you had to insert into the head to connect your leader. I can’t remember exactly but I decimated that thing quickly and could double haul upon picking it up. My grandpa who was a deadly fisherman took notice and nourished it by taking me fishing often after school, even during the dead of winter. We’d catch bluegill by the bucket load and relocate them into the local pond. I then graduated to catching trout and would often tip my flies with a nightcrawler, crossing off rare species like catfish and suckers. The fly kit that came with the setup diminished quickly then I resorted to commandeering my mother’s sewing equipment and making fabled patterns now known as the San Juan worm and also shaved down wine corks into poppers. It was fun and little did I know what life had in store for me. I spent my Sundays watching espn and idolized Jose wejebe but my style was more reminiscent of fish fish burn or bill dance, still is. I saw some show where guys were catching roosterfish in Costa Rica and I thought it was the coolest shit id ever seen and had to one day do it. I finished high school and fucked around a bit before deciding I needed to catch more fish and escape the culture of the northeast, otherwise id die. I moved to Alaska, which finally put some money in my pocket and I used that to travel the world on my own accord. This was way before instagram and social media, the good old days. Somewhere around 2013 I made it to Baja to fish with my friend Justin Crump, who at that time changed my life and is largely responsible for where im at now. In 4 days I landed 2 respectable roosterfish, big jacks and Paloma pompanos from the beach and developed a taste for micheladas and Pacifico. I got to guide Justin in mag bay last season and it was such a gratifying full circle experience. I’ll never be able to thank him enough. A few years later, saw an opening - guided in a non professional manner a dear friend nick jones to a roosterfish he can brag about for life, then shortly put one on the beach of 40# for myself - later that evening Bob Hoyt from Mag Bay outfitters in Lopez Mateos hired me and the rest is history.
If you had to give three top tips for successfully hooking a roosterfish on the fly, what would they be?
I wish there were only 3. Most importantly hire a guide & come practiced, be able to sprint on sand and quickly deliver long accurate steepled casts off both shoulders, also have a mastery in line management. Stay positive and persistent , don’t put them on a pedestal - They really don’t come easy for even the best of anglers. I’ve known people that have put in 5 years of hard work before getting one to hand. Roosterfish and fly fishing the surf require a lot from a beach guide & angler. Be prepared for strong winds at your casting arm, surf at your feet that if your running line touches, halves your casting distance. Dropping your shoulder or have a side arm cast, you’ll dull your hooks or have damaged your leader so much that if you do hook up, you’ll break off on the set. I don’t want to sound overly discouraging but at the same time I do.
Roosterfish are known for being elusive and fast—what makes them such an exciting target on the fly?
Firstly, just look at them - there is nothing more unique. They’re a rare species of fish with a relatively small range from northern Baja California to Peru. I assisted IGFA with a study over the past two years and the findings state that populations locally are genetically different, which makes them susceptible to over harvest - something that wasn’t even a part of my thought process prior. The opportunity usually happens fast, coming in hot from 300 or more yards out at warp speed to smash a croaker at your feet and then seemingly disappear like it never happened- so I’d say thats pretty exciting. If you’re lucky enough to have anticipated their movements and hook one, their out of the gate speed is unparalleled and a large fish can effortlessly dump 300 yards of backing in a hurry, very likely to spool you!
Can you walk us through your typical approach when spotting and casting to a roosterfish?
I position myself in areas of abundance and stay patient. Whenever you feel like it’s time to move, stay longer. Try to use all environmental factors to your favor. You have to train your eyes to span a huge area with incredible depth perception being key. Be very careful if driving on the beach to not disturb nesting turtles or birds, also pick up trash - it’s good for fish karma and you might find a new teaser. You really want that fish to have no idea you’re there trying to catch it - so leave your bright red shirt & cowboy hat in Bozeman, brother.
What’s one mistake you see anglers make when targeting roosters, and how can they fix it?
Running along side or parallel to a fish in the cruising in the gutter and false casting, that shit is hilarious to watch but also painful - because myself and that fish are wondering if you really even want to catch it. Driving around on your quad or side by side all day and trying to force opportunities rather than let them happen. Getting drunk and making it more of a social event than treating the pursuit with the respect it deserves. I’m all for having a great time but ultimately I’m out there trying to catch them, not get f’d up. You need all things to align to gain the prize, it can take weeks, months and in some cases years - however hiring a guide will cut the learning curve. In my opinion, a Roosterfish on fly sight casted in the surf is one of the most unique and difficult challenges in the game and when it finally comes together, there is no higher high. If you see a guy who’s obviously on a fish, don’t interrupt them and if you see a guide at work - in the wise words of Grant Hartman “GIVE ME SPACE”.
