I met my friend Joe from New Jersey on June 19, 2018. Two hurricanes Aletta and Bud, while not hitting southern Baja created enough turmoil as to upset the water temperatures. The waters were just recovering from the winds which brought cold water to the fishing grounds. We decided to target Rooster fish and Marlin which were the only fish in the area that were around.
Wednesday June 20 we fished inland for roosters. We landed several small to medium sized roosters on the first day. I've been fishing this area for 20 years and I was never asked for my fishing license although I get an annual license. The Mexican fish and game set up outside Puerto Los Cabos and were checking licenses.
Here is the boat. They were using scanners on the bar code to make sure the licenses were valid.
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It was a beautiful morning. Cool with light winds.
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The day was pleasant with enough cloud cover to keep the heat down.
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Here are some photos of some of the smaller rooster fish. All were safely released. Joe with one of them.
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Just wait for the personal best it is coming. Patience members. Here is yours truly defying superstition right next to the Tank. I'm not afraid of no stinkin bananas.
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Here is our captain Ricardo Aripez with one of my smaller roosters.
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Here I am with another.
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And another
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Kicking back and enjoying a cervesa Corona.
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We fished again on June 22, 2018 and targeted rooster and Marlin. Joe hooked into a nice striped marlin and brought it to the boat for release. I don't have any still photos and had some trouble uploading a video. We estimate the striper weighed about 125 lbs. Joe fought him for one hour and five minutes because the marlin hit on one of the lighter set ups Ricardo set out. Joe did a fine job with that light gear.
And now the photo you've all been waiting for. Actually 5 photos. The Mexicano in the first photo is Efren, Ricardo's brother. Ricardo set us up with his brother because he was booked on the 24th the day this fish was caught.
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Needless to say I was thrilled. This rooster is my personal best. Here is one I caught in 2016 for comparison. Dominick
WOW!!!! Congrats!!
We can only see the last pic
Marc..
Great job man,,,,that a big rooster,,,big fight! ;D
Please wait while I modify this thread. Revisit it later. Dominick
DUDE...No Speedo ;D Sic Fish man!
BT
Wow! That's the biggest rooster I've ever seen.
Quote from: David Hall on June 28, 2018, 03:52:50 AM
Wow! That's the biggest rooster I've ever seen.
Me too! What a catch!
Great work, Counselor! Was that a tank-caught fish? Rooster is on my bucket list.
Muy bueno, now that's a Pez Gallo!
Awesome. Congratulations.
Great catch !! .................... I have to try for roosters one day . I'm never in Mexico at the right time.
Cheers:
Todd
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Wow! That's a nice one buddy... good job😉!
Was it on the Tank?
Thanks a beautiful fish. Nice way to end a trip. Congratulations
Quote from: thorhammer on June 28, 2018, 02:52:43 PM
Great work, Counselor! Was that a tank-caught fish? Rooster is on my bucket list.
At the time I was not using the tank. The fish was caught on a Penn Slammer 760 spinning reel. The last photo of a big rooster was caught in 2016 on the Tank. Dominick
Way to Go Dominick!
Another PB for the Man! ;D
Quote from: Dominick on June 28, 2018, 07:53:36 PM
Quote from: thorhammer on June 28, 2018, 02:52:43 PM
Great work, Counselor! Was that a tank-caught fish? Rooster is on my bucket list.
At the time I was not using the tank. The fish was caught on a Penn Slammer 760 spinning reel. The last photo of a big rooster was caught in 2016 on the Tank. Dominick
Wow!! On a Penn Slammer :o
Marc..
Cool! Beautiful fish, those Roosters.
Do you eat those or release 'em?
Beautiful fish there!
Congradulations on a new best!
John
That's a monster Dominick, and the one from 2016 was no slouch either. They're both bigger than my best by a wide margin. Congrats!
Randy
Wholeeschit! :o
That... Those... Are both incredible Roosters.
Congrats on the new PB, truly trophies.
Nice fish Dom ;D
That Rooster has shoulders!!!
And on a Coffee Grinder ! :o
Congrats,
Danny
Quote from: Gfish on June 28, 2018, 09:51:44 PM
Cool! Beautiful fish, those Roosters.
Do you eat those or release 'em?
I release all roosters, even if the captain or mate want them. The meat is almost black and from what I understand very oily and fishy tasting. Most Mexicanos don't eat it and the ones that do will only eat the small ones. Dominick
Nice roosters Dominick!
Nice fishy Dom !
Congrats!
Nice fishing even with bad weather, WTG.
I release all billfish and roosters, though I have not caught a swordfish yet so that would change if I ever get one.
Never weighing roosters it is hard for me to guess their weight until 2 years ago when I gill hooked one and weighed it on a certified scale during a tourney. It came out to be just over 42 lbs. I only kept it due to a ripped gill and that fish would have bleed out.
It is also hard to tell from pics what fish weigh but what do you think that fished weighed?
I also have a pic of a 90 lb plus rooster a friend of mine caught in Loreto if you would like some comparison shots?
I donated my fish to needy families down there and was worried that it would just be dog food but I was assured it would be used to feed people. My friend also ate some of his fish and shared some with his family and friends. From what I understand there are ways to treat the meat making it table fare worthy.
Anyway nice fish and on a spinner to boot, good job.
Socal (Mark?) just post the fish here. I don't mind. I hefted the fish. I was struggling to hold it up. I estimated 80 plus. I would like to see the photo and if posted here we all can compare and comment. After all it is what it is. I agree with the billfish and I also try not to hook into one. They are a lot of work and I don't target them anymore. They are exciting though since they put on a jumping display. I would keep a swordfish but not a sail. Dominick
My 42 lber first, the 90 lber second and official weight 3rd .
Thanks for posting those photos. Now I need to have the members weigh in on the size. It is not easy to guess the weight but looking at the weighed 90 lb fish and having hefted it they are close. by looking at the bulk I would give my rooster the edge. Come on guys and gals let's hear your opinion. The record looks to be 114 lbs. Dominick
All three are impressive fish. Congratulations to both of you!
Ron
That's a world class fish. Nice work.
nice fish Dominick, a true trophy Gallo
congrats amigo.
Rooster is not a fish good on the table, too fishy and too oily like Dom just said, pretty sure there will be more styles to prepare it to be edible but the only ones I know is to prepare it in different styles of ceviche, the fishy taste is hidden by using lots of onion and cilander and more vegetables and all the different kinds of hot sauce on the ceviche tostada, but at the end there is no reason to kill a beautiful fish like rooster for a ceviche when you have tons of fish better for that dish, only if they came injured by the fight as Mark's case.
Based on Mark's Fish and your 2016 Catch. That fish is every bit of a Dollar Bill.
You might have a record there.
I only catch fish for the sport.
I haven't had Shark Steaks for many years.
Not saying I won't again, But they are so mean, unless they are injured, They are going back as quick as possible.
That Blacktip we caught this past May was as mean as they come. 50 lbs tops, but all Muscle and teeth.
I just do my best not to get bit.
Great rooster Dominick!! - that's an impressive fish. It's hard to gauge the length difference between the 90 lb one Mark posted and yours, but judging by the head size I'd say yours is around 116.5 lbs. ::) ;D
Mike
Quote from: mhc on July 05, 2018, 10:38:49 AM
Great rooster Dominick!! - that's an impressive fish. It's hard to gauge the length difference between the 90 lb one Mark posted and yours, but judging by the head size I'd say yours is around 116.5 lbs. ::) ;D
Mike
I'll take that as gospel. ;D Dominick