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Megsdad

07-28-2009, 06:50 PM

Every other year, my 3 sisters (and their families) and my family have a reunion do to the fact that we are now spread out coast to coast. It was my turn to pick where to go, and I picked a 7 day Royal Caribbean Mexican cruise. We stopped at cabbo, Mazatlan, and Puerto Vallarta. I wanted to fish in all three of these world class destinations but was only given permission to fish on the last stop, Puerto Vallarta. So, my 3 brothers-in-law and I chartered a 34' twin engine Sea ray (a nice boat and crew) for a six hour excursion. The cost was reasonable, $450 + 8 bucks each for lunch, + 30 bucks for a 24pack of corona and free water bottles. We were on our way. The skipper (Paulo) said we could make a run out to "tuna water" 1.5 hour drive time or hit a reef 45 min. away where they have seen a few Roosters, then troll for dorado if nothing shows up. We made the call to search for Roosters, and it was the right one, first 2 bait out got hit simultaneously: mine did not stick, but John fought with his for 10 min. before it broke off. We made another pass (very slow troll bait fish) and another hook this time John got his to the boat a Nice Rooster. I hook up next with a needle fish (big fn teeth). Then Doug and Marc, get into the action, Marc gets a needle, and Doug breaks off something Big. The next fish is Doug’s second try and he nails a rooster. It seemed like every pass produced a fish and or another strike or break off, it was awesome; then the bad news, with 3 hours to fish, we are down to 3 bait fish (we started with only 16, they looked like 8’’ Spanish macs). Paulo said that it was best to keep the three in case while we were trolling we came across a sailfish or a school of do-do’s. Well, we trolled around for 2+ hours before our last flurry of the day. A big bull dorado crashed one of the troll jigs (jumped clear out of the water after it!) he missed it, but there were several fish following so crew member Pepe, quickly threw out a baited line and Bam! I’m on! As mine was coming to gaff there were 3 fish trailing mine, Paulo throws out a bait, and fish on again. John starts fighting one as mine is gaffed. As Johns comes to gaff, same thing we throw on the trailers and hook up! But the hookup on the last bait was short lived, we thought we could hear it say “ F U” while it took a glorious jump and spit the hook.

All in all it was a cool experience. My only regret, obviously is that we didn’t have more live bait, I’m sure we all would have landed a rooster, as we left them biting. Talking to other people on the cruise that went fishing, I learned that no one had more than a dozen or so baits, some had none, and one had them but never used them. Most went to “tuna waters” and didn’t seem to do all that well (2 or three fish for 6 guys the average) One boat had a Sailfish and a huge dodo, and another small dodo.

Here are some pics:

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0602.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0616.jpg

John
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0610.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0613.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0614.jpg

Marc
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0628.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0631.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0633.jpg

Doug
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0621.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0624.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0626.jpg

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0636.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0642.jpg

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0643.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0646.jpg

http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0647.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0649.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0654.jpg

other boat
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0590.jpg
http://i351.photobucket.com/albums/q468/megsfish/dadsfish/IMG_0591.jpg

Peace,
Joe

07-28-2009, 06:56 PM

So how does the Rooster fish taste?

EastCoaster

07-28-2009, 06:58 PM

Wow are the only words to describe those pics!!! Awsome job. My mission since I have started saltwater fishing(which was just back in May) is to catch Dorado, and I would really love to catch the Rostertail... Beautiful.. That 1 Dorado looks huge!!!

victor101

07-28-2009, 07:06 PM

wow, those roosters are pretty cool man! LOL@ the needlefish pic...how did it taste btw?

Megsdad

07-28-2009, 07:07 PM

JP So how does the Rooster fish taste?

Rooster? ..................it taste like chicken:ROFL:

LIZARDKING1

07-28-2009, 10:08 PM

LIZARDKING1

07-28-2009, 10:11 PM

supasportkid

07-28-2009, 11:06 PM

awesome pics! thanks for a great report

paDDy

07-29-2009, 08:48 AM

Great report looked like you guys had a blast. Rooster fish and bill fish are not good table far try and let them go next time. I am sure your new at fishing down south and the guys who work/run the boats down there will keep about anything if you want.

Megsdad

07-29-2009, 09:59 AM

Nice pics.Rooster fish fun to catch,but dark purple meat is not great table fare.It is recommended to release these exotics since there is only a few places in the world where you can catch these amazing jacks.You may catch some neg feedback on the gaffed roosters but you probably didn't realize how rare they are.

You're right,
didn't realize how rare they are or we would have told them to release them. When we first got on the boat, we were asked if we wanted to keep any of our fish, being on the cruise, we said no. They also asked if they could keep the fish we catch because there are many families that they know who are in need. We asked them to release any bill-fish, but everything else was fine. (I'm sure they have many people who have asked to CPR Rooster) Honestly, I can't believe they kept the needle fish.

PaDDy ...Rooster fish and bill fish are not good table far try and let them go next time.

The Sailfish in the last two pics were from another boat, I hear you bro.

Thanks for the feed back ...now I know.

Joe

paDDy

07-29-2009, 03:31 PM

Wow they kept the needle fish, I guess rooster fish looks killer on the table next to a needle fish. Great report, looks like a killer day fishing with some killer weather.

kgselect

07-29-2009, 05:18 PM

Very nice. You had a great day out. Those roosterfish are beautiful. Thanks for the report.

07-29-2009, 08:25 PM

looks like u had a great time fishing. congrats. :Cool:

i had a question about the cruise. did they give u a reason why u cant bring the fish on the boat after??? i have wanted to go on a cruise to baja but i can never get an explanation why from what i have read on the websites. thanks in advance.

murrieta angler

07-30-2009, 05:55 PM

Beautiful Roosterfish!

Live and learn about releasing them, but now you know...:Smile:

Who is the guy in the Bucs hat? They just traded my cousin to the Giants.

Megsdad

07-31-2009, 06:26 PM

OZ ...did they give u a reason why u cant bring the fish on the boat after???

Sorry man, I don't have the answer. We just assumed it was going to be a problem so we didn't even bother. I can tell that in Cabo there were a few resteraunts right on the marina that advertised "We will cook your catch". Also, look out for some of the charters; some expect you to give them some or all of your catch. Many advertise "keep what you catch" and others say "it is customary to give a portion or all of your fish to the crew." Sorry I couldn't help more.

Joe