Every fisherman has a list of fish they want to land before they kick the bucket. The roosterfish, a wild-looking member of the jack family found in the warm coastal Pacific waters off Central America, has been near the top of mine.
This winter, I had the chance to cross roosterfish off my bucket list on a trip to world-famous Crocodile Bay Resort, a dream fishing destination on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I was invited along with other international fishing media folks as a guest of PENN Reels to test the new PENN Clash spinning reel along with new offerings from Spiderwire and Sebile Lures.
(For a limited time: follow this link to win your own PENN Clash!)
Crocodile Bay lived up to its reputation as a premier sportfishing resort, offering luxurious rooms, incredible food, and friendly service, all in a beautiful, remote jungle setting on Costa Rica’s Gulfo Dulce. The PENN Clash was impressive, and I’m convinced that it’s an excellent spinning reel, especially for anglers who fish artificial lures on braided line. And the roosterfish met all my expectations, looking otherworldly as they chased down our plugs with astonishing bursts of speed.
Check, done.
And one day, god willing, I’ll get the chance to do it again.
A one-hour Nature Air flight from San Jose to Puerto Jiminez provided breathtaking views of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica.
Tucked into the shoreline of Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce, Crocodile Bay Resort offers luxury in a remote jungle setting.
Air-conditioned rooms with jungle views make it easy to recharge after a long day on the water.
Crocodile Bay’s fleet of sportfishing boats whisk guests off to inshore and offshore fishing grounds.
Roosterfish are an inshore species, inhabiting the incredible rocky coast, shallow reefs, and sandy beaches of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.
A roosterfish sees the boat and takes a drag-ripping run.
Lure maker Patrick Sebile with a roosterfish that struck one of his Sebile Stick Shadd lures worked just under the surface.
The beautiful markings and signature dorsal fin of a roosterfish on full display.
My number-one bucket list fish crossed off, this roosterfish hit a Sebile Stick Shadd and put up a great fight on a light PENN Clash 3000 setup.
Other game fish species, including horse-eye jacks, rock snappers, and cubera snappers will strike the same baits and lures as rooseterfish. 
A beautiful (and delicious) snapper.
This horse-eye jack struck a Sebile Magic Swimmer.
A hard-fighting jack that was fooled by a Sebile Stick Shadd.
A larger roosterfish poses for a quick photo before being released.
Sportsport in Hyannis is the best on the cape
Been looking at doing this trip for 2016 or 2017 season we travel overseas fishing every year and this is the next trip for us
Do it around Thanksgiving and I will fish with ya. Great place. Went two years ago. Going vack in Nov
Its on my bucket list since i was 13 only thing is even at 23 i wouldnt know were to go from australia to coasta rica haha definitely on the list of dreams
Man….i heading to costa rica in less than 2 months!! Can’t wait to give it a try!! Im doing mostly shore fishing…im bringing my penn gear and fishing as much as í can!!!! Thigh lines and PURA VIDA!
Been there done that! Roosters, Sails, Jacks, Mahi, it doesn’t get any better than Crocodile Bay.
It can’t get any better than Crocodile Bay. C.B. should be #1 one on everyone’s bucket list.