Head out in search of big game like Marlin and Sailfish. Going to the deep blue waters and beyond is one of the prime reasons why anglers from all corners of the planet come here

Very high volume Pacific sailfish is the main offshore quarry, supplemented by a good seasonal mix of blue marlin and some black marlin, dorado or mahi-mahi, and yellowfin tuna that can range into the 300-pound class

Very large Yellowfin Tuna Fishing all year long at Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo features at least one-per-day Pacific Sailfish action offshore almost constantly, with the often wild peak sailfish season centered on the month of January. It must be emphasized that double-digit release days are possible in any month. Even during the slowest sailfish season of March through April, Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo sportfishing boats often average two or three fish per day.

Looking to enoy a bountiful day on the water, then you’ll like the inshore fishing Zihuatanejo boasts. The calm, pristine waters of the area have made it possible for gigantic Roosterfish to thrive here, and they will be your prized catch on inshore excursions. Jacks are another local favorite, so you can look forward to reeling in beauties like Bigeye Trevally, Jack Crevalle, Green Jack, and Yellowtail. Mackerel of all shapes and sizes are a common catch too, as well as Snappers, Groupers, and peculiar Needlefish. A rare delight is the Black Snook that can make an appearance in the inshore waters from July to October, and these fellas can weigh as much as 40 pounds.

Still, Roosterfish remain the best catch, not just because they come in impressive sizes, but also because they’re smart and hard fighters. They’re not easy to catch, but can’t resist live bait, especially if you target them around Los Morros de Potosí island and the Rio Petatlan beach.

Inshore fishing at Ixtapa Zihuatanejo features jack crevalle called “yellowtail jack” locally, roosterfish, ladyfish, various snappers, groupers, sierra, barracuda, and other fish species caught right off the local surf line, or along other points on the nearby coast including Isla Ixtapa right in front of the resorts, local rocks off Zihuatanejo Bay, Troncones to the north, and Papanoa, Barra de Potosi and Vicente Guerrero to the south.

Inshore: Roosterfish, Jack Cravel, Spanish Mackeral, Skip Jack, Black Tuna, Needlefish, Grooper, Big Eye Jack and others.

A good choice for Fly Fishing includes sailfish, marlin and dorado from deep sea and smaller species like skip jack, black tuna, jack cravel, Spanish mackerel, roosterfish and others near the shore

Fishing for sailfish is particularly exciting, using strong fly fishing equipment to support a sailfish, marlin or dorado of up to 60 lbs. 

ROOSTERFISH
With their spiny, rooster-like dorsal fins, roosterfish are an unusual yet beautiful species that roam the shorelines within reach of Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo, both to the north and south. Roosters are aggressive and brawling and a fun, strong fighting fish on either conventional or fly gear.

Roosters from five to a hundred pounds can be found along the shore lines, in and around rocks and in the waves chasing baitfish. They are usually fished at the edges of waves and/or near rocky areas.

Roosters can be caught with conventional gear by trolling lures or bait, usually at the edge of the wave lines. Casting a large popper with a spinning rod into towards shore and retrieving it back as fast as possible is often a successful strategy for these aggressive and hard fighting fish. The take on a popper is loud and splashy and the ensuing battle one to remember, especially with a 40 lb. plus fish.
The standard approach to roosters with fly gear is to tease them in, employing a spinning rod and popper without hooks. The teaser is retrieved fast with all eyes watching for a following roosterfish. When a chasing fish is spotted, the teaser is brought within casting distance of the boat, and the fly angler casts the fly to the roosterfish, with the fly taking the place of the teaser. Usually, the rooster attacks the fly and the hard fighting, exciting game is on!

Roosterfish patrol the inshore waters around Ixtapa &  Zihuatanejo year around but the best months for fishing for them are June through January when water temperatures are the warmest.