Theo Anest accomplished a rare feat recently by landing a yellowfin tuna from shore, while using spinning gear, on Mexicos Baja California peninsula.<\/p>\n
But as Anest reeled the 37-pound tuna toward the beach, another remarkable event occurred: Several massive roosterfish, seemingly attracted by the commotion, accompanied the hooked tuna into the surf zone.<\/p>\n
This placed them within fly-casting range and before long, local guide Lance Peterson was battling an estimated 80-pound roosterfish on a fly rod.<\/p>\n
The tuna was spotted and specifically cast to, Peterson, owner of Lance Peterson Fishing, told For The Win Outdoors. I was hoping a few of its buddies would swim in for a look as it neared the beach, and sure enough there were some curious onlookers; mostly giant roosters.<\/p>\n
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The catches were made early last month in Baja California Surs East Cape region. But photos were not shared until last week, with Peterson describing the event on Facebook as a truly rare double hookup from shore.<\/p>\n
Catching yellowfin tuna from shore is not unheard of, but its rare considering that the pelagic fish are generally found in schools several miles offshore.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Roosterfish, however, are a coastal species prized by East Cape anglers because of their exotic appearance, size and power. Anglers typically release their catches to preserve the vulnerable fishery.<\/p>\n
Peterson was searching for roosterfish when he spotted the yellowfin tuna feeding on forage fish. He texted Anest and told him to bring spinning gear.<\/p>\n
Anest, a sales representative for Scott Fly Rods, arrived with a long spinning rod and cast a silver metal lure toward the tuna.<\/p>\n
They never quite came into fly range but we could see waves of them passing through an area 40 to 100 yards off the beach, Anest recalled. As soon as I hooked the tuna, 100 curious grande roosters that were lurking in the vicinity followed that tuna in.<\/p>\n
However, when Lance made that cast we were still certain they were all tuna until about 20 giant combs [roosterfish dorsal fins] came out of the water.<\/p>\n
Added Peterson: We had sighted several tuna that day, but they were lock-jawed. Eventually Theo stuck one. The commotion brought in several fish to investigate, among them a pack of giant roosters.<\/p>\n
I was convinced I had managed to hook the smallest specimen in the group, which makes me wonder how big the others were!<\/p>\n
Anest kept the tuna, while Peterson released the roosterfish after posing for a quick series of images.<\/p>\n
Any roosterfish over 50 pounds is considered a prize catch, especially on a fly rod. The all-tackle world record a 114-pound roosterfish caught off La Paz, north of the East Cape has stood since 1960.<\/p>\n
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Rare tuna catch from shore attracts pack of giant roosters - For The Win<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Theo Anest accomplished a rare feat recently by landing a yellowfin tuna from shore, while using spinning gear, on Mexicos Baja California peninsula. But as Anest reeled the 37-pound tuna toward the beach, another remarkable event occurred: Several massive roosterfish, seemingly attracted by the commotion, accompanied the hooked tuna into the surf zone. This placed them within fly-casting range and before long, local guide Lance Peterson was battling an estimated 80-pound roosterfish on a fly rod. Continue reading