Fish

Finescale triggerfish (cochi)

Cochi (pez puerco del Pacífico)

Balistes polylepis

Saltwater

At a glance

Typical size

2–5 lb.

Depth

10–250 ft.

Best time

Daytime.

Found in

6 areas

Spot it, size it up and learn its habits.

Identification: Big gray-brown to olive triggerfish with tiny scales, small blue spots on young fish, a tall spine that locks upright on the back, a small mouth with strong teeth, and long trailing tips on the fins.
Typical size: 2–5 lb.
Maximum size: About 2½ ft and over 10 lb.
Diet: Crabs, sea urchins, clams and small fish.
Behavior: Common over rocky and sandy bottoms; steals bait expertly and digs nests in the sand.

Where, when and how deep to look.

Where to find it: Found from Baja & Sea of Cortez, Pacific Mexico, Pacific Central America, Pacific Colombia & Ecuador, Peru and Galápagos Islands. Rocky reefs and sandy flats near reefs from Baja California and the Gulf of California to Chile, including the Galápagos.
Habitat: Rocky reefs and sandy flats near reefs from Baja California and the Gulf of California to Chile, including the Galápagos.
Depth: 10–250 ft.
Fishing depth: 20–100 ft.
Best season: All year; very common in summer in the Sea of Cortez.
Best time: Daytime.
Best tides: Moving tide.
Best weather / conditions: Calm seas.

What to tie on and what to throw.

The rod, reel, line and lures BigJoe would use.

Also at Bass Pro Shops: Rod Reel Line Leader Poppers Jigs Hooks

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Step by step, from first cast to landing.

Go where it lives: Rocky reefs and sandy flats near reefs from Baja California and the Gulf of California to Chile, including the Galápagos.
Rig up: Medium bottom rod. 30–40 lb fluorocarbon.
Pick your bait: Squid, clams and cut fish on small strong hooks. Lures: Small jigs tipped with squid.
Fish it: Fish small baits on the bottom near rocks and set the hook at the first tap.
Time it: Daytime. Moving tide.

Fishing techniques: Fish small baits on the bottom near rocks and set the hook at the first tap.
BigJoe's tip: Use small hooks and tough bait like squid — cochi pick soft bait clean.
Catch and release: Catch and release: wet your hands, keep the fish in the water when you can, and release it quickly. Use circle hooks and a dehooker.

Is it good to eat, and how to prepare it.

Edibility: Good eating when fresh.
Cleaning: Bleed and ice it right away. Fillet, then remove the skin and any dark bloodline.
Cooking suggestions: Sweet white meat under tough skin; skin it, then fry or grill.

Safety, rules and taking care of the fishery.

Safety warnings: Strong teeth that bite hard; tough skin.
Regulations: General bag limits; check local rules. Rules vary by country: Mexico requires a CONAPESCA sport fishing license for everyone aboard a fishing boat, Costa Rica requires an INCOPESCA license, and Panama, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru set their own rules. Many islands and coasts (Coiba, Isla del Coco, Malpelo, Gorgona, the Galápagos and others) are marine parks with strict limits or no fishing.
Conservation: Common.

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Sources & photo credits