Costa Rica Fishing

How about fishing for marlin or tarpon while visiting Costa Rica? This little country boasts of some of the best fishing around. Whether you are accomplished in this sport or just beginning, there is something for everyone. The Oso peninsula is one the most popular hotspots for new and returning fishermen due to record catches every year. Situated between the pacific ocean and the Gulfo Dulce, the marine food sources are replenished over and over. Depending on your fishing interests, deep sea fishing is what Gulfo Dulce provides as a unforgettable experience. Out in the pacific, you will commonly reel in yellowfish tuna, marlins, pacific sailfish, wahoo or giant dorados. This gulf is over a 1000 feet deep in some areas located on a tropical fjord and surrounded by rainforests. While you are out there claiming your prize fish, it is not uncommon to be met by blue whales or different types of sharks, as well as manta rays, sea turtles, and porpoises.

If inland fishing calls you, then there are a variety of different species to be had. Fish such as pompano, grouper, snook, snapper, and mackerel are abundant inside the lakes of Costa Rica. The weather is always perfect fishing weather and there are plenty of lakes, rivers and streams to throw a pole in. Peak seasons to go trolling in the ocean is traditionally April thru August. Half day charters keep closer in to the shore but making opportunity for tourists to catch mackerel, tuna, dolphin fish or bottom fishing for roosterfish, shark, amberjack or snapper. The whole day charters rely on heavier bait and go further out into the ocean in seek of game fish such as giant tuna, blue or black and striped marlin, or sailfish. Tourist season is November thru March which because of high winds, much of the ocean fishing is done close in with half day charters. Correlating with the inland conservation and preservation of certain species, there is a catch and release required for billfish and any other endangered marine life.

There are a couple good places in each region of Costa Rica specializing is fishing sports. If you are in the area of Manuel Antonio national park, then Quepos is where you go to billfish. It is common to hook 10 to 20 bill fish daily. The world record black snook was caught here weighing in at 57lbs. 12oz. By surf casting. Over in the northern pacific region there is a wide diversity of fishing available. Guanacaste has the largest marina in Costa Rica. They have over 30 charter boats ranging from 23 to 47 feet in length. It is advised to fish there in January and February off Nicoya, when huge and plenty of marlin make it one of the best fishing available in the world. Laid back Tamarindo also has it’s own unique flavor on fishing, providing more exclusive experience in Costa Rica fishing. Conclusively, anywhere you stop and stay in Costa Rica, you will have ample opportunity and means to experience the deep sea or inland fishing this country has to offer.