Rec and Sports

Costa Rica Fishing: The Finest Deep Sea Fishing In the World

Are you stuck in a windowless office all day, dreaming of clear water, fresh air, and sun? Do you enjoy angling or have you always wanted to try it? Costa Rica fishing is among the best in the world. There are many different species of fish to catch as Costa Rica is bordered by both Pacific and the Caribbean waters.

Sure, you can fish close to home. It is always fun to catch that little trout. Three-and-a-half minutes of fun. But, imagine catching the little trouts cousin (literally, its cousin), the great marlin, weighing in at hundreds of pounds and battling you for three-and-a-half hours!

A great place for your vacation in Costa Rica is the North Pacific coast. Here you will find the fishing centers of Tamarindo and Flamingo. If you are looking for sailfish, visit this coast throughout May and into August. From August to October, you can find huge schools of different tuna species with some weighing up to 400 pounds. Catch the shoreline-dwelling roosterfish here November to March in the Bay of Papagayo. You also have a chance of hooking large marlin, wahoo, and brightly colored dorado fish.

Billfish are a popular quarry for those angling in Costa Rica and the Central Pacific coast offers them in abundance. Visit the waters off Quepos or the Los Suenos Marina from December to April to catch sails or marlin. From May though October you can often catch a vibrant dorado while trolling offshore. Tuna, wahoo, snapper, roosters, and snook are also available in this region and are found closer in. You will not be disappointed fishing here!

Golfo Dulce, Drake Bay, and Puerto Jiminez are places to be aware of when fishing along the South Pacific coast. In the months where the waters are warmer, you have a great chance at hooking marlin or sails. For the best inland fishing in Costa Rica, go to the Golfo Dulce area. It is haven for many species of fish because it is rock terrain and contains several coves. Expect to catch barracuda, grouper, sea bass, snapper, amberjack, wahoo, and even roosters here. You will not be let down if you angle in these areas!

The Caribbeaan coast of Costa Rica is home to the world-famous Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado fishing centers. Avoid visiting here during the rainy reason of January to March. This is because the water stays choppy and is not conducive to a good catch. On a day where the waters are flat, this is a deep sea angler’s dream spot! May to November, the valuable tarpon fish is bountiful here, and they can grow up to 150 pounds. If you are very lucky, you might land a rare Atlantic sail. This is also a good area for snook. Jack Crevalle, guapote, giant grouper, and tripletail can also be caught here.

Whether you are a professional angler or just an avid fisherman, Costa Rica fishing offers an outstanding, perhaps once-in-a-lifetime experience. There are plenty of outfitters and even sportfishing vacation packages offered for the area. If you want to get in the sun and have a great time angling, you cannot go wrong with Costa Rica.