Costa Rica Fishing

Sport fishing Charters & Tours

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An Anglers Paradise

Costa Rica is a stunning destination for the avid angler. The Pacific Coast boasts fish species such as the Roosterfish, Marlin, Snapper, Sailfish, Dorado Wahoo, Tuna and many more.  The Caribbean Coast can offer you game such as the Big Tarpon and Big Snook. If you want to fish for the beautiful and strong Guapote (Rainbow Bass), Lake Arenal is the places to be. The peak seasons for fishing varies a lot, depending on where you decide to fish and what species of fish you are after. That means that no matter what time of year an angler chooses to take his/her fishing trip, they are sure to find big game. Come and experience the thrill and excitement of Costa Rica fishing and read about our fishing packages below.

Sustainable Fishing in Costa Rica

Costa Rica has a strict policy of catch and release in order to protect its marine resources. This knows its strongest expression in the law against bring billfish on the boat. If carriers were to break this law, they risk heavy fines as well as loss of the vessel. So, make sure you respect this law and don’t drag the fish on board for a photo.

In 2018, Costa Rica announced its plan to create the fishing industry as well as the fishing tourism more sustainable to the benefit of marine diversity, the economy and ocean health. My Costa Rica only supports sustainable practices in line with our own environmental and social goals.

Fishing Seasons

Although there are specific Fishing seasons some months are better to catch certain types of fish. Please consult the list below.

 Fish Type 

 January – March

 April – June 

 July – September

 November – December

 Roosterfish Great Great Fair Great
 Grouper  Great Great Great Great
 Snapper Great Great Fair Great
 Amberjack Great Great Fair Fair
 Mackerel Good Good Good Good
 Marlin Great Fair Fair Great
 Sailfish Great Fair Fair Great
 Dorado  Great Good Good Good
 Yellow fin tuna Great Great Fair Fair
Guapote(Rainbow Bass) Good Good Good Good
 Machaca Good Good Good Good
 Tarpon  Good Good Good Good

Fishing in Costa Rica: Atlantic Vs Pacific

Where to go for the best sports fishing in Costa Rica is a great question to consider when planning your trip.  It clearly depends on what one is looking for. Located at the Marriott Los Suenos Resort, the Costa Rica Fishing Report is a great operation with charter boats and vacation rentals available in Jaco, Manuel Antonio National Park, and Quepos.  There are quite a few quality charters in Guanacaste.  We are happy to arrange charters out of great Northern Pacific destinations such as Carillo, Samara, Garza, Nosara, Tamarindo, and Flamingo.  Also out of the Southern Pacific ports of Drake Bay, Mata Palo, Puerto Jimenez and Golfito near the majestic and wild Corcovado National Park.

For Big Snook and Big Tarpon, try the Caribbean Coast where you will find great fishing lodges.  Also in Barra del Colorado, Rio Colorado, Tortuguero, Rio Parma, Rio Frio, and Cano Negro, on the San Juan River and even on Lake Nicaragua. The Caribbean Coast has offshore fishing limitation along the coast.  So anglers will find their thrill in the estuaries, the backwaters, the lagoons and the wide rivers like those that extend inland from Tortuguero to Barra de Colorado, that is the two main Sports Fishing Centers of the Caribbean. Expect to catch Barracuda, Tarpon, Grouper, as well as many other types of fish.

Sportfishing at Lake Arenal with Jacamar

This is your opportunity to catch a special fish! Lake Arenal is the home of Rainbow Bass, Machaca and Sabalete. You will get the best results on summer days but conditions are good all year round. The spectacular views on Arenal Volcano and the professional equipment will impress you.

What’s Included: Transportation, guide, snacks and beverages

Recommended Ages: 6+

Tour Duration (approximately): 4 hours

What to bring: Sunscreen, insect repellant, light comfortable clothing, light jacket

Sportfishing Angelica IV 29′ Feet Sportfisher

The Angelica IV is a 29 ft custom sport fisher powered by Twin 200 Hp Brand New outboards. The boat is equipped with a bathroom, cabins, a tuna tower, a fishing chair, down riggers and the best fishing gear available. The Captain has more than 12 years of fishing experience in this area and knows all the great spots. They specialize in half day and full day trips around Catalina Islands. This area provides a year round abundance of Yellow fin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Wahoo, Sierra Mackerel, Almaco Jack, Jack Crevalle, a variety of Snapper including Pacific Cubera, Dog Tooth and Rooster fish up to 75 pounds. This boat can host up to 5 people.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing Bernacle II 36′ Feet Ocean Boat

The Barnacle II is a 36 ft Ocean Yacht Convertible featuring air-conditioned cabins, bathrooms, a fly bridge and quality tournament gear (Shimano-Penn) ensuring first class fishing. The crew is bilingual and leaded by a Captain with more than a decade of experience exploring these waters. Catch Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado or Yellowfin Tuna. This boat can comfortably host up to six people guaranteeing an amazing experience in one of the most important fishing areas in Central America. 

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing BrindisiToo 50′ Feet Bertram Boat

The Brindisi Too is a 50 ft Bertram, offers an air-conditioned saloon, cabin, bathroom, kitchen, Fly bridge and complete with high quality gear and stellar electronics. The bilingual crew is headed by a captain with over a decade of experience. This boat can comfortably host up to 8 people who will also enjoy amazing views of the Pacific Ocean.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing Bushwacker 42′ Feet Bertram Boat

The Bushwacker is a 42 ft Bertram with twin Cummins QSM-11 four-stroke engines and a Marine Metal Fabricator’s tuna tower. The boat has been completely rebuilt and any profit goes right back into the perpetual upgrading. The interior is newly redone and you’ll be cool and comfortable in the fully air-conditioned cabin under power of three CruiseAir AC units in the case that you need a break from the action. Fish offshore for Marlin, Sailfish, Dolphin(Dorado) and Tuna on full days. On half daysyou are able to catch Roosterfish, Dolphin(Dorado), Wahoo, small Tuna, Amberjack, Jack Crevalle, Mackerel and Bonito.

Whats Included: Guide, drinks, snacks and lunch, equipment.

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat.

Sportfishing Circle Hooker 29′ Feet Pursuit Boat

The Circle Hooker is a 29 ft Pursuit is powered by 330 Hp Cumming inboard. Its amenities include a marine toilette, down riggers, a tuna tower, and high standard fishing gear. With over a decade of experience, the captain knows all the great fishing spots in this area. Their tours focus on the Catalina Islands in half day or full day tours. All year round you can expect to catch fish including the Yellow fin Tuna, Skipjack Tuna, Wahoo, Sierra Mackerel, Almaco Jack, Jack Crevalle, Snappers, Dog Tooth and Rooster fish up to 75 pounds. This boat can host up to 5 people.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing Navigator 32′ Feet Gamefisherman Boat

The Navigator is a 32 ft Palm Beach Gamefisher powered by new and very quiet 315 Cummings. It offers state of the art electronics, marlin tower, fishing chair, a cabin with bathroom and the most experienced crew, leaded by Ben Hur, a Captain with 15 years of fishing experience in the pacific waters. Catch Sailfish, Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Mahimahi, and many more aboard beautiful Palm Beach. This boat can host up to 5 people.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing Scorpion 58′ Feet Bertram Boat

The Scorpion is a 58 ft Palm Beach Bertram Boat powered by new and very quiet 315 Cummings. It offers state of the art electronics, marlin tower, fishing chair, a cabin with bathroom and the most experienced crew, leaded by Ben Hur, a Captain with 15 years of fishing experience in the pacific waters. Catch Sailfish, Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo, Mahimahi, and many more aboard beautiful Palm Beach.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, drinks and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat

Sportfishing Wetass II 31′ Feet Boat

The Wetass II is a 31 ft Bertram Sport Fisher with twin 350 Caterpillars immaculately outfitted with a full line of Penn and Shimano equipment. Ot is equipped with a comfortable cabin and space for up to five anglers. The crew mates on board have been fishing the waters for over 25 years. The boat often places top three in the many tournaments it enters, and the company is the 2017 Presidential Challenge-Costa Rica winner. On this tournament you will be able to target Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Yellowfin Tuna, Snapper, Needlefish, Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Wahoo, Rainbow Runner, Rooster fish, and many more! 

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, a GoPro video of your trip, drinks, snacks and lunch.

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Inshore (Half day Tour) | Offshore (Full day Tour)

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, light clothing, light jacket, hat.

Fishing Tour at Lake Arenal

Fish for the famous rainbow bass which can only be caught in Lake Arenal! Lake Arenal also has another hard-fighting fish called machaca, which looks like a pirhana on steroids with its rows of razor sharp teeth. Capt. Ron reserves the right to delay or reschedule if weather conditions are dangerous in very rare occasions.

Whats Included: Transportation, guide, beverages, and snacks

Recommended Ages: All ages

Tour Duration (approximately): Half OR Full Day Tour

What to bring: Sunscreen, sunglasses, comfortable clothes, light rain jacket, hat.

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