What makes Costa Rica fishing so special? How about the fact that no spot on earth has produced more “super grand slams” than the Pacific coastal waters of Costa Rica. What is a super grand slam? You can claim this feat by catching a blue, black, and striped marlin and a sailfish all in the same day. If that sounds unreal, that’s only because you haven’t been fishing in Costa Rica.
With two major coastlines, one on the Pacific and another on the Caribbean, along with a robust network of rivers and lakes, Costa Rica seems to be primed for angling action. Ideally located just about nine degrees north of the equator, this little country is in the perfect location for the hardy tropical game fish that fisherman love.
The Pacific coast is a bastion for enormous billfish, and arguably the best place in the world for sailfish. This is not to mention the numerous dorado (mahi mahi) and tuna, or the more elusive but rewarding wahoo and roosterfish. The main centers for fishing on the Pacific are Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo in the north, Los Suenos resort (in Herradura) and Quepos in the central region and Golfito in the South. Chartered fishing vessels run between $250-400 for a half day and $350-650 for a full day. This is for four people with lunch and drinks included. Cheaper prices can be had for coastal fishing vs. going for big billfish, and the dorado, wahoo, jacks, roosterfish and tuna caught on these excursions closer to shore offer plenty of excitement.
June and July are the best months for marlin in the north with June to October being best for dorado and tuna. Strong winds from December to March cause many fishing charters to move from the north to Quepos and Los Suenos on the central coast where there is great fishing year round. Costa Rica fishing during winter is generally better farther south in the waters of Golfo Dulce.
If you’ve got tarpon fever, then you must check out Costa Rica fishing on the Caribbean coast. The rich rivers and lagoons opening into the Caribbean are a favorite hideout of monster tarpon and will give lightweight tackle enthusiasts a real rush. With some spots producing tarpon weighing an average of 80lbs/35kg you’re sure to go home with some unforgettable moments. Maybe you’ll even land a trophy as some of these tarpon on the northeast coast get up to 155lbs/70kg. Snook fishing is also incredibly hot here if you’re looking for some variety. The season runs from August to January with fall being the best time for trophy-sized fish. Try beating 14kg for an IGFA record. Tarpon, however, can be caught year round.
Something many people don’t know is that Costa Rica fishing is not just limited to saltwater. In fact, the freshwater lakes and over a dozen rivers here produce a variety species that are fun to catch. You can find rainbow trout, drum, machaca (similar to shad), guapote (rainbow bass), mojarra (a toothed type of bluegill), and bobo (a mullet that feeds on moss). Rio Savegre is a favorite spot for catching many of these species. The Cano Negro lagoon and the Rio San Juan along the border of Nicaragua both offer excellent tarpon and snook fishing. For lake fishermen, check out Lake Arenal where you can fight with the spunky guapote or rainbow bass which grows up to 8lbs/3.5kg and larger, all while under the looming cone of the still active Arenal Volcano. As a final note, all freshwater fishing is closed from September to December and a license is required, as with saltwater fishing.
While Costa Rica fishing vacations will satisfy any angler’s dreams, it’s also nice to know that this is a fantastic destination for families as well. You can spend the day out on a fishing boat while knowing that there are plenty of things to keep your family occupied. Atv tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, horseback riding, canopy tours and surfing lessons are all easily arranged from most any of the Pacific coast towns. Tamarindo is a particularly fun spot and Quepos is right next to gorgeous Manuel Antonio National Park.
Costa Rica is a great alternative to Mexico because it’s still relatively close and doesn’t have the overdeveloped feel of so many Mexican beach resort areas. It’s also more developed than it’s other neighbor countries and there are a great number of tour companies that will cater to your family’s needs. But in the end, it’s Costa Rica’s fishing that will leave you smiling.
By: Doug Ramsay
Posts Tagged ‘Mahi Mahi’
Costa Rica Fishing – An Angler’s Fishing Vacation Paradise
March 28th, 2010Fish On! Islamorada – Florida Fishing
March 12th, 2010
Islamorada Florida fishing. It’s what anyone who likes to fish dreams of.
Deep sea fishing. Drift boat fishing on the reef. Wandering around in the Florida Bay backcountry.
Find out why Idlamorada Florida fishing is some of the best in the world.
Islamorada Deep Sea Fishing
Imagine being out on a charter boat, heading out to sea. You’re in a fighting chair, taking a gentle snooze in the sun when all of the sudden there’s a cry…
…fish on!
Instantly you’re awake and you grab the rod with all your might. What do you have at the end of the line? Mahi-mahi? A Wahoo? Or maybe even a billfish!
There’s no telling what you’ll find when you go Islamorada deep sea fishing on a charter boat.
Once you’ve mastered the fish and have it safely back at the dock, you don’t have the energy to cook it. Never fear — many of the local restaurants will cook your catch for you!
Reef Fishing
Maybe your wallet doesn’t allow for a pricey private charter boat. If that’s the case, why not try booking a spot on a party boat? Also called drift beats, they hang out over the reef for a few hours. Grouper and snapper are the main catches, but there are other fish on the reef as well, who might just enjoy a nibble on your bait!
Charter Fishing Islamorada
There are two main kinds of charter fishing in Islamorada, Florida — those that go out into the Atlantic Ocean, and those that ply the waters of the back country of Florida Bay.
Backcountry fishing is generally less expensive than going out in the Atlantic. For one, the waters in Florida Bay are much shallower and usually very calm. Smaller boats are more the rule here, with smaller operating costs.
Islamorada Florida fishing in the Atlantic Ocean takes a bit more robust a boat. You’ll likely need to go anywhere from 4 to 20 miles out, depending on the fish you are stalking that day. It takes awhile to get to the fishing grounds, and the Atlantic can be a bit on the finicky side at times. The seas can be calm or they can kick up!
But either way you go, when it comes to Charter fishing in Islamorada, you really can’t go wrong. The first time I had ever gone charter fishing in my life was in Islamorada, and I caught a 40-pound bull mahi-mahi (dolphin) and a 200+ pound blue marlin on that trip!
Islamorada Florida Fishing
If you are in the Keys, you really should get to Islamorada and try wetting a line here. Islamorada Florida fishing is some of the most spectacular in the world!
By: Gail Nettles
Chincoteague Island Virginia Saltwater Fishing
February 19th, 2010
Spring can be windy but when a calm day presents itself, anglers can catch tautog or sea bass over local shipwrecks and artificial reefs.
By June, bluefish arrive and are often present in large schools along the 20 fathom line. This fishing is 25-30 nautical miles from the inlet.
Sharking begins in June, with anglers fishing for several species of sharks, the most sought after being the mako. Sandbar, tiger, thresher, blue, blacktip, bull, hammerhead and other sharks also begin to appear about this time. Local anglers attract sharks by chumming with ground fish, then using wire leaders baited with whatever bait can be attained.
By early summer tuna usually arrive. Bluefin tuna prefer cooler water and usually move into the 20 fathom depths. In the early spart ofthe summer, bluefin are caught by trolling. By July, many anglers switch tactics and fish for tuna with cut butterfish. About the same time, yellowfin and dolphinfish begin to appear and many anglers troll for them from 20 fathoms out to Washington, Poorman’s and Norfolk Canyons. Some of these trips can exceed 70 nautical miles although good fishing is often just 25-30 nautical miles from home.
By late summer fishing heats up as tuna school up. Marlin, wahoo and Mahi Mahi are caught as well. Hurricane season has effects on fishing, sometimes keeping anglers from fishing, and other times bringing fish closer to the island resort. Patient anglers wait for a few nice days and enjoy good offshore fishing into the fall.
By October, most ocean fishermen fish for sea bass, flounder and tautog. As the waters cool further, red drum and striped bass or “rockfish” migrate down the coast. By this time offshore fishing has ended and most anglers either end fishing, begin hunting, or fish for striped bass which goes on throughout the winter months.
One of the advantages of Chincoteague’s location is the easy access to surf fishing in nearby Assateague Island. Surf fishing is relatively inexpensive, peaceful, requires little in specialized tackle and no boat is needed. Anglers can reach the surf on foot from Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, or drive on designated areas with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. A permit is required for oversand vehicles.
Basic surf rods and spinning or bait casting reels are typical for surf fishing. Common setups use 17 – 20 lb test monofilament line.
Most anglers use just a few basic rigs for bait fishing. A hi-lo rig catches smaller fish, while the finder rig is used for larger catches. The hi-lo rig is a leader with a weight snap at the bottom and two dropper loops about 16″ apart. The fish finder consists of a 7/0 – 8/0 circle hook (or larger) tied to 20″-30″ of leader which in turn is tied to a 3-way swivel, which has a weight and the main line attached. A variation uses the same size hook tied to the end of a 12-20+” leader with a weight slide above the swivel end of the leader. The second fish finder rig casts farther and easier and the fish can pick up the bait and go further before noticing the weight. Using circle hooks help prevent deeply hooked fish and don’t require setting the hook.
Local tackle shops will have a variety of baits for surf fishing. General baits for a variety of fish will include squid, bloodworms and clams. Fresh or frozen bunker, cut into chunks and heads are a good bait of choice for drum, bluefish and striped bass.
Fishing begins in March but most anglers concentrate on fishing from Mid April-thru late fall. Species vary from week to week. Local fish may include red and black drum, flounder, striped bass, trout, croaker, spot, kingfish, bluefish, small sharks and others.
Flounder Fishing Chincoteague Island is well known for it’s flounder fishing opportunities. Many vacationers try their hand at the sport, and some anglers come to the island specifically to fish for these fish. Anglers may target flounder only at certain times. or choose to fish the entire season. Fishing varies with the weather, tides, time of year, location and water quality.
Flounder fishing is done by drifting the bays and creeks around Chincoteague and Assateague in search of a good days catch and an early season tan. The first flounder arrive in late March or April, with the main spring run usually coming from the end of April and into May. Mixed in with flounder are bluefish, gray trout, kingfish, rockfish, black drum and red drum.
By November, flounder fishing ends and outdoor enthusiasts can try striped bass fishing and waterfowl hunting!
By: J.C. Banks
