Costa Rica Fishing: Great Fishing, Two Oceans

Costa Rica fishing is world famous. There are many different kinds of fish to catch because Costa Rica is bordered by both Pacific and the Caribbean waters. Costa Rica holds dozens of fishing world records.  

Sometimes, there's really incredible fishing for Marlin, Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Snapper and more. And the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is famed for huge Tarpon and great Snook.  Imagine battling a 150 pound river tarpon on the Cano Negro river just off famed Tortuguero National Park.  Or, think about heading a few miles south to Manzanilla, almost where Columbus came ashore in 1503, and discovering Tarpon---sometimes in unbelievable numbers. 

Imagine being out on a boat angling in tropical, crystal waters, surrounded by sunshine and fresh air.  Porpoises coursing alongside.  Peace and quiet.  All of a sudden, your line squeals as the sailfish begins battling. If this sounds exciting to you, a Costa Rica fishing vacation could be something for you!

Many folks taking Costa Rica vacations fish for the cousin of that little trout in your local stream:  the great marlin, weighing in at hundreds of pounds and capable of battling for three-and-a-half hours!  (Yes, they are really cousins)These stupendous  creatures  (the biggest are females weighing more than 1,000 pounds), migrate thousands of miles a year and can swim 68 mph.  Expect the fight of your life but remember:  this is Catch and Release country.

Sailfish 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 through October many fishermen hook the vibrant dorado while trolling offshore. Snappers, wahoo, tuna, roosters, and snook are also common in these waters and are found closer in. You will not be disappointed fishing here!

Along the North Pacific coast the areas of Flamingo and Tamarindo offer the most popular fishing spots. Here, 100 pound sails can be caught every month but the Best Fishing is from May to August. Tuna are frequently here during August to October. It is not uncommon to come across tuna schools of 40 to 60 pounders and even schools with fish weighing up to four hundred pounds. The Bay of Papagayo from November to March is a great place to catch roosterfish. They tend to like shorelines and are usually caught in around 60 feet of water. Good sized marlin, colorful dorado, and wahoo can also be caught here at varying times of the year.

The South Pacific coast is home to the angling centers of the Golfo Dulce, Puerto Jiminez, and Drake Bay.  Marlin and sailfish can be caught when the waters are warm. You can expect to find lots of amberjack, roosters, wahoo, and large snapper inshore. The areas of Golfo Dulce are said by some to offer the best inshore fishing in Costa Rica. It is very rocky with many coves where certain types of fish like to hide. Grouper, sea bass, and barracuda are some of the species you can expect to catch here.

Costa Rica's Caribbean waters contain the fishing areas of Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado. Although these waters are often very choppy, you'll encounter some Great Fishing on days when the water is flat. The battling tarpon gamefish are plentiful here from May to November, and some reach about 150 pounds or more. This coast is one of the few places where you might  hook a rare Atlantic sailfish. Other fish like snook are also readily available.

If you are on the Caribbean Coast, don't limit yourself to Ocean Fishing.  Try Costa Rica river fishing for giant tarpon, huge snook, and lots more.  And, by all means, visit the Tortuguero sea turtle nesting on the world's largest green sea turtle reserve.  Costa Rica ecotourism is an important part of preserving these ancient beings.

Whether you are a professional or just an avid fisherman, Costa Rica fishing offers a terrific, 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 brilliant tropical sun and have a great fishing experience, you cannot go wrong with Costa Rica.