Costa Rica boasts a wide variety of popular saltwater game fish that attract anglers from around the world. The opportunity for an adventure that is radically different from your grandfather’s fly fishing expeditions abounds, no matter where a traveler finds himself in the country. Costa Rica has four distinct fishing regions, the North Pacific, Central Pacific, South Pacific, and North Caribbean zones that each present a unique experience. Each of the fishing regions is easily accessible to visitors and hiring a boat is easy at one of the many charter shops around Costa Rica.
Contrasted with commercial or recreational fishing, sportfishing is for the fun and competition of angling in a trophy fish. Sportfishing is done with a rod, reel, and different types of lures, rather than nets or other methods. The International Game Fish Association (IGFA) has specific angling rules that anglers must comply with to have a proper & successful catch that can be recorded. Traditional sportfishing uses a baited hook called the “J hook”, which results in very high catch rates. However, Costa Rican sport fishing centers on catch and release fishing. The traditional J hook typically results in traumatized fish that are unlikely to survive if released. To combat this, the “circle hook” was developed that maximizes the chance of cleanly catching fish with minimal trauma.
Dorado also known as the dolphin fish, a colorful and rich fighter fish is most abundant from late May through early October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers, carrying out debris that forms trash lines close inshore that they like to lie under. The average Dorado fish weighs 15 to 25 pounds but seldom exceed 80 pounds.
Caught every month of the year, the Blue Marlin is the most abundant species. Fewer Marlins are caught from early April into early June, and then peaking in August and September. They can be up to 14 foot long and weigh over 1800 pounds.
Rooster Fish can reach over 4 feet in length and over one hundred pounds. The weight of the average Rooster Fish hooked is about 20 pounds. It is not considered to be a good eating fish. (Figure below)
Ranked as one of the top 15 great Sailfish spots by Sport Fishing Magazine, the Flamingo-Tamarindo beach area in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica is very popular with tourists. Due to the steep drop of the continental shelf off the coast, the run times to arrive at deep fishing areas are between 10 to 30 minutes depending upon the weather. This is relatively short compared to other fishing destinations. This is especially beneficial for half-day charters, since less time is spent traveling and more time fishing.
Pricing options available on the beach are as follows:
22' Boston Whaler 36'Topaz
Up to 4 persons Up to 7 persons
Up to 4 persons Up to 7 persons
Half Day $400 Half Day $800
If you plan to visit Costa Rica, there are many fishing charters to choose from. The website below offers many options if you do choose to fish Costa Rica, and reservations can be made online.
Other sources:
http://www.sportfishingmag.com/travel/destinations/15-great-sailfish-spots-1000087143-page-9.html
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