Fishing Frenzy

Are you stuck in a windowless office all day, fantasizing about clear water, fresh air, and sun? Do you enjoy angling or have you always wanted to try it? Consider taking a Costa Rica vacation this year because 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 the warm Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Sure, you can fish on a little frozen lake or stream by your house. Those little crappies and sunnies were fun when you were growing up. Bundling up like Santa Claus and sitting all day over cold ice. Have you ever considered what it would be like to catch a huge marlin, tuna, or sail? Come on down to Costa Rica, you deserve some Costa Rica fishing.

On the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, two of the most popular fishing centers are Flamingo and Tamarindo, both of which are along its famed Gold Coast. Sailfish are available here year round but the peak season is May through August. Like tuna? Try your luck between August to October. You can often find large schools of tuna from 40 to 400 pounds. If roosterfish are your interest, visit Papagayo Bay around November to March, staying near the shorelines. Depending on the time of year, you also have a chance to hook wahoo, marlin, or the shimmering dorado. And, for a unique experience, consider renting an ocean kayak.

Many visitors fishing in Costa Rica are looking for billfish and these beauties are most plentiful along the Central Pacific coast. Go to world famous Los Suenos Marina or Quepos and charter into the offshore waters for sailfish and marlin. The best fishing is during high tourist season, December through April. The vibrant dorado fish is often found here May to October while trolling. Closer to shore, you can land snook, snapper, roosters, and wahoo. Tuna are offshore.

For many, Costa Rica fishing paradise is found along the southern Pacific Coast near the incomparable Osa Peninsula down to Panama. In the months when the water is warm, sails and marlin are abundant. Inshore, you will likely run into roosters, large snapper, wahoo, and amberjack. The Golfo Dulce is said by charter operators to offer the finest inland fishing in Costa Rica. This is because it contains many small coves and is very rocky, giving fish a great place to hide. Hook a barracuda, grouper, or delicious sea bass here as well as other inland species. Sometimes, you will have thousands of porpoises around your boat as they follow the bait fish.

Five centuries ago, a captain named Columbus landed in the Caribbean waters off Costa Rica and gave the country its name. Fish of every type filled the waters, millions of sea turtles came ashore to nest, and wildlife was incredibly common. When you visit the prominent fishing centers of Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero, you will be just as enthralled as Columbus. These waters can often be extremely choppy and for the best results should be generally avoided during rainy season. However, on flat days, these waters can offer some of the best fishing anywhere. You will find the large and spectacular tarpon fish fighting fish from May to November. These waters are also one of the very few places a lucky fisherman might catch the rare Atlantic sail. Snook (some really big) are abundant here. You could also catch Jack Crevalle, tripletail, giant grouper, or guapote.

Costa Rica fishing attracts serious fishermen who want a world-class experience and a great tropical vacation. With two seas from which to choose there are a staggering amount of fish species. For a terrific adventure, Costa Rica sportfishing vacation packages can be found online and through travel agencies. Wherever you are you will find many outfitters if you decide to go on the spur-of-the-moment. So, get out of your cubicle, leave your worries behind, and head to the tropical sun. See you here!