Regardless if it is a 32-foot boat or a 60-foot yacht, we have outstanding captains and crews that can manage everything. Based on your particular party’s needs and wants, we will point you in the right direction and allow you to have a memory-filled time at sea!
If you would like to give the bottom feeders a try, let us know since many boats exclusively provide both the bottom and bill fishing. In general, it is a guaranteed way of filling up the icebox and the barbecue when it comes to dinner time! You can find both half and full-day fishing.
This adventure is everything you desire!
Sportfishing in Costa Rica
Costa Rica is definitely among the world’s most famous locations for sportfishing. More than 90 world class fish catches have been recorded in Costa Rica’s inland waterways and coastal waters. The country boasts extensive wetlands, multiple rivers, and 2 magnificent coastlines, all offering a wide range of opportunities for sportfishing enthusiasts. The country in general is very focused on environmental conversation. Visiting anglers are highly recommended to release billfish and any other non-edible fish after catching them.
Deep Sea Sportfishing: Sailfish, Marlin, and Many Others
The beautiful blue marlin is probably the most popular fish species among anglers who visit Costa Rica. These fish are definitely not easy to catch: they weigh anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds, with a typical length of 11 feet. Indeed, Costa Rica marlins are a rare breed. Anglers from all over the world were surprised when an albino marlin was caught in Costa Rica in 2014.
Sailfish are another popular species in Costa Rica. They are very similar to marlins in terms of appearance. However, they tend to be smaller in size. Most don’t grow longer than 10 feet. Sailfish and marlin also have similar behavioral patterns. They both like to swim fast as well as perform a wide variety of acrobatic routines.
Costa Rica’s sportfishing opportunities also include other fish species like wahoo, dorado, and yellowfin tuna.
Why Is Costa Rica Such a Popular Sportfishing Destination?
Apart from the nation’s access to both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica has many other geographical advantages.
Costa Rica’s coastline tends to bend closer to shore along the Pacific Ocean. This causes cold, plankton-rich water to rise up from the depths of the Pacific and mix with the warm shore-line waters. The seamounts on the coast also contribute immensely to the food chains in the region. Bait fish feed on the plankton, and in turn attract predatory fish which are an angler’s dream. This robust food chain is one of the main reasons Costa Rica has a huge supply of billfish. This is why the Los Suenos Triple Crown can report record numbers like 6,570 catches in 9 days.
Although Costa Rica boasts of a huge supply of billfish, and many other beautiful fish species, the biggest attraction for visiting anglers is the tarpon. The nation’s coastline is littered with natural rivers that drain into the seas. Plenty of nutrients from the sea act as food for the extensive mangrove swamps and wetlands in the region. This is the perfect location for viewing and catching big, award-winning tarpons.
Costa Rica’s unparalleled bio-diversity has been recognized by journalists and scientists for many decades. For instance, the country is regularly featured in National Geographic documentaries. If you are an avid angler, you have probably heard about Costa Rica’s rich marine ecosystem. Costa Rica is also a huge destination for tourists who want to have some fun in the great outdoors.
The country’s government is very keen on conservation. It has numerous policies regarding the protection of fish, animals, plants and the ecosystems that support them. For visitors, the main policy you should know is that the country’s law demands that you release all non-edible fish and all billfish you catch.
Costa Rica is a great example of how to go about conserving the environment. Just tour the nation’s water resources and marvel at one of the best managed and conserved deep-sea fisheries in the world. You should also try your best to conserve the marine ecosystem while visiting the country.
Deep Sea Fishing in Costa Rica
There are plenty of smaller ports in the western coast of the country. Most deep sea fishing locations can be found in the major marinas in this region. Los Suenos Marina is definitely one of the locations you should visit.
Another decent location that’s worthy of a visit is the Marina Pez Vela. This location boasts of plenty of wet slips. Marina Pez Vela is a huge destination for sailfish anglers. It also provides excellent on-shore fishing opportunities. The location also boasts plenty of rocky islands that are home to beautiful roosterfish and other amazing fish species.
You can also go charter fishing on the northern coast of the Pacific. There are some popular charter fishing locations in the south such as Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, and Drake Bay.
Although there is no shortage of magnificent fish species in Costa Rica, the Pacific coast is mainly known for its huge supply of marlin and sailfish.
Planning a Costa Rica Fishing Charter
Costa Rican fishing charters provide many of the basic equipment you’ll need for fishing. You can expect bait, lures, reels, rods, and other basic supplies. This means that you don’t have to pack all your gear while traveling to Costa Rica for a fishing trip, vacation, bachelor/bachelorette party, etc.
However, if you want to bring your own equipment, it’s highly advisable that you pack them in a secure carry-on bag when traveling to the country.
A few things that you may want to carry when traveling to Costa Rica are a pair of good sunglasses, sunscreen, non-slip deck shoes, and a hat.
Costa Rican Fishing Licenses
Fishing licenses in Costa Rica are categorized into 3 groups based on duration of fishing. You can either get a $15 license for 8 days, $30 license for 1 month or a $50 license for 1 year. Most anglers go with the 8 day or 1 month license.
You can purchase these licenses online or alternatively get them from dealers on the dock when you arrive in the country.