Fishing Costa Rica - join us on a sport fishing adventure of a lifetime.
The Snook is a slender-bodied fish, with high fins and a distinctively sloping forehead. Its mouth protrudes in a narrow line, while its tail is gently forked. Its soft scales are pale in color, with golden undertones and flecks of gray. This breed is noted for its quick speeds and high prey drives. It will flock to any source of food it can find.
This makes it a challenge for anglers to catch. The Snook is forever moving and forever unpredictable. Understanding basic fishing techniques, however, will allow travelers to confidently board their charter ships (like the ALIN).
Before attempting a Snook charter on the ALIN anglers should remember these rules:
Time
The Snook hunts most often in the early morning or in the late evening. Do not attempt to catch this fish during the afternoon. The temperatures are too hot and the presence of so many boats will drive this breed away.
Location
The Snook has a wide range and is always flitting from one current to the next. Sail into deep water to find it. Be willing to change course repeatedly, adapting to the different schools.
Bait
The Snook will eat everything and anything. Certain breeds, however, will tempt it to a line or net. Choose Pigfish, Sardines and Ladyfish. They move well and leave strong scent trails.
The Snook hunts most often in the early morning or in the late evening. Do not attempt to catch this fish during the afternoon. The temperatures are too hot and the presence of so many boats will drive this breed away.
Location
The Snook has a wide range and is always flitting from one current to the next. Sail into deep water to find it. Be willing to change course repeatedly, adapting to the different schools.
Bait
The Snook will eat everything and anything. Certain breeds, however, will tempt it to a line or net. Choose Pigfish, Sardines and Ladyfish. They move well and leave strong scent trails.
A Snook charter can be successful... as long as anglers choose the proper time, location and bait.
Book a Snook tour on the ALIN today.
The ALIN is a 28’ Custom Mako boat.
Speciality: Snook speciality.Â
Description: The ALIN is a custom Mako that measures 28’. It features a 200 HP Suzuki SGL engine, which can achieve up to 26 knots for cruising. It’s guided by a captain and first mate (both bilingual), as well as a VHF radio, GPS and a fish finder.
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Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the ALIN.
Book an exclusive tour today!
Costa Rica is the most diverse bio-scape in the world.
This is not an exaggeration, offered as a way to tempt tourists. It is instead a fact. This country, which comprises only one-third of a percent of the Earth’s total mass, boasts over four percent of its species. Within the 19,739 square miles is a dynamic collection of flora and fauna, representing both the Caribbean and Pacific coasts.
And it is this reason that leads many anglers to explore both in-shore and off-shore fishing.
Costa Rica offers an endless variety of fish. Many anglers, therefore, expand their usual techniques, chartering ships (like the Fandango) for shallow and deep waters. This allows them to experience what the country has to offer.Â
In-Shore Breeds
Along the continental shelves and sandy bays travelers will find many fish. The most common of these are Snooks, Snappers, Jack Crevalles and Spanish Mackerels. These creatures prove challenging due to their speeds and tendencies to hide among sea-grass, debris and more.
Off-Shore Breeds
Within the deep waters of Costa Rica there are countless fish. The most common of these are Blue Marlins, Sailfish, Dorados and Black Marlins. These creatures are noted for their strength and tenacity, making them difficult to catch.
Along the continental shelves and sandy bays travelers will find many fish. The most common of these are Snooks, Snappers, Jack Crevalles and Spanish Mackerels. These creatures prove challenging due to their speeds and tendencies to hide among sea-grass, debris and more.
Off-Shore Breeds
Within the deep waters of Costa Rica there are countless fish. The most common of these are Blue Marlins, Sailfish, Dorados and Black Marlins. These creatures are noted for their strength and tenacity, making them difficult to catch.
The opportunities are without limit. Charter a ship, like the Fandango, to explore Costa Rica.
Charter an in-shore or off-shore excursion on the Fandango today.
The Fandango is a 31’ Palm Beach Sportfisher.
Speciality: In-shore and Off-Shore Speciality.Description: The Fandango is a 31’ Palm Beach Sportfisher. It features a 350 HP Cat engine, which allows it to achieve a 22 knots cruising speed. On-board equipment includes downriggers, sounders, a spotting tower and more.
Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the Fandango.
Book an exclusive charter today!
The Cubera Snapper is a powerful fish, with a heavy body and stout tail. Its mouth is wide, with sharp teeth protruding from the bottom lip. Short caudal fins flair along its sides and highlight the gray coloring. This is a reef-dwelling breed, prone to pouncing on its prey. It is slow-moving but strong.Â
It’s also one of the many creatures found in Costa Rica.Â
The Cubera Snapper lives in the shallow waters found along Los Suenos. Many anglers (after choosing a charter service, like the Wett Ryder) seek this fish out, hoping to find a challenge.
Choosing to hunt in the wrong season and with the wrong bait, however, turns that challenge into an impossibility. Anglers must understand basic Cubera facts before trying to chase them:
Season
The Cubera Snapper is most active from May until August.Â
Location
The Cubera Snapper is found in shallow, off-shore waters (such as reefs, continental shelfs and sandy drop-offs). It will hide itself among seagrass beds and debris.
Bait
The Cubera Snapper is a carnivore. It relies on Shrimp, Crabs and smaller fish to survive. Bait should be a blend of these elements to lure this creature out.
Predators
The Cubera Snapper attracts many predators. Anglers should look for heavy populations of eels, barracudas and sea-birds to gauge a location.
The Cubera Snapper is most active from May until August.Â
Location
The Cubera Snapper is found in shallow, off-shore waters (such as reefs, continental shelfs and sandy drop-offs). It will hide itself among seagrass beds and debris.
Bait
The Cubera Snapper is a carnivore. It relies on Shrimp, Crabs and smaller fish to survive. Bait should be a blend of these elements to lure this creature out.
Predators
The Cubera Snapper attracts many predators. Anglers should look for heavy populations of eels, barracudas and sea-birds to gauge a location.
Use these suggestions while on a charter trip (like the one provided by the Wett Ryder) and discover success.
Charter a Cubera Snapper excursion on the Wett Ryder today.
The Wett Ryder is a 32’ custom Mako ship.
Specialty: Sport Fishing Specialist, with a focus on Yellow Fin Tuna, Dorados and Cubera Snappers.Description: The Wett Ryder is a 32’ custom Mako ship. It features twin 150 HP outboard engines, as well as a variety of navigational equipment. This includes plot charters, fish finders and a Raymarine Radar.
Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the Wett Ryder.
Book an exclusive sport fishing tour today!
The Amberjack is a stout-bodied fish, with dark stripes running across its belly and a wide-forked tail. It has a soft frame, free of scutes or spiny scales, and its rich olive coloring is punctuated by rings of black around its eyes. It is a deep-sea hunter and a favorite among Costa Rican anglers. They often try to track it.
They don’t often catch, however, because they use the wrong bait.
Amberjacks are a fickle fish. Any charter crew (like the one found on the Go Fish) will swear to that. This breed’s tastes are ever-changing, targeting a wide variety of small or medium prey. An angler can’t expect to attract them, therefore, with only type of bait.
Variety is needed.
When chartering an Amberjack tour from the Go Fish, remember to choose multiple options:
Live Bait
Amberjacks are more discriminating than their deep-sea siblings. They choose their prey deliberately. A variety of live bait becomes essential, therefore, to anticipate their moods. Try Grayfish, Croakers, Squids and Spots. If one fails, hook another.Â
Lures
Amberjacks are an intelligent breed. Lures must reflect this, being of high-quality designs to attract them. Choose brightly colored pieces (rubber or vinyl materials are recommended) that feature mirrors or heavy beading. Beetles, Grubs and Minnows are strongly suggested. Toss these in at different depths to ensure greater coverage.
Amberjacks are more discriminating than their deep-sea siblings. They choose their prey deliberately. A variety of live bait becomes essential, therefore, to anticipate their moods. Try Grayfish, Croakers, Squids and Spots. If one fails, hook another.Â
Lures
Amberjacks are an intelligent breed. Lures must reflect this, being of high-quality designs to attract them. Choose brightly colored pieces (rubber or vinyl materials are recommended) that feature mirrors or heavy beading. Beetles, Grubs and Minnows are strongly suggested. Toss these in at different depths to ensure greater coverage.
An Amberjack is a popular Costa Rican fish. Catching it, however, requires more than the basic rods and reels. An extensive collection of bait is needed.
Charter an Amberjack tour on the Go Fish today.
The Go Fish is a 32’ Luhrs Express ship.
Speciality: Amberjack Specialist.Description: The Go Fish is a 32’ Luhrs Express ship. It features twin 315 HP Yanmar engines, allowing it to achieve a 22 knots cruising speed. On-board fish finders and navigational equipment target the Amberjack breed.
Anglers: Up to five anglers can board the Go Fish.
Book an exclusive charter today!
Costa Rica embraces all fishing forms -- from on-shore reeling to deep-sea chasing to everything in between. Its diverse shoreline accommodates every angler, and each season brings a new breed to find.Â
Many of those breeds stay far from the coastline, however. Instead they remain on the shelves and inlet bottoms, hidden from plain view.
A charter service (like the Dream Catcher) can help to draw them out.
Bottom fishing is a popular Costa Rican option. Many charter services, like the Dream Catcher, provide anglers with access to a variety of creatures.
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The most common of these are:
The Amberjack
The Amberjack is a large, dark-stripped fish. Its thin dorsal fins and forked tail propel it quickly through the water, allowing it to chase after its prey (which includes Squid, Crustaceans and more). It favors the Pacific bottom, choosing to hunt among passing debris. Â
The Triggerfish
The Triggerfish is a large-headed breed, with a compressed body but strong jaw. This, when combined with its brilliant coloring, gives it a distinctive appearance. It favors bottom waters, resting often on continental shelfs or reefs.
The Grouper
The Grouper is wide-mouthed fish, with a flat body and high-set eyes. Powerful gills frame its sides. It moves slowly through the bottom waters but often hides in sand shelters or rock formations, making it difficult to catch.
The Amberjack is a large, dark-stripped fish. Its thin dorsal fins and forked tail propel it quickly through the water, allowing it to chase after its prey (which includes Squid, Crustaceans and more). It favors the Pacific bottom, choosing to hunt among passing debris. Â
The Triggerfish
The Triggerfish is a large-headed breed, with a compressed body but strong jaw. This, when combined with its brilliant coloring, gives it a distinctive appearance. It favors bottom waters, resting often on continental shelfs or reefs.
The Grouper
The Grouper is wide-mouthed fish, with a flat body and high-set eyes. Powerful gills frame its sides. It moves slowly through the bottom waters but often hides in sand shelters or rock formations, making it difficult to catch.
These fish are among the many waiting beneath the Pacific surface. Charter a ship, like the Dream Catcher, to discover the thrills of bottom fishing.
Book an exclusive bottom fishing tour with the Dream Catcher today.
The Dream Catcher is a 32’ Albermarle Express ship.
Speciality: The Dream Catcher specializes in deep-sea and bottom fishing.Â
Description: The Dream Catcher is an Albermarle Express boat. It is 32’ in length and is run by a captain and first mate. Both individuals are bilingual.
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Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the Dream Catcher.
Book an exclusive tour with the Dream Catcher today!
