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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!
There are many anglers who swear by the notion of live bait. It is, they argue, the only true way to experience Marlin fishing in Costa Rica. All other methods are quickly dismissed.
Live bait has obvious advantages. It is not, however, the only choice to make. Marlins can instead be captured through lures, and charter services (like the Dream II) now promote both options to anglers.
A lure is a brightly colored plastic piece, mounted with hooks and trimmed with feathers, mirrors and beading. It is used to attract Marlins, with anglers tossing these into deep currents.
While some may believe lures to be ineffective, they instead boast several benefits:
Greater Coverage
Lures move easily within the water, rather than remaining in place like traditional bait. This increases coverage and attracts more fish.
Greater Control
Lures can be fully adjusted (and re-adjusted) as needed, responding to different depths, line lengths and casting angles.
Greater Safety
Lures--and their hooks--are less likely to be swallowed fully by fish. This reduces concerns of gutting and makes the Catch and Release policy of Costa Rica easier to adhere to.
Lures move easily within the water, rather than remaining in place like traditional bait. This increases coverage and attracts more fish.
Greater Control
Lures can be fully adjusted (and re-adjusted) as needed, responding to different depths, line lengths and casting angles.
Greater Safety
Lures--and their hooks--are less likely to be swallowed fully by fish. This reduces concerns of gutting and makes the Catch and Release policy of Costa Rica easier to adhere to.
Marlin fishing is not defined by live bait. Lures instead can be worthwhile alternatives. Discover the values of coverage, control and safety on a Dream II charter trip today.
Book an exclusive Marlin excursion on the Dream II.
The Dream II is a 32’ Luhrs Express ship.
Speciality: The Dream II specializes in Sailfish and Marlins.
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Description: The Dream II is a Luhrs Express ship. It spans 32’, with a Carolina flair shape and shaded command bridge. It is led by a captain and two mates
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Anglers: Up to seven anglers can board the Dream II. The first four are included in the price, but there is a $50 surcharge for additional guests.
Book an exclusive tour today!
The Jack Crevalle is a long-bodied fish, with a forked tail and slim dorsal fins. Gray-stained scutes line its spine, while strong teeth peek out from beneath its pointed mouth. It is a Pacific predator, hunting along continental shelfs. It is quick, agile and clever enough to hide itself among seagrass beds and reefs.
This makes it a challenging option for anglers, many who use a charter service (like the Sunny One) to track the fish down.Â
Successfully reeling a Jack Crevalle is not a simple task. This is a fast fish with a high survival instinct. Â
With support from a charter service (like the Sunny One) and the right bait, however, anglers can catch this wily breed.Â
Live Bait
The Jack Crevalle is a carnivore. It only, however, attacks creatures that are smaller than itself. This is why options like Shrimp, Whitebait and Squids are ideal. They are tiny enough to tempt the Crevalle from its many hiding places and won’t be seen as threats.
Lures
The Jack Crevalle is among the more indiscriminate breeds. It has few requirements for feeding, bullying its way through small schools. Lures, therefore, should be considered if live bait is not available. Brightly colored Plugs, Bucktail jigs, skirted Grubs and more are ideal. These move well in the water, resembling the Jack’s favorite foods, and attract attention.
The Jack Crevalle is a carnivore. It only, however, attacks creatures that are smaller than itself. This is why options like Shrimp, Whitebait and Squids are ideal. They are tiny enough to tempt the Crevalle from its many hiding places and won’t be seen as threats.
Lures
The Jack Crevalle is among the more indiscriminate breeds. It has few requirements for feeding, bullying its way through small schools. Lures, therefore, should be considered if live bait is not available. Brightly colored Plugs, Bucktail jigs, skirted Grubs and more are ideal. These move well in the water, resembling the Jack’s favorite foods, and attract attention.
Baiting the Jack Crevalle is easy: as long as the options are appropriately sized and responsive. Anglers should not rely on anchored lines or even chumming (these fish will often feast on the pieces and ignore the hooks). Small live bait and well-buoyed lures are instead needed.
Take these on every charter service trip (like those offered by the Sunny One) and catch a Crevalle.
Book an exclusive Jack Crevalle tour today with the Sunny One.
The Sunny One is a 32’ custom Maverick ship.
Speciality: Jack Crevalle Specialist.Description: The Sunny One is a 32’ custom Maverick ship. It features a 460 HP Caterpillar engine and United States Coast Guard approved equipment (including Furuno navigators, sounders and chart systems).
Anglers: Up to five anglers can board the Sunny One.
Book an exclusive tour 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!
