The Yellow Fin Tuna is a favorite along the Costa Rica shore. Its fusiform frame--with tapering fins emphasizing the muscular curve of its body--is often chased by anglers. Its size and speed brand it a challenge.
Occasionally, however, that challenge can be too great. Many anglers can’t find this fish. They spend hours circling the shores of Los Suenos and other Costa Rican marinas, lines ignored and reels unused.Â
This is a common scenario... but it’s also one that can be avoided if certain suggestions are followed.
Before hunting Yellow Fin Tuna anglers should:
Consult A Charter Service
The Yellow Fin Tuna is a difficult fish to catch, even for the professional angler. Choosing a charter service (like the Macushla) is important, therefore. These services specialize in this particular breed, boasting a wealth of knowledge and techniques. They drastically increase the chances for success.Â
Set Sail For Deep Waters
The Yellow Fin Tuna doesn’t cling to the shore. Instead it strays far from Los Suenos. A deep sea adventure is, therefore, needed. Light tackle or shelf fishing simply won’t work.
Look For Surface Disturbances
The Yellow Fin Tuna, despite its love of deep-water, feasts along the surface. It will track its favorite prey (Balao, Mackerel, Pilchards and more) to shallow currents. Look for disturbances: excessive splashing, an increase of sea-bird hovering and even blood. This fish is a messy eater. There is usually evidence of its meals.
Tracking the Yellow Fin Tuna isn’t always a simple goal. Following these tips, however, helps to ensure it’s an accomplishable one.
Description: The Macushla is a 40’ Custom Sport Fisher. It features Twin 370 HP Cummins engines and a cruising speed of 24 knots. It is equipped with the most up-to-date Fish Finder systems.
Anglers: Up to six anglers can board the Macushla.
The Sailfish is a prize many anglers seek to win. Its body--defined by a striking dorsal fin, with blue scales that reflect even the faintest ocean light--is impressive. Its speed is unmatched. This is a consummate predator, tracking its prey through deep currents, delivering staggering blows with its bill.
Managing to capture a Sailfish is considered quite the feat.
Knowing when to give up the fight, however, is considered a necessity.
The Sailfish is a massive creature. It boasts an average length of ten feet and can weigh up to two hundred pounds. Its body is compact but muscular, and anglers often have difficulty reeling it in (especially when they don't utilize experienced charter services, like the Oceanik). Getting this breed from the water to the deck is a challenge.
It can also be dangerous.
The Sailfish will struggle against the line. It will use its weight and incredible jumping skills to set itself free. This can force an angler to work for hours to complete the catch, causing extreme exhaustion or potential heat stroke. Some may even find themselves pulled off of the boat, with tangled lines and bent rods providing weak anchoring points. This usually occurs when a charter ship, like the Oceanik, isn't used and the equipment was professionally mounted.
It’s important, therefore, to recognize when to release a Sailfish. Anglers shouldn’t force themselves to continue. They must instead know their own limits, understanding when their bodies are tiring and when the heat is too much. They should also rely on the knowledge of charter crews, like the one found on the Oceanik, to better gauge situations.
This is the difference between an exciting vacation and a fishing disaster.
Description: The Oceanik is a 40’ Bertram ship. It features Twin 450 HP Cat engines. This allows it to achieve a 22 knots cruising speed. Advanced GPS and Fish Finder equipment is also present.
Anglers: Up to seven anglers can board the Oceanik.
Sport fishing is a collection of thrills--deep sea adventures and hard-earned rewards, battling Marlins, Gars and Dorados. Venturing beyond Costa Rica’s shoreline allows anglers to experience the challenge of the chase.
It should also, however, allow them to experience comfort.
Tracking Costa Rica’s many fish is a worthwhile way to spend a vacation. Refusing to take advantage of basic comforts--like those provide by the Spanish Fly and other charter services--can dampen any day, though. There are certain necessities anglers should look for when preparing for a deep-sea event:
Air Conditioning
Costa Rica boasts high temperatures throughout the year. A charter ship should off air conditioned cabins or salons, therefore, to compensate. This allows anglers to worry about fishing rather than the heat.
Sleeping Quarters
All-day adventures can be tiring (as well as nausea-inducing for the novice fishermen). A charter service with sleeping quarters proves essential then, allowing travelers to take short breaks from their excursions.Â
Shaded Salon
Standing beneath the Costa Rican sun for hours is a mistake. A shaded salon can rectify that mistake. Anglers should choose charter ships that feature covered areas. This will ensure easier fishing throughout the day, eliminating worries of sun burns, heat stroke and more.
Comfort is not a luxury. It’s instead a right. Find charter services, like the Spanish Fly, that provide it.
The Spanish Fly is a 42’ Custom Maverick Sport Fisher.
Speciality: Spanish Mackerel Specialist.
Description: The Spanish Fly is a 42’ Custom Maverick Sport Fisher. It features Twin Cat engines, which allow it to achieve a 28 knots cruise speed. It also offers a collection of rods, reels and assorted tackle.
Anglers: Up to six anglers can board the Spanish Fly.
It’s the catch of a lifetime. A Marlin struggles in the water, powerful fins thrashing against the sea, bill cutting through the waves. Above an angler watches, tugging hard against the line, certain that this is a record-breaking find. No fish could rival the one he’s trapped. None could compare.
As the hours drag on and on, however, he thinks that none could fight this hard... and succeed.
The angler’s body finally concedes the match, exhaustion winning over pride. He’s forced to release the line, letting the Marlin dart away. The day has been wasted.
If he’d had a fighting chair (like the one found on the Super Fly) the story would’ve ended differently.
A fighting chair, simply explained, is a way for individuals to support themselves while reeling in a large fish--like the Marlin, the Sailfish and similar breeds. These chairs are fixed to the boat. Their angled backs and padded seats provide a comfortable place to sit as the hours roll on. Their rugged frames also allow fishermen to brace themselves against the deck or rail, gaining greater leverage.Â
And this is imperative.Â
Certain breeds cannot be easily caught. They will instead fight against the hook, throwing themselves in every direction to break free. Anglers, therefore, must prepare for a lengthy battle.Â
Without a chair that battle will be fought standing up... and this has caused the loss of countless fish.
Choose fighting chairs for deep-sea excursions. Charter services, like the Super Fly, offer them.
The Super Fly is a 42’ custom Maverick Sport Fisher.
Speciality: Sport Fishing Speciality.
Description: The Super Fly is a 42’ custom Maverick Sport Fisher. It features a 455 HP C7 Cats engine that achieves a 28 knots cruise speed. It also boasts a Northern Lights generator set for extra efficiency.
Anglers: Up to six anglers can board the Super Fly.
Fishing is a much-loved pastime. Fishing in Costa Rica, however, is an experience... and it’s one shared by many anglers.
Every year thousands travel to the Los Suenos Marina, seeking the wealth of Marlins, Snooks and Mackerels. Each of these individuals--from the novice to the champion--agrees that the Pacific waters are rich with fish.
What they can’t agree on, however, is which bait most attracts these fish: live or artificial. Every excursion (even those conducted by seasoned charter services, like The Bite) brings a mixture of different opinions, traditions and ideas. Anglers have definite thoughts about bait and they are willing to thoroughly debate their sides.
The truth, though, is that neither form--alive or not--is better than the other. Instead they both have specific advantages.Â
Live Bait: live bait offers familiarity in the water, appealing to natural prey-drives. It utilizes movement and scents to attract specific breeds. Traces of blood will also increase the interest of passing fish. This form of bait is best used in deep sea excursions (like the ones offered by The Bite).
Artificial Bait: artificial bait provides versatility, with anglers able to easily adjust the weight, depth and movement of each lure. The use of bold colors and accessories (like feathers or dangling beads) also helps to catch the attention of fish. This method is often utilized in murky water or during surface hunting.
Every anglers swears by his or her methods. There is value, however, to find in both bait forms. Choose which one best suits a sport fishing trip.
Description: The Bite is a 42’ Maverick. It features a 450 HP Caterpillar C7 Engine, which allows it to achieve a 30 knot max speed. It’s also supported by a Northern Lights generator and a Bionics tank.