Fishing Costa Rica - join us on a sport fishing adventure of a lifetime.
Costa Rica inspires thoughts of deep sea angling and fierce fish -- lines straining beneath the weight of Marlins and Groupers, reels spinning wildly in a fight, rods threatening to break but somehow managing to survive. The Pacific offers excitement for all travelers.
There are thrills to find close to shore, however: Cubera Snappers are both plentiful and challenging.
The Cubera Snapper is an in-shore breed, clinging to the inlets of Los Suenos. Too often is this fish overlooked, with its tendency to hide among sea-grass and sandy shelters branding it an unassuming option. Anglers believe it will be a secondhand success.
This is a mistake and chartering a ship, like the Barrilete, will help to prove why.
The Cubera Snapper is just as exciting as its undersea siblings (like the Marlin or Sailfish). It boasts:
Size
The Cubera Snapper is a solidly built breed, averaging three feet in length and weighing up to one hundred pounds. Its body is a stout collection of muscle and heavy scales. Reeling this fish in is never easy.
StrengthÂ
The Cubera Snapper is tailored for strength. Its body is dense, with a powerful tail and thick bones. This allows it to fight against the line, forcing anglers to choose stiff bottom rods, carbon leaders and more to compensate. The battle will be long and well-earned.
Stealth
The Cubera Snapper, despite its considerable size, is not a bold breed. Instead it moves carefully through the shallow waters, ready to flee should predators arrive. It is stealthy, which makes it difficult to catch. Anglers will have to strategize every cast to increase their chances.
The Cubera Snapper is a solidly built breed, averaging three feet in length and weighing up to one hundred pounds. Its body is a stout collection of muscle and heavy scales. Reeling this fish in is never easy.
StrengthÂ
The Cubera Snapper is tailored for strength. Its body is dense, with a powerful tail and thick bones. This allows it to fight against the line, forcing anglers to choose stiff bottom rods, carbon leaders and more to compensate. The battle will be long and well-earned.
Stealth
The Cubera Snapper, despite its considerable size, is not a bold breed. Instead it moves carefully through the shallow waters, ready to flee should predators arrive. It is stealthy, which makes it difficult to catch. Anglers will have to strategize every cast to increase their chances.
The deep Pacific waters offer undeniable rewards. Choosing to charter a ship (like the Barrilete) and stay near the shore, however, will please even the most demanding angler. Find adventure chasing the Cubera Snapper.
Charter an exclusive Cubera Snapper tour on the Barrilete today.
The Barrilete is a 28’ Costa boat.
Speciality: The Barrilete specializes in Snook and Cuberea Snapper fishing.Â
Description: The Barrilete is a Costa boat that measures 28’. It’s run by an experienced captain and mate (both are bilingual) and features a twin Suzuki engine. It can achieve a cruising speed of 30 knots.
Â
Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the Barrilete.
Book an exclusive tour today!
The Roosterfish is one of the most distinctive Costa Rican breeds. This long-bodied creature is striped in gray and green, with faint lines running across its belly. The tail is forked and the fins are short. The most defining characteristic, however, is the row of seven spines fanning out along the dorsal curve, which resemble a rooster’s comb.Â
It’s this feature that gives this breed its name, and all anglers are familiar with the Roosterfish’s unique appearance.Â
All anglers are not, however, aware of how to catch this fish.
The Roosterfish is among the most common Costa Rican creatures. Before chartering a ship (like the Goliath Bass) to chase it, however, anglers should be aware of a few basic facts.
Location
The Roosterfish prefers the shallow waters close to shore. It will hunt among continental shelves, reefs and sandy bottoms. Deep-sea expeditions are not needed.
Low Volume
The Roosterfish has sterling hearing, with its swim bladder (which is directly connected to its ears) acting as a natural amplifier beneath the water. Anglers should, therefore, remain quiet on all Goliath Bass charter tours, keeping conversation, laughter and more to a minimum to avoid detection.
Live Bait
The Roosterfish is a voracious eater. It also, however, enjoys to chase its prey. Choosing live bait, therefore, will strengthen the chances of tempting it out. The movements and scent trails will appeal.Â
The Roosterfish prefers the shallow waters close to shore. It will hunt among continental shelves, reefs and sandy bottoms. Deep-sea expeditions are not needed.
Low Volume
The Roosterfish has sterling hearing, with its swim bladder (which is directly connected to its ears) acting as a natural amplifier beneath the water. Anglers should, therefore, remain quiet on all Goliath Bass charter tours, keeping conversation, laughter and more to a minimum to avoid detection.
Live Bait
The Roosterfish is a voracious eater. It also, however, enjoys to chase its prey. Choosing live bait, therefore, will strengthen the chances of tempting it out. The movements and scent trails will appeal.Â
The Roosterfish is an unusual breed. Tracking it, however, can be a straightforward process... as long as the proper locations are chosen, volume is restrained and live bait is used.
Â
Charter an exclusive Roosterfish expedition on the Goliath Bass today.
The Goliath Bass is a 30’ Mako ship.
Speciality: Roosterfish Specialist Description: The Goliath Bass is a 30’ Mako charter ship. It features a 150 HP Suzuki engine, which allows it to achieve a cruising speed of 30 knots. On-board equipment includes a fish finder, navigational system and more.
Anglers: Up to five anglers can board the Goliath Bass.
Book an exclusive tour 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.
Â
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
Â
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!
The Dorado is a favorite among anglers. Its ray-finned frame marks it as distinctive; its quick speeds brand it a challenge; and hunting this breed along the coast of Los Suenos is a pastime shared by many. Charter boats, like the R & J Proline, are forever sailing out to deep waters.
Bringing the right bait, however, is what makes those sailing trips successful.
Catching a Dorado requires more than a sturdy line and a patient hand. Instead anglers must choose the best available bait. There are live and artificial options to consider.
Live Bait
The Dorado is a carnivorous breed, prone to eat anything it can find. When trying to bait it, however, brilliantly-scaled fish (like the Ballyhoo, the Mullet or the Flying Fish) are recommended. These are more likely to catch the Dorado’s attention and lure it in.
Artificial Bait
Fresh bait is not always possible to find. The Dorado, however, is not difficult to please. Artificial bait will suffice, as long as it’s colorful. Bucktail jigs, Dolphin trollers and more will attract this fish. Utilize feathers, beads and bright knotting.
The Dorado is a carnivorous breed, prone to eat anything it can find. When trying to bait it, however, brilliantly-scaled fish (like the Ballyhoo, the Mullet or the Flying Fish) are recommended. These are more likely to catch the Dorado’s attention and lure it in.
Artificial Bait
Fresh bait is not always possible to find. The Dorado, however, is not difficult to please. Artificial bait will suffice, as long as it’s colorful. Bucktail jigs, Dolphin trollers and more will attract this fish. Utilize feathers, beads and bright knotting.
A successful Dorado trip requires two things: the right bait and the right charter service (like the R & J Proline). Discover both in Costa Rica.
Book an exclusive Dorado charter with the R & J Proline today.
The R & J Proline is a 34’ Proline ship.
Speciality: Dorado Specialist.Description: The R & J Proline is a 34’ Proline ship. It features Twin 320 Cat engines, allowing it to achieve a 30 knots cruising speed. On-board navigational equipment (such as GPS, Fish Finders and more) proves helpful during full or half day excursions.
Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the R & J Proline.
Book an exclusive tour today!
