Chumming is understood as a valuable deep-sea technique. Each year countless anglers board their charter ships--like the Dream Raiser--and toss carefully ground bait into the Pacific, hoping to tempt Costa Rica’s many fish to the surface.

And it works -- occasionally too well.

Chumming is the process of using fresh bait to lure fish near lines or netting. Sizable pieces are thrown into the water, releasing a scent trail that is almost impossible for Costa Rican breeds (like Marlins, Jack Crevalles and Mahi-Mahi) to deny.

There is a flaw in this idea. 

When large pieces of chum are tossed from the sides of charter boats, like the Dream Raiser, they don’t serve as bait. Instead they become entire meals, with fish choosing to feed directly from them rather than snagging lines. Hooks are ignored and the chances for catching a deep-sea breed diminish greatly.

It’s imperative, therefore, that all anglers remember to limit the amount of chum they use. The pieces should be small and scattered throughout the day (rather than dropped into the water at once). A variety of baits should be used as well to target multiple breeds and increase overall numbers. 

Chumming is a vital part of angling. It simply must be monitored.

Book an exclusive tour on the Dream Raiser to go deep-sea chumming today.