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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!
Hiding within Costa Rica’s deep waters is the Yellow Fin Tuna. This is a popular breed to chase -- with its long frame and high dorsal fins attracting the attention of every angler, golden gill rakers marking it as unique. Each season countless travelers venture into the Pacific to catch it.
They often do... but at a cost to their safety.
Without support from a charter service, like the Miss Behavin, anglers may find themselves overwhelmed.
Yellow Fin Tuna--weighing over four hundred pounds and extending over ninety-four inches--is a large breed. It boasts a muscular frame, with a strong tail and stronger jaw. This marks it as a deep-sea predator.
It also marks it as a fish that is difficult to catch -- especially when anglers make the attempt on their own.Â
Casual travelers may try to sail after the Yellow Fin Tuna, relying on basic tackle, assuming that simple lines will suffice. This is a mistake. These fish are prone to breaking lines, lures and reels. They are also powerful enough to pull inexperienced anglers from a boat, increasing the risk for injury.
It’s imperative, therefore, that individuals choose seasoned charter crews, like the one found on the Miss Behavin. These crews provide the necessary rigging, as well as stabilizing techniques, to ensure total safety. They can anticipate the Yellow Fin Tuna’s movements and then adapt to every need.
And this is necessary for a safe and successful trip.
Charter an exclusive Yellow Fin Tuna tour on the Miss Behavin today.
The Miss Behavin is a 32’ Irvin Forbes Express ship.
Speciality: Yellow Fin Tuna Specialist.Description: The Miss Behavin is a 32’ Irvin Forbes Express ship. It features a 420 HP Cat engine, capable of achieving a cruising speed of 30 knots. On-board are outriggers, downriggers and other assorted tackle.
Anglers: Up to four anglers can board the Miss Behavin.
Charter an exclusive tour with the Miss Behavin 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!
