| What makes Costa Rica fishing so special? How | | | | round. Costa Rica fishing during winter is generally |
| about the fact that no spot on earth has | | | | better farther south in the waters of Golfo Dulce. |
| produced more "super grand slams" than the | | | | If you've got tarpon fever, then you must check |
| Pacific coastal waters of Costa Rica. What is a | | | | out Costa Rica fishing on the Caribbean coast. |
| super grand slam? You can claim this feat by | | | | The rich rivers and lagoons opening into the |
| catching a blue, black, and striped marlin and a | | | | Caribbean are a favorite hideout of monster |
| sailfish all in the same day. If that sounds unreal, | | | | tarpon and will give lightweight tackle enthusiasts a |
| that's only because you haven't been fishing in | | | | real rush. With some spots producing tarpon |
| Costa Rica. | | | | weighing an average of 80lbs/35kg you're sure to |
| With two major coastlines, one on the Pacific and | | | | go home with some unforgettable moments. |
| another on the Caribbean, along with a robust | | | | Maybe you'll even land a trophy as some of these |
| network of rivers and lakes, Costa Rica seems to | | | | tarpon on the northeast coast get up to 155lbs |
| be primed for angling action. Ideally located just | | | | 70kg. Snook fishing is also incredibly hot here if |
| about nine degrees north of the equator, this little | | | | you're looking for some variety. The season runs |
| country is in the perfect location for the hardy | | | | from August to January with fall being the best |
| tropical game fish that fisherman love. | | | | time for trophy-sized fish. Try beating 14kg for |
| The Pacific coast is a bastion for enormous billfish, | | | | an IGFA record. Tarpon, however, can be caught |
| and arguably the best place in the world for | | | | year round. |
| sailfish. This is not to mention the numerous | | | | Something many people don't know is that Costa |
| dorado (mahi mahi) and tuna, or the more elusive | | | | Rica fishing is not just limited to saltwater. In fact, |
| but rewarding wahoo and roosterfish. The main | | | | the freshwater lakes and over a dozen rivers |
| centers for fishing on the Pacific are Tamarindo | | | | here produce a variety species that are fun to |
| and Playa Flamingo in the north, Los Suenos | | | | catch. You can find rainbow trout, drum, machaca |
| resort (in Herradura) and Quepos in the central | | | | (similar to shad), guapote (rainbow bass), mojarra |
| region and Golfito in the South. Chartered fishing | | | | (a toothed type of bluegill), and bobo (a mullet |
| vessels run between $250-400 for a half day and | | | | that feeds on moss). Rio Savegre is a favorite |
| $350-650 for a full day. This is for four people | | | | spot for catching many of these species. The |
| with lunch and drinks included. Cheaper prices can | | | | Cano Negro lagoon and the Rio San Juan along the |
| be had for coastal fishing vs. going for big billfish, | | | | border of Nicaragua both offer excellent tarpon |
| and the dorado, wahoo, jacks, roosterfish and | | | | and snook fishing. For lake fishermen, check out |
| tuna caught on these excursions closer to shore | | | | Lake Arenal where you can fight with the spunky |
| offer plenty of excitement. | | | | guapote or rainbow bass which grows up to 8lbs |
| June and July are the best months for marlin in | | | | 3.5kg and larger, all while under the looming cone |
| the north with June to October being best for | | | | of the still active Arenal Volcano. As a final note, |
| dorado and tuna. Strong winds from December to | | | | all freshwater fishing is closed from September to |
| March cause many fishing charters to move from | | | | December and a license is required, as with |
| the north to Quepos and Los Suenos on the | | | | saltwater fishing. |
| central coast where there is great fishing year | | | | |