COSTA RICA: FISHING
According to William Bussing, an ichthyologist and professor of biology at the University of Costa Rica, there are 127 species of freshwater fish in 33 different families found in Costa Rica inland waters. While the majority are better known to the tropical fish collector than to the sportsman, many provide outstanding sport and fine eating. Lake Arenal, in the San Carlos Valley about a three hour drive from San Jose via good highway, is famous for its rainbow bass, a member of the cichlid family that is fished just as you would for large mouth bass. Located at the base of a highly active volcano surrounded by tropical jungle rich in wildlife, the beautiful 15-mile-long lake has two fishing lodges that offer overnight accommodations, guides and boat rentals. Gleaming in iridescent turquoise, splashed in delicate shadings of rose and purple with feathered ends to its caudal and dorsal fins and a distinctive hump on the head of the mature male, the rainbow bass or guepote frequently run five to eight pounds. with an 11 ½ pounder holding the world record.
More than a dozen rivers abound with rainbow trout that average about 11 inches and frequently hit the three to four pound mark, while lower elevation rivers and lakes provide action on such exotic species as the rainbow bass (guapote), mojarra, machaca, bobo, vieja and others. Rainbow bass and other exotic species are also found near the mouths of the rivers feeding the Caribbean coast providing diversion for anglers out of that area's tarpon and snook lodges. Fishing in the rivers will vary with the seasons, and most of the spots are difficult to find and hard to get to for those unfamiliar with the area, even though some of the most popular areas are within a 1 ½ to 3 hour drive from the capital city.
FISHING TACKLE Recommended tackle for visitors planning to sample the rainbow bass fishing is a light to medium action bass rod and good selection of bass plugs, including deep runners like the Rapala for trolling, shallow running rattlers, surface poppers and spinner baits. Spinning rods are fine for the trout, with a selection of small spinners and cheese hooks. If fly fishing, bring a short rod as the tropical growth along the rivers makes it difficult to cast a longer stick. A little heavier spinning outfit and large Mepps spinners are ideal for bobo, a member of the mullet family that runs up the rivers feeding to the east coast, most often found in fast water. You will fish them much as you would for steelhead, and if the spinners don't work, try a chunk of banana on a hook. Remember that a valid Costa Rican fishing license is required for freshwater. To obtain a license for 60 days, non-residents including tourists can deposit $30 at any national bank and obtain an "entero" showing that the amount has been paid. Take the entero, a passport photo and y our passport to the Departamento de Control Silvestre, where the license will be issued.CARIBBEAN FISHING
For legions of sportsmen, Megalops atlanticus offers the ultimate in sportfishing thrills, and no place in the world provides more or better tarpon action than the waters along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. But tarpon aren't the only prey available for anglers: the region is world famous for its snook fishing. Winter months, from about November through January, provide a special treat as great schools of a small variety of snook known locally as calba move into the area. They average around four pounds, and are taken on jigs and bass plugs worked along the river banks. Fishing the estuaries and freshwater rivers and backwater lagoons of the Caribbean region, light tackle enthusiasts also find plenty of drum, catfish, gar, and such exotic species as the rainbow bass (guapote), mojarra and machaca. But it is tarpon — "The Silver King" — that attracts most of the anglers from foreign shores, and the first class fishing lodges are ready, able and willing to show them the finest sport in the world.
You will fish from outboard powered launches, with a guide (most guides speak English) and two anglers in each boat. Tarpon are nearly always lip-gaffed, hoisted in the air for photos and released. When weather and surf conditions permit, anglers usually move outside the river mouths where schools of leaping tarpon are found in every direction, and if the tarpons aren't hungry that day, there are always plenty of other fish to take up the slack. On those days when the boats can't get outside, there are usually tarpon to be found in the rivers and back lagoons. The big snook are most often caught fishing from the beach around the river mouths as you wade in the 80 degree waters, but they can also be taken trolling along the shoreline or casting shallow running plugs. You can also find some good fishing from the beaches along the southern Caribbean coast at times, with best results around the mouths of the rivers and rocky promontories. Even tarpon are occasionally caught from the beach in those areas. Remember, however, that a Costa Rican fishing license is required.| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Tarpon | G | E | E | E | E | E | G | G | F | F | G | G |
| Snook | E | G | F | F | F | G | G | G | E | E | E | E |
Sharpen your hooks and set them hard, to penetrate its bone-hard jaw. Not just once, but twice and then again!
Remember always to "bow to the king," which means dropping the tip of your rod each lime he jumps to allow slack in the line, cranking fast to pick it up again when the fish hits the water.
PACIFIC FISHING
Action begins only 20 to 30 minutes running time from the landings, and seldom do boats have to go out more than 25 miles. In recent years, charter boats have caught and released an average of 500 marlin during the peak season from January through August and raised an average of 10 sails per boat each fishing day from April through mid-August. Costa Rican anglers have scored as many as three super slams in a single season, and the largest marlin ever confirmed was a 958 pounder. Even bigger ones have been hooked, so we know the "granders" are out there, just waiting to be caught. The three basic fishing areas on the Pacific coast are the Guanacaste region to the north, the central coastal area around Quepos, and the Drake Bay, Golfito region to the south. Fishing will vary in each area according to the time of year, but it's impossible to offer more than an estimate of when fishing will be best for any given species in a specific area because of the seasonal differences in weather, currents, water temperatures and other variables. It's safe to say, however, that regardless of the time of year, Costa Rica will provide some of the best fishing in the world. To the north, boats are available in and around the areas of Flamingo Beach, Playa del Coco, Potrero, Playa Hermosa, Tamarindo and Playa Carillo. Charter boat services run out of Quepos in the central coastal region, and multi-day trips to the Drake Bay and Canos Island can also be arranged. Some lodges on the Osa Peninsula and in the Golfito area at the extreme southern end of Costa Rica also offer fishing. Experienced captains and crews—most of them English speaking— will help rig your tackle if you wish, assuring even the first time angler a memorable experience. Besides billfish, Costa Rican waters also produce exceptional action on dorado, big snapper, tuna, jack crevalle, rainbow runner, blue runner, amberjack, grouper, mackerel. trevally, bonito, skipjack and other species. The dorado runs begin with the first rains in late May, as the myriad rivers flowing into the Pacific run full and carry logs, branches and other debris to sea that form into the trash lines that the colorful dolphin use for refuge.FISHING TACKLE Charter boats provide a full range of tackle that includes 20 to 50 pound tournament class rods and reels. Fresh or frozen mullet is sometimes trolled, but skirted lures are equally productive. Lures are provided on the boat, but if you have some favorites, bring them along. If you prefer fly fishing or want to try for records on light tackle, it is advisable to bring your own equipment even though some of the charter operators now offer fly rods and light tackle for use. For shore fishing, a six to seven foot medium action spin casting or conventional outfit works fine. You may want to go to 301b. test line to keep from losing a lot of lures in the rocks. Best all around lures are plastic tailed and hair jigs, heavy Sonics or Cordell rattlers and spoons. Bring hooks and sinkers for fishing with natural bait.
SEASONS We have tried to give you an idea of the better seasons for the main game fish in the Pacific and have listed them as:
F = Fair G = Good E = ExcellentNORTH PACIFIC SEASON
Marlin are caught every month, with mid-November to early March little short of exceptional. It generally slows from April into early June when it picks up again, peaking in August and September. Sailfish are also caught all year, with May through August the best months. They may begin to thin out in September and the slowest months are from late August through November. Tuna fishing is best from August through October, but they're around all year. Yellowfin and bigeye tuna are often found well inside the Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while schools of 12 to 20 pounders often spread for acres under the working porpoise on the outside. You will also frequently find concentrations of 40 to 60 pounders. Really big tuna, running over 200 pounds, peak from September through December. Dorado are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers that carry out debris that forms trash lines close inshore that they like to lie under. Wahoo usually begin to show in May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands. Roosterfish can be caught throughout the year, but biggest catches are generally made from November through March when more boats in the north are fishing inshore because of the winds.
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NOTE: The seasons specified in the charts are based on catch reports compiled over recent years, but like anyplace in the world, fishing in Costa Rica is subject to change, depending on wind and weather conditions, water temperatures, rainfall, moon phases and other factors that may vary substantially from year to year.
CENTRAL PACIFIC SEASON
Marlin are caught every month, with mid-November to early
March little short of exceptional. It generally slows from April into early June when it
picks up again, peaking in August and September. Sailfish are also caught all year, with
May through August the best months. They may begin to thin out in September and the
slowest months are from late August through November. Tuna fishing is best from August
through October, but they're around all year. Yellowfin and bigeye tuna are often found
well inside the Catalina Islands, 30 minutes or less running time from the beach, while
schools of 12 to 20 pounders often spread for acres under the working porpoise on the
outside. You will also frequently find concentrations of 40 to 60
pounders. Really big
tuna, running over 200 pounds, peak from September through December. Dorado are most
abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers that carry
out debris that forms trash lines close inshore that they like to lie under. Wahoo usually
begin to show in May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points
and islands. Roosterfish can be caught throughout the year, but biggest catches are
generally made from November through March when more boats in the north are fishing
inshore because of the winds.
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NOTE: The seasons specified in the charts are based on catch reports compiled over recent years, but like anyplace in the world, fishing in Costa Rica is subject to change, depending on wind and weather conditions, water temperatures, rainfall, moon phases and other factors that may vary substantially from year to year.
SOUTH PACIFIC SEASON
Marlin peak from August through December. Sailfish are found in limited numbers every month, but peak from December through March, slowing from April into early June, then picking up again to a peak in August and September. Tuna fishing for the bigger fish corresponds with marlin and sailfish season, but small fish can almost always be found. Dorado season is from late May through October. Wahoo are not plentiful, but will be occasionally found. Roosterfish run really big, and they can be caught throughout the year. Snook are caught all year, with best months from middle or late May through July and in January and February. Tides are more important than the season, and best fishing is generally from a very high tide as it drops. You will also frequently find concentrations of 40 to 60 pounders. Really big tuna, running over 200 pounds, peak from September through December. Dorado are most abundant from late May through October when the seasonal rains flood the rivers that carry out debris that forms trash lines close inshore that they like to lie under. Wahoo usually begin to show in May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands. Roosterfish can be caught throughout the year, but biggest catches are generally made from November through March when more boats in the north are fishing inshore because of the winds.
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NOTE: The seasons specified in the charts are based on catch reports compiled over recent years, but like anyplace in the world, fishing in Costa Rica is subject to change, depending on wind and weather conditions, water temperatures, rainfall, moon phases and other factors that may vary substantially from year to year.