Costa Rica Fishing Central Pacific

Costa Rica Fishing Central Pacific

Costa Rica Central Pacific fishing goes from Cabo Blanco to Drake Bay, Los Sueños Marina just north of the town of Jacó is the finest marina on the Pacific coast and Quepos Marina as well are the two fishing centers on the Central Pacific coast, but there are charters available out of Puntarenas, the resorts at the southern end of Nicoya Peninsula, Jacó Beach and Punta Leona, Billfish are the target of most visiting anglers from May through November.

Some sails and marlin are taken throughout the year. From most of the areas mentioned above, it's not more than 12 to 20 miles run to the blue water where most of the billfish action is encountered. Inshore sport includes tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, dorado, jacks, mackerel, cubera, a variety of small snapper species and even snook.

The snook can be taken trolling just outside the breaker line off the river mouths in the area, but are more often fished from shore.

Some boats out of Quepos also offer multi-day trips to Drake Bay and Caño's Island area with overnight at one of the several lodges centered around Drake Bay. This region is best known for its wahoo, big cubera and roosterfish, but there are also tuna, dorado, sails and some marlin.
SEASONS

Marlin:

October is normally the top month for marlin in the Costa Rica 's central pacific area, but action is also good in September and November and occasional blues and rare black are likely to be found any time of year although they are usually out further than the boats hunting for sailfish are likely to be fishing.

Sailfish:

Middle of December to the end of April when they begin moving north is rated the best season, but the big schools often move in about October and occasionally stay longer. A few sail always show among the catch from June through September, mixed with the other species that are found inshore during those months.

Tuna:

Found through the year as they all along the Pacific coast, but most abundant from June through September. Most are the eight to 12 pounders, but a dozen pounders and maybe another two dozen in the 100 to 200 pound range are taken every year.

Dorado:

Best action begins with the winter rains that start in late May and wash debris from the river mouths lines that the dolphin favor.

Wahoo:

Not common in the area around Quepos, but more abundant in the late summer further south, especially the Drake Bay and Caño's Island area from late June to early August.

Roosterfish:

Fishing for this hard-hitting inshore species is incredible, with the best spots off the river mouths and the rocky dropoffs. Favored spots are the mouth of the Parrita; Palo Seco between Parrita and Damas just outside Damas; off the mouth of the Naranjo River ; around the points at Dominical and throughout the Drake Bay and Caño's Island area. Best fishing is from June through early September.

Snook:

Favored spots are just the many river mouths all along the coast, up the Sierpe river and in the big lagoon on Sierpe.
The IGFA world record Pacific black snook was taken in the month of July at the mouth of the Rio Naranjo on a boat trolling just outside the braker line. This a relatively new target for some small charter boats, but the best months seem to be from July through November during the heavy rainy season.