THE FISHING

Year around big game fishing is what you can expect here. Los Suenos, Central Pacific area is considered by many to be the number one best fishing destination in the world.  Besides daily catches of Pacific Sailfish  (much larger than their Atlantic cousins), Marlin, Dorado, and 200lb. Tuna abound in these waters. The IGFA all-tackle for dolphins, an 87 pounder was captured here. The other great thing you can usually count on is calm seas. Because the wind patterns blow to the northern part of Costa Rica, we usually enjoy flat Seas. Our fishing grounds are anywhere 12 to 35 miles out with most of our time spent about 45minutes offshore. It is common to release a dozen or more sails and even a marlin or two in a single day, and not unusual to release 20 sails in one day.

 The all-time tournament record of 1,691 billfish releases by 120 anglers in four days was established in Costa Rica a few years ago during the International Sailfish Tournament. At last count, there were more than 70 current IGFA world record fish from Costa Rica waters including 17 all tackle marks. It’s also not uncommon to hear about a couple of Super Grand Slams (sailfish, blue, black, and striped marlin released on the same day) each year, and during the peak season its routine to get a Grand Slam (three of the four billfish species released on the same day).

  Each year the Billy Pate International Sailfish Fly Fishing Tournament is held in Quepos. This tournament consistently posts the highest catch and release records of any similar tournament in the world.

The Seasons

Marlin October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September and November and occasional blues and rare blacks are likely to be found any time of the year.

 Sailfish  These fish are taken here all year long, and many captains don’t believe the action really changes throughout the year except for a slow week here and there. Others believe the middle of December to the end of April is the best time with the biggest schools moving in about October.

 Tuna  Found throughout the year as they are all along the pacific coast, but most abundant from about June through September. They range from 10-250 pounders. There is an excellent reef outside of Quepos where you can target these giant fighting machines with very good success during this time of year.

  Dorado  Best action begins with the winter rains that start in late May and wash debris from the river mouths creating the inshore trash lines that the dolphin’s favor. But again this is another fish that is taken year around as well.

  Roosterfish  Fishing for this hard-hitting inshore species is incredible, with the best spots off the river mouths and the rocky dropoffs. Best fishing is from June through early September.

  Snook  Favored spots are just off the many river mouths all along the coast, up the Sierpe river, and the big lagoon on the 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 breaker line. The best months seem to be from July through November during the rainy season.