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FISH FOUND IN COSTA RICAN WATERS

MARLIN
You will find either the blue or black species that can weigh up to 1000 pounds. Because of their power, size and persistence, marlin is one of the most highly prized fish among all anglers. Marlin can be found from the southern part of Costa Rica in the Golfito area all the way up to its north Pacific coast. Top marlin spots in Costa Rica include Golfito and Drake's Bay in the South, Quepos in the Central Pacific and Guanamar, Tamarindo and Flamingo in the North West. Generally, marlin fishing is the best in the southern and central areas during December to April, and in the North Pacific from May to November. Black marlin tend to show up most during April and May off of Tamarindo (near Flamingo). The smaller striped marlin is caught year-round.

ROOSTERFISH
The dorsal fin with its fanlike array gives the fish its name. It's an inshore species, often found in the surf, over sandy bottoms. An aggressive predator, the roosterfish is always exciting when hooked. They are available all year, but there are more caught in the Papagayo Bay area from November through March. Roosters like the structure of the shoreline and islands, where they are found in depths of 50 to 60 feet.

DORADO
More properly known as dolphin or mahi mahi, these colorful gamesters 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. Troll past a floating log and you'll likely hook a dorado.

SAILFISH
Perhaps the most acrobatic of all blue water fish, the sailfish has engraved Costa Rica on every international angler’s wish list. There's no wonder why some of the world's most esteemed billfish tournaments are held in Costa Rica. The tournaments are usually during June and July but there is not really a particular season regarding sails. The beautiful fish spend more time in the air than in the water during the fight. They are not as powerful as the marlin. Double and triple hookups are not uncommon. Quepos is where the action is, especially from December to March. February is the key month, having the highest concentration of sailfish and the possibility of 20 or 30 hookups a day. Sailfish also abound throughout Costa Rica's Pacific from the emerging southern port of Golfito to the northern ports of Guanamar, Tamarindo and Flamingo. Sailfish are available year round.

SNAPPER
There are many species of snapper. Snapper is a shallow water fish preferring a rocky bottom structure that provides bait fish and protection. The cubera is the largest of the snappers, often weighing more than 100 pounds. The dog snapper is the largest of the Pacific snappers with the world record of 78 pounds held by a resort in Costa Rica. Each species will be a tough fighter, particularly on light tackle and although all snapper are delicious eating the flesh of the larger fish can become course.

WAHOO
Wahoo is a loner and when traveling with other wahoo it's usually only a school of five or six. The fish can be found anywhere in the ocean but does seem to concentrate during the summer off of Costa Rica's Pacific coast. The first showing begins about the time the rains start in May, peaking in July and August. Most are caught around the rocky points and islands, but you might pick one up while fishing offshore. It is considered one of salt water's finest delicacies. Experts speculate that wahoo is the fastest fish in the ocean.

YELLOWFIN TUNA
Yellowfin are usually around the size of a football but can reach up to 300 pounds and are one of an angler’s most spectacular fights. A tuna must constantly swim and is very muscular. Yellowfin are common from January until June and July but look for the larger fish off of Tamarindo and Flamingo during spring and early summer.

SNOOK
Snook generally peak from March through May, and again from September through November, but the latter part of the year brings the heaviest rain making the water cloudy and the fishing more difficult. The snook prefer rivers, estuaries and back lagoons. Although considered an Atlantic fish, snook do appear in the Pacific coast. The fat snook or "calva" as it is called in Costa Rica, is a very popular species of snook that has emerged for light tackle anglers, with a maximum size about 10 pounds. They peak from mid-November through late January, but often make an appearance much earlier.

TARPON
An inshore and offshore fish, tarpon is one of the first saltwater species to be declared a game fish, and anglers come from every corner of the world looking for Costa Rica's Caribbean tarpon action. The bony mouth and muscular, acrobatic fights make this fighter one of the most difficult and exciting prizes a fisherman can achieve. The tarpon action is not seasonal but is affected by the heavy rains on the Caribbean and sometimes the ability of boats to get out into the ocean. It is not a food fish and always is released.

GUAPOTE
The guapote resembles bass so the visiting anglers who could not pronounce this Costa Rican fish’s name declared it a rainbow bass, even though it is not in the bass family. There is no seasonality for this fish. At first, local anglers did try traditional bass fishing techniques but soon shifted towards jigs. An exciting fish to hook-up with, the guapote quickly finds the nearest log or branch to cut the anglers line. The most popular location for guapote is Lake Arenal. Guapote can also be found in the back lagoons and river systems of the Barra Colorado area in the Atlantic coast.

KINGFISH, SPANISH AND CERO MACKAREL, JACK CREVALLE, BARRACUDA
Abundant close to shore any time the ocean is flat.