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From Cabo Blanco to Drake's Bay

The town of Quepos is the area’s fishing center, with 20 or more professionally equipped boats in the 27-feet and up range, and smaller boats well-suited to the excellent inshore angling in the area. There are other charters available out of Puntarenas, the resorts at the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, Jaco Beach, Punta Leona, Dominical and at Drake Bay.

Billfish are the favored target of most visiting anglers, and they are seldom disappointed from around December through April. The area is well protected from the prevailing northerly winds and enjoys pretty close to ideal weather although you can expect rain most anytime from May through December, especially in the afternoons.

Fish and Seasons

Marlin
October is normally the top month for marlin in this area, but action is also good in September and November. Occasional blues and rare blacks are likely to be found anytime of year although they are usually out further than the boats hunting for sailfish are likely to be fishing.

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

Tuna
Tuna are easily found throughout the year along the Pacific coast, but are more abundant from June to September. Most are eight to 12-pounders, but you can make catches in the 100- to 200-pound range as well.

Wahoo
Wahoo are not common around Quepos, but in late summer you can find them on Drake's Bay and Caño Island, from late June to early August.

Dorado
Dorado begins with the winter rains late in May that wash debris from the river mouths creating the inshore trash lines that dolphins favor.

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

Snook
Snook are found in many river mouths along the coast, like the Sierpe River and lagoon. Best months are from July through November during the heavy rains season. This is 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.