Costa Rica Yellow Fin Tuna

Often dubbed a "football tuna" due to its shape, this one was reeled in south of Jaco. When the boat gets over a big school of these babies, you can catch as many as you have the stamina for.


Not so many years ago you could count on catching a much wider variety of tuna in Costa Rica than is possible today. Nowadays, with all the long lines fishing boats operating in these waters, the yellow fin is practically the only kind of tuna left.


But that's okay by most anglers, because the yellow fin is hands down the best eatin' of them all. The meat is darker than that of a typical tuna or dorado, for example, but those thick steaks turn lighter in color as they cook

It's great broiled or fried in olive oil.

Most hotels and even some restaurants will cook your catch for a reasonable price. And if you don't catch one while you are here, be sure to try out the yellow fin in one of the local restaurants.


Probably the best place to go for the really big tuna is off Drake Bay and Canos Island, an area also known for huge roosterfish, wahoo and red snapper. There is little or no action on the other coast, which is better known for tarpon, snook and other species that frequent the river mouths as they pour into the Caribbean Sea. (You can also take small boats up the rivers and into the lagoons for even more action.)