The Costa Rica sportfishing we knew ten years ago has changed faster than a Quepos flash, especially since the summer of 1999. From coast to coast, it's a whole new ball game for anglers who travel and vacation here for offshore fishing.
Costa Rica sportfishing: Quepos and Manuel Antonio
The palm-lined beaches and luxurious hotels and resorts of Quepos and Manuel Antonio look even better to an angler when viewed from a big sportfishing boat headed offshore for a day of catch and release.
From tackling big bills in the deep sea to fighting the mighty rooster close to shore, there's sportfishing year-round action in the fertile waters off the mid-Pacific coast..
Nearly 40 boats work these waters in high season. Charters to some of the same fishing grounds also depart from Puntarenas, Jaco and Dominical.
Your best bet for bringing in a boat load of billfish at Quepos is from September through May. December and January are peak months, though the action lasts through May. June through August, you'll get more dorado than the rest of the year. Good news is that you can also get tuna, rooster, snapper and snook 'year-round, Billfish too, but you have to travel farther offshore.
Billfish action continues nearly nonstop through April from Golfito up to Quepos and Jaco, when the billfish migrate north. You can still take marlin and sailfish the rest of the year, but usually have to go farther out than in the peak months of the year.
Captains commonly report catching and realeasing 15 or more sailfish in a full day during the height of the season, which kicks off in December and continues virtually nonstop through April. Occasional large schools may arrive as early as Halloween, depending on the weather and water temperature. Top boats in the Central Pacific area that are best known are WaveDancer, Reel Deal
May-August
These months may prove satisfying if you prefer a more relaxed trip to Quepos for billfish -- locals often outnumber the anglers and non-angling tourists in these months, so the service in most establishments is better than when hundreds of people are competing to catch the attention of the same waiter or desk clerk. (However, keep in mind that many North American retirees and residents are also avid sportfishing fans.
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