Costa Rica Fishing Authority

Rob,
I My wife will be staying in Costa Rica from Feb10-mar 11, in the Cabuya area. We are hoping to do some surfcasting in the general region. What can you generally catch that time of year? I\'m kinda lost on what surfcasting setup I would need. What do you recommend for rod length and action, line and leader strength, and lures for general fishing in the area. I\'ve fished all my life, but don\'t know what I need to salt tackle from shore. Any advice you could give me would be extremely appreciated! -Thanks!

Todd,
The best is to find points, structure (rocks) or rover mouths. You need to cast (jigs and poppers) a lot unless you are using live bait. You can may be able to ctahc snapper, snook corvina or even roosterfish. Ask someone that works in the hotel or best a "night guard" on one of the boats mored nearby.

Rob

Rob, I am staying at the Paradaisus Playa Conchal from Feb 11th to the 19th..Is there any snook or tarpon fishing to be done anywhere near this place.....i know the real snook are on the carib coast but i hear it is very difficult to get over there from where we are staying...looking for some inshore fishing near Conachal...any suggestions...we are willing to travel anywhere within reasonable timeframe

Thanks Rich,
Tarpon are definitely not an option on the Pacific side, although a few have slipped through the Panama Canal.Snook are available on the Pacific Coast and in substantial numbers and species. In fact the better "big snook" fishing is now in the Central Pacific Coast areas near rivers like Tivives, Damas and Savegre. Up north, the river flows are less significant and that seems to make a difference on the snook size and numbers, but you CAN find them. There are some small inshore boats that we work with that 1) know what they are doing and 2) might be willing to come pick you up (beach launch) or have you drive about 45 minutes- 1 hour 15 minutes from Conchal that can take you to the most productive river mouths.

Rob

Question Regarding fishing the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica
Planning a trip for June 19-26 and looking for a day fishing trip. We will be staying at a house in Playa Potrero and will have 6 people. We would like to know distance and cost. Thanks

Hi Melissa,
You are going to be just down the road from Flamingo Bay, almost walking distance in fact. While the marina is not officially "open" it was the ONLY marina in Costa Rica for many many years and where you can get picked up without having to get wet.If you need for us to find the "right" boat for your party and what you wish to fish for contact Laura or Chella, who combined have over 25 years experience in paring people/anglers with the right charter operator.

Rob

Question Regarding the Pacific Coast
Staying at Playa Tambor mid Jan to mid March. Want to do some surf fishing there. Any tips on tackle, rods etc. Haven\'t tried anything like this before. Can we expect to get a few fish in this area?

Hey Dennis,
There is some fun fishing in that area off the rocks at some of the points. Just plan on using jigs (yellow and red) and poppers as well as top water lures, at the changing tides, and if you are near some outgoing creeks or streams always fish the color change. Keep an eye out for when the locals appear, my brother in law lives further up the coast and he fishes for dinner consistently, so they are there if you figure out what to do.
Bring extra hooks and tackle to trade for "Local Knowledge" and live bait. Please do not forget to send me some pictures. Some of the best Snapper I have ever had come from Garza (also up the coast a little) but you should have great fun.

Rob

Question Regarding the Pacific Coast
I will be in Tambor for a month. I would like to surf fish. Suggestions on lures to use and where would be welcome. Pete

Hi Pete,
The best things to bring are buck tail jigs (with the rubber hook tail covers to prevent tangles) along with top water plugs and chuggers.If you are bringing long surf rods you will want to tie some mono leaders with hooks for both live and dead bait.If you can throw a cast net, bring it and you will be able to sell, trade or give it away to the local expert that befriends you. Make sure to bring extra hooks, weights, leader line and anything else that is difficult for locals to find. Many fish with yo yo's so if you are bringing a rod tube you may want to bring an extra rod along too.Local knowledge is crucial. Its not that you need to "buy" friendship but you will be glad to reward your new friends for the priceless experiences they will most likely show you.In the meantime you want to fish the color changes, river mouths and any structure, but every beach has its "honey hole" that only a local can show you.
Please send me pictures!

Rob

Question Regarding the Pacific Coast
I\'m going to Puerto Quepos Monday - Friday. I already have lodging as I am in a wedding on Wed. I\'m looking to get away and do some fly fishing. I\'ve heard of paying a guy to take me out on a skif for $20 a day. And I\'ve been told to look for estuaries to wade fish. Can you give me some direction on where to go and maybe who to talk to while I\'m there?

Hi Louis,
I am sorry for my delay but I was just in Quepos, fishing with friends.While I owned my owned my own charter boat in Quepos that was for hardcore fly anglers and equipped with back up T-bor reels and Redbone fly rods we were geared for people that were willing to make sure that saw many shots at billfish since they came all the way from the U.S.. Therefore we charged accordingly with a 4 month high season but made sure they were happy and never had to advertise.
I have fished here many years and this last trip was just mangrove fishing inside the river mouths I must confess I know of nobody that would go fishing for a day for $20! You need to check your "expert" out. In fact I would not consider "chipping in" anything less to a good friend than $50-100 plus food and drinks. Try the Damas, Savegre or Naranjo rivermouths with top water flies. You must make sure you are are there just before the tide changes to get the best action.You can also look for small creeks that open into these rivers, make sure to work the color change of orange jungle clay to the river water.
Please let me see any pictures of anything you catch! We has great action with live shrimp ( I did not know I was going to be fishing so I left my fly rods in San Jose) and my girlfriend was happy with the 6 snapper I boated between 6-12 lbs. Big fish for the mangroves and river but they are there this time of year!

Rob

Question Regarding the Pacific Coast
I will be on La Isla Palo Seco from March 20-27. The Pacific is on one side of the property and a river is behind. I would like to fish both areas and am wondering what type of gear to use. (rod size, line test, lures, live bait, wire leader) Do you fish the bottom with live bait or suspend?

You want to think about 16lb test as a base. You may want to go higher or lower depending on what you like. There are things in the water that can cut you off so keep that in mind.You can fish live bait either way, depending on what its in the water. Snook like free swimming bait while snapper tend to "ambush" anything they can and will compete for food. The current can make a difference but you want to fish the tide changes and the color changes.Top water plugs can attract fish while buck tail jigs (with rubber tales or hook covers for debris)also work around structure of fallen trees and small banks.
That area you are fishing is VERY productive and there are "locals" that come from all over to fish this area.

Rob