Costa Rica Fishing - Northern Pacific     Bat Island to Cabo Blanco

Fishing in Costa Rica along along the Nicoya Peninsula in the province of Guanacaste offers traveling anglers a diverse selection of fishing opportunities. Flamingo is the center of activity and is home to the largest marina in Costa Rica. There are as many as 30 charter boats operating out of the marina ranging from 23 to 47 feet in length. There you will find modern facilities able to accommodate boats to 70 feet in length. The hotels in the area are luxurious and most have pools and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.

Although the main Costa Rica fishing season is considered April through December, in the months of January and February the waters off Nicoya produce some of the best marlin fishing to be found anywhere in the world. Most of the fishing there is out of Playa Carrillo to escape the Papagayo winds that often blow that time of year.

The Catalina Islands are a short run out of Flamingo and produce the same inshore species as the Bat Islands but not in the numbers as the islands to the north. At times they have a great run of wahoo that stop at the island to feed during their migratory runs

The Bat Islands are a long run from Flamingo, but boats like the  "Swordfish" can make the run in about an hour out of Playas del Coco. The volcanic underwater structure of the islands make for great haunts for a variety of species to prowl the fertile waters. Because of the little fishing pressure in this area, inshore species like roosterfish, snapper, grouper, amberjack, wahoo and dorado are readily available. Anglers have even been surprised with marlin and sailfish hook-ups fishing for other species
Tamarindo is also an excellent spot to stay while on a blue water quest. A little more laid back than Flamingo, there are luxury hotels as well as inexpensive but comfortable lodging.

There are several American captains in Costa Rica fishing out of Tamarindo with over 20 years experience fishing these waters. Charter boats in Costa Rica range from 22 to 38 feet in length. You will also find a few boats working out of Nosara, Punta Guiones, Garza, Samara, and Playa Carrilla. The number of boats increases in Playa Carrillo from December through March when the unpredictable Papagayo winds blow to the north.

Costa Rica Fishing Season Information

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