No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveBillfish bite hot in Guanacaste; calm seas, plenty of tarpon on Caribbean

Billfish bite hot in Guanacaste; calm seas, plenty of tarpon on Caribbean

Most of the offshore action on the Pacific side has been in the northern Guanacaste region. A good number of sails and dorado are biting. Action is still good off Playas del Coco, and Richard Chellemi reports the sails are being cooperative. Marlin also are popping up here and there, so it seems northern Costa Rica is the hot spot for billfish as of late.

On the central Pacific coast, at both Herradura and Quepos the billfish bite slowed this last week. In Quepos, boats bottom-fishing have been taking some nice snapper and grouper. Along the coast, the roosterfish, jack and sierra mackerel continue to take both live bait and trolled diving lures.

Down south off the Osa Peninsula, the billfish action was slow this week and only a few boats were out on the water. A few smaller dorado and wahoo have been taken, but it seems the great tuna bite that lasted almost two weeks is over for now. The weather is improving and the dirty water inshore is clearing up, so the inshore action should pick up any day.

Tarpon keep pounding both bait and jigs on the Caribbean side. Yesterday the water was as flat as a pancake and boats could drift right through the river mouth, where normally they are dancing with waves to get outside. Boats are getting up to 20 bites a day and landing four to six tarpon each. The snook action has been slow, but, with the calm waters, anglers should be able to comfortably fish the areas where they like to hang out.

Skippers, operators and anglers are invited to email fishing reports by Wednesday of each week to todd@crocodilebay.com. To post reports and photos on The Tico Times’ online fishing forum, go to wordpress-257819-2837440.cloudwaysapps.com/Weekend/Fishing/Fishing-Forum.

Trending Now

DEA Renews Extradition Request for Alleged Drug Trafficker

U.S. authorities have renewed their push to extradite Jonathan Álvarez Alfaro, the Costa Rican suspect known as “El Profe” or “Gato,” reviving a case...

US Sanctions Sons of Daniel Ortega and Seven Nicaragua Gold Companies

The United States Treasury Department imposed sanctions the two sons of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega and Vice President Rosario Murillo along with seven gold...

Costa Rica Remains a Top Retirement Destination for People From the United States

Costa Rica is once again benefiting from a growing shift among older Americans who are looking outside the United States for their next chapter....

Costa Rica Confirms Fourth Chikungunya Case of 2026

Costa Rica’s Ministry of Health said that the country has confirmed its fourth positive case of chikungunya so far this year, based on results...

Costa Rica Suspends Tree Cutting and Construction Permits in Papagayo

Costa Rica's Constitutional Chamber has ordered the suspension of tree-felling permits, construction authorizations, and density modifications tied to a hotel development in the Papagayo...

Costa Rica Wildlife Groups Push Back Against Proposed New Regulation

A Costa Rican environmental organization is calling for a halt to the government’s proposed new wildlife regulation, arguing that the draft weakens protections, lacks...
Avatar

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel