Costa Rica's Sailfish Fishing

The Sailfish (genus Istiophorus) live in all the world's oceans and are very abundant off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. They are blue to gray in color and have a characteristic sail (dorsal fin) on top, often stretching the entire length of the back. The sailfish is a rapidly-growing species, reaching four to four and a half feet in a single year. They can swim at speeds of up to 68 mph making them one of the fastest fish in the ocean. They feed on the surface or at mid-depths on smaller pelagic fishes and squid. They don't grow to more than 10 feet and rarely weigh over 200 pounds. Sailfish usually keep their sails folded down to the side. When they feel threatened or excited, they raise their sail, which makes this slender fish appear much larger than it actually is.

Sailfish are also sometimes known as the fish that "walk on water". Sailfish have been seen to "run" along the surface of the water for over 200 feet using nothing but their wriggling tails as support.

Sails are caught year round on Costa Rica's Pacific coast, but the smaller Atlantic sails (on the Caribbean side) are now rare. However there are some special peak months on the Pacific. For the best Sailfish seasons, see Costa Rica's fishing seasons.

More Costa Rica fishing photos:

Tarpon and Snook | Fish Costa Rica/Americana World Records | Dorado | Roosterfish, Goliath Grouper, Wahoo and Barrcuda