Marlin
It is every angler’s dream to hook, battle, fight, catch and release a Marlin. These huge marine creatures, made popular by legends such as Ernest Hemmingway, are the unrivalled star of offshore gamefish, whether you fish Costa Rica or anywhere else in the world.
See Which Charters Target Marlin in Costa Rica
There is no sight more awe-inspiring than the sight of these massive fish leaping into the air behind your boat. Because they are large predators, it might take a long time to find one, but when you hook one, you instantly forget the time looking.
Blue and Black Marlin can exceed 1000lbs
Blue, Black and Striped Marlin are all found off Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, with Blue Marlin by far the most prevalent. Black and Striped Marlin are seen less frequently when you fish Costa Rica. Blue Marlin, and their cousins the Black Marlin, are the largest gamefish in the ocean. The biggest specimens, called Granders, exceed 1,000lbs. However, most of them caught sportfishing in Costa Rica are 400-500lbs. Striped Marlin are smaller, in the 200lb range.
Much like Sailfish, Marlin are usually caught by slow trolling large live or dead skipping baits like skipjack tuna, or faster trolling with large skirted marlin lures.
Catch Marlin 365 days a year in Costa Rica
Marlin can be caught all year long. But again, like Sailfish, the Marlin bite peaks at different times of year, and follows basically the same pattern. In the South Pacific (Golfito, Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay), anglers fishing Costa Rica offshore from mid-November through March should see quite a few Blue and smaller numbers of Black Marlin, either traveling south, outside of Golfo Dulce, or moving just north up the coast in the Drake Bay/Furuno Bank area.
The peak Marlin bite off the Central Pacific coast (Jacó/Los Sueños Marina and Quepos/Pez Vela Marina) occurs between the beginning of January and the end of April. Every so often, anglers sport fishing in Costa Rica might even see more Marlin than Sailfish. However, a good rule of thumb is one Marlin for every 10-15 Sailfish.
Once Easter comes and goes, the peak Costa Rica Marlin bite moves north, to Guanacaste in the North Pacific: Tamarindo, Flamingo and the Gulf of Papagayo from June through September. July and August are big months.
Fish Costa Rica’s FADs on overnighters for Marlin
Anglers who are primarily interested in fishing Costa Rica for Blue, Black and Striped Marlin can also enjoy exciting, magical overnight trips to the FADs, or Fish Aggregating Devices. These are buoys or floats tethered to the ocean floor, and float either on the surface, or just below it. Marlin especially seem to congregate around these FADs, placed at distances of 40 to 120 miles off the coast.
Anglers coming for a Costa Rican sport fishing adventure can book two-day, one-night or three-day, two-night overnighters to the FADs out of Los Sueños in the Central Pacific, or Golfito in the South Pacific, between the end of May and mid-November.
Costa Rica Charters for Marlin
- 26ft Custom McKee Craft for Puerto Jiménez Golfo Dulce fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing
- Price: 26ff Custom McKee Craft
- 32FT CUSTOM SPORTFISHER FOR PLAYAS COCO AND GUANACASTE FISHING
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 26FT ROBALO FOR PLAYAS DEL COCO AND PLAYA HERMOSA FISHING
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Price: 26ft Robalo
- 31ft DENNIS GARRETT GAMEFISHER FOR QUEPOS AND PEZ VELA FISHING
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Quepos, Provincia de Puntarenas
- 36ft Marcam Express for Jacó and Los Sueños Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 30ft Shamrock Walkaround for Flamingo Costa Rica fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 30ft Island Hopper Express for South Pacific coast fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 23ft Panga Center Console for Puerto Jiménez fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36ft Hatteras for Quepos Central Pacific fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Quepos
- 57ft Island Boatworks for Quepos Pez Vela Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 48ft Ocean Yacht for Guanacaste Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 35ft Cabo Express for Quepos Pez Vela Pacific fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 41ft Ronin Sportfisher for Quepos Pez Vela Marina fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 32ft Rampage for Jaco Herradura Bay fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 29ft Hydra Sport Fisher for Puerto Jimenez South Pacific Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 37ft Hatteras for Los Sueños and Jacó Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Contender for Nicoya Peninsula Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 25ft Open Fisherman for Gulf of Nicoya Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- New 26ft Center Console for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Quepos
- 25ft Towered Bertram for Carillo Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 28ft Carolina Classic for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 46ft Guthrie Flybridge Sportfisher for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 60ft Loa Luxury Custom for Golfito overnighters
- Phone Number: Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36ft Sunny Briggs Sportfisher for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 45ft ‘Omie Tillet’ for Herradura Bay fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 47ft Riviera Yacht for Papagayo Marina fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Guanacaste Province
- 28ft Custom Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 38ft Custom Sportfisher for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Carolina Custom for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Shamrock Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 30ft Panga for Gulf of Nicoya fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 38ft Topaz Express for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Bertram for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 26ft Regulator for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Stapleton Day Boat for Herradura Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Flybridge Yacht for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 52ft Hatteras for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Escapade for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 35ft Classic Bertram for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 26ft Center Console for Drake Bay fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 35ft Cabo Sport Fishing Yacht for Drake Bay fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 22ft Boston Whaler for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Center Console for Puerto Jiménez fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Gamefisher for Flamingo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Dusky for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Carolina Custom Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 44ft Luxury Luhrs Convertible for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Quepos, Puntarenas Province
- 31ft Bertram Classic for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36ft Luhrs Express for Puerto Jiménez fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 38ft Custom Sportfisher for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 28ft Carolina Classic for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Palm Beach for Carillo/Guanamar fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36ft Topaz Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 30ft Flybridge Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 27ft Ocean Runner for Puerto Jiménez fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36ft Hatteras for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Custom Sportfisher for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Luhrs Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Sportfishing yacht for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 31ft Palm Beach for Flamingo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Custom Sport Fisherman for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 35ft Cabo Convertible for Papagayo Marina fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 26ft Fish Nautique for Herradura Bay fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 43ft Maverick for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 34ft Walkaround Express for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 42ft Sportfishing Yacht for Los Sueños fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Crocodile Bay Resort for Puerto Jiménez fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 60ft Viking for Quepos Pez Vela marina fishing and overnighters
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- Display Address: Quepos, Provincia de Puntarenas
- The 37ft Cazador for Golfito fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 36-foot Topaz Sportfisher for Tamarindo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 26ft Apex Center Console for Playa Herradura fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 42ft Bertram for Flamingo fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing
- 60ft Sportfishing Catamaran for Quepos fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing