Consider an exciting overnight adventure to catch marlin and sailfish

As often happens in May, the billfish bite off Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast tapers off from the world-class bite of previous months. But there still aren’t exciting and magical ways of catching marlin and sailfish in large numbers.

Here’s a great one: FishCostaRica offers a two- or three-day overnighter to the FADs with IGFA award-winning captain Bobby McGuinness on his 37ft Cazador or 54ft Iron II. Our client Charlie Atwood, his wife and their friends (another couple) recently did just that, and they released five blue marlin and 11 sailfish in just under two full days of fishing.

As well as experiencing the wonderful fishing, you will spend one, two, three or more magical nights on the ocean, in total peace and tranquility.

FADs attract billfish, especially marlin

FADs (fish aggregating devices) are buoys placed on the surface of the ocean or just below it between 40 and 120 miles of the coast. For some reason, they attract fish, especially marlin and sailfish.

Do they work? Yes they do! Bobby McGuinness was honored by the Billfish Foundation for tagging more Pacific blue marlin than any other captain in the world in 2016. The huge majority of these marlin were caught, tagged and released at the FADs between May and November.

Bobby and his brother placed and anchored these FADs over the past few years. Only they and a couple of others know where they are.

Bobby McGuinness fishes out of Golfito on Costa Rica’s South Pacific coast. From San José, it’s a 55-minute flight, or a six-hour drive through some of the most beautiful parts of Costa Rica.

A FAD  trip for one to three anglers

If you are one, two or three anglers, fish on Bobby’s swift 37ft Cazador. You leave Golfito for the FADs in the wee hours of the morning, fish that whole day, overnight on the ocean, fish the FADs from early morning until around noon, and then return to Golfito. Or you can stay and fish the full day, spend another night on the ocean, and return on the afternoon of Day 3.

The cost for 1-3 anglers on the Cazador: $4,800.00 for a two-day, one-night adventure, and $7,200.00 for three days and two nights.

A FAD  trip for three to five anglers

If you are three, four and perhaps even five anglers, Bobby has the comfortable 54ft Iron II. The logistics are a little different: you board the boat late afternoon or early evening, and spend the night traveling to the FADs.

Fish the entire next day, again spend the night on the boat, and fish the following day, leaving that evening for Golfito, where you will arrive at 4-5 AM. Or extend your fishing for a day, making it three days fishing in all.

The cost for 3-5 anglers on the Iron II: $6,200.00 for two full days fishing (includes three nights), and $9,300.00 for three days fishing (includes four nights).

Gratuities to captain and crew (two on each boat) are not included. And if you bring Bobby some good Scotch and good cigars…

Contact us now to fish the FADs with Bobby

Contact us now for more information about an exciting multi-day overnight adventure this summer or autumn to fish for marlin and sailfish at the FADs with Captain Bobby McGuinness. We will arrange your whole trip from the moment you hit the arrivals gate. Call 1-800-407-9438 from the USA and Canada, +506 2282-7215 from everywhere else. Or email us. We will get back to you ASAP.

By the way, as well as billfish, you might encounter some dorado (mahi-mahi) or yellowfin tuna. All meals are included. Bobby’s mates are terrific cooks, so you won’t go hungry.

If fishing at the FADs is beyond you, Bobby also offer conventional full-day charters on both boats. And if you can’t make it to Golfito, there is a huge range of gamefish off Costa Rica’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts that you can catch this summer.

We will hook you up with Costa Rica’s top captains

Get the fish you are after. FishCostaRica will hook you up with world-class charter sportfishing captains and guides in or near almost every key sportfishing destination in the country. Go offshore, or inshore for roosterfish, snapper, grouper and other species. Or travel to the Caribbean coast for tarpon and snook.

By the way, here’s what Charlie Atwood said about his FAD trip: ‘We had a great trip with Bobby! He is an amazing guide and we got the Marlin we needed for the bucket list! Actually we each caught at least one Marlin and we topped it off with some sails, Bobby was on a roll! … we look forward to doing this again!