Enjoy your Costa Rica fishing catch for dinner

We often find it hard to amass material for a blog when not many Costa Rica sportfishing boats are going out. October/November is one of the slowest periods of the year for Costa Rica fishing charters. Furthermore, tourism in Costa Rica in general finds itself in the same situation .

Grade schools, high schools, universities and colleges in the United States, Canada and Europe have just begun the year in earnest. Those who have managed to get a couple of vacation weeks off to relax or travel, either got them in July and August, or will get them starting in December.

Equally important, many Costa Rica sport fishing charter captains are overhauling their boats for the high season. So many owners, like Mark and Dana Mittelman, who own the Drake Bay fishing boat Reel Escape, now have them out of the water (below).

Yellowfin Tuna – one of the great Costa Rica food fish

So there is not much Costa Rican sportfishing news to report. But since we are talking about Costa Rica fishing, here is something of interest. Yellowfin Tuna congregate off the Central Pacific coast, and don’t move much. Although the traditional beginning of the important Tuna fishing season is in May, and the bite peaks through the (North American and European) summer and autumn months, anglers who fish Costa Rica will find them at just about any time.

Lots of Yellowfin linger off the Central Pacific coast. Those of you thinking of sport fishing in Costa Rica over the next couple of months might also keep this in mind. Yellowfin Tuna are one big muscle. They give anglers who decide to fish Costa Rica a great battle. Aside from this, they are one of the tastiest fish in the sea. Yellowfin Tuna are delicious, either filleted for Sashimi immediately they are brought to the boat, or prepared for you at your hotel or favorite restaurant at your Costa Rica fishing destination.

Where you decide to fish Costa Rica really doesn’t matter. Most hotel restaurants and restaurants at the major Costa Rica fishing destinations will prepare your catch for you and your group just as you wish. They might do it either as an imaginative house special, or also at an attractive plate price.

One of the restaurants that specializes in this, and has done so for many years, is the widely-known Gran Escape in downtown Quepos (photo, below). Another is Seasons by Shlomy at the Hotel Arco Iris. The Arco Iris is a couple of blocks from the beach in Tamarindo in the North Pacific. You can’t go wrong at either!

Catch-and-release Costa Rica fishing

Billfish – Marlin and Sailfish – and Roosterfish on the Pacific Coast, along with Tarpon on the Caribbean coast, are all catch-and-release species. Anglers should released these prized Costa Rica game fish back into the water. Period. In addition, They should make sure that as little harm is done to them as possible. The top captains and their crews who fish Costa Rica know how to bring your fish to the boat, and then get the fish back in the water safely and securely.

Anglers can do as they wish with other popular saltwater species regularly caught on Costa Rican fishing charters. Yellowfin Tuna, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), and Wahoo figure in the group of offshore species. Inshore Snapper, Grouper, Mackerel and Pompano (photo right) are also among the Pacific coast edible fish. In addition, on the Caribbean coast, anglers will enjoy trying Snook, Calba (Small Snook) and even Guapote (known as Rainbow Bass). However, you should really release the Guapote.

Mature females should also be released

Anglers who fish Costa Rica can help preserve and maintain the fishing grounds for continued bites and fish conservation. They should release the mature females caught sportfishing in Costa Rica. The mature females, especially those of the many edible inshore Snapper and Grouper species, should be released in the water unharmed. This will pay off for many years to come in ongoing action and catches on Costa Rica fishing trips.

Anglers on Costa Rican fishing charters can keep as much – or all – of the edible catch as they wish. On the angler’s instructions, the mate will cut and fillet the edible species caught on a Costa Rica fishing charter. That is one of his jobs. Then you can take your fish to have it prepared for you at your hotel restaurant. Or you might prefer a local restaurant. In addition, you can keep the catch, or freeze it for later meals. You can also bring it back home. That is your choice.

Don’t forget FishCostaRica!

If you have had one or two great Costa Rica fishing days, there could be a surfeit of edible fish in the boat’s tuna tubes or cooler. So make sure the captain and the crew get a share of the goodies. Furthermore, someone, or a couple of people, might have given you special attention at your hotel. For certain, they would certainly be grateful if you gave them some of your Costa Rica fishing catch.

Fish Costa Rica while you cruise

And finally, if FishCostaRica had organized and put together your complete Costa Rican sportfishing vacation, don’t forget us! Our generous and obliging clients should know that we would not be averse to seeing a bit of Tuna, Snapper, Grouper, Wahoo or Snook. Give it to your driver, he will get it to us!

FishCostaRica offers cruise passengers the chance to fish in Costa Rica. If your liner stops in Puntarenas or Caldera, we offer a three-quarter day of Gulf of Nicoya fishing. We will book you with experienced English-speaking Costa Rica fishing captain who specializes in inshore fishing, and also promises lots of action.

Captain Octavio (Tavo) Nuñez will meet your ship when it docks in the morning, He will then take you bottom fishing on his specially-rigged, coast guard-approved 32ft panga. You can expect to catch feisty Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper, Amberjack, Wahoo and more exotic inshore species native to Costa Rica. In addition, you will enjoy lunch at lovely Tortuga Island (above photo), and fish some more. Captain Tavo will then bring you back to the Puntarenas or Caldera dock later that same afternoon. You will be there well before your liner leaves. And if you are nice, the liner’s galley will prepare your edible catch for you.

The cost is $875.00. One to four anglers can fish. The tour includes pick-up and drop-off at the dock; all tackle and live bait. You can also enjoy refreshments on the boat, and lunch at Tortuga Island. Contact FishCostaRica for more information.