When in doubt – fish. And where? Costa Rica, of course!

You don’t have to be a sportfishing fanatic to get genuine pleasure from a day or two of fishing. Many of the men and women who contact Americana Sportfishing for world-class Costa Rica fishing are first- and second-time anglers. They want to combine a long-awaited vacation in a tropical paradise with a day or two out on the ocean. They also want more excitement and involvement than simply taking a nice boat ride.

Several factors make Costa Rica one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations. Here are just two. First, of course, is the year-round abundance of prized gamefish. Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Roosterfish, Snapper, Yellowfin Tuna abound along the Pacific coast. In addition, there are Tarpon, Snook, Guapote (many know it as Rainbow Bass) and Needlefish on the Caribbean coast near the Nicaraguan border to the north.

Costa Rica fishing features the world’s top captains

Furthermore, and equally important, are the fantastic guys who make their living as Costa Rica saltwater sportfishing charter captains. Costa Rica fishing is home to some of the world’s finest and most-respected captains.

One who comes instantly to mind is Bobby McGuinness. Bobby has been fishing for 35 years, most of that time out of his home town in Golfito. Golfito is nestled on the western side of Golfo Dulce in the south of the country.

The International Game Fish Association, the arbiter of all world saltwater and freshwater records, has twice named Bobby the world’s top captain. Bobby first won the honor in 2006. He also won it in 2010. In addition, Saltwater Sportsman magazine named him one of the world’s 50 top saltwater captains. If you want to fish Costa Rican and catch a Marlin, Bobby McGuinness is your man!

Los Sueños fishing captains excel at OWC

Joining him on the magazine’s top 50 list is Bubba Carter. Bubba fishes out of Los Sueños Marina in the Central Pacific, 90 minutes from San José. Another top Los Sueños fishing captain is MJ Alligood. MJ has carved quite a reputation for himself. Furthermore, MJ was top captain at the prestigious 2013 Offshore World Championship in Quepos. He finished ahead of 67 other captains from around the world, not a shabby achievement.

MJ is not the only Los Sueños fishing captain to excel at the Offshore World Championship in Quepos. This year, Captain Esteban Marcos on the 36ft Good Day Too finished second. As in 2013, sixty-seven boats with anglers from almost 30 countries also competed

Then there is Randy Wilson up north in Tamarindo, in Guanacaste. Randy has been a mainstay of Tamarindo fishing since 1974/5. In addition, he was one of the first captains in Costa Rica to practice – and vociferously advocate among his fellow captains – catch-and-release. Catch-and-release is now the norm here. It is also the norm world-wide for billfish and many other prize gamefish species.

Both great Costa Rica fishing guides and great teachers

Not only are these Costa Rica fishing captains, and a host of others, far too many to mention, wonderful captains/guides. They are also, as should be the case, wise and patient teachers. The captains we book derive equal pleasure from working with both the experienced angler and the total novice.  They want, and are also able, to pass on to the first- or second-time angler – without discrimination as to sex or age – not only the rudiments of, but also a love and respect for saltwater sportfishing.

So even if you haven’t done any saltwater sportfishing before, don’t hesitate to try your hand and fish Costa Rica. There is nothing to be scared of! All you have to bring to the boat first thing in the morning, besides yourself of course, is a hat, good rubber-soled shoes, sun block, and the spirit of adventure.

The fish are here, and the facilities are here: excellent marinas, fine hotels, great boats. Everywhere you might consider – Quepos fishing, Golfito fishing, Flamingo fishing, Herradura Bay fishing – you will find comfortable accommodation and amenities. Furthermore, the marvelous Costa Rican sport fishing captains will look after the rest. They will make your Costa Rica fishing charter an exciting experience you will never forget. Hopefully you will want to repeat it over and over again.

Slow season, perhaps, but not slow Costa Rica fishing

There isn’t a lot of Costa Rica fishing news right now. As we mentioned in a recent Costa Rica sportfishing blog, many of the boats are now being overhauled in anticipation of the upcoming world-class billfish season, which gets underway in earnest beginning of December.

Mundane as it may appear, minute attention to all things mechanical and nautical is often the difference between a humdrum and an incredibly successful Costa Rican sport fishing season.

Compared to the rest of the year, fewer Costa Rica fishing charter boats go out in September/October. However, this does not mean that the fishing is slow. Anglers who fish Costa Rica seldom if ever get skunked.

Chase Early lauds a Golfito fishing overnighter

FishCostaRica recently booked Chase Early, an airlines pilot, and his buddy on an overnighter with Bobby McGuinness. They fished the FADs (fish aggregating devices) on Bobby’s 37ft Cazador out of Golfito. Hooking their own, the guys released three Blue Marlin. In addition, they also released three Striped Marlin.

On his return, Chase kindly sent us this review. ‘Just wanted to say once more: thank you for helping us set up such an amazing trip. It wouldn’t have happened without your hard work. We appreciate the professionalism you provide from Fish Costa Rica. It truly speaks for itself. In addition, I can’t speak highly enough of Captain Bobby on the Cazador. He is truly one of the hardest Cap’s I have ever fished with. He will go to any extent to put you on the fish. It also helps that his crew is just as accommodating. Till next time…’

The Caribbean fishing season is also getting underway. Tarpon fishing is now in full swing. Captain Eddie Brown, considered Costa Rica’s top Tarpon fisherman/guide, just released four Tarpon on a half-day charter on his 22ft Bull Shark.

Contact FishCostaRica for a quick Costa Rica fishing trip

So, if you have a couple of work days free right now, consider a quick Costa Rica fishing trip as an antidote to idleness. Fish Costa Rica, and escape the routine. First, get to San José before noon on a Friday. Second, travel that afternoon to your Costa Rican sport fishing destination. Of course, FishCostaRica will hook you up with a top Costa Rica sportfishing captain. We will also book you at an angler-friendly hotel.

Third, fish Saturday and Sunday. Fourth, and finally, travel back to San José on Monday morning for your flight home. Furthermore, it doesn’t matter if you are one, two, three or four anglers. We know the right Costa Rica fishing captain and boat for you. That is why FishCostaRica has been the most respected name in Costa Rica fishing for over 25 years.