The great legacy of superb Costa Rica sportfishing captains

What makes for great sportfishing captains?

If you are an angler who loves the spectacular, Costa Rica is the place to be.

Between December 1 and the end of April, Costa Rica’s Central Pacific coast is home to one of the world’s most anticipated billfish bites. During this period Los Sueños Marina (Jacó/Herradura) will host the Signature Triple Crown. Also, the newer Pez Vela Marina (Quepos/Manuel Antonio) will host the Offshore World Championship. These are two of the world’s most prestigious international billfish tournaments. Furthermore, the latter can often attract sportfishing teams from more than 30 countries.

Raise 25+ billfish on a Costa Rica fishing charter

During these four/five months, the Costa Rica billfish bite is incredible. Anglers on a Costa Rican sportfishing boat can raise 25-30 billfish – mostly Pacific Sailfish – during a full-day offshore charter. There are also Blue, Black and Striped Marlin as well. However, Marlin are usually not as prevalent as billfish. An average Sailfish:Marlin ratio on a good sportfishing day is 10-12:1.

Two other key factors also determine why Costa Rica is such an attractive sportfishing destination during mid-December through April. First, when the bite is on, Costa Rican sport fishing charter boats don’t have to go out very far. It is 45-60 minutes max from either Los Sueños or Pez Vela.

So a full day’s Costa Rica fishing is indeed a full day’s fishing. If you leave the marina at 7 AM to fish Costa Rica and come back at 4 PM, seven of those nine hours on the water are prime fishing time. Elsewhere, it’s two-and-a-half/three hours to where the bite is, and the same time coming back.

Pioneer Costa Rica sportfishing charter captains

In addition, Costa Rica has a superb sportfishing captains and charter fleets. The Costa Rica sportfishing captains available for charter out of Los Sueños and Pez Vela are second to none. Charter sportfishing emerged in Costa Rica in the 1960s and 1970s. Adventurous guys like Robert (Bobby) McGuinness (father of IGFA record-holder Captain Bobby McGuinness) in Golfito; Harry Gray in Quepos, and Randy Wilson (who is still fishing on his 38ft Talking Fish) in Tamarindo, brought their boats to Costa Rica’s emerging beach resort towns and opened up shop.

Their success, and the record number of fish caught, also attracted many other captains from outside the country.

Almost all the original first- and second-generation charter captains who brought their boats here and pioneered Costa Rica sportfishing charters were Americans. A few Brits and Canucks also came. They all hired Costa Ricans in their late teens and early 20s as mates and deckhands. Most were the sons of local small-scale commercial fishermen. Many of these young lads emerged from their training and experience as mates to become superb Costa Rica fishing captains themselves.

Daniel Espinoza and his Costa Rica fishing legacy

One who immediately comes to mind is Daniel Espinoza, long-time captain of the 43ft Spanish Fly out of Los Sueños Marina. Daniel now overseas Maverick Yachts’ successful boat-building operation near Jacó.

Daniel learned to speak fluent English while apprenticing as a mate. Furthermore, over a dozen years he became a consummate international tournament-class captain and Los Sueños fishing guide. In addition, he mentored another generation of even younger Los Sueños fishing captains. One of his former mates, Juan Carlos Fallas, now captains the Spanish Fly. Also, another ‘student’, Carlos Espinoza, captains the 42ft Sea Fly. Both Juan Carlos and Carlos are among the most sought-after and best-known Costa Rica fishing captains in the country. Each has one of the most highly-filled calendars anywhere.

Los Sueños fishing and Quepos fishing excel

Los Sueños fishing and Quepos fishing feature fine American and local captains to guide you on exciting billfish adventures lexapro 5mg. Expect the 2017 billfish season to start off with a bang. The billfish bite all along the Pacific coast has been steady. Old hands also say the bite will continue apace, and get even better near the end of the year.

If you relish the sight of and want to experience the adrenalin rush brought on by a spectacular billfish leap, now is the time to make it happen. Call FishCostaRica. We guarantee that you will fish with the top Costa Rica sportfishing charter captains.

It’s been sort of dull and grey here lately. The first days of the ‘official’ rainy season have dumped lots of water on most of Costa Rica, especially the Pacific coast and the Central Valley, where the capital, San José, is situated.

Gofito fishing season on the horizon

Costa Ricans grumble about the rain, but not too much. They know that great weather is just about six/eight weeks out. Furthermore, the sun and the blue skies herald the onset of the peak Costa Rica fishing season, beginning mid-November off the South Pacific coast.

The billfish bite starts south of Golfo Dulce. Golfito on the east side of the gulf, and Puerto Jiménez on the west, are the area’s two big Costa Rica sportfishing destinations. The South Pacific coast is also home to one of the world’s most respected captains: Bobby McGuinness. Bobby fishes out of Golfito on the 37ft Cazador.

On two occasions – 2006 and 2010 – Bobby was selected world’s top captain by the International Game Fish Association. He also holds more IGFA world records than any other captains fishing in Costa Rica. In addition, he has been named an Ambassador Captain, or international spokesperson, for the IGFA.

Bobby McGuinness – top Costa Rican sport fishing captain

Bobby’s Marlin releases are legendary. Taking clients to spots he alone knows (and guards the secret religiously), Bobby has several times raised 20 and more Marlin on a fishing day! This number is seldom seen in Costa Rica, one of the world’s top billfish destinations.

Marlin are not the entire story of Bobby McGuinness’ Costa Rica sportfishing success. For those who dream of catching trophy Roosterfish, Bobby is also your man. He will take you south down the coast just over the Panamanian border. There, you can catch 60-70lb Roosters, big Snapper and more prized coastal species.

Of course, much of Bobby’s popularity is also due to Bobby as a person. You will not find a more genial or accommodating Costa Rican sport fishing captain anywhere. Those fortunate enough to charter Bobby McGuinness will not only catch fish. Bobby is ruthless in pursuit! Anglers who fish Costa Rica with him will also enjoy his conversation and anecdotes. Bobby delights in keeping people happy. As Bobby himself put it: ‘Basically, I am in the entertainment business of catching fish’.

Book your 2017 Costa Rica fishing trip now

For those who want to fish with Captain Bobby McGuinness, START NOW! Bobby’s December/January/February/March calendar is filling up rapidly. Repeat clients are scrambling to get the days they want to take advantage of the peak Golfito fishing season. For more information, call 1-800-407-9438 toll free from the U.S. and Canada, +506 2282-7215 from anywhere else, or e-mail americanasportfishing@gmail.com.

The same holds true for the entire Pacific coast. If you intend to fishing with the top Costa Rica sportfishing captains this season, don’t wait. It’s time to start planning and booking your Costa Rica fishing trip.