
Roosterfish – Sportfishing in Costa Rica
Roosterfish
‘If I fish Costa Rica inshore, will I be able to catch a Roosterfish?’ is one of the most frequent questions potential visitors ask. The answer is yes. Saltwater sportfishing enthusiasts come to Costa Rica from all corners of the world, from as far away as Australia, Lithuania, Russia and Uruguay, for instance, for the chance to hook, fight and then release one of these tough inshore gamefish. Costa Rica is simply one of the world’s top Roosterfish destinations.
See Which Charters Target Roosterfish in Costa Rica
Exciting Costa Rican sportfishing species

an exciting sport fish
Pound for pound, Roosterfish are one of the most exciting inshore species Costa Rican sport fishing has to offer. Roosterfish are tough buggers, and one of any size will give you a fierce fight before you are able to boat and release it.
Named for its comb-like, seven-spined dorsal fin, zebra-striped body and iridescent hue, Roosterfish are found year round in the inland waters along the entire Pacific coastline. They can reach weights in excess of 100lbs, but the average is 12-25lbs.
Roosterfish inhabit many areas
Many think that to catch Roosterfish you have to fish dangerously close to the surf along the beaches, but they can also be taken in open water, and have surprised anglers fishing for Snapper relatively far from shore as well. Anglers who fish Costa Rica will find Roosterfish in as little as five feet of water along shorelines and beaches, and at depths of 150 feet around deep reefs.
The most common methods recommended for fishing Costa Rica for Roosterfish is slow trolling live bait such as Threadfin Herring, Rainbow Runners, Sardines, Blue Runners and Mullet, although they can be caught bottom fishing and casting surface bait.
Fish Costa Rica for Roosterfish on the fly
Roosterfish can also be taken on the fly on a Costa Rica fishing charter, but doing so is a real accomplishment. Sometimes anglers will get only one shot before the fish retreats to the deep; sometimes they will get three or four. On this level, the quest for roosterfish is the fly-fishing equivalent of the Olympic biathlon, in which competitors cross-country ski from target to target, pausing briefly to take aim at the bull’s-eye.
All in all, Roosterfish are a light-tackle angler’s dream. Like all fish in the Jack family they fight hard, and will give anglers who fish Costa Rica a great run for the money. However, unlike some Jack, they do not generally go into the rocks, even though they often live in rocky areas. So you can land some pretty big Roosterfish on fairly light tackle.
Book an experienced Costa Rica sportfishing captain
In every important Costa Rica fishing destination, from Golfito and Puerto Jiménez in the South Pacific; through Pez Vela and Los Sueños marinas, and Tambor in the Gulf of Nicoya in the Central Pacific, through Tamarindo and Flamingo in the North Pacific, there are captains/guides considered top Roosterfish anglers on both conventional light and fly fishing tackle.
Costa Rica Charters for Roosterfish
- 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
- 21ft Bay Boat for Puerto Jimenez Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing, Saltwater 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
- 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
- 29ft Center Console for Herradura Bay Fishing
- Phone Number: Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Deep Sea Fishing, Saltwater Fishing, Pacific Ocean Fishing