Going to Costa Rica? Take A Costa Rica Fishing Vacation

You know the maxim: The best day of work is worse than the worst day of fishing. Are you an avid fisherman (or woman) a bit tired of being confined to local lakes and streams? Think about winter fishing. Cold days on a frozen lake or boating in blue, tropical waters. Hard decision to make? Not!!! Trade in your Chapstick and runny nose for suntan lotion, shorts and a flowered shirt, hop a jet to Costa Rica and enjoy fishing like you have always dreamed about. Costa Rica fishing is exactly what you need to get through winter.

Certainly, fishing in your frozen lake is fun because you get to be all dressed up in your finest winter time apparel, long johns, electric socks, boots, heavy sweater and heavier parka. Then, you have the pleasure of enjoying the cold north wind until your lips are so cold you sound like you have novacaine. All in pursuit of little fish nearly as cold as you. Of, you can break out of your winter routine and travel to Costa Rica where the only ice you will see will be in your glass. Think about it. What sounds better: Costa Rica fishing or a frozen butt?

On the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica, two of the favored fishing centers are Tamarindo and Flamingo, both of which are along its famous Gold Coast. Sailfish are in the waters here year round but the best fishing is May through August. Want to try your hand at tuna fishing? Fish these waters from August to October. You can often find large schools of tuna from 40 to 400 pounds. If roosterfish appeal to you, fish the Bay of Papagayo around November to March, staying near the shorelines. Depending on the time of year, you also might hook wahoo, marlin, or the shimmering dorado. And, for a terrific experience, rent an ocean kayak.

Billfish are a popular quarry for those angling in Costa Rica and the Central Pacific coast offers lots of them. Visit the waters off Quepos or the Los Suenos Marina from December to April to catch sails or marlin. From May though October many folks catch a vibrant dorado while trolling offshore. Tuna, wahoo, snapper, roosters, and snook are also available in this region and are found closer in. You will not be disappointed fishing here!

For many, Costa Rica fishing paradise is found on the southern Pacific coast down to Panama, off Puerto Jiminez, Golfo Dulce, and Drake Bay. When when the water is warm, big marlin and sailfish are abundant. Inshore, you will likely run into roosterfish, large snapper, wahoo, and amberjack. The Golfo Dulce is reported by many to offer the finest inland fishing in Costa Rica. This is because it contains many small coves and is very rocky, giving fish a great place to hide. Hook a barracuda, grouper, or delicious sea bass here as well as other inland species. Sometimes, you will have thousands of porpoises around your boat as they follow the bait fish.

Costa Rica's Caribbean waters contain the world famous fishing areas of Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado close to the Nicaragua border. Although these waters are often very choppy, you can catch many types of deep sea fish on days when the water is flat. The spectacular tarpon are plentiful here from May to November and some reach about 150 pounds or more. They are caught off river mouths and also in rivers and estuaries that are filled with wildlife. This wild part of Costa Rica close to where Christopher Columbus landed on his adventures is one of the few places where you might catch a rare Atlantic sail. Big snook are also readily available. You may even hook a giant grouper, guapote, tripletail, or Jack Crevalle! And, try to time your visit when the Atlantic green sea turtles are nesting along mile after mile of Tortuguero beaches.

Whether you are a professional angler or just an avid fisherman, Costa Rica fishing offers an outstanding, unique experience. Bear in mind that many kinds of fish follow the bait fish from place to place. There are lots of Costa Rica sportfishing vacation packages and loads of outfitters wherever you go. If you want to get in the sun and have a great time fishing in the tropics, you cannot go wrong with Costa Rica.