agunn333

I was wondering if anyone has experience fishing in northern Costa Rica in December. It looks like the sailfish, tuna, and mahi seasons are all earlier in the year. I wanted to know if it's worth trying to go offshore or if I should stick to rooster fish which are in season.

Also, I am trying to figure would if El Niño has any affect on the fishing in this area.

Thanks for any info.

Curmudgeon

I don't know about El Nino, but December IS sailfish season in CR. It's also the priciest ...

CaptGeneKelly

There's always a chance at sails, marlin or tuna. the winds shouldn't be a problem yet.For more info about fishing throughout Costa Rica, check out www.tropicalfishing.com/costarica

agunn333

I think the sailfish will be good that time of year in the central Pacific around Los Suenos. I took a trip out of Los Suenos in June and it wasn't productive at all. We got one bite. In January I think double digits are the norm. I think the sailfish seasons are flipped in Guanancaste and Los Suenos. If I were going in August I would definitely book a trip but I just don't know how off the off season actually is. Some captains tell me it just takes a bit more time to find the fish.

I have tried to look at reports through the year and look for trends.

Fishing Reports

Check out the calendar at the bottom, might be useful: https://fishingbooker.com/destinatio...r/GU/tamarindo

SailFishQuepos

There are tons of sailfish up there in December, the problem will be if they can get out to them. They have a wind up there called the Papagayo wind that takes off usually around early December and once that wind hits, the boats have to hug the shore and can't get out to the fish. The wind will eventually blow off the hot water and the fish go elsewhere, but I think in December the fish will probably still be around.

That is the peak season for sailfish in Quepos and Los Suenos, last year we had mostly double days on our 30 footer. We have had lots of El nino's in the last few years and they haven't played a huge role in billfish.

The biggest player in our sailfish season has been the commercial fisherman, but the last three years the government pushed them out of the first 40 miles of the coast, and the last three years have been better and better for billfish. This year we actually set a record for most sailfish caught in a single day of a tournmant ever in IGFA history, so I would expect 2016 to be even better as the fishery recovers even more!

agunn333

Thanks for the info. If I was by myself I would make the trek down south but this is a family trip. I think we are going on one of the cheaper boats so if it doesn't work out then oh well.

lwpierrat

Been there for the Papagayo winds around x-mas.Wasnt pretty.

BlueFishes

Call Rick with Rhino Charger. You can go easily at.that time of year. If the winds have already picked up they will hug the shoreline and head south till they find a wind break...usually 15 to 20 miles and then head out. Fishing is awesome there and it's a good time of year.

I wouldn't go offshore with the papagayo winds in anything less than a 32'.

Inshore fishing is better just north...Flamingo...lots of roosters....I used to spend Days in a kayak catching them... Troll live bait...hard tails work best but are sometimes hard to come by.

I'll be there in November fishing with Rick.