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 Costa Rica has long been known as an outstanding world class fishing destination. The southern Pacific region offers some of the best offshore and inshore fishing to be found anywhere in the world. Large Pacific Sailfish are found in abundance here and can be caught regularly year round with December through May seeing the greatest numbers pass through this area. It is not uncommon to raise 20-30 sails in a day when the fishing is hot.
What kind of fish can you expect Offshore?
Marlin, dorado, tuna and wahoo are also abundant in these waters and offer limitless fishing opportunities. August through December is typically the best time of the year for marlin, but these monsters, up to and over 800 pounds, can be caught anytime of the year. Dorado and tuna fishing becomes more consistent around the end of May and great catches continue through October. Large dorado and tuna are also caught year round but in variable numbers. The biggest tuna are usually taken during the prime sail fishing months. These include huge yellowfin up to 300 pounds and large bigeye tuna. Many other species
of game fish inhabit these waters including Mako sharks and rainbow runners.
 In Costa Rica, we typically use what I like to call the Bait and Switch Technique. Hookless teasers are trolled until a fish is raised. The fish is then teased closer to the boat if possible while a live bait is free lined back to its position. This gives the angler a chance to hook their own fish and get involved in the whole process, a lot more exciting than just reeling in fish. Fly fishing for these monsters is also productive using this method with a fly instead of live bait.
Calm seas and short runs to the blue water make this area even more attractive to anglers. It is a rare day on the Osa Peninsula that the weather keeps the boats inshore. We practice catch and release fishing only for sails and marlin so bring a video camera and lots of batteries. We do however like to keep some dorado and tuna for the dinner table so come prepared to eat lots of fresh fish if you would like to.
Rooterfish and many other popular targets that you can catch inshore...
Inshore fishing is excellent year round. Roosterfish and large snapper are a popular target species as well as snook, pompano, large jacks, barracuda, mackerel and many others.
 Roosterfish that average 20-30 pounds or so are common and fish up to 100 pounds have been taken in this area. A forty or fifty pound rooster is not an uncommon sight at all. They like to inhabit the many volcanic reefs and rock outcroppings common to the area. They are also frequently found lurking just past the breakers on sandy beaches and around river mouths. Giant dog toothed and pargo snapper also roam these same areas.
Inshore fishing is most productive using live bait. We like to use blue runners and/or sardines on a weightless hook for roosterfish and add some weight when trying to get down to the large snappers. Throwing lures around rocks is also exciting as well as jigging volcanic reefs for snapper, amberjack and grouper. When the tides are right, snook fishing around river mouths can be very productive.
Fishing from shore...
Even fishing from the shore can produce some very large fish. Large roosters, snapper and snook can often easily be found and fished from different shoreline structure but be careful what you hook into. Since you have no way to pursue a large fish, don’t be surprised if your fishing reel gets spooled. Once, I had almost 300 yards of 40lb test peeled from my reel in about 60 seconds while night fishing off the private pier at Crocodile Bay Resort. Never saw the fish once. He ran and never stopped or slowed down and my line broke near the spool after tightening down the drag in a last ditch effort to turn the fish with my few remaining yards of line. I’ve heard of locals catching large Goliath Grouper in the area up and over 100 pounds but I have never been able to substantiate these reports.
World class fishing...
 Costa Rica’s reputation for world class fishing is well deserved, but like with any other fishing endeavor there are never any guarantees. Although your chances for success are substantially increased by fishing in this proven environment, you never know what to expect. One day you might raise 20 sails and the next only 1. Natural conditions are constantly changing as do the quantity and location of the fish.
Remember, sharp hooks equal tight lines. Don’t overlook even the smallest details while challenging your prey. Everything matters from choosing the best fishing destination to the maintenance of your tackle. Don’t let the big one get away because of a dull hook or bad knot. Come on down and put your fishing skills to the test. Don’t worry if you are new to the sport as our experienced captains and crew are there to make sure you have the best chance possible to catch fish and provide all the instructions needed to master your first sailfish or marlin.
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Come fish aboard the “Jodari”!
New 2005 30 ft. Carolina Classic. First class express sport-fisher with the comfort and ride of a 40 footer. Twin 330 hp turbo Cummins diesels. Full electronics, large shade cover, refrigerator, insulated fish boxes, complete safety equipment, U.S. Coastguard approved. Penn spinning reels, Shimano 2 speed conventional reels, Bill Pate fly reels.
Fish Offshore: for sailfish, marlin, dorado, tuna and more.
Full day offshore includes pickup at 7:00 am at the dock in Puerto Jimenez, 8 hours of fishing, bait, tackle, lunch and cold drinks. Back to the dock at 3:00 pm.
Fish Inshore: The rocks and shoreline around Matapolo is home to world record Snappers, huge Roosterfish, Jacks, Wahoo, and more. Fish live baits and/or lures. Fish the river mouths for snook if the tide is right.
Full day inshore package includes pickup at 7:00 am at the dock in Puerto Jimenez, 8 hours of fishing, bait, tackle and drinks. Back to the dock at 3:00 pm.
Captain Mike Hennessy
Mike has been a skipper in south west Costa Rica since 1995. He is one of the few skippers in Costa Rica holding a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s License and has over 20 years experience with big game fishing in the Pacific.
Jodari Sport Fishing Pricing and Schedules:
• Full Day (offshore and inshore) 7am-3pm 1-4 people
• Half Day (inshore only): 7am-11:30am 1-4 people
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36" Boston Whaler Express
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Fish aboard a customized 36’ Boston Whaler Express with an outstanding second generation sports fishing guide, Captain Donald Mc Guiness. Following in his father’s footsteps, he is one of Costa Rican leading sportfishing Captains. His records and accomplishments can attest to this. When he’s not out with clients, you can often find him out fishing by himself for giant marlin or tuna.
• Boat description: 36’ Boston Whaler Express
• English speaking Captain
• Twin diesel Cummin’s
• 14 foot wide beam whith huge fishing deck
• Professional top quality equipment
• Great crew
• Up to 6 passengers
• Everything included (drinks, lunch, snacks, ice, bait,etc.) |
Triple Sails "All three released".
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The Osa Map
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