Southern Costa Rica, particularly the waters around Golfito and Puerto Jimenez, represents one of the most pristine and unpressured sportfishing destinations in Central America. This comprehensive guide, featuring insights from Mike Hennessy, lead captain for Colio Sportfishing, details the prime gamefish species available throughout the year in this remarkable fishery.

Why Southern Costa Rica?

Unlike the heavily trafficked fishing grounds of Tamarindo, Quepos, and Los Sueños in central and northern Costa Rica, the southern region provides anglers with a more pristine and authentic experience. The lack of infrastructure in Golfito and Puerto Jimenez naturally limits the number of visiting anglers, creating a more exclusive fishery. This reduced pressure has a direct impact on fish behavior and catch rates.

The Golfo Dulce, one of only four tropical fjords in the world, creates a unique ecosystem where multiple species thrive. The deep waters of the gulf combine with the productive offshore waters of the Pacific to create diverse fishing opportunities within a relatively compact area. While other Costa Rican ports might see dozens of sportfishing boats heading out each morning, southern waters typically host just a handful of vessels, allowing anglers to fish primo spots without competition.

The region's remoteness has also helped preserve traditional fishing techniques and local knowledge, providing anglers with a more authentic Costa Rican fishing experience. This lack of fishing pressure contributes to exceptional catch rates, with fish behaving more naturally and being more likely to strike presented baits. Whether targeting blue marlin offshore or roosterfish along the rocky coastline, anglers often find themselves alone on the fishing grounds, a rarity in today's sportfishing world.

Luis Enrique battling a goliath grouper in Costa Rica

Monthly Fishing Calendar

January: Peak Season Begins

Blue Marlin: Primary target species, with excellent numbers
Black Marlin: Strong presence in local waters
Yellowfin Tuna: Consistent action for quality fish
Roosterfish: Excellent inshore opportunities
Wahoo: Solid wahoo patrol nearshore sturcture
Fishing Strategy: Focus on offshore waters for billfish in the morning, with opportunities for inshore roosterfish action in the afternoon

February: Billfish Bonanza

Blue Marlin: Continued strong presence
Sailfish: Peak season begins
Cubera Snapper: Quality bottom fishing opportunities
Fishing Strategy: Target sailfish on the surface while watching for marlin, with opportunities for bottom fishing during slower periods

March: Mixed Bag Excellence

Blue Marlin: Consistent action continues
Sailfish: Prime time for multiple shots per day
Yellowfin Tuna: Numbers typically increasing
Black Marlin: Opportunities for trophy fish
Fishing Strategy: Versatile fishing approach needed to take advantage of multiple species

April: Transition Period

Sailfish: Peak numbers
Yellowfin Tuna: Excellent school size fish
Cubera Snapper: Prime time for trophy specimens
Roosterfish: Inshore action heating up
Fishing Strategy: Focus on sailfish with opportunity for inshore species

May-August: Blue Water Season

These months share similar characteristics with consistent opportunities:

Blue Marlin: Prime time for numbers
Yellowfin Tuna: Reliable action
Roosterfish: Excellent inshore opportunities
Tarpon: 100 plus lb. tarpon have established themselves in the Gulfo Dulce
Fishing Strategy: Focus on offshore waters for marlin and tuna, with inshore opportunities during afternoon periods. Sight casting to tarpon found rolling on the surface.

September-November: Dorado Run

This period marks a transition with specific opportunities:

Dorado: Peak season
Roosterfish: Consistent inshore action
Snook: Prime time for trophy fish
Tarpon: Opportunity for big fish on fly or conventional gear
Blue Marlin: Still present, particularly in November
Fishing Strategy: Target dorado around floating debris and current lines, with opportunities for big snook inshore and giant tarpon.

December: Grand Finale

The year closes with exceptional fishing opportunities across all species:

Blue Marlin
Black Marlin
Sailfish
Dorado
Yellowfin Tuna
Roosterfish
Snook
Cubera Snapper
Wahoo
Fishing Strategy: Most versatile month requiring flexible approach based on daily conditions and target species

yellowfin tuna caught on spiner dolphin schools in Costa Rica

Planning Your Trip

Best Times to Visit

Peak Season: December through March offers the most diverse fishing opportunities
Blue Marlin Season: May through August provides consistent action
Dorado Run: September through November
Tarpon on Fly: May through November for sight casting solid fish on the surface
Year-round Options: Quality fishing available every month with varying target species

Fishing Methods

Trolling for billfish and dorado
Live baiting for tuna, roosterfish and snapper
Popper fishing for tuna
Bottom fishing for cubera snapper and pompano
Sight casting huge tarpon

Location Specifics

Golfito: Protected waters provide marina access for year-round fishing adventure
Puerto Jimenez: Access to both Golfo Dulce and offshore waters
Offshore Seamounts: Productive areas for billfish and tuna
Inshore Structure: World-class habitat for roosterfish and snapper

Head South

Southern Costa Rica's remote location and relatively unpressured waters make it a premier destination for anglers seeking quality fishing opportunities throughout the year. Whether targeting billfish offshore or pursuing inshore species like roosterfish and snook, the region offers consistent action and the chance for trophy fish across multiple species. The area's diversity is showcased by its ability to produce trophy-class fish consistently - from 500+ pound blue marlin to 50+ pound cubera snapper and 60+ pound roosterfish.

What makes this region particularly exciting is its continuing evolution as a sportfishing destination. An emerging tarpon fishery has been discovered in recent years, with anglers landing specimens well over 100 pounds. This unexpected development in the Pacific waters adds another dimension to an already world-class fishery, suggesting that the full potential of these waters may still be untapped.

The combination of established gamefish populations and emerging opportunities, coupled with the region's commitment to conservation and sustainable fishing practices, positions southern Costa Rica as not just a premier fishing destination for today, but one that promises even greater potential for future generations of anglers.

About the Expert

Mike Hennessy, the inspiration behind Colio Sportfishing, has established himself as one of the most versatile and accomplished captains in the international sportfishing community. His expertise in southern Costa Rica's waters has earned him a reputation for consistently putting clients on trophy-class fish, particularly blue marlin and large yellowfin tuna. What sets Captain Mike apart is his mastery of both conventional and fly fishing techniques, allowing him to adapt to any fishing situation or client preference.

Beyond his Costa Rican operations, Mike maintains an impressive international presence, splitting his time between three of the world's premier fishing destinations: Costa Rica, Fiji, and Hawaii. This unique rotation allows him to fish year-round in peak seasons across the Pacific, where he targets everything from giant Pacific blue marlin to GT's on the flats. His experience in these diverse fisheries has helped him develop innovative techniques that he applies successfully in Costa Rican waters.

Captain Mike's commitment to understanding gamefish behavior and movements, combined with his technical expertise in both conventional and fly fishing, makes him an invaluable resource for anglers looking to experience the best of what southern Costa Rica has to offer.

Seth Horne In The Spread,
Creator