Fishing Costa Rica

Costa Rica`s rich waters boast giant marlin, super sailfish, vigorous tarpon, record-class snook and more than a dozen hard-hitting freshwater species. On the Pacific, it is not uncommon to catch and realease 30 sailfish and even a marlin or two - in just one day. Boat operatos release all billfish that are not record conteders; the watres hold many world records. Even deep-sea fly-fishing nets a record number of fish.

The Fish Calendar. Here are some of the fish and their seasons, listed geographically. Keep in mind though, fish don`t use calendars:

North Pacific Waters		Marlin: Caught 12 months a year. Peak periods are from November to early March and August and September. Sailfish: Caught year-around, peaking between August and Octiber. Several fish between 200 and 400 lbs caught annually. In addition to these, there are plenty of dorado, wahoo, and roosterfish

Central Pacific Wnaters		Marlin: Caught 12 months a year, but October and its shoulder months are best. Sailfish: The middle of December to the end of April is best reated, but sometimes October has big schools. Tuna: Peak months are June through September, but tuna is available year-around. A dozen or more 200 lb-plus fish are taken every year. Snook: The rainy season seems to be the best; a world record Pacific black snook was caught near Rio Naranjo.

South Pacific Waters		The Golfito area is famous for its big roosterfich year-around. Marlin: August through December is peak. Sailfish: December to the end of March is best, then again in August and September. Tuna: August through March is the best time of the 100 pounders, but fish of up to 30 lbs are caught year-around. Snook: The rainy season seems to be the best; a world record Pacific black snook was caught near Rio Naranjo.

Caribbean Waters		Tarpon: Traditionally these fish are caught most often during dry season, December through May. Snook & Fat Snook: Snook catches generally peak of March through September and November. Fat Snook (Calba) become plentiful November and through January. Billfish: Out in the deep blue water are Atlantic blue malin and Atlantic sailfish. Most are caught between February and September. Also caught in grat numbers here are wahoo, dorado, tripletail, kingfish, Spanish and cero mackerel, jack crevalle and barracuda