An Anglers Dream!
By Staff writers

For anglers who want to reel in the big ones, Costa Rica is the ideal fishing destination.

Both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts offer some of the best salt water fishing anywhere. It all depends what you're after.

The tarpon is one of the world's most incredible fighting fish. As someone once truly said, landing a 75-pound tarpon is like trying to haul a '49 Buick from the bottom of the ocean.

There is no better tarpon fishing than in the waters in and around Barra del Colorado, a small village on Costa Rica's north Caribbean coast near the Nicaraguan border, and no better person to find them than Eddie Brown, generally acclaimed as one of the world's greatest tarpon fisherman.

The only way to get to Barra del Colorado is by plane from San Jose. The area itself is incredible: a rich, tropical delta jungle, featuring lush foliage, an abundance of birds and other wildlife, such as monkeys and small jungle cats, and of course, the tarpon.

A typical fishing excursion to Barra would be something like this: you would fly in on the very early morning flight from San Jose. Eddie Brown will meet your flight and take you to one of the area's top fishing lodges, Casa Mar, owned by world-famous angler and sportsman Bill Barnes. After a solid, tasty breakfast, Eddie will take you offshore to go after those tarpon. If he can't find them, no one can.

You'll be back at Casa Mar for lunch, and then out again, either back offshore for more, or if you like, to do some beach casting for the incredibly tasty snook which inhabit the region, or trolling in the winding canals of the surrounding delta. The expert angler might try casting for tarpon with a fly.

That evening, Casa Mar's fabulous cooks will prepare your catch to perfection, or if you come back empty handed, will offer you some of the best fried chicken or pork chops you've ever tasted. Casa Mar's open bar (your stay there is all-inclusive) features some of the world's most prestigious alcoholic beverages, so relax and enjoy the evening.

Spend the next day or two doing about the same - whatever pleases you most. An added attraction, if you are in the mood, is a trip up the coast and across the border to Nicaragua, where you can fish on the San Juan River.

You would leave Barra - and one of the most unique and rewarding angling experiences - on the early morning return flight to San Jose.

If billfish are what you fancy, Costa Rica's Pacific coast is where you want to be. There are three main fishing areas: the North Pacific, which includes the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula from the Gulf of Papagayo south through Samara and Carillo; the Central Pacific, which revolves around Quepos and the new slips in Herradura; and the South Pacific, which includes the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce.

North Pacific

Flamingo and Tamarindo, along with Garza, Nosara and Carillo further south, are the key fishing sites in the North Pacific, where many of the world records for billfish and other salt water species have been set. Marlin and sails can be caught throughout the year, although for the former, November to March is exceptional, while May-August is the peak sail season. Tuna, especially the huge yellowfin tuna, peak in August-November.

For inshore fishing, roosterfish are caught year-round, but seem to love the Bay of Papagayo between May and November. Dorado (dolphin) are most plentiful in May-August, in 50-60 feet of water. And the tasty wahoo are found inshore when the rain starts in late May; they stick around in goodly numbers until October.

Some of the country's top captains and boats, such as Randy Wilson (Talking Fish, a 38' Topaz Express; and the 26' Salsa), Danny Arnold (White Magic, a 36' Mirage, the top boat in 1993 for marlin, winner of the Cape of Sails Tournament for marlin in 1994 & 1996), Mike Aikens (Cazador, a 37' Merrit), Warren Sellers (Cha-Tah, a 27' North American), the Wavedancer (44' Sportfisher) and many others, fish out of these centers.

Daily commercial domestic flights of 30-40 minutes link Tamarindo, Samara and Nosara with San Jose. All the North Pacific fishing centers are easily reached by taxi from one of these three. For convenience, air charters are available at any time during the day, as is land transportation from and to San Jose by comfortable, secure A/C vehicles with courteous, professional drivers.

There are excellent hotels along the North Pacific which have years of experience hosting fishing parties, and will facilitate communication with and transportation to the marinas and docks in their areas.

Central Pacific

Further south, in what is called the Central Pacific, is Quepos, along with the newly built slips north of there in Herradura. Quepos also features the beautiful Manuel Antonio park.

From Quepos, it's only 10-20 miles to the blue water where the billfish hang out; inshore one can get tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, dorado, jack, mackerel, cubera, a variety of small snapper species and even snook

October through November is best for Marlin; sails can be found all year, but are exceptional from November through April, when they begin moving north, although schools will begin arriving in October. Tuna can be caught out of the Quepos region year-round, but are most abundant from the end of May through September.

Quepos and Herradura are also home during the fishing season to some of Costa Rica's premier captains and boats. Here, like anywhere else, it's best to book early to ensure that anglers hook the best in these categories. Christmas through Easter is the peak sportfishing season throughout the country, so if you're thinking of fishing during this time, it is advisable to begin booking months in advance.

The Quepos/Manuel Antonio area is renowned for its wonderful hotels. It's just a short plane hop - 25 minutes from San Jose, and three and a half hours by car. Herradura is even closer to San Jose. As with the fishing centers further north, transportation to and from Quepos is available by domestic commercial flight, air charter or private land transportation; to Herradura by the latter only.

South Pacific

Not as well known, but becoming a big favorite with anglers, is the newly developed South Pacific, ranging from Drake Bay along the shores of the Osa Peninsula through Puerto Jimenez and Golfito in Golfo Dulce.

The South Pacific area of Costa Rica is, frankly speaking, gorgeous. Nature lovers gasp at the diversity of wildlife and vegetation. National Geographic unabashedly calls it "the most biologically intense place on earth".

Anglers are equally rewarded. Starting from the north, there is an abundance of wahoo, big cubera and roosterfish inshore in and around Drake Bay, as well as tuna, dorado, sails and some marlin that can be caught offshore. Drake Bay Wilderness Resort offers four-day and longer fishing packages that include both blue water and inshore angling.

Also in Drake Bay is the lovely Aguila de Osa Inn, which offers an extensive fleet of custom designed sportfishing vessels, ranging from 24' Palm Beach center consoles and a 24' Garret for inshore fishing, to 31' Palm Beach cold molded sportfishing boats and a 31' Garret to get anglers offshore. Aguila de Osa also features a wide range of fishing packages with professional captains and crews.

Moving south, there is Cape Matapalo on the tip of the Osa Peninsula. Offshore one can bring in sails, primarily December through March, and again in August-September; marlin, which can be caught throughout the year, but are most plentiful during the August-December period; and tuna, plentiful all year around, but for the big ones, the best time is the August-March. Inshore there are roosters that average over 30 pounds, grouper, jacks, barracuda, and trophy-size Pacific cubera snapper all year round.

Moving into Golfo Dulce, there is excellent snook fishing inside the Zancudo Peninsula, and farther north, at the mouth of the Esquinas river. Throughout the gulf there is light tackle fishing in its many small coves and rocky islets and shoreline, where small barracuda and snapper, along with corvina (sea bass) and an occasional snook of over 40 pounds can be found, The town of Golfito has two modern marinas, both offering fishing charters as well as slip facilities for incoming boats.

Crocodile Bay Lodge, nestled on 44 acres of beautiful tropical gardens and virgin forest near Puerto Jimenez, offers a range of excellent fishing packages which give a choice of both blue water and inshore fishing, or a combination of both. The resort has more than ten boats ranging from 17' flat boats, 21' Champion center consoles, 27' Rambo center consoles or 33' Strike boat with tower. Experienced English-speaking captains are on hand to guide anglers to the top fishing spots.

Practically all the fishing packages to South Pacific fishing centers include round trip air transportation from San Jose; boat or overland transportation from local airports to the respective resorts; lodging and all meals; plus the number of desired days angling.

Whatever your sportfishing preference, the experienced travel consultants at Costa Rica's Travel Web are available seven days a week for consultation and reservations. They will design fishing packages that include international air from any destination; transportation to the preferred sportfishing area; charters with the top captains and boats; and any other tourist activity that fishing clients might desire.

For the best in Costa Rican sportfishing, visit the Travel Web at http://www.crica.com/ , or call toll-free at 1-888-246-1431.

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