Quepos, Costa Rica

Fishing Seasons

One of the most common question I am ask is...when is the best time to catch fish in Costa Rica?

We really have a year round fishery along the Pacific coast.  We go offshore and one day it may be sailfish and mahi mahi, the next day it may be marlin and tuna.

In general our best weather and fishing months are from mid November to mid April.  This is when we usually catch the most sailfish and mahi mahi offshore.  Our "green season" months from May to October is when we usually catch more marlin, yellowfin tuna and roosterfish. 

The ocean is a big place and it changes every week and so can the fishing.  The bite will depend on water temperature, water color, moon phase, wind, rain, currents and most importantly where the feeder fish are.  The fish don't really care what month it is.

In general the calendar below will show you what months are best for what fish.

January 

Enero 

During January and February, the Sailfishing in Quepos, Costa Rica is arguably the best in the entire world. In this month there is a good chance of releasing 10-15 Sailfish in one day. The Dorado bite is also really good in January, with a great chance of taking home enough fillets to make dinner for the entire family... and the crew on the boat... and anyone else at the dock that eats Dorado. If bottom fishing is your thing, you're looking at taking home some Snapper or a sought after Roosterfish.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

February

Febrero 

As previously stated, February is known to be one of the busiest months of the season for Pacific Sailfish. This month is also great for Dorado, Snapper and Roosterfish. It is not uncommon to catch a Sailfish, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna all in one day in February. Add a Marlin and you've got a Costa Rican grand slam!

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

March

Marzo 

In March we are still banging out the super Sailfish days and finding a charter is a little bit easier. This is usually about the time when business slows down just a tad but the fishing is still pumping. I really like to fish in March and have had great luck. As a matter of fact, this past March when Daina and I got engaged, we ran into Sails, Huge Dorado, two different types of Snapper, some Amberjack and also landed 2 Roosterfish on the way in. Not a bad day overall.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

April

Abril 

April is usually still slamming, but starts to slow down towards the end. I have locked into a Blue Marlin once or twice (once) off of Quepos in April, which is not uncommon. A pretty interesting thing happens as April fades into May... the Sailfishing drops off and the Blue Marlin begin to really hit hard. A Pacific Blue Marlin can weigh around 250lbs and will be a really fun experience if you missed Sailfish season due to a broken pinky toe or something. Quick fact: a Marlin can swim over 100 yards in  about 4 seconds.  (About 55mph)

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

May

Mayo 

May is when we have a short pickup on the bite of Blue Marlin. The reports in May generally don't come back without at least a raise on a Blue each day. We also have a pickup in the Black Marlin bite in May... which can reach over 15ft long and weigh over 1,200lbs. (Black Marlin have been recorded weighing over 1,470lbs) Unfortunately, the commercial longliners often kill Marlin with their chosen methods of fishing, so boats have begun to go farther and farther out on a Marlin expedition. If you would like to fish for a Marlin off of Quepos, you should check out the boats in the Quepos Fleet and choose a fast boat, and probably one with twin engines. It can sometimes be a long haul.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

June

Junio 

June in Quepos is a "yeah, let's go fishing and have a good time, who knows what the hell we'll catch" kind of month. When you leave the docks, be prepared for anything. You could be up to catch a 100lb+ Yellowfin Tuna as this is the month that usually starts the Tuna bite. 

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

July

Julio 

July is a very easy time for most people to plan a trip to Costa Rica. While the fishing for Sailfish in July can be pretty slow, you might have some luck of hooking up with a Blue or Black... or possibly a YFT or a Roosterfish. Tuna are biting now, and Dorado are piling up under the debris from the rivers... it is rainy season. Sails are also usually hanging around under the debris also, feeding on all of the bait underneath. Keep an eye on the reports and feel this month out.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

August

Augusto 

August is a great month for Tuna, Dorado and the occasional Sailfish. Remember, Marlin, Sailfish, Rooster and a ton of other inshore species can be caught year round.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

September

Septiembre 

September is the beginning of the Marlin months. This is a great time to book a big boat and go Marlin hunting. A few day trip might be in order here, especially if they are as thick as the 2007 season. The Marlin were everywhere!

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

October

October... the Marlin are still holding strong. We are right in the middle of peak season to catch a Blue or Black Marlin at this time. Boats often report 3-5 bites per day during these times.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

November

Noviembre 

Billfish galore! If you are looking to catch a Blue Marlin, Black Marlin or a Sailfish you are looking in the right month. Although the full on bite for Sailfish does not usually start until December or even January, there is still a pretty good bite going on. And add in the full blown Marlin bite and you could be in for a bammer!

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: 

December

Diciembre 

December starts the offical Sailfish migration. A ridiculous abundance of thees fish move north to the Pacific Coast starting just before or during December and leave around February or March. Sailfishing during this time can yield 10-20 Sails per day! This will leave a grown man whimpering, raiding the fridge and searching for a cigar. But what a good whimper. You all know that good whimper.

Blue Marlin:

Black Marlin:

Pacific Sailfish:

Dorado:

Snapper:

Yellowfin Tuna:

Roosterfish: