This 300lb Blue Marlin was caught/released out of Los Sueños Marina during the 1st week of June.
Well, summer can be the perfect time to fish in Costa Rica; there is some very decent billfish and tuna bites.
However, the big attractions are, during the 'Green Season' hotel and airline rates are lower, plus there is a greater availability of the country's top captains, which means, discounted rates.
Add the above, makes Costa Rica the ideal sport fishing destination for anglers who can get time off only during June, July and August.
It does rain a lot, but that doesn't mean you won't see the sun. The typical pattern in the rainy season is to have sunny days and rainy evenings, or a patch of sunny days followed by a few rainy ones. If you avoid the rainiest month of October, you will be assured to still see plenty of sunshine.
That being said, packing light is still a necessity. Several pairs of shorts, lightweight fishing shirts, T-shirts and flip-flops are all that's needed. A lightweight raincoat is also recommended. After all, this is the tropical rainforest and chances are you will have rain.
How much rain? Hummm … good question and one that this writer cannot answer.
Although marlin (black, blue and striped), sailfish and roosterfish are the primary targets for anglers, visitors will find a host of other species, including more than a dozen different snappers, groupers and jacks, as well as yellow fin tuna, black skipjack, Dorado and wahoo.
As for this writer, I caught/release my first Blue Marlin (around 220 lbs) two years ago fishing with Captain Bobby McGuinness out of Golfito/Puerto Jiménez during October. Grant you it was raining, the seas were a bit choppy, still, the old cliché, "An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home." … I rest my case.
To be honest, you will probably spend more time trolling and bottom fishing then catching, in other words, that bonding with fellow anglers may get a bit boring, and those Imperials in the ice chest will probably be gone. But who cares, that’s when the other cliché, "The worst day fishing beats the best day working" … just make sure you have some good friends, and don't invite the one that will ONLY bitch, because, that why they call it, “Fishing” and not “Catching.”
But you never know, three years ago, during October (the worst raining month) we caught in one day, twenty-two Dorado, five tuna, and raised about 10 sailfish and caught/released two out of Los Suenos. My arms felt like rubber at the end of the day. When we left the dock it was raining, but once outside, we fished on clear waters and patchy blue sky.
If you do come to Costa Rica in the rainy season, below are some of the off season fish.
Billfish: Although billfish are caught throughout the year, May through September can be the best times.
Tuna: Tuna can be a hit and miss. Normally after a heavy rain, schools may be easy to spot, but they will not bite. Or if they do, it is not the big ones, but smaller one that range from ten to 50lbs.
Wahoo: The wahoo season turns on as the water cools down a bit around May with the larger schools moving in and staying well into December. The larger fish tend to be caught earlier in May and June – wahoo usually keep biting until after the New Year.
Snook: Good fighters’ and are becoming a very popular game fish – the best months are from July through November during the heavy rainy season. Unfortunately, the seas do not always allow access the river mouths that hold the snook.
Dorado (mahi mahi) – Dorado are here year round as well, but they seem to ignore and/or spit the hook more, whether it is live bait or gig. However, like tuna, don’t expect to catch the monsters (over 70 lbs), expect to catch the smaller one, fifteen to 60 lbs.
One thing for sure, when one experience rainy season mornings this becomes a magical experience As the sun is rising and the clouds are clearing, sip your coffee and spend a moment, watching the jungle glistening with freshness and inhale the fragrant cool air before heading to the dock.
For more info about fishing anytime during the year, visit, Fishing Costa Rica
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