Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express

On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica since the 1970s, Randy Wilson pioneered sportfishing in this area with Tamarindo Sportfishing. Located close to the deep water, Tamarindo is the perfect base of operation. Spectacular year-round fishing for Sailfish, Marlin, Mahi Mahi, Yellowfin Tuna, Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper, Wahoo, and assorted other inshore species are all accessible with a short run time. Spend your day fishing, not running to where the fish are!

The ‘Talking Fish’ is our 38’ Topaz Express with fast twin 671 Detroit diesels and lots of comfortable seating in the shade. The boat has a tower, a large cockpit area with a full-size fighting chair and full electronics. Bring your music and hook it up to the sound system.

With Captain Arturo Rosales at the helm and mates Javier and Honorio on deck, you are in for a great day on the water. They are all experienced, fun and knowledgeable and speak English. Fishing is their passion, and they work hard so you’ll have the experience of a lifetime!

All equipment is Penn International and Shimano tackle. We are happy to accommodate experienced anglers as well as families and novices of all ages.

Conservation of the resource is important, and we use techniques to make sure the billfish are released unharmed. With edible fish, the crew is happy to keep your catch filleted and on ice for the day so you can have it cooked at one of Tamarindo’s many superb restaurants. We look forward to taking you fishing!



Trip availability and prices

  • Private trip
    Half Day Trip (AM)
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    5 Hour Trip, starts at 7:15 AM
    Price for up to 7 persons
    US $1,356
    On half days, you'll stay inshore. The crew will look for action to keep everyone busy and to catch fish for dinner. The price includes a 13% tax in accordance with Costa Rican law.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Spinning
    Targeted fish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Jack Crevalle
    Jack Crevalle
    Roosterfish
    Roosterfish
    Tuna (Skipjack)
    Skipjack Tuna
    Tuna (Yellowfin)
    Yellowfin Tuna
    Grouper (Broomtail)
    Broomtail Grouper
    Grouper (Black)
    Black Grouper
    Shark (Blacktip)
    Blacktip Shark
    Snapper (Cubera)
    Cubera Snapper
    Tuna (Bigeye)
    Bigeye Tuna
    Conger Eel
    Conger Eel
    Grouper (Snowy)
    Snowy Grouper
  • Private trip
    3/4 Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    7 Hour Trip, starts at 7:15 AM
    Price for up to 7 persons
    US $1,921
    If you'd like to go offshore but don't want to do the full day 9 hour trip, Tamarindo Sportfishing offers a 7 hour 3/4 day trip. There is time to go after Billfish offshore with time leftover to catch your dinner! The price includes a 13% tax in accordance with Costa Rican law.
    Types of fishing
    Inshore Fishing
    Offshore Fishing
    Fishing techniques
    Deep Sea Fishing
    Bottom Fishing
    Jigging
    Trolling
    Targeted fish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Marlin (Blue)
    Blue Marlin
    Roosterfish
    Roosterfish
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Tuna (Yellowfin)
    Yellowfin Tuna
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Grouper (Broomtail)
    Broomtail Grouper
    Marlin (Black)
    Black Marlin
    Marlin (Striped)
    Striped Marlin
  • Private trip
    Full Day Trip
    FREE Cancellation 7 days notice
    9 Hour Trip, starts at 7:15 AM
    Price for up to 7 persons
    US $2,203
    The full day, 9 hour trip will give you ample time to head offshore and find the Billfish and can easily be combined with fishing inshore for your dinner. The price includes a 13% tax in accordance with Costa Rican law.
    Types of fishing
    Lake Fishing
    Targeted fish
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
    Marlin (Blue)
    Blue Marlin
    Roosterfish
    Roosterfish
    Sailfish
    Sailfish
    Tuna (Yellowfin)
    Yellowfin Tuna
    Wahoo
    Wahoo
    Grouper (Broomtail)
    Broomtail Grouper
    Marlin (Black)
    Black Marlin
    Marlin (Striped)
    Striped Marlin
    Snapper (Cubera)
    Cubera Snapper
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.7 / 5
out of 5 stars from 64 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (138)
Great fishing and Family friendly
Great fishing and Family friendly
Great fishing and Family friendly
+135
Angler rating
53
7
3
1
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
92%
Friendly captain
96%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
82%
Satisfied with the boat
98%
Caught fish
83%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 64 reviews
Ben C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great fishing and Family friendly

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on August 2, 2024
We fished on Friday 8/2/2024 with Captain Arturo and Orandeo and Jose. The captain was fantastic, he met our family on the...
Ben C. recommends Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express
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Jeter W.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on March 1, 2024
This trip was amazing, starting with the boat. It was able to take on whatever was coming at us. The crew was amazing. The...
Jeter W. recommends Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express
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  TAMARINDO SPORTFISHING Charter Operator replied

Douglas F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Awesome

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on February 26, 2024
Everything about this trip was great from the planning, to the crew to the fishing was amazing and well run! Great experience...
Douglas F. recommends Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express
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  TAMARINDO SPORTFISHING Charter Operator replied

Leslie P. S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Tamarindo

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on May 7, 2024
Great captain and crew!  We had a blast catching sailfish and grouper.  Wonderful day.  Highly recommend!
Leslie P. S. recommends Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express
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  TAMARINDO SPORTFISHING Charter Operator replied

Anne W.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Exciting day indeed!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip on April 5, 2024
We saw hundreds of dolphins on our way to catching 3 yellowfin tuna, then we saw 2 orca whales before heading to shallower...
Anne W. recommends Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express
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  TAMARINDO SPORTFISHING Charter Operator replied

FAQs about Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express

Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express offers the following trips to customers:
  • US $1,356 per group - Half Day Trip (AM) (5 hours)
  • US $1,921 per group - 3/4 Day Trip (7 hours)
  • US $2,203 per group - Full Day Trip (9 hours)

When you book a trip with Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
  • Toilet In the cabin, separate bathroom with door. Sink to wash hands
  • Fighting Chair
  • GPS
  • Fishfinder
  • Bed
  • Flybridge
  • Multimedia System Bring your music and we'll play it!
  • Outriggers
  • Tuna Tubes

Trips booked with Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express include:
  • Rods, reels & tackle
  • Live Bait (No bait stores here, so we catch our own.)
  • Lures
  • Catch cleaning & filleting (Fish will be cleaned and filleted and kept on ice during the day. No extra charge although a tip is much appreciated by the crew. We will be happy to recommend local restaurants that will prepare your catch.)
  • Snacks (Fruit, chips, brownies)
  • Drinks (Water, beer, sodas, ginger ale, tea)
  • First Mate (At least 10% tips are very appreciated)
  • Lunch (Full days only: sandwiches)

Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express offers the following types of fishing:
  • Inshore Fishing
  • Nearshore Fishing
  • Offshore Fishing (Up to 12 miles)
  • Reef Fishing

Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express offers the following fishing techniques:
  • Light Tackle
  • Heavy Tackle
  • Bottom Fishing
  • Trolling
  • Jigging
  • Fly Fishing (Please bring your own fly equipment)
  • Deep Sea Fishing

Top targeted fish species with Talking Fish - 38’ Topaz Express include:
  • Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
  • Grouper (Broomtail)
  • Marlin (Black)
  • Marlin (Blue)
  • Marlin (Striped)
  • Roosterfish
  • Sailfish
  • Snapper (Cubera)
  • Tuna (Yellowfin)
  • Wahoo

Your operator

TAMARINDO SPORTFISHING
Tamarindo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
21 Fishing Reports
ID & license verified
85 Customer reviews
Response time within an hour
Member since October 2014
I'm Randy Wilson and I grew up in Miami, started fishing as a kid. Fished and surfed all through high school and college. I moved to Costa Rica in 1974. Experienced the incredible fishing here and developed my charter business. I ran the Talking Fish for over 30 years and stepped off the boat (and out of the sun) in November of 2023. I now operate and manage our two boats with experienced local bilingual captains and mates. After fishing here for 40+ years, I am still excited about sharing the experience with anglers from all over the world and giving them the trip of a lifetime! Our 38' Topaz TALKING FISH is captained by Arturo Rosales. Our 27' Dusky OUTCAST is captained by Javier Ruiz.

The fish you can target

Dolphin (Mahi Mahi) Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Grouper (Broomtail) Broomtail Grouper
Marlin (Black) Black Marlin
Marlin (Blue) Blue Marlin

What the boat is like

Boat Image
Boat category
Sportfishing boats
Capacity
7 persons
Boat length
38 ft
Year built
1985
Restored in
2022
Boat manufacturer
Topaz Express
Boat type
Sportfishing

Engine model
Detroit Diesel 671TI
Powered by
2 x 400HP
Max cruising speed
23 knots

Which types of fishing are offered

Inshore Fishing
Nearshore Fishing
Offshore Fishing
Up to 12 miles
Reef Fishing

Which fishing techniques you can try

Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Jigging
Fly Fishing
Please bring your own fly equipment
Deep Sea Fishing

Which amenities are available onboard

Toilet
In the cabin, separate bathroom with door. Sink to wash hands
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Flybridge

What’s included in the trip price

Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
No bait stores here, so we catch our own.
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Fish will be cleaned and filleted and kept on ice during the day. No extra charge although a tip is much appreciated by the crew. We will be happy to recommend local restaurants that will prepare your catch.
Snacks
Fruit, chips, brownies
Drinks
Water, beer, sodas, ginger ale, tea
First Mate
At least 10% tips are very appreciated
Lunch
Full days only: sandwiches

How cancellations work

Free cancellation up to 7 days prior to trip

You can cancel or modify your booking up to 7 days before the trip date, free of charge. If you cancel or modify your booking later, or fail to show up, you'll forfeit 100% of what you've paid.

What the listing policies are

Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
No min. age, life jackets supplied
You Keep Catch
Yes and clients share some with the crew
Crew Keeps Catch
Crew gets part of the catch for their dinner
Catch and Release Allowed
Catch and Release Mandatory
All billfish and roosterfish

How you can pay

Book with 20% deposit, pay rest to captain

When the captain confirms your trip, FishingBooker charges your credit card a 20% deposit to guarantee your reservation.

The remaining balance is to be paid directly to the charter operator on or prior to your trip date in one of the following payment methods:

Cash
Visa
Mastercard
American Express

What’s biting in Tamarindo right now

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