Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
+10Discover Southern Escapes Sport Fishing – located in the stunning coastal town of Quepos, Costa Rica, renowned as the Billfish capital of the world! Our range of conventional offshore fishing charters include full-day, 3/4 day, and multi-day/overnight marlin trips to the Fish Aggregating Devices (FAD), as well as all tournaments sponsored at Marina Pez Vela.
*** Due to demand, tournaments need to be booked 12 months in advance. Southern Escapes was the winner of the 2024/25 season kick off Dorado Derby Tournament (Nov 2024) and already booked for the Pelagic Rockstar tournament (Jan 2025), Pescadora all female tournament (Feb 2025) and Offshore World Championship tournament (April 2025).***
With a seasoned team boasting decades of experience, our staff – from captains to mates – is dedicated to assisting anglers of all levels. At Southern Escapes Sport Fishing, our profound passion for fishing is reflected in every aspect of what we offer.
We’re a US veteran owned & family operated fishing charter and pride ourselves on being the most affordable option while offering more than the competition in vessels our size. We have real-time, in-motion Starlink access anywhere our boat goes so guests can make calls, use the internet, and send pictures while aboard. We provide a gourmet lunch, water/soda/beer and snacks, full kitchen, head, A/C Salon and have the latest and greatest fishing equipment.
Captain
Stan Cook
Highlights
Plan your trip
Just booked! Last booked: 7 hours ago
Customer reviews
Rating summary
Photos & videos by reviewers (35)
+32Angler rating
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Caught fish
100%
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Unforgettable days on the water with Captain Stan and the Reel Freedom Crew!
Full Day Offshore Fishing on May 5, 2025
We had the absolute pleasure of fishing with Captain Stan on the Reel Freedom out of Quepos, Costa Rica—and what an incredible experience it was! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Captain Stan is the real deal—professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does. He put us right on the fish, and we had non-stop action throughout the day. His years of experience and calm confidence made the whole trip smooth and exciting. A huge shoutout to the mates onboard—these guys were phenomenal! Friendly, hardworking, and incredibly skilled, they made sure everything ran like clockwork. Whether it was rigging lines, helping land the catch, or just keeping spirits high, they were top-notch the entire time. And we can't forget Michele, Captain Stan's wonderful wife. From the moment we booked the trip, Michele was warm, welcoming, and incredibly helpful in making sure everything went off without a hitch. You can tell this is more than just a business—it’s a true family-run operation built on passion and pride. If you're looking for an unforgettable fishing adventure in Quepos, look no further than Reel Freedom. Thanks again to Captain Stan, Michele, and the amazing crew—we’ll definitely be back!
We had the absolute pleasure of fishing with Captain Stan on the Reel Freedom out of Quepos, Costa Rica—and what an incredible experience it was! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations. Captain Stan is the real deal—professional, knowledgeable, and passionate about what he does. He put us right on the fish, and we had non-stop action throughout the day. His years of experience and calm confidence made the whole trip smooth and exciting. A huge shoutout to the mates onboard—these...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Epic Sailfish day!!
Full Day Offshore Fishing on April 23, 2025
We had an amazing day on Reel Freedom. I've fished out of Quepos numerous times and our entire group thought Reel Freedom, Captain Bill and his team ran a spectacular boat. We had a rather large group of friends and all 7 of us caught sailfish - ended up landing 11 overall. Not only did Bill put us on the fish but his guys were great at keeping everyone engaged. The equipment was top notch and the boat was perfect for a larger group. Lunch was excellent !! I would absolutely go fishing with this crew when I am in Quepos and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to catch fish during their stay in Quepos!.
We had an amazing day on Reel Freedom. I've fished out of Quepos numerous times and our entire group thought Reel Freedom, Captain Bill and his team ran a spectacular boat. We had a rather large group of friends and all 7 of us caught sailfish - ended up landing 11 overall. Not only did Bill put us on the fish but his guys were great at keeping everyone engaged. The equipment was top notch and the boat was perfect for a larger group. Lunch was excellent !! I would absolutely go fishing...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day Trip with Stan Cook on the Reel Freedom
Full Day Offshore Fishing on March 25, 2025
If you are looking for an amazing off shore fishing experience in some of the best fishing waters in the world, I highly recommend Southern Escapes on the Reel Freedom. Stan Cook and his entire crew are a highly skilled fishing team that go above and beyond to make your trip one to remember. The boat is perfectly outfitted for fishing as well as relaxing whether on the upper deck enjoying the views under cover or the a/c cabin with full bathroom and amenities. I have fished my entire life both with family/friend's boats as well as charter boats and the Reel Freedom was the best experience to date. We landed 12 sailfish with the first hit being a double down which was a great way to start the morning. Definitely a bucket list checked off. We fully intend on visiting the beautiful country of Costa Rica again and will most certainly go back to Stan and the crew of Reel Freedom!
If you are looking for an amazing off shore fishing experience in some of the best fishing waters in the world, I highly recommend Southern Escapes on the Reel Freedom. Stan Cook and his entire crew are a highly skilled fishing team that go above and beyond to make your trip one to remember. The boat is perfectly outfitted for fishing as well as relaxing whether on the upper deck enjoying the views under cover or the a/c cabin with full bathroom and amenities. I have fished my entire life...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Full Day of REEL Fun!!!!
Full Day Offshore Fishing on March 25, 2025
We had the best time out with these guys. They helped us check of another bucket list fish!!! 12 sailfish in total during our trip. The boat is fully equipped with everything you need to catch some great sports fish and to satisfy your cravings for lunch from Butcher Block. (Check them out for dinner after you go fishing they are right in the Marina!!! ) The crew is very knowledgeable about the fish you are looking to catch and will bring you to the location to catch your dream fish!!!! There is AC and a head on board, so no need to worry about booking long trips. Capt Stan has you covered!!!!
We had the best time out with these guys. They helped us check of another bucket list fish!!! 12 sailfish in total during our trip. The boat is fully equipped with everything you need to catch some great sports fish and to satisfy your cravings for lunch from Butcher Block. (Check them out for dinner after you go fishing they are right in the Marina!!! ) The crew is very knowledgeable about the fish you are looking to catch and will bring you to the location to catch your dream fish!!!! There...
Experience:
Boat
Crew
Overall
Simply the Best Fishing Charter Experience
3/4 Day Offshore on April 12, 2025
Stan and his crew were friendly, welcoming and hospitable from the second we arrived at the marina. We caught a total of 12 sailfish and had an absolute blast all day. By far the best lunch I’ve ever had on a charter boat, they brought us brisket sandwiches, salads and Texas Twinkies from the best local restaurant Butchers Block I was absolutely stunned by how good it was. Basically I felt as if I was treated like a king for the day and was reeling in fish what felt like half the time. Absolutely phenomenal experience!!!!
Stan and his crew were friendly, welcoming and hospitable from the second we arrived at the marina. We caught a total of 12 sailfish and had an absolute blast all day. By far the best lunch I’ve ever had on a charter boat, they brought us brisket sandwiches, salads and Texas Twinkies from the best local restaurant Butchers Block I was absolutely stunned by how good it was. Basically I felt as if I was treated like a king for the day and was reeling in fish what felt like half the time. Absolutely...
FAQs about Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
What are the trip rates for Southern Escapes Sport Fishing?
Southern Escapes Sport Fishing offers the following trips to customers:
- US $1,999 per group - 3/4 Day Offshore (6 hours)
- US $2,400 per group - Full Day Offshore Fishing (8 hours)
- US $12,000 per day per group - FAD Trip 3 night/2days (3 days)
Which amenities are available onboard with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing?
When you book a trip with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing, you can expect the following amenities onboard:
- Toilet
- Air Conditioning
- Fighting Chair
- GPS
- Fishfinder
- Bed
- Live Bait Well
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- Multimedia System
- Outriggers
- Tuna Tubes
- Ice Box
- Radar
What's included in the trip price with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing?
Trips booked with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing include:
- Rods, reels & tackle
- Live Bait
- Lures
- Catch cleaning & filleting
- Snacks
- Drinks
- First Mate
- Lunch
What types of fishing does Southern Escapes Sport Fishing offer?
Southern Escapes Sport Fishing offers the following type of fishing:
- Offshore Fishing
What fishing techniques does Southern Escapes Sport Fishing offer?
Southern Escapes Sport Fishing offers the following fishing techniques:
- Light Tackle
- Heavy Tackle
- Bottom Fishing
- Trolling
- Spinning
- Jigging
- Popping
- Fly Fishing
- Deep Sea Fishing
Which fish species can I catch with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing?
Top targeted fish species with Southern Escapes Sport Fishing include:
- Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
- Marlin (Black)
- Marlin (Blue)
- Marlin (Striped)
- Sailfish
- Tuna (Yellowfin)
Meet your captain
Quepos, Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica
Stan is a retired US Army Special Forces veteran who started saltwater fishing as a child. Growing up, he spent most of his time outdoors hunting and fishing. By his teens, he was hooked and fished his way up and down the North Carolina coast. As a teenager, he always said he was going to buy a boat and catch the big ones. He quickly learned that boats and his fishing obsession were expensive, sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. While still on Active Duty, he started a small, part-time business with the goal of making enough money to buy his first offshore boat. That part-time business grew under his leadership and allowed him to expand his fishing obsession. After his first offshore boat, he bought a second one and opened his first charter business in Carolina Beach, NC. Stan is now on his fourth boat and has been fishing in Costa Rica for close to a decade. He is married to Michele, who is just as passionate about fishing and encourages females to become part of the offshore fishing world.
Garden S.
First mate
Michele C.
Business associate
Bill C.
Captain
Stan C.
Captain
Fish you can target
Your boat
Where you can fish
Offshore Fishing
How you can fish
Light Tackle
Heavy Tackle
Bottom Fishing
Trolling
Spinning
Jigging
Popping
Fly Fishing
Deep Sea Fishing
What's on board
Toilet
Air Conditioning
Fighting Chair
GPS
Fishfinder
Bed
Live Bait Well
Kitchen
Refrigerator
Multimedia System
Outriggers
Tuna Tubes
Ice Box
Radar
Included in the price
Rods, reels & tackle
Live Bait
Lures
Catch cleaning & filleting
Snacks
Drinks
First Mate
Lunch
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.
Listing policies
Pickup not included
Transfer to/from departure site is not included in trip rates.
Child Friendly
How to 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
PayPal
Bank Transfer
What’s biting in Quepos right now
Dolphin (Mahi Mahi)
Marlin (Black)
Marlin (Blue)
Marlin (Striped)
Sailfish
Tuna (Yellowfin)