Costa Rica Roosterfish Fishing Charters

Costa Rica Roosterfish Fishing Charters

Top Costa Rica Roosterfish Fishing Destinations

Top Costa Rica Regions

Best Roosterfish Fishing Charters in Costa Rica

Roosterfish Fishing in Costa Rica

Roosterfish
  • Size 20 to 40lbs
  • Food Value Low
  • Game Qualities Excellent
  • Habitats Inshore, Nearshore, Flats

(Nematistius pectoralis)

The Rooster Fishing Costa Rica enjoys along the Pacific Coast is simply outstanding. Roosterfish fight so hard, they even give the offshore scene a run for its money. Roosters average around 20-30 pounds, which may not sound much compared to Costa Rica’s fabled big game fisheries. Just the look of this mohawked monster is enough to get many anglers excited, though, and they act every bit as outrageous as they look.

Rooster Fishing Spots

You can find Roosterfish hunting in sandy bottom along the length of Costa Rica’s western coast. A great place to start your search is the legendary sportfishing town of Herradura. The endless streams feeding into the Gulf of Nicoya make for dream hunting grounds, and not just for Roosterfish. Jack Crevalle grow to record size here (IGFA all-tackle record, to be precise) and monster Snook lurk in the briny river mouths. 
 
If you want to escape the crowds and costs of Los Sueños Marina, head north to the Nicoya Peninsula and launch from literally any town with a beach. Rooster fishing is a local specialty, and you can get hookups in double digits when the action’s hot. Again, you’ll have monster Snook and Jacks to contend with, too.

Rooster Fishing Seasons

Roosterfish hit their peak December through April but they can be found all year round. The north of Costa Rica is battered by storms throughout Rooster high season. This may sound like a bad thing, but it can actually be great. All the seasoned captains switch to inshore fishing, so you can get the best charters around at off-season rates. If you don’t fancy fishing in the rain, the weather is much calmer in the South this time of year. Honestly, though. You can find monster Roosterfish 365 days of the year in Costa Rica.

Rooster Fishing Techniques

Throwing poppers on light spinning tackle is a classic way to target Roosterfish, but use a range of techniques to target them. Live Lookdowns are hands down the most effective way of tempting them onto your hooks. No-one knows quite what Lookdowns did to make Roosterfish hate them so much, but they seem determined to catch and eat every last one of these funny-looking fish. Slow-troll bridled baits across a mix of sand and rocks, and you can count the seconds before your first hit.
 
Fly fishing is another great way to target Roosterfish. Black-and-white or gray-and-white clouser minnow patterns work best, with a 12-wt rod and a good 400 yard of 50-pound braided line. Bringing in Roosters on the fly is no mean feat. They’re erratic at best and are prone to veering wildly from one direction to another. Just getting a fly in front of them takes a fair few tries.
 
However you fish for these wacky warriors, you’ll be in for a tough fight. Even a 20-pound Roosterfish punches well above its weight, and they're known to reach five times that size. Your arms won’t be much use by the end of the day. That raw aggression is exactly why so many anglers fall in love with them, though. If they sound like your kind of fish, head on down to Costa Rica and find out what all the fuss is about  you won’t regret it!

Costa Rica Roosterfish Fishing Seasons

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Seasonality

Roosterfish fishing in Costa Rica varies moderately throughout the year. High season is January to June and December. Low season is October. There is no closed season.
Costa Rica
Excellent
4.5 / 5
Based on 28,443 reviews by FishingBooker anglers

What anglers said about Roosterfish Fishing in Costa Rica

Definately go out and give it a try! It was the experience of a lifetime for me and my son's!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Definately go out and give it a try! It was the experience of a lifetime for me and my son's!
Amberjack Tours Bespoke Sport Fishing
Amberjack Tours Bespoke Sport Fishing
Great crew that takes care of all of your needs. Very nice boat with padded seats and nice shad.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Great crew that takes care of all of your needs. Very nice boat with padded seats and nice shad.
Luminare Sport Fishing
Luminare Sport Fishing
Make sure species you want to catch are present in the area, different season=different species
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure species you want to catch are present in the area, different season=different species
Cowboy Fishing Boat
Cowboy Fishing Boat
Iโ€™ve never been any other time but we caught fish on our bucket list, so Iโ€™m more than happy
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Iโ€™ve never been any other time but we caught fish on our bucket list, so Iโ€™m more than happy
Sport Fishing El Gato III
Sport Fishing El Gato III
Make sure your captain takes the time to catch live bait if you're fishing inshore! The more bait you have, the better.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Make sure your captain takes the time to catch live bait if you're fishing inshore! The more bait you have, the better.
Quepos Osmak Fishing CR
Quepos Osmak Fishing CR
Ask questions about the condition of the boat. I assumed that the A/C would be working to help cool our group. The boat we went on the fishing trip was a bit outdated and the AC wasn't working. It was a very hot and humid day on March 13. Make sure to eat something before the trip or take snacks. People that aren't used to the culture might not always enjoy what the boat has to offer for snacks/meals.
Very good
4.0 / 5
Ask questions about the condition of the boat. I assumed that the A/C would be working to help cool our group. The boat we went on the fishing trip was a bit outdated and the AC wasn't working. It was a very hot and humid day on March 13. Make sure to eat something before the trip or take snacks. People that aren't used to the culture might not always enjoy what the boat has to offer for snacks/meals.
Alpha Mike Sport Fishing
Alpha Mike Sport Fishing
Can't control the weather but these guys were amazing. It does gets really hot so alot of sun screen and liquid is a must.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Can't control the weather but these guys were amazing. It does gets really hot so alot of sun screen and liquid is a must.
Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures
Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures
There are better times of the year but we are here now and we had a great day. A bad day fishing is better than a good day in the office!!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
There are better times of the year but we are here now and we had a great day. A bad day fishing is better than a good day in the office!!
Aguja Sport Fishing
Aguja Sport Fishing
We had rough seas and high wind. The captain navigated this well. Make sure you are ready for the weather and the seas. Great trip with a great captain.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
We had rough seas and high wind. The captain navigated this well. Make sure you are ready for the weather and the seas. Great trip with a great captain.
Tiburon Azul
Tiburon Azul
Get ready to catch. I had at least 6 opportunities and only landed 3, hooks seemed to keep popping
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Get ready to catch. I had at least 6 opportunities and only landed 3, hooks seemed to keep popping
Costa Tamarindo Sport Fishing
Costa Tamarindo Sport Fishing
Absolutely! This was my sisters first time out to sea and she caught a beautiful sail fish
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely! This was my sisters first time out to sea and she caught a beautiful sail fish
Nauti Ventures
Nauti Ventures
Be prepared for afternoon heat. PRE hydrate. If prone to seasickness, reconsider. Dont drink too much alcohol, makes it hard to fight big fish. Remember some fish are compulsory catch and release. Billfish often explode spectacularly out of the water, keep cameras ready. The biology of the ocean is not under your control; if fish dont hit thats life. Likewise they may hit big time; be ready. Crews are lifelong experts, trust them to do a brilliant job. Pura vida and good fishing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be prepared for afternoon heat. PRE hydrate. If prone to seasickness, reconsider. Dont drink too much alcohol, makes it hard to fight big fish. Remember some fish are compulsory catch and release. Billfish often explode spectacularly out of the water, keep cameras ready. The biology of the ocean is not under your control; if fish dont hit thats life. Likewise they may hit big time; be ready. Crews are lifelong experts, trust them to do a brilliant job. Pura vida and good fishing.
Amy's Dream
Amy's Dream
It wasnโ€™t the best fishing ever but to catch mahi when there not hot was great. We saw tons of porpoises and lots of life. We didnโ€™t get any billfish but from hearing it says there hot.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
It wasnโ€™t the best fishing ever but to catch mahi when there not hot was great. We saw tons of porpoises and lots of life. We didnโ€™t get any billfish but from hearing it says there hot.
Talking Fish - 38โ€™ Topaz Express
Talking Fish - 38โ€™ Topaz Express
Absolutely. It was my wifeโ€™s first time fishing and she had an absolute blast.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Absolutely. It was my wifeโ€™s first time fishing and she had an absolute blast.
Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures
Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures
I would recommend anyone thatโ€™s going to fish for the first time or the 15th time to use this captain and his boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
I would recommend anyone thatโ€™s going to fish for the first time or the 15th time to use this captain and his boat
Tiburon Azul
Tiburon Azul
Do not go to catch, go to fish. Itโ€™s the experience that matters and catching is the reward.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Do not go to catch, go to fish. Itโ€™s the experience that matters and catching is the reward.
Dia Tuanis Sport Fishing
Dia Tuanis Sport Fishing
Ask the captain to explain what the plan was, we were unsure so asked. We did some inshore fishing. They help hook fish and you reel it in. They knew the spots and were excellent at fishing. Recommend the crew and boat.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Ask the captain to explain what the plan was, we were unsure so asked. We did some inshore fishing. They help hook fish and you reel it in. They knew the spots and were excellent at fishing. Recommend the crew and boat.
Quepos Osmak Fishing CR
Quepos Osmak Fishing CR
You will get wet from ocean spray. Bring clothing appropriate for the conditions. I had a waterproof wind breaker. It helped
Excellent
5.0 / 5
You will get wet from ocean spray. Bring clothing appropriate for the conditions. I had a waterproof wind breaker. It helped
Costa Tamarindo Sport Fishing
Costa Tamarindo Sport Fishing
Couldn't believe how much we caught. Ended up heading in early because one of our kiddos was really sea sick the but crew even helped him catch a huge sailfish.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Couldn't believe how much we caught. Ended up heading in early because one of our kiddos was really sea sick the but crew even helped him catch a huge sailfish.
Three Brothers by AquaQuepos
Three Brothers by AquaQuepos
Prepare yourself for the angry Costa Rican sun โ˜€๏ธ! The fishing is great, but Mother Nature will make you pay for every catch!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Prepare yourself for the angry Costa Rican sun โ˜€๏ธ! The fishing is great, but Mother Nature will make you pay for every catch!
Cowboy Fishing Boat
Cowboy Fishing Boat