Captain
Simone Passarelli

Member since June 2023 Nicoya, Costa Rica
Background
Have you always dreamed of sportfishing in Costa Rica? We are located in Playa Samara with decades of experience in this excellent area for inshore and deep water. Our spots are not far away from our base; this makes our displacement to the spot short and allows us to take full advantage of the time on the boat. English, Spanish, and Italian spoken.
Techniques
Fly fishing, trolling and vertical jigging

Hey, I'm Captain Simone Passarelli

Nicoya, Costa Rica
Background
Have you always dreamed of sportfishing in Costa Rica? We are located in Playa Samara with decades of experience in this excellent area for inshore and deep water. Our spots are not far away from our base; this makes our displacement to the spot short and allows us to take full advantage of the time on the boat. English, Spanish, and Italian spoken.
Techniques
Fly fishing, trolling and vertical jigging
21
Reviews
9
Fishing Reports
Our Team
Jonathan P.
Captain
Justin V.
First mate

My Charter Listing

Gladiator Sportfishing Samara

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(21 reviews)
Nicoya
 Last booking: 1 hour ago
Trips from US $550

Fishing Reports

Exciting Bottom Fishing Action in Sรกmara
Exciting Bottom Fishing Action in Sรกmara
Jun 25, 2025 Nicoya
Today was an amazing day out on the water here in Sรกmara! We focused on bottom fishing, using both jigging techniques and natural bait, and the results did not disappoint. Our guests enjoyed steady action with plenty of beautiful groupers coming aboard โ€” always a thrill to catch and a great reward for patience and skill. The jigging rods stayed busy, and the smiles on board said it all! The highlight of the day was hooking into not one, but two Thresher Sharks! These powerful fish gave us an incredible fight and put the whole crew to the test. Unfortunately, both managed to break the line after some epic battles โ€” but thatโ€™s the beauty of fishing, you never know whatโ€™s going to happen next. Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with excitement, great company, and plenty of fish. We canโ€™t wait to get back out there!
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Marlin fishing is on
Marlin fishing is on
May 22, 2025 Nicoya
While many anglers associate Costa Ricaโ€™s dry season with prime fishing, the rainy season (Mayโ€“November) offers some of the best opportunities for Marlin fishing, especially along the Pacific coast. During these months, the waters come alive with bait, drawing in large predators like Blue and Striped Marlin. Afternoon showers help cool the surface temperatures, creating ideal conditions for deep sea action. Fewer boats on the water also mean less pressure and more rewarding encounters. If youโ€™re looking to target Marlin in Costa Rica, donโ€™t overlook the rainy seasonโ€”it just might be your best shot at a trophy catch!
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Yellowfin tuna on december 4th offshore
Yellowfin tuna on december 4th offshore
Dec 5, 2024 Nicoya
Great day abord our โ€œromaโ€ chasing yellowfin tuna on popping amd trolling. Lot of fun and csrion for these guys
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A monster tuna with this guys
A monster tuna with this guys
Aug 4, 2024 Nicoya
We got this giant on popper yesterday, 1,5hr fight for these guys
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Half day offshore, yelowfin tuna on fire
Half day offshore, yelowfin tuna on fire
Jul 15, 2024 Nicoya
Popping and fly fishing for tunas
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Great day with Scott
Great day with Scott
Dec 13, 2023 Nicoya
A great half day inshore with Scott and his Wife
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 21 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (57)
Best fishing trip in years and I\u2019ve done many
Best fishing trip in years and I\u2019ve done many
Best fishing trip in years and I\u2019ve done many
+54
Angler rating
19
0
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
90%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
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Featured  
Showing:
5 of 21 reviews
Dave L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Best fishing trip in years and Iโ€™ve done many

VERIFIED   NEW  3/4 Day Trip - Offshore on January 28, 2026
Met with Captain Simone (boat owner) as scheduled and he explained a few things - Jonathan and Justin - the actual fishing...
Dave L. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Dave L. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Justin P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fish On!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on June 24, 2025
Not new to fishing but fist time fishing in Costa Rica. Brough my family with me (some new to fishing), the Captian and crew...
Justin P. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Nick F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great day with Jonathon and Justin.

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on June 9, 2025
Fun times with the crew of the gladiator.ย  Didnโ€™t get bites trawling, but went to some deep rocks to try for some grouper...
Nick F. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Liz F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Day Catching!

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip - Inshore on February 19, 2025
Our Captain and 1st Mate worked hard to make sure we caught fish.ย  They special cut our tuna for us and did a great job.ย ...
Liz F. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Dj C.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Very good
4.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Simone

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on July 27, 2025
Booked this charter to catch a lot of different species of fish on my bucket list, I guess the fishing is slow in summer months...
Dj C. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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