Captain

Simone Passarelli

Nationality: Italian
Languages: English, Spanish, Italian
Experience: 14 years

Verifications

Email Address

Verified

Phone Number

XXX-XXX-X100

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

Reviews

Fishing Reports

Our Team

Jonathan P.

Captain

Justin V.

First mate

My Charter Listings

Gladiator Sportfishing Samara

4.9 / 5

(25 reviews)

4.9 / 5

(25 reviews)

Nicoya • 28 ft • 5 persons

Trips from US $550

Gladiators Sportfishing inshore experience

Just added to our fleet

Nicoya • 24 ft • 4 persons

Trips from US $500

Fishing Reports

Exciting Bottom Fishing Action in Sámara

Jun 25, 2025 Nicoya

Today was an amazing day out on the water here in Sámara! 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 — 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 — but that’s the beauty of fishing, you never know what’s going to happen next. Overall, it was a fantastic day filled with excitement, great company, and plenty of fish. We can’t wait to get back out there!

Marlin fishing is on

May 22, 2025 Nicoya

While many anglers associate Costa Rica’s dry season with prime fishing, the rainy season (May–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 you’re looking to target Marlin in Costa Rica, don’t overlook the rainy season—it just might be your best shot at a trophy catch!

Yellowfin tuna on december 4th offshore

Dec 5, 2024 Nicoya

Great day abord our “roma” chasing yellowfin tuna on popping amd trolling. Lot of fun and csrion for these guys

A monster tuna with this guys

Aug 4, 2024 Nicoya

We got this giant on popper yesterday, 1,5hr fight for these guys

Half day offshore, yelowfin tuna on fire

Jul 15, 2024 Nicoya

Popping and fly fishing for tunas

Great day with Scott

Dec 13, 2023 Nicoya

A great half day inshore with Scott and his Wife

Customer reviews

Rating summary

4.9 / 5

out of 5 stars from 27 reviews

See details

Boat

4.8 / 5

Crew

4.9 / 5

Experience

4.9 / 5

Photos & videos by reviewers (71)

+68

Angler rating

5 stars		25
4 stars		0
3 stars		1
2 stars		0
1 star		0

Anglers claimed

Good experience
	100%
Friendly captain
	100%
Recommend this charter
	93%
Appropriate for children
	92%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	96%

Appropriate for children
	92%
Satisfied with the boat
	100%
Caught fish
	96%

Sort by:

Sort by: Featured

Showing:

5 of 27 reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 27 reviews

Tasha H.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

So many fish

VERIFIED NEW Half Day Trip – Family on August 21, 2026

Tasha H.

5.0 / 5

Aug 21, 2026

Half Day Trip – Family

we had an incredible experience - caught five huge fish (i have never fished before, so i may have been easy to please). we went way out, among true local fisherman, which was cool to see lots of approaches to fishing. then the crew got wind of a whale in the area, so we tracked this incredible whale pair, seeing sevetal sea turtles along the way. and then they offered to let us swim “at the island” and we couldn”t turn that down. pura vida day!

we had an incredible experience - caught five huge fish (i have never fished before, so i may have been easy to please)....

Tasha H. recommends Gladiators Sportfishing inshore experience

Mark review as helpful

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on August 22, 2026

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on August 22, 2026

Captain replied

George T.

4.7 / 5

Experience:

4.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Smart Captain!

VERIFIED NEW Half Day Trip – Family on August 23, 2026

George T.

4.7 / 5

Aug 23, 2026

Half Day Trip – Family

Smart Captain!

VERIFIED NEW

We left shore at 7:30 AM; after an hour of travel in somewhat choppy surf, we arrived at the reef for bottom fishing. Several other boats were already on the reef but our Captain chose not to join the crowd. Selecting other more less-pressured areas of the reef, we quickly landed a huge snapper. After 3 hours we had eight whoppers! The guys were attentive to our needs and did a great job. Highly recommend these folks!

We left shore at 7:30 AM; after an hour of travel in somewhat choppy surf, we arrived at the reef for bottom fishing. Several...

George T. recommends Gladiators Sportfishing inshore experience

Mark review as helpful

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on August 23, 2026

Hi George, thank you so much for the review! We’re thrilled the Captain’s strategy paid off with those eight big snappers. It was a pleasure having you on board with Gladiator Sportfishing Samara, and we hope to see you back on the water soon! 🎣

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on August 23, 2026

Captain replied

Shawn J.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Fish in the Boat!

VERIFIED Full Day Trip – Offshore on June 6, 2026

Shawn J.

5.0 / 5

Jun 6, 2026

Full Day Trip – Offshore

Fish in the Boat!

VERIFIED

Great team - very helpful and accommodating. Everyone was able to land some fish, recommend if you are in the area & have that need for tight lines!

Great team - very helpful and accommodating. Everyone was able to land some fish, recommend if you are in the area & have that...

Shawn J. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara

Mark review as helpful

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on June 30, 2026

Thank you so much, Shawn! It was a pleasure having you on board with us. We’re thrilled everyone got into some fish and had a great time! Thanks for your kind words and recommendation—we truly appreciate your support. We hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica for another adventure soon. Tight lines! 🎣🌴

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on June 30, 2026

Captain replied

Morgan B.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Best day of fishing

VERIFIED inshore afternoon trip on May 13, 2026

Morgan B.

5.0 / 5

May 13, 2026

inshore afternoon trip

Best day of fishing

VERIFIED

Joseph and Justin nailed our day out today! Caught 6 fish in 45 minutes and couldn’t be happier with our crew! 10/10 would recommend!

Joseph and Justin nailed our day out today! Caught 6 fish in 45 minutes and couldn’t be happier with our crew! 10/10 would...

Morgan B. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara

Mark review as helpful

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on May 14, 2026

guys was a pleasure having you on board, thank you very much to share your review!

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on May 14, 2026

guys was a pleasure having you on board, thank you very much to share your review!

Captain replied

Dave L.

5.0 / 5

Experience:

5.0 / 5

Boat

5.0 / 5

Crew

5.0 / 5

Overall

Best fishing trip in years and I’ve done many

VERIFIED 3/4 Day Trip - Offshore on January 28, 2026

Dave L.

5.0 / 5

Jan 28, 2026

3/4 Day Trip - Offshore

Best fishing trip in years and I’ve done many

VERIFIED

Met with Captain Simone (boat owner) as scheduled and he explained a few things - Jonathan and Justin - the actual fishing trip captain and first mate were absolutely awesome - extremely friendly and very knowledgeable - overall a solid 5 Star rating - go for the extended trip - ll’s well worth it!!!!!

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

Mark review as helpful

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on January 31, 2026

Thank you so much for this amazing review! It was a real pleasure meeting you and having you on board. I truly appreciate your kind words about Jonathan and Justin — they are an outstanding captain and first mate, and I’m very proud to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate crew. We’re really happy to hear that this was one of your best fishing trips in years, and that you enjoyed the extended trip as well. Your recommendation means a lot to us. Hope... More

Simone Passarelli (The Captain)

Replied on January 31, 2026

Thank you so much for this amazing review!
It was a real pleasure meeting you and having you on board.

I truly appreciate your kind words about Jonathan and Justin — they are an outstanding captain and first mate, and I’m very proud to work with such a knowledgeable and passionate crew.

We’re really happy to hear that this was one of your best fishing trips in years, and that you enjoyed the extended trip as well. Your recommendation means a lot to us.

Hope to fish together again soon here in Costa Rica!
Tight lines 🎣

Simone, Gladiator Sportfishing

Captain replied