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
20
Reviews
9
Fishing Reports
Our Team
Jonathan P.
Captain
Justin V.
First mate

My Charter Listing

Gladiator Sportfishing Samara

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(20 reviews)
Nicoya
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
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 20 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (54)
good trip nice crew
good trip nice crew
good trip nice crew
+51
Angler rating
18
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 20 reviews
Alex D.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good trip nice crew

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on December 26, 2025
Had fun 1/2 day trip with kids.
Alex D. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Alex D. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Jay W.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Experience:
Very good
4.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Easy pick up.. crew worked hard to catch fish!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on November 17, 2025
It was a great time!
Jay W. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Olivier L.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Simone

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Trip - Offshore on February 17, 2025
Olivier L. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Jacob S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tuna on the Roma in Samara!

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on December 4, 2024
Jonathan and Justin did an amazing job for my wife and I a week ago! We bought a full day off shore fishing trip and they did...
Jacob S. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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Gregory R.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Non stop action

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on August 2, 2024
We went offshore fishing and had a fish on in the first 15 minutes. The captain and the crew were very hospitable and accommodating....
Gregory R. recommends Gladiator Sportfishing Samara
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1 person finds this review helpful
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