Captain
Nelson Mendez

Member since December 2013 Coco, Costa Rica
Background
Captain Nelson Mendez will be your guide for the fishing trip on the Tuna Fish. He has fished around all Central and North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica looking for big game sportfish including Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Roosterfish, and Mahi Mahi. His ample experience in both inshore and offshore fishing makes him a well-rounded angler able and ready to target any pelagic species in the Gulf of Papagayo. Nelson is in love with every form of fishing — be it sportfishing, inshore or offshore, he truly commits to doing it all. He is simple, responsible, kind, and persistent, all the qualities that make an amazing captain. Nelson started fishing when he was 13 years old, and at the age of 18, he started working as the first mate and hasn't looked back since. Nelson also participated in 3 international fly fishing tournaments, where he made amazing results and won the third place once, and a second place twice.
Techniques
We practice different fishing techniques, such as trolling, casting, bottom fishing, jigging, and fly fishing.

Hey, I'm Captain Nelson Mendez

Coco, Costa Rica
Background
Captain Nelson Mendez will be your guide for the fishing trip on the Tuna Fish. He has fished around all Central and North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica looking for big game sportfish including Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Roosterfish, and Mahi Mahi. His ample experience in both inshore and offshore fishing makes him a well-rounded angler able and ready to target any pelagic species in the Gulf of Papagayo. Nelson is in love with every form of fishing — be it sportfishing, inshore or offshore, he truly commits to doing it all. He is simple, responsible, kind, and persistent, all the qualities that make an amazing captain. Nelson started fishing when he was 13 years old, and at the age of 18, he started working as the first mate and hasn't looked back since. Nelson also participated in 3 international fly fishing tournaments, where he made amazing results and won the third place once, and a second place twice.
Techniques
We practice different fishing techniques, such as trolling, casting, bottom fishing, jigging, and fly fishing.
16
Reviews
7
Fishing Reports
Our Team
Adelso M.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Tuna Fish Sportfishing

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(16 reviews)
Coco
 Last booking: 3 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,020

Fishing Reports

Inshore Fishing in Papagayo Costa Rica
Inshore Fishing in Papagayo Costa Rica
Feb 24, 2026 Coco
We departed from Riu Guanacaste on a full day inshore fishing trip. We did bottom fishing and caught some grouper, red snapper and bonitos.
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Full day trip - Inshore fishing
Full day trip - Inshore fishing
Mar 31, 2024 Coco
Today was Mr Jeff 's first full day of two. We leaved from Playa Hermosa. Fishing was slow offshore, we caught some grouper inshore to bring Home.
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Sailfish fishing in Papagayo Costa Rica
Sailfish fishing in Papagayo Costa Rica
Jan 28, 2016 Coco
Full fishing charter from RIU Guanacaste on board the Tuna Fish boat, we caught and released 2 sailfish and some bonitos. Get on board today with us!!
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Papagayo marlin fishing in a full day!
Papagayo marlin fishing in a full day!
Feb 22, 2015 Coco
We went out from Occidental Grand Papagayo resort located in Playa Panamรก, Costa Rica. This resort is one of the top fishing resorts in the Gulf of Papagayo, where you can book a fishing charter like today! Captain Nelson Mendez took them into the gulf of Papagayo looking for billfish, after several hours trolling with a 30lbs rod, ballyhoo bait and lures, we caught and release a blue marlin around 280 lbs and fighting for 1 hour.
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4 Sailfish in a Full day of fishing
4 Sailfish in a Full day of fishing
Dec 2, 2014 Coco
Our friends from Flamingo beach in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, booked the Tuna Fish vessel for a full day charter looking for billfish and some dorado. Weather conditions were amazing, blue and clear waters, sunny, and moderate winds. Captain Nelson took them into the southern Gulf of Papagayo to put some billfish on board. After some hours our lucky guys fought with 4 sailfish for several minutes using a 30 pound reel. We also caught one dorado, perfect for dinner. Captain Nelson is the best skipper in the Gulf of Papagayo he will do all he can to put some fish on your hands!
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Deep Fishing from Hyatt Andaz Papagayo
Deep Fishing from Hyatt Andaz Papagayo
Nov 27, 2014 Coco
Our full fishing departure from Andaz Hyatt Papagayo with 2 lucky clients to the Gulf of Papagayo. Our fishing day started at 7:30 a.m, we pick up our clients from the beach of the Andaz Papagayo Resort. Clients were happy to be fishing in Costa Rica, our Captain Nelson Mรฉndez and two mates working hard to worth every penny for them. We hook up 5 dorado or mahi mahi as some people call it. There are several species of tropical fish that you could catch and bring back for your dinner. The Gulf of Papagayo is perfect for in shore and offshore fishing practice, is you stay around you need to book a charter and enjoy Papagayo Fishing. If you have lucky you will see dolphins, whales and turtles!
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 16 reviews
See details
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.8 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (29)
Second trip out eight hours offshore
Second trip out eight hours offshore
Second trip out eight hours offshore
+26
Angler rating
14
1
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
90%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
94%
Appropriate for children
82%
Satisfied with the boat
90%
Caught fish
90%
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Showing:
5 of 16 reviews
Richard D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

6 hour inshore trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on February 24, 2026
I canโ€™t say enough about these guys! Sea was extremely rough and winds were whipping!ย  But these guys did everything they...
Richard D. recommends Tuna Fish Sportfishing
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Richard D.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Second trip out eight hours offshore

VERIFIED   NEW  3/4 Day Fishing - 6 Hrs on February 26, 2026
Day 2 with these guys and I gotta say these guys didnโ€™t disappoint!ย  Weather was completely different then day one on our...
Richard D. recommends Tuna Fish Sportfishing
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Ryan P.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Honeymoon fishing

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on January 6, 2026
This captain and first mate do not mess around. I was asked what i want to catch and we went off to the sailfish grounds and...
Ryan P. recommends Tuna Fish Sportfishing
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Mark C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

June fishing trip

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip - Inshore or Offshore on June 10, 2025
Mark C. recommends Tuna Fish Sportfishing
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David B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Tuna Fish 6 hour

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Fishing - 6 Hrs on June 21, 2024
We had a good time on the Tuna Fish.ย  Captain Nelson and Adelso are good hosts.ย  We were picked up from the beach from Secrets...
David B. recommends Tuna Fish Sportfishing
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