Charter Operator
Jackpot Sport Fishing

Member since April 2016 Quepos, Costa Rica
Background
Captain Manuel Gabuardi has been fishing the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for 34 years and has been the captain of the GOOD DAY for 21 years. Capt. Manuel knows the Quepos waters immensely, and is so passionate about fishing and loves nothing more than taking our guests from all over the world to experience the best fishing that Costa Rica has to offer. Owner & mate of GOOD DAY Benn Gilmour is from the UK & has been fishing around the world all of his life. Benn loves Offshore fishing for Marlin, Sailfish & Big Tuna. Inshore his favorite species are Roosterfish, Snook & Cubera Snappers.
Techniques
Inshore I love flyfishing and light tackle lure fishing with plugs, spoons and softplastics for Roosterfish, Snook & Snappers. In Costa Rica, a freelined live bait works so well also and provides excellent and often very visual sport. Offshore, I love Billfish and have a total obsession with Marlin!! In Costa Rica we are lucky in that we have Blues, Blacks and Stripeys so together with our excellent Sailfish fishing a Grand Slam is always a possibility! I love fishing for Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper & Amberjacks also. The lighter the tackle, the better!

Hey, we're Jackpot Sport Fishing

Quepos, Costa Rica
Background
Captain Manuel Gabuardi has been fishing the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica for 34 years and has been the captain of the GOOD DAY for 21 years. Capt. Manuel knows the Quepos waters immensely, and is so passionate about fishing and loves nothing more than taking our guests from all over the world to experience the best fishing that Costa Rica has to offer. Owner & mate of GOOD DAY Benn Gilmour is from the UK & has been fishing around the world all of his life. Benn loves Offshore fishing for Marlin, Sailfish & Big Tuna. Inshore his favorite species are Roosterfish, Snook & Cubera Snappers.
Techniques
Inshore I love flyfishing and light tackle lure fishing with plugs, spoons and softplastics for Roosterfish, Snook & Snappers. In Costa Rica, a freelined live bait works so well also and provides excellent and often very visual sport. Offshore, I love Billfish and have a total obsession with Marlin!! In Costa Rica we are lucky in that we have Blues, Blacks and Stripeys so together with our excellent Sailfish fishing a Grand Slam is always a possibility! I love fishing for Tuna, Mahi, Wahoo, Grouper & Amberjacks also. The lighter the tackle, the better!

My Charter Listings

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(76 reviews)
Quepos
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,100
Quepos
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $800

Fishing Reports

SAILFISH ON THE FLY ABOARD GOOD DAY COST
SAILFISH ON THE FLY ABOARD GOOD DAY COST
May 15, 2023 Quepos
SAILFISH ON THE FLY Super nice day aboard GOOD DAY yesterday & great to see Jennifer & Dustin catch their 1st ever Sailfish on the Fly, special moments indeed for two avid Fly Anglers & it was great to share it with them. We had 1 great shot early in the trip with a super hot Sailfish which ate the Fly but the hook didnโ€™t stick. Things then completely shut down. Between 8am & 12pm we had only raised 1 Sailfish & things were looking bleak. Boats around us were experiencing the same & it was not looking good for us to turn the day around. As things have a habit of doing in fishing, when the fish decide to play ball, all hell can break loose. No sooner did we start eating lunch after 12pm did the bite turn on, we raised 8 Sailfish in the next hour including back to back Sailfish releases for Jennifer & Dustin. Jennifer fought her fish for 30 minutes & Dustin around 20 minutes, both caught on 12wt tackle. It was extra special that Dustin caught his Sailfish on a Rod passed on by a special friend to many, the late Peter Gorinsky Peter unfortunately passed away last year but was considered the godfather & pioneer of Costa Rica Fly Fishing. The Costa Rica Association of Fly Fishers were visiting Quepos this weekend to hold the Peter Gorinsky Fly Fishing School for the children of our town, which is just a wonderful ongoing initiative around the country run by a dedicated group of Fly Anglers. So many great things happening here this weekend. Catch Report aboard GOOD DAY - 14 May Raised 14 Sailfish +/- 4 bit the Fly Released 2 Sailfish on Fly Shoutout **hidden content**ryday for the help behind the lense & on the teasers ???
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 76 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (179)
Amazing day with Jackpot!
Not just fishing, but making dreams come true.
Not just fishing, but making dreams come true.
+176
Angler rating
73
3
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
94%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
95%
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Showing:
5 of 76 reviews
Chris C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Not just fishing, but making dreams come true.

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 22, 2025
This was our third trip on the Good Day. This was however, my first trip with my son, who is 9. He had never caught a fish...
Chris C. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Chris C. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Amber E.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amazing day with Jackpot!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on August 8, 2025
My family spent a half day deep sea fishing with Jackpot and had an amazing time. Ben was super knowledgeable about the marine...
Amber E. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Amber E. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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You found this review helpful

Chris C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Blue Marlin and Tuna

VERIFIED   Full Day Trip โ€“ Inshore on July 19, 2025
A amazing trip! Hooked a massive Blue Marlin and a really solid tuna. Benn is incredibly hospitable and personable.ย  He truly...
Chris C. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Chris C. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Tanja K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Challenging weather, great catch

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 31, 2025
We went offshore in the morning. The trip took a little while, but it was absolutely worth it: we caught two swordfish, a tuna...
Tanja K. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Tanja K. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Beth H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time fishing!

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip โ€“ Offshore on July 9, 2025
We enjoyed our half day fishing trip. Captain and mate were great, both friendly and helpful. We all caught tuna and had it...
Beth H. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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Beth H. recommends Jackpot Sport Fishing โ€“ 31โ€™ Good Day
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You found this review helpful