Costa Rica Fly Fishing Charters
Costa Rica Fly Fishing Charters
Best Fly Fishing Charters in Costa Rica
Best Fly Fishing Charters in Costa Rica
Fly Fishing in Costa Rica
Fly Fishing in Costa Rica
If you want to take your fly fishing game to the next level, you couldn’t pick a better place than Costa Rica. Fly fishing Costa Rica’s coastline will get you on huge Snook, brutish Roosterfish, and an army of Jacks. Head offshore, and you can try for many anglers’ life ambition – taking Marlin and Sailfish on the fly. And that’s just the Pacific Coast. Head inland or over to the Caribbean, and you will find incredible Tarpon fishing. The whole country is teeming with gamefish just waiting for a tasty-looking fly to float their way.
Fly Fishing Spots
Costa Rica is so blessed with sportfish that you can find great hookups pretty much anywhere. There are a few iconic areas you have to hit to really get the most out of the country. Here are some of our favorites.
River Mouths
All along the Pacific Coast, hundreds of streams and rivers dump nutrients into the sea. This is a perfect hunting ground for world-record Snook. We’re not exaggerating here, just ask the IGFA.
Search the sandy bottom nearby, and you can also find Costa Rica’s signature inshore species - Roosterfish. These punkish predators are every bit as aggressive as they look. Pound for pound, they’re as tough to bring in as any other fish in the country.
You can fish any river mouth for these guys. Central and southern Costa Rica have produced the biggest fish in recent years. Jaco, Quepos, and Golfito are all great spots to start.
FADs
Fancy landing something a little bigger? Is bringing in Roosterfish just not hard enough? How about Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and Marlin? Head offshore. and that’s exactly what you’ll find.
Fish Aggregating Devices (or FADs, for short) can be anything from buoys to broken branches. Small fish shelter near them, bringing Marlin and other apex predators right up to the surface. This, plus the famous aggression of Pacific Sailfish, makes Costa Rica one of the best places on the planet for taking Billfish on the fly.
You can fish anywhere from Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo in the North, to Golfito and Puerto Jiménez in the South. The biggest fleets are in Quepos and Jaco, though. You can find more big game fly fishing specialists here.
Lagoons
Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast is much less explored than the Pacific, but tales are told of monster Tarpon. They don’t just live along the coastline, but deep in the jungle in freshwater lagoons. Tarpon need no introduction among lovers of the fly game. Everyone wants the chance to bow to the Silver King, and where better than the palace of fly fishing that is Costa Rica?
Techniques and Tackle
When stalking the shallows, weight-forward floating line lets you place your flies from afar and avoid spooking the fish. Snook are suspicious by nature, and Roosterfish are erratic at best, changing direction on a dime. Keeping your distance is the key to calm fish. Most fly fishing guides use custom flies to suit the area, with 12-weight rod and matching reels. If you’re after Roosterfish, you’d better bring a lot of backing.
When fishing the FADs, the go-to tactic is bait-and-switch. This involves trolling unhooked teasers, then switching in your fly line just as the fish comes close. You can theoretically land Marlin on a 12-weight, but bulking up makes life a lot easier. Tube flies are a great choice. They’re hardier than most, and suit the triple-hook setups which work best for Billfish. Whatever you use, bring long, monofilament leaders and proper saltwater reels. This isn’t the time to economize on your gear!
We could talk all day about fly fishing in Costa Rica. The fish, the boats, the waters themselves – everything is set up for world-class fly action. You really have to live it to believe it. So next time you’re planning a vacation, cast an eye down to Central America. You won’t regret it.
Costa Rica
4.4
/
5
Based on 26,557 reviews by FishingBooker anglers
What anglers said about Fly Fishing in Costa Rica
What anglers said about Fly Fishing in Costa Rica
Try shoreline first because it is more accessible and there are plenty of fish.
DEEP SEA: At least 2 persons, spend the dollars for a larger boat, try to avoid turist season.
4.7
/
5
Try shoreline first because it is more accessible and there are plenty of fish.
DEEP SEA: At least 2 persons, spend the dollars for a larger boat, try to avoid turist season.
Mark L.
HILLTOP MALL, CA
I'd definitely recommend fishing out of Sierpe - it's totally different that fishing out of a large marina... Super cool experience. You get to see the Sierpe River and experience great fishing conditions in a very nice area of Costa Rica.
5.0
/
5
I'd definitely recommend fishing out of Sierpe - it's totally different that fishing out of a large marina... Super cool experience. You get to see the Sierpe River and experience great fishing conditions in a very nice area of Costa Rica.
Chad M.
Jupiter, FL
Una opciรณn es seguir las indicaciones del capitรกn sobre cuรกl es el plan de pesca mรกs adecuado.
En mayo puede ser mรกs recomendable un Roosterfish.
4.7
/
5
Una opciรณn es seguir las indicaciones del capitรกn sobre cuรกl es el plan de pesca mรกs adecuado.
En mayo puede ser mรกs recomendable un Roosterfish.
Pablo A.
Madrid, Madrid
Go for a full day if you want to catch multiple fish. Don't get too worked up over the little things, they work hard for you. Enjoy the experience come what may
Pura Vida.
4.3
/
5
Go for a full day if you want to catch multiple fish. Don't get too worked up over the little things, they work hard for you. Enjoy the experience come what may
Pura Vida.
Brent C.
Rexburg, ID
Be sure to ask your captain what is biting before booking. Donโt try to go after a full day fish with only a half day trip. I think if you fish the reef on a half day trip you will be extremely satisfied.
5.0
/
5
Be sure to ask your captain what is biting before booking. Donโt try to go after a full day fish with only a half day trip. I think if you fish the reef on a half day trip you will be extremely satisfied.
Jefferson P.
Nevisdale, KY
Expect the unexpected. We had high winds but the morning was fine, I expected rain, but had none.
5.0
/
5
Expect the unexpected. We had high winds but the morning was fine, I expected rain, but had none.
George D.
Heredia, Heredia Province
The weather tends to be nice in early May. Low chances of rain, especially during the mornings. It's not usually too windy, so not very choppy. There's mahi to be had at this time of the year, though they tend to be on the smaller size. You can go chase yellow-tail, but it might be too far offshore for a half-day trip, so if yellow-tail is your target I'd go for a full-day trip. Bring lots of sunscreen and sun protection (long sleeve shirt, hat, sunglasses)
5.0
/
5
The weather tends to be nice in early May. Low chances of rain, especially during the mornings. It's not usually too windy, so not very choppy. There's mahi to be had at this time of the year, though they tend to be on the smaller size. You can go chase yellow-tail, but it might be too far offshore for a half-day trip, so if yellow-tail is your target I'd go for a full-day trip. Bring lots of sunscreen and sun protection (long sleeve shirt, hat, sunglasses)
Gerardo S.
San Josรฉ, Provincia De San Jose
Just get out there and give it a shot. Itโs a great spot to fish if not the best and this crew will put you on fish!
5.0
/
5
Just get out there and give it a shot. Itโs a great spot to fish if not the best and this crew will put you on fish!
John L.
Saginaw, TX
Wonderful experience, probably the best charter fishing experience I have had.
5.0
/
5
Wonderful experience, probably the best charter fishing experience I have had.
Christopher F.
Pensacola, FL
De voyage au Costa Rica avec ma femme pour 15 jours, j'ai rรฉservรฉ une journรฉe de pรชche au Tarpon avec le capitaine star de Tortuguero: Primo. Une journรฉe de rรชve entourรฉ de gros tarpons, j'en ai fait sauter 8 et en ai pris deux, un de 50kg et un de 80kg. Le bateau et le matรฉriel sont au top et le capitaine est extraordinaire.
Je reviendrai de faรงon certaine pour pรชcher au moins une semaine en sa compagnie.
5.0
/
5
De voyage au Costa Rica avec ma femme pour 15 jours, j'ai rรฉservรฉ une journรฉe de pรชche au Tarpon avec le capitaine star de Tortuguero: Primo. Une journรฉe de rรชve entourรฉ de gros tarpons, j'en ai fait sauter 8 et en ai pris deux, un de 50kg et un de 80kg. Le bateau et le matรฉriel sont au top et le capitaine est extraordinaire.
Je reviendrai de faรงon certaine pour pรชcher au moins une semaine en sa compagnie.
ERIC R.
Be prepared for the heat, and follow the captains advise. You canโt change what is biting and what is not.
5.0
/
5
Be prepared for the heat, and follow the captains advise. You canโt change what is biting and what is not.
Michael P.
Thorndale, TX
May want to go when the water is not so warm. We did end up catching several skip jack.
4.7
/
5
May want to go when the water is not so warm. We did end up catching several skip jack.
Keith H.
Canyon Lake, TX
Fishing in deep sea is always subject to the weather! Despite high winds & seas, still caught a good size Mahi!!!
4.0
/
5
Fishing in deep sea is always subject to the weather! Despite high winds & seas, still caught a good size Mahi!!!
Scott W.
Fish with Captain Randy and Dave! Kid friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
5.0
/
5
Fish with Captain Randy and Dave! Kid friendly and extremely knowledgeable.
Anthony S.
Long Beach, CA
Bring good protection from the sun if you aren't used to it. If you haven't fished in trophy ocean waters, be prepared to fight bigger (and stronger) fish than you. You never really know when you'll hook into the big one!
5.0
/
5
Bring good protection from the sun if you aren't used to it. If you haven't fished in trophy ocean waters, be prepared to fight bigger (and stronger) fish than you. You never really know when you'll hook into the big one!
Jacob O.
Rockford, WA
Go game fishing. Full day out wide and if you have time, a half day closer to shore:
4.7
/
5
Go game fishing. Full day out wide and if you have time, a half day closer to shore:
Andrew B.
Montgomery, MA
Make sure your captain has bait lined up before you arrive. It's gonna take time to fish for the big stuff and there is Nooo reason to pay to bait fish.
4.0
/
5
Make sure your captain has bait lined up before you arrive. It's gonna take time to fish for the big stuff and there is Nooo reason to pay to bait fish.
Ryan S.
Seattle, Washington
If you are looking for flyfishing for freshwater fish, floating the Rio Corobici is a great experience!
5.0
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5
If you are looking for flyfishing for freshwater fish, floating the Rio Corobici is a great experience!
Brian S.
Pueblo, CO
Go with Capitan Andres, and DO NOT rent your car from HERTZ at the San Jose airport.
5.0
/
5
Go with Capitan Andres, and DO NOT rent your car from HERTZ at the San Jose airport.
Calvin D. N.
Costa Rica
Be prepared for a workout on a yellow fin tuna. Much harder than I expected but worth the all the effort!
5.0
/
5
Be prepared for a workout on a yellow fin tuna. Much harder than I expected but worth the all the effort!
Greg G.
Billings, MT