Sport Fishing in Costa Rica Central Pacific, Puntarenas, Quepos and Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica ‘s central pacific sport fishing territory starts at Morales, north of the main town of Puntarenas (13), and extends throughout a somewhat irregular pacific coast down to Dominical Beach (20). Sport fishing waters inside the Nicoya Gulf are often calm because of the protection from wind and tides. Many acres of mangrove estuaries with little fishing pressure yield amazing results for novice and experienced anglers alike departing from Puntarenas (13). Surfcasting beaches like (14) Tivives, Agujas (15), Mantas and Playa Blanca host mixed bag results from snook fishing to jacks, snapper, sea-bass, roosterfish and more on any fishing day. Inshore and mangrove estuaries fishing can be done using small rented fishing boats.
The Tivives estuary is a MUST if traveling with kids or novice anglers. Kayak fishing is also available on these zones because they are protected bays ideal for these types of fishing. Further to the south, Herradura (16) hosts one of the premier marinas in Costa Rica, Los Sueños Hotel and; Marina, a dream destination and starting point of many offshore big-game fishing adventures in Costa Rica. Big-BIG sails, marlin, and tunas await you in this fishing paradise. Parrita (17) is a sport fishing beach famous for its snook and snapper found very close to shore. 25+ pound beasts are common throughout these fishing grounds, as well as big roosterfish, drums and jacks caught inshore and surfcasting fishing.
Potrero (4) is another sportfishing town in the area. Great kayak fishing can be done here because of the protection mountains nearshore give from the wind. Sport fishing boats are available for all types of fishing and surfcasting nearby is also good fishing. Tamarindo, Flamingo, and Ocotal (5) often chartering for Marlin, Sailfish and Big Tunas are also economically developed towns, there are lots of options on hotels restaurants and sport fishing boats available. It’s also very easy to book smaller boats for inshore fishing grouper, snapper, mahi-mahi, jacks, mackerels, wahoo, roosterfish, and tunas. And snook fishing from shore or on nearby estuaries is a must.
Continuing down the south the fishing is still very good. Quepos (19) and Dominical (20) are renowned destinations for offshore fishing fans, and economically developed towns offering a wide variety of hotels, restaurants, and rental boats available. There are also many estuaries and mangrove lagoons near the Manuel Antonio National Park, inshore fishing is also MUST! Big snapper, jacks, and snook patrol these waters year-round and have a ferocious appetite. Savegre/Matapalo (18) on the other hand is a less economically developed fishing town that also offers great sport fishing opportunities. Surfcasting and inshore fishing expeditions available, as well as small hotels and camping grounds with some local restaurants cooking up a mean cuisine!
