Tropic Fins Adventures :: Sportfishing in Costa Rica at its very best!

INSHORE - OFFSHORE - FLY FISHING
BOAT & EQUIPMENT - A DAY IN THE LIFE

My goal is to fish for what you want to catch, and use my experience in all areas to put you on action throughout the day. I am very much a member of the “no yelling” school of guiding and want to make your trip productive and fun. Whether it’s inshore, offshore or a combination of the two we’ll do what it takes to keep you on fish. If the offshore action is slow we can move inshore to bend a rod. If it’s happening offshore we’ll head out for the afternoon bite. You will hear stories of captains detouring people from fishing inshore, or not willing to change methods or locations when the fishing is slow. There are many ways of staying on the fish and changing methods and locations is never a problem. Whether it’s trolling, bottom fishing, jigging, fly fishing or casting poppers, you will be sure to have a bent rod and a sweat on.

INSHORE FISHING

The Gulfo Dulce is one of the deepest gulfs in the world and it is teeming with marine life. From the moment you begin your day on the water you will be surrounded by bait balls (huge schools of threadfin herring), diving pelicans, frigate birds, dolphins and turtles. The abundance of aquatic life doesn’t stop when it comes to the sport fish.
The Gulf, considered a tropical fjord, is surrounded by volcanic coastline and bordered with reefs, river mouths and mangroves. Inshore fishing takes place in the gulf and coastal waters outside the gulf. Awesome fishing is literally at your front door. Although Roosterfish are the primary target, there are a number of other species to be caught. A variety of snapper, including monster Cuberas, jacks of all kinds, barracuda, and mackerel to name a few.

Roosterfish reach weights in excess of 100lbs although the average is 10 to 20lbs. Roosters can be found in 5 feet of water along the shorelines and beaches to 150 foot depths around the deep reefs of the gulf. The most common methods for fishing them is slow trolling live bait (threadfin herring, blue runners and mullet), although they can be caught bottom fishing and casting surface bait. In my years of fishing the gulf I have experimented with different live baits and methods to target large roosters of 40lbs or bigger. These trophy size fish are truly a force to be reckoned with and definitely worth the time put in.
Snapper are one the most sought after fish for table fare here in the gulf. We have a variety of snapper including Yellow, Rose, Mullet, Colorado, Red, and Cubera (Pacific Dog Tooth). The Cubera, being the largest, reach weights of 80lbs. Snappers are often caught while trolling live bait for roosters or casting surface baits, however if they are the prime target, bottom fishing with live bait is the preferred method. Jigging will also produce fish. A 30lb Cubera with put you and your tackle to the test, with break-offs and being taken into the rocks a common occurrence.
Jacks are one of our most underrated game fish. They are quite plentiful in our inshore waters and provide some fast action and excellent fights. You will catch jacks trolling, bottom fishing and casting. Although Jack Crevelle are the most common you will also catch Blue Fin Trevally, Horse Eye and Golden Jacks.
Snook in the gulf are most commonly fished at one of the many river mouths. We have three species of snook with the Black Snook being the largest. The world record was caught here and weighed 57lbs 12oz. Although Snook can be caught casting jigs and artificial baits, the most productive method is pitching live bait into the surf and river mouths.
Other inshore species caught here are African Pompano, Amber Jack, Barracuda, Bonito, False Albacore, Grouper, Mackerel, Rainbow Runners, Shark, and Corbina.

INSHORE SPECIES ARE AVAILABLE YEAR ROUND

OFFSHORE FISHING

Our offshore fishery begins as close as the mouth of the Gulfo Dulce, where it is not uncommon to catch Dorado, Wahoo and Yellowfin Tuna near Matapalo Rock, the last structure before you head into the offshore waters. I’ve seen Sails and Marlin patrolling these waters too. Depending on where the “blue water” starts, fish can almost always be found within 10 miles of the mouth of the gulf (10 miles from Puerto Jimenez). Sailfish are plentiful, but there is always the chance of an interruption from a Marlin, Tuna, Wahoo or Dorado (mahi-mahi or dolphin fish). These species can also be targeted if you are looking for table fare, but all billfish are released.

Pacific Sailfish are the most common of our offshore species. The usual method for fishing sailfish is trolling teasers (hookless lures) to “tease” the fish to the surface and pitching bait or casting a fly to the sails once they come up. This is a very exciting and interactive way to hook a 60 to 150lb fish. Once hooked, sails become ballerinas of the sea, with numerous jumps, tail walks and summersaults being typical. The potential for 15 to 20 fish days is not uncommon with 5 to 10 sailfish releases the norm.

Marlin are the largest of the pacific billfish. Blue Marlin are the most plentiful, but Black Marlin are not uncommon, and there are a few Stripes. Marlin will often appear in the spread when teasing up sails, an 80lb rig is always ready to drop back just in case. If Marlin are the target we switch to trolling larger lures and skip baits or slow trolling large live bait like bonito or small yellow fin. 200-300lb Marlin are average but will reach sizes of 800lb or more.

Dorado are very plentiful at times of the year and provide good action and a welcome addition to the dinner table. Dorado will come up in the teaser spread while fishing for sails, but in targeting them we troll rigged ballyhoo and lures. Current and trash lines (floating logs and debris) just outside the gulf are prime locations for Dorado. At times we will even catch Dorado in the gulf while bottom fishing or trolling for Roosters. Dorado are an aggressive sport fish with a lot of power and acrobatics. A floating log can provide some awesome action, with fish taken on poppers and even flies. Our average size fish are 15-30lbs.

Tuna are the muscle of the Pacific. You can expect to be on the stick for hours when that monster Yellow Fin is hooked up. Bonito and Skip Jack are plentiful offshore, although Yellow Fin are the most sought after, both for the dinner table and a little sashimi on board. For Yellow Fin we usually fish in front of the large schools of Spotted, Spinner or White Belly Dolphins offshore. Trolling around them with lures and rigged ballyhoo, or free spooling live bait in front of the schools are the most productive methods. We can also locate them under “working” birds. There is the potential for a tuna of 100-200lbs.

Wahoo are not very common around the gulf, but under the right conditions they are found near the mouth of the Gulf and can be caught in numbers. A great food fish, Wahoo are usually taken trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo.

FLY FISHING

For the fly fisherman Sailfish are a great target. By teasing fish up, we can bring a fish within 10 feet of the boat, pull the teasers, stop the motors and present you with a 100lb plus fish looking for something to eat. The thrill of casting to such a fish and watching it engulf your fly is never tiring. Sailfish are a prime fly rod target, and a must for the seasoned fly fisherman or novice. Marlin can also be hooked using these methods and casting to feeding Dorado and Tuna are also a possibility.
Roosterfish can also be taken on the fly, but know that doing this is a real accomplishment. Few people in the world can say they’ve done it. Jacks, Mackerel, and Bonito will readily take a fly, but long casts and fast retrieves are the key. For the purist who fishes only fly, other species can be targeted with chumming and sinking lines.

BOAT & EQUIPMENT

Boat: You will fish from a custom made 27’ Ocean Runner. Being that his boat was built for me, I was able to specify what I wanted, making this boat my perfect fishing machine. It is equipped with 70 gallons of live well space, fresh and salt water wash downs, a head (toilet) inside the console, a large t-top for shade and plenty of storage space. It has a clean and open cockpit/deck area (no obstructions for the fly fisherman) and plenty of room for numerous anglers with fish on. The boat is equipped with top of the line electronics; Simrad locator/GPS/plotter with thru hull transducer, VHF radio, and Sony CD player. It has also been fitted with Taco outriggers and Penn downrigger.

Equipment: With Tropic Fins we will provide you with “quality” equipment to use. Custom made Bullseye Rods, Shimano; Tiagra, Tyrnos, and Torium reels, along with Berkley Big Game line and Power Pro braids, plus a large variety of top quality lures, hooks, leaders and hardware to provide you with all the needed equipment. For offshore fly fishing we provide a 12/14wt Temple Fork fly rod and reel, and billfish flys.
Feel free to bring your own rod and reel combo, or your favorite lures, but know that all you need to bring is a little muscle and a smile.

A DAY IN THE LIFE

Our day (myself and mate) starts at 5:30am with the preparation of coolers, ice, bait and tackle for the day. Once the boat is ready we catch live bait till your arrival at the public pier. If more bait is needed we will get you to assist us in catching the last live baits for the day. Sardines (threadfin herring) are usually very abundant out in front of the public pier in Puerto Jimenez. Huge balls of bait can be seen skimming the surface in the mornings. Inshore fishing can literally start at the public pier where we pick you up as it is common to see Roosters and Jacks busting on these bait balls.

For offshore fishing we head out towards the mouth of the gulf. A 20 minute ride will take us to Matapalo Rock, the last structure before you hit the open Pacific. I often like to stop here for a quick fish before heading offshore. A Roosterfish is a great way to start the day. The “Blue Water”, clear deep blue water brought in by the strong currents of the Pacific, can usually be found within 10 miles of Matapalo Rock. Once outside the gulf we have almost 180 degrees of Pacific Ocean to fish as the ocean floor drops immediately. On the ride out we keep our eyes open for current lines, working birds, schools of dolphins, free swimming and free jumping Sailfish. All can indicate a good place to start the day. The Pacific outside the Gulf is usually quite flat in the mornings with a gentle breeze building towards the afternoon. Once our first stop is decided we extend the outriggers and put out our spread (our configuration of lures and teasers). We adjust the spread according to your preferred method of fishing and desired catch. Sailfish are the primary target for most offshore anglers. Once hooked, a fight with a Sailfish can last from 5 minutes to over an hour, depending on the fish and its manner. Some will put on a jumping display that will last minutes and tire more quickly. Others will sound and battle you from the depths, usually a longer and tougher fight. Once leadered and/or billed all Sailfish are released, although there is the opportunity for a photo or a closer look. Dorado and Marlin will also put on an acrobatic display once hooked. Tuna are a straight tug-of-war. With large tuna the fight can last hours.

The cooler on board is loaded with water, soda, juice and beer. There is also an assortment of fresh local fruit and a cold lunch. For lunch you can have sandwiches, wraps, cold fried chicken or pizza, or any special request.

Although the Pacific is a huge expanse of water, it is common to see a large variety of whales, turtles, and huge schools of dolphin and porpoise. The amount of sea birds 20 miles offshore is truly amazing at times, and when feeding on baitfish it is a sight to be seen. Along with free jumping Sailfish, Marlin, and Tuna, you will see the occasional Manta Ray or Thresher Shark.

By Afternoon if the offshore hasn’t provided you with the desired action we can head inshore in search of some Roosters, or a Snapper for supper. Here we can slow troll live bait, cast poppers, bottom fish or jig. We fish bottom structure, reefs, beaches and surf lines. There are a large variety of fish to be caught inshore.

The day usually ends by 4:00pm, giving you 9 hours on the water, and myself and mate enough time left in the day to clean the boat and equipment for the following day of fishing.