Costa Rica Fishing Report – May 5th, 2025
Location: Jaco, Los Sueños, and the Central Pacific Coast
The bite is hot, and May is off to an incredible start here on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Whether you’re staying in Jaco, Playa Hermosa, or headed out from Los Sueños Marina, this is a prime time to get on the water. With calm seas, plenty of action both inshore and offshore, and a good mix of species, it’s the kind of fishing week we live for down here.
Offshore Action – Big Tuna, Sailfish, and Some Marlin Around
Let’s talk offshore first, where things have been nothing short of electric lately. Boats heading out 25-35 miles are finding large yellowfin tuna, some pushing the 80–100 lb mark. These big boys are smashing live bait and topwater poppers, especially around pods of spinner dolphins—classic Costa Rica tuna fishing. There have also been plenty of 20–40 lb football-sized tunas in the mix, making for nonstop rod-bending action and full coolers.
Sailfish are showing up in strong numbers as well, with many boats reporting 5–10 releases per day. The sails are hitting trolled ballyhoo and teasers hard, and the flat, calm mornings have made for ideal sight casting when they pop up on the surface.
While we’re not in peak marlin season just yet, there are still blue marlin in the mix, particularly for boats running out a little farther or working the FADs (fish aggregating devices). Not huge numbers, but enough to keep things interesting. A few striped marlin have also been spotted, adding to the offshore variety.
And let’s not forget the mahi-mahi (dorado) — while not thick, some decent-size bulls are being picked up around floating debris and current lines. Most are in the 15–25 lb range, perfect for the grill or ceviche table back at the house.
Inshore Fishing – Roosters, Jacks, and Snappers Heating Up
Closer to shore, inshore fishing continues to deliver solid results for those targeting the reefs, river mouths, and rocky points. The star of the show this week? Definitely the roosterfish. These hard-fighting, photogenic fish are hitting live sardines and blue runners with aggression, especially along the beaches near Playa Herradura, Esterillos, and down toward Quepos.
Jack crevalles are also thick along the coast, putting up their usual brutal fights and giving anglers action throughout the day. They may not be the best table fare, but they’re a blast on light tackle.
For those looking for something tasty, the snapper bite is on. We’ve seen several quality cubera snappers landed recently, some over 20 lbs, and lots of smaller rock snappers as well. These fish are holding tight to structure and responding best to live bait or jigging over reefs and drop-offs.
Conditions – Ideal Weather and Sea State
The weather this past week has been just about perfect for fishing. Mornings are glassy and calm, with a light breeze picking up in the afternoons. Water temps are holding steady in the low 80s offshore, and clarity is good across the board. The occasional afternoon rain shower is typical for May, but it hasn’t affected the fishing in the least. In fact, the overcast conditions sometimes trigger even better feeding frenzies.
Captain Reports and Highlights
- Los Sueños fleet has been putting up double-digit sailfish numbers, with most boats also coming back with a few hefty tuna.
- Local captains out of Playa Herradura and Jaco Beach are reporting steady inshore bites with lots of roosterfish action in the early morning hours.
- Multi-day offshore trips are still seeing a few marlin and quality dorado. If you’re looking for a mixed bag, now’s the time.
Final Word – May Madness on the Water
If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica, or you’re already here and thinking about booking a charter, now is the time to go fishing. May offers that perfect shoulder season sweet spot: fewer crowds, lower rates, and some of the best fishing conditions of the year. Offshore is delivering on the pelagics, inshore is pumping with game fish, and the overall vibe is just right.
Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a first-timer looking to hook into something serious, the Central Pacific has you covered.
Tight lines and pura vida!
