Mid-July 2026 Fishing Report | Golfito, Jacó & Los Sueños
As we move beyond the halfway point of July, fishing across Costa Rica continues to produce exciting action. While the weather has settled into the traditional green season pattern with warm mornings and afternoon showers, the fishing has remained productive for anglers willing to head offshore or explore the rocky coastline. Yellowfin tuna continue to steal the spotlight, dorado have started to show in better numbers, and inshore species are providing plenty of action.
One of the biggest stories this month comes from the southern Pacific around Golfito, where Captain Bobby McGuinness has been putting together some outstanding overnight fishing trips. Meanwhile, along the Central Pacific, the waters off Jacó and Los Sueños have been rewarding anglers with tuna, mahi mahi, roosterfish, and the occasional marlin or sailfish.
Golfito Continues to Shine
If there is one destination that has stood out during the second half of July, it is Golfito. Captain Bobby McGuinness has been consistently finding quality fish on his overnight expeditions, taking advantage of productive offshore grounds that continue to hold bait and feeding predators.
Yellowfin tuna have been the highlight of these trips. Several fish have come aboard in impressive sizes, giving anglers the hard-fighting battles that make Costa Rica famous. Once the schools are located, multiple hookups have been common, making for fast-paced action and plenty of excitement around the boat.
The overnight trips have also produced excellent bottom fishing after sunset. Large snappers have been feeding aggressively over reefs and deep structure, providing both exciting action and outstanding table fare. Mixed in with the snapper have been powerful amberjack that continue to surprise anglers with their incredible strength. Anyone who has battled a big amberjack knows they refuse to give up, making them one of the toughest fish in our Pacific waters.
What makes these overnight adventures so special is the variety. In a single trip, anglers have the opportunity to troll for pelagic species during the day, target trophy tuna offshore, and then switch gears after dark for snapper and amberjack before returning to offshore waters at first light. Every trip offers something different, and that’s exactly what keeps anglers coming back to Golfito.
Jacó & Los Sueños Offshore Update
The Central Pacific continues to produce solid fishing, with Captain Henry leading the way on several successful offshore trips from Los Sueños Marina and Playa Herradura.
One of the highlights this month was a beautiful yellowfin tuna that provided an unforgettable fight before finally coming over the rail. Tuna remain one of the most dependable offshore targets this time of year, and the bite has rewarded anglers who stay patient and cover water until the birds, dolphins, or bait schools are located.
Dorado fishing has also improved during recent weeks. Several quality mahi mahi have been landed, with bright colors and explosive jumps making every hookup memorable. As more floating debris begins moving offshore during the green season, we expect the dorado bite to continue improving over the coming months.
While marlin and sailfish haven’t been showing in large numbers recently, they certainly haven’t disappeared. Boats continue to encounter an occasional blue marlin or Pacific sailfish while trolling offshore, reminding everyone that every spread has the chance to connect with one of Costa Rica’s legendary billfish. Even when targeting tuna or dorado, it’s never a surprise to see a billfish suddenly appear behind the teasers.
Inshore Fishing Continues to Produce
Not everyone wants to run far offshore, and fortunately, the inshore fishing around Jacó and Los Sueños has remained very productive.
Roosterfish continue to be one of the most popular targets, especially for anglers looking for powerful fights close to shore. Several beautiful roosterfish have been landed this month along rocky points, islands, and beaches where baitfish have been concentrated. Their aggressive strikes and powerful runs make them one of the true icons of Costa Rica sportfishing.
Mahi mahi have also been caught surprisingly close to shore on several trips, giving inshore anglers an unexpected bonus. Along with roosterfish, captains have been finding jack crevalle, snapper, and other reef species that keep rods bending throughout the day.
The beauty of fishing the Central Pacific is the variety. On any given trip, anglers can spend the morning casting for roosterfish, troll just offshore for mahi mahi, and still have a chance to encounter tuna or even a passing sailfish. Few places in the world offer this kind of diversity in a single day.
Looking Ahead
As July comes to a close and August approaches, we expect offshore fishing to remain excellent throughout much of Costa Rica. Historically, this is when yellowfin tuna continue to feed aggressively, while dorado numbers begin to increase as more floating debris collects offshore.
Golfito should continue producing some of the country’s best overnight fishing opportunities, especially for anglers looking to combine trophy yellowfin tuna with nighttime snapper and amberjack fishing. Captain Bobby McGuinness continues to demonstrate why this region has become one of Costa Rica’s hidden gems for serious anglers.
Along the Central Pacific, Jacó and Los Sueños remain excellent choices for families, first-time anglers, and experienced fishermen alike. With offshore tuna, improving mahi mahi action, dependable roosterfish fishing, and the possibility of hooking a marlin or sailfish on any trip, every day offers something exciting.
Whether you’re planning a full-day offshore adventure, an action-packed inshore trip, or a multi-day overnight expedition to Golfito, the second half of July has shown once again why Costa Rica remains one of the world’s premier sportfishing destinations.
We would like to congratulate all of our captains and anglers on another successful month of fishing. The fish are here, the conditions continue to improve, and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the green season has in store.
Tight lines, and we’ll see you on the water!
