Fishing in February in Costa Rica
February is one of the most exciting months for fishing enthusiasts in Costa Rica. The best time to fish in Costa Rica water is when the weather entices sportfish and baitfish to coastal waters. You will also find other anglers’ favorite species like Sailfish, Marlin, Yellowfin Tuna, Wahoo, Snapper, and Snapper. This is because there is something special about fishing in Costa Rica‘s water in February. The weather is usually perfect, an excellent time for fishing enthusiasts. The freezing waters of the Polar Regions attract humpback whales to the warmer seas, making Costa Rica their winter home. Also, the warmer water temperatures mean baitfish begin to flourish, attracting more great schools of the trophy species.
January ended with great numbers of sailfish entering the range from the southern part of Costa Rica. The momentum carries over to February, the month that offers all types of offshore activities Costa Rican fishermen are familiar with. Not only will there be more sailfish, but there will also be more marlin and other anglers’ favorites this month. Fishing Costa Rica in February is rewarding; whether you are fishing inshore or offshore, you will catch sailfish, marlin, Dorado, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, and some of the best snapper of the year.
February offshore fishing in Costa Rica
For those fishing Costa Rica water in February, the action is offshore. You can expect a wide variety of catches that all have one thing in common, they are really fun to reel in. This is when Sailfish are at their peak, which means this is a great month to go after them. As the fastest fish in the sea, it means you are in for a big, fun fight if you hook one. The blue marlin is also in the mid of its peak season in February, but it is rare to catch striped and black marlin during this period of the year. It would be unfair if I forgot to mention the possibility of you hooking a yellowfin tuna offshore in February. These are fun and tasty offshore catch, and you have a good chance of hooking your favorite species this month.
February inshore fishing in Costa Rica
February is the roosterfish peak season and the perfect time to enjoy Costa Rica inshore fishing. As one of the most sought-after inshore species, you can find them in shallower water during this period depending on the area of Costa Rica you are fishing. Many anglers have successfully caught roosterfish at the river mouth or while surfcasting. This is because February is when they feed aggressively and are ready to bite. When fishing the water in February, you will enjoy peak season for at least one species anywhere in Costa Rica.
Fun fishing activities in Costa Rica in February
Pescadora Billfish Championship: This is a unique event that brings together women from all nationalities and experiences to celebrate their shared passion for the ocean and fishing. This weekend of fun and champagne is being hosted for women, by women. The aim is to inspire women to push beyond their comfort zone. Whether that is landing the first billfish, hooking a fish, learning to fish with unfamiliar tackle, or learning to catch and release a billfish in stand-up gear.
Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown, Leg II: The history of this tournament in Los Sueños began in 2004 with the first billfish competition. Almost two decades later, the tournaments are among the most competitive in the world, attracting teams from Costa Rica, the United States, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Russia, and Brazil, as well as anglers from all over the world. The fishing at Los Suenos fishing is unique, the weather is moderate, and the ocean is usually calm to enjoy all year-round fishing activities.
Best Spots to fish in February
Los Sueños Marina: This fishing spot is located in the Central Pacific region and is renowned for its abundance of roosterfish and marlin. Fishing from the Los Sueños Marina is consistent throughout the year, with offshore and inshore fishing opportunities. And for this reason, many tournaments are held here.
Crocodile Bay: This is a top destination for fishermen due to the number of Quepos, Central Pacific species caught here yearly. This spot has common species like Grouper, Snapper, Sailfish Blue, and Roosterfish. The access to multiple fishing styles makes this place even more attractive, from kayaking to shore fishing to offshore and inshore fishing.
Quepos, Central Pacific: This is a world-renowned sport fishing destination known as the Sailfish Capital of the World. It is also home to roosterfish, snapper, marlin, and Dorado. February is best for marlin, sailfish, and deep-sea tuna. And since the fish do not migrate, inshore fishing here is great throughout the year.
Best Fishing methods in February
Popping: This is a fishing method where a popper-style lure is dragged across the water’s surface in a short, jerky retrieval motion. The bait’s popping sound as it smashes across the water wakes up nearby fish. This may be the finest method to use if you are interested in hooking giant tuna. It allows you to land some of the biggest tuna found anywhere in Costa Rica water.
Jigging: This technique involves piercing the fish with specialized hooks to catch them. When pulled, it will have enough momentum to penetrate the fish and stop them from escaping. This style of fishing is perfect for people of all ages and fishing backgrounds. Jigging can be one of the best methods to increase your catch if you are targeting giant fish.
Trolling: This type of fishing involves drawing one or more fishing lines through the water while they are baited with lures or bait fish. This method is perhaps one of the most popular types of fishing for species like tuna, marlin, sailfish, and barracuda; it allows you to target a range of different fish species.
Conclusion
As you can see, fishing in Costa Rica water in February can be a great experience with the change in the water temperature. All the good currents coming from the south will bring in a mixed sack of Dorado, sailfish, tuna, and marlin.