Some of the planet’s greatest sailfish and marlin fishing is found around Jaco and Quepos along Costa Rica’s central Pacific Coast. Many of these critters travel a long way to give you a battle of a lifetime.
How far? One tagged Black Marlin swam all the way from Australia—more than 9,000 miles (14,500 km).
That’s a lot of travel miles!
When I say “greatest” I’m referring to both the size (and sheer number) of billfish off the coast here.
See the Marlin in the pic?
Nice fish.
About average.
You probably know his cousin. Actually you probably ate it.
Who? That little trout you ate in the restaurant.
So sweet, so succulent and just a teeny-weeny smaller than his—or-her cousin, the Marlin.
Take a Gander! Know what a Gander is? No, I don’t mean a male goose.
It’s a big Marlin, at least 1000 pounds. A really big Gander can weigh nearly a ton!
And, oh, it’s one other thing. It’s always a female.
Sort of a Mother of all Mothers.
A 300 pound female Marlin can lay just(!) 30,000,000 eggs BUT
A 1000 pound Gander can lay 100,000,000 eggs a year.
Year after year because (if you catch and release them) they live for more than 25 years.
Costa Rica Sailfish
In addition to Marlin, the waters offshore of Jaco and Quepos are sometimes filled with sailfish.
Indeed, though they’re most commonly caught about 12-20 miles offshore, they sometimes come in very close to shore and are caught off piers or even from kayaks! Catch a Sailfish in a Kayak? Watch! Sailfish swim in schools and when you catch one you’re likely to catch another.
The record for most Costa Rica sailfish released in a day by a single boat is 47!
And, not too many years ago the International Sailfish Tournament was held in Costa Rica. Over four days, 120 anglers released 1,691 billfish.
That’s more than 400 a day!
Come Get Your Grand Slam Want a real challenge?
Travel to Costa Rica and try for a Costa Rica Grand Slam (no, it’s not breakfast).
In the waters off Quepos and Jaco are Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Sailfish, and Swordfish.
Catch three different types in one day for a Grand Slam.
And once you have it, go for a Super Grand Slam (four of the five).
Impossible? Nope. Grand slams happen nearly every day during the peak of the season. So. . .
Just do it!
When’s the Best Time to Fish?
Sailfish and marlin fishing is a year-round sport along the central Pacific coast but usually (remember, we’re talking fish here) the best months for Marlin are September through November.
Sailfish often arrive in October and the best fishing months are December through April.
And, by the way, don’t forget about all the other great (big) fish you may encounter.
It’s a big list but it’s here for you to see, click for list of Costa Rica fish.
Costa Rica sailfish and marlin fishing is simply stupendous at times.