Fish Species & Seasons Guide
The Pacific waters off Quepos hold an extraordinary variety of game fish year-round. Discover what you can target, when to target it, and how to plan your perfect fishing trip.
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World-Class Species in Quepos Waters
From explosive billfish offshore to iconic inshore game fish — Quepos delivers year-round action on some of the most prized species in sport fishing.
6 Offshore Species in Quepos Waters
Trophy billfish, powerful tuna, and acrobatic mahi-mahi — the deep Pacific waters off Quepos offer world-class offshore fishing year-round.
Costa Rica's signature species. Famous for explosive aerial acrobatics and blistering runs — multiple hookups per trip are common during peak season. All sailfish are catch-and-release.
The ultimate trophy fish of the Pacific. Some of the largest blue marlin in the world pass through Quepos waters during the green season. A true bucket-list species for any serious angler.
One of the largest and most powerful billfish in the world. Black marlin are less common than blue but potentially larger — specimens exceeding 1,000 lbs have been recorded in Pacific waters.
One of the hardest-fighting fish in the ocean. Available year-round in Quepos, with the largest schools forming from May through November around temperature breaks and weed lines offshore.
Brilliantly colored and acrobatic. Abundant year-round around weed lines and floating debris offshore. One of the best table fish in the ocean and a guaranteed hit on any charter.
Lightning-fast with razor-sharp teeth — one of the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of speeds exceeding 60 mph. A prized catch for any serious angler and excellent table fare.
6 Inshore Species Along the Coast
From the iconic roosterfish to powerful cubera snapper — the coastal waters of Manuel Antonio and Quepos are packed with exciting inshore game fish year-round.
The most iconic inshore species in the Pacific. Named for its spectacular comb-like dorsal fin. Found along beaches and rocky points of Manuel Antonio — the star of our half-day inshore charters.
A powerful reef fish with crushing jaws and brute strength. Cubera snapper lurk around rocky points and reef structure along the Manuel Antonio coastline. Excellent table fare and a tough fighter.
An aggressive, hard-fighting schooling fish found year-round along the coast. Jack crevalle are known for their explosive strikes and powerful runs — great fun on light tackle for all skill levels.
Fast, acrobatic, and abundant along the coastal waters of Manuel Antonio. Sierra mackerel are a fantastic target on light tackle — they strike hard and make blistering runs that test even experienced anglers.
A long, slender surface predator found along the coast. Needlefish are spectacular jumpers when hooked — their acrobatic aerial displays make them a crowd favorite on family inshore charters.
Known as the "poor man's tarpon" for its spectacular acrobatics. Ladyfish school in large numbers along the Manuel Antonio coastline and are one of the most exciting light-tackle species for beginners and families.
Month-by-Month Season Guide
Plan your trip around peak species activity. Every month offers excellent fishing in Quepos — use this calendar to target the exact species you want.
| Species | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Offshore Species | ||||||||||||
| Sailfish | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Off | Off | Off | Good | Peak | Peak |
| Blue Marlin | Off | Off | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off |
| Black Marlin | Off | Off | Off | Off | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off |
| Striped Marlin | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Off | Off | Off | Off | Off | Peak | Peak | Peak |
| Yellowfin Tuna | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good |
| Mahi-Mahi (Dorado) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Wahoo | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Off |
| Bonito | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Inshore & Reef Species | ||||||||||||
| Roosterfish | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Off | Off | Good |
| Cubera Snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good |
| Red Snapper | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Grouper (Goliath & Red) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Jack Crevalle | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Sierra Mackerel | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Amberjack (Medregal) | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
| Tripletail | Off | Off | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Off | Off |
| Grunt | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good | Good |
| Bigeye Trevally | Good | Good | Good | Good | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Peak | Good | Good | Good |
Best Time to Visit Quepos for Fishing
There is no bad time to fish in Quepos — but different months offer dramatically different experiences. Here's how to plan around your target species.
The legendary dry season brings blue water, calm seas, and the highest concentrations of sailfish of the year. Multiple hookups per trip are the norm. Ideal conditions for first-time anglers who want guaranteed offshore action.
Book Full-Day Charter →The green season transforms the offshore grounds. Blue and black marlin arrive in full force alongside massive yellowfin tuna schools, mahi-mahi, and wahoo. Some of the largest fish of the year are caught in these months.
Book Full-Day Charter →The best roosterfish action of the year runs from May through October along the beaches and rocky points of Manuel Antonio. Cubera snapper and jack crevalle are also at their most active. Perfect for half-day inshore charters.
Book Half-Day Charter →Common Questions About Fishing in Quepos
What is the best fish to target in Quepos year-round?
Mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna are available year-round and offer outstanding action every month. If you’re visiting during the dry season (December–April), sailfish are the top target. During the green season (May–September), blue marlin and large yellowfin tuna are the main draw.
Are sailfish catch-and-release only?
Yes. Sailfish are catch-and-release by both regulation and sporting tradition in Costa Rica. The same applies to marlin. Yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, roosterfish, and snapper can be kept and filleted by the crew at the end of your trip.
How many sailfish can we expect to catch on one trip?
During peak season (January–March), it is common to raise, hook, and release 5 to 15 sailfish in a single full-day charter. On exceptional days, numbers can exceed 20 individual fish. Outside of peak season, encounters are fewer but still very possible.
What is the largest marlin ever caught near Quepos?
The Pacific waters off Quepos and the broader Central Pacific of Costa Rica have produced blue marlin exceeding 800 pounds. While average encounters range from 200 to 500 pounds, trophy fish are a very real possibility during the June–August peak.
Can I fish inshore and offshore on the same trip?
On a full-day charter, captains can sometimes combine inshore and offshore fishing depending on conditions and your preferences. Let us know what species you’d like to target when booking, and we’ll plan the day accordingly.
Ready to Target These Species?
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