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.
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.
Sailfish Season
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 →Marlin & Tuna Season
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 →Inshore Peak Season
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Fish Costa Rica?
Private charters available every day of the year from Quepos Marina. Expert local captains, all tackle included, hotel pickup available.