fishing in puerto jimenez

OFFSHORE FISHING

     Costa Rica has an enticing offshore fishery, with many species including sailfish, marlin, yellow-fin tuna and dorado. The billfish are the draw to most anglers because of the impressive fight of the sailfish and marlin from the surface take behind the boat combined with the acrobatic show. The catch and release policy of the captains helps maintain the fishing in this area.
     You will be on the water fishing by 6:30 a.m. and generally run out about 40-60 minutes depending on the time of year before you reach the prime fishing water.
     The crew uses an effective method of teasing with lures and bait to raise the billfish. Sailfish are raised more often than marlin or other species, and are definitely a fun fly rod fish. If you haven't experienced the fight of a sailfish, you certainly must. The average size of the sailfish is 65-90 lbs, and can reach about 150 lbs. Marlin do rise occasionally to the fly, although they are much more difficult to land due to their incredible speed and abrasive bill.
     Fly fishing for billfish is an adrenaline rush that does no t generally accompany most fishing because of the quick sequence of events, followed by the large, jumping fish. Costa Rica is a great place for anyone, from beginner to experienced, to give billfishing a try.



INSHORE FISHING

      Puerto Jimenez has an added bonus of several inshore species as well as the coveted billfish. The area provides full access to inshore species within a short distance of the pier and the blue water.
Fly rod species that are the most popular are jack crevalle, blue trevally and roosterfish, but add to that snapper, grouper, and blue runners and you have exciting inshore fishing in addition to the amazing offshore fishing. For a little added fun, try some live bait fishing on light tackle to really see what Puerto Jimenez has to offer for inshore fishing.

THE CAPTAINS
     The head captain, Captain Michael Packard with his 28' Intruder, Mar Huron, has been fishing in Costa Rica for many years. Captain Mike Hennessey, with his b oat Kinembe, is anoth er great asset to the operation. He has also fly fished the area for many years, and organized the first annual Circle the Rock fly fishing tournament last year. Other captains, if needed, are individually owned charters with similar boats and qualifications.

Click here to read about accommodations in Puerto Jimenez.