Best time for rooster fishing in costa rica

The roosterfish. His scientific name is Nematistius pectoralis. He is also known as The King and Pez Gallo. (Pez Guy-yo.)

He is found lurking all along the west coast of Costa Rica. Easily identified by his “rooster comb”, the seven long spines that make up his dorsal fin.  The dorsal will often stand straight up when he is fired up and chasing whatever he thinks is going to be his next meal. He is all muscle, very strong and will test your stamina and destroy your tackle.  Always good for a drag burning third, fourth, even fifth and sixth run, Mr. Pez Gallo is the most sought after inshore gamefish in Costa Rica.

Anglers from all over the world come to Costa Rica to do battle with this majestic brute. Generally caught within a few hundred feet of shore along small rocky islands, points and river mouths, this incredible sportfish should be on every angler’s bucket list. While they are caught all year round, the peak season for roosterfish in Costa Rica is December thru April. The top three spots to get one of these monsters are around Herradura, Quepos and the Osa Peninsula.

Down in Puerto Jimenez, on the Osa Peninsula, Capt. Todd Staley at the Crocodile Bay Resort (http://www.crocodilebay.com) has spent more than two decades fishing for these monsters.  Todd said, “We are lucky here at Crocodile Bay Resort as we have so much geography to fish. Roosters roam the entire Golfo Dulce as well as the coastal waters outside the gulf. We find them over reefs in the middle of the gulf and in the surf lines. Live bait is most generally a sure bet, popper fishing is a little more exciting, as well as jig fishing. Trolling also produces fish”.

In Quepos, Capt. John Schuchert from Quepos Fish Adventures (http://www.queposfishadventure.com) says, “The

best bait for roosterfish are lookdowns (moonfish), sardines and blue runners. Once the bait is secured, location is everything. When using lookdowns or blue runners, he will most often fish around rock structures. When using sardines, the roosterfish are generally already following the sardine schools and there is no need to go elsewhere. He has had some success fly fishing for roosters utilizing a classic bait and switch technique. Slow trolling bridled live bait to tease the fish within range of a green or blue deceiver. John said, “It’s pretty incredible to see a roosterfish hit a fly right next to the boat”!

In Herradura, Capt. Michael Alligood (www.EpicFishingCostaRIca.com) said, “Trophy rooster fish are one of my favorite species to pursue and they are common year round along our coastline”. Capt. Mike’s favorite approach is to use a bridled 3 to 5 pound bonito around rocky points surrounded by deep water with lots of current. This is prime habitat for big roosters with big appetites. Using this approach is a quality over quantity approach and the fish you catch this way will be at least forty pounds and are often well over eighty. Cubera snappers are found in the same area and also love to bite a live bonito. Mike said, “Fortunately big roosters usually swim out in deeper water once hooked, otherwise you just would not be able to stop them”.

Most rooster fishing is typically done with 30 pound tackle and a 50 to 80 pound fluorocarbon leader. Circle hooks are always used, sized anywhere from a 5/0 to 10/0 depending on the bait size. The heavy tackle might seem like overkill to someone new to the sport, but you never know when a big rooster or snapper will take your bait. Getting spooled by one of these monsters is a strong possibility if you’re outgunned.

While I enjoy almost all types of fishing, I have to say that inshore fishing here in Costa Rica is quickly becoming a favorite. There is a wide variety of large gamefish that inhabit the nearshore areas, most are toothy, mean and aggressive. The roosterfish, snook and snappers are all worthy additions to your Costa Rica bucket list.

Yes, when is the best time for fishing in Costa Rica? is the main question many people have, all those who think to give Costa Rica fishing a try when they come down, sometime.

However, i may ask what type of fishing you want to do: offshore or inshore? You want to target for mahi, sails, tuna or roosterfish. Although, you can expect good fishing in Costa Rica year around, the pick season will depend on the area you will be fishing.

Below are the most popular sportfishing species fished in Guanacaste Costa Rica. Neither snook nor tarpon, however, we have an average of 40-50 pounds Roosterfish and very good-sized Sailfish.

Check out the best time to catch every species for the next fishing charter in Guanacaste and more specific: Gulf of Papagayo, Flamingo or Tamarindo.

Remember to practice catch and release for all Billfish species and the no-migratory species such as the Rooster, Cubera, and Amberjack.

You can keep mahi, yellowfin tuna or red snapper. Our crew will clean the fish, make the fillets and bag the fish; so, you can bring it back to the hotel or the favorite restaurant where they will cook it for you.

When can you catch Roosterfish in Costa Rica?

Where is the best rooster fishing in Costa Rica?

When can you catch Roosterfish?

What are the best months for fishing in Costa Rica?