Your first deep sea fishing trip in Quepos: what to expect

Choose the right offshore charter

Deep sea fishing in Quepos means leaving the coastline behind and heading into blue water, where the big pelagic fish feed. There are two offshore options, and both are private: only your group is on board.

If it is your first time on the ocean, or you are travelling with young kids, the 3/4-day offshore is the easier start. If you want the most hours where sailfish and marlin feed, choose the full day. Not sure offshore is for you? The half-day inshore trip stays near the coast and is a gentler introduction. Compare all charters.

The morning: meeting at Marina Pez Vela

Offshore charters leave at 7:00 from Marina Pez Vela, the marina in Quepos a few minutes from Manuel Antonio. The team confirms the exact meeting time when you book, along with the details of your Costa Rica sport fishing license, which is required to fish.

Arrive a little early, have a light breakfast and bring water. Your captain welcomes you aboard, goes over safety and explains the plan for the day based on recent conditions.

The run out to blue water

The first part of the day is the ride offshore. Use it to settle in, put on sunscreen and watch the coastline of Manuel Antonio fall behind you. How long the run takes depends on where the fish are holding, which changes with the season and the currents.

If you are prone to motion sickness, take your usual remedy the night before and again in the morning, keep your eyes on the horizon and stay in the fresh air at the back of the boat.

Trolling and your first strike

Once the boat reaches the fishing grounds, the crew sets out the lines and the boat moves slowly while everyone watches the spread. This is trolling, the standard technique for offshore species, and it can mean quiet stretches followed by sudden action.

When a fish strikes, the crew calls it out and hands you the rod. You do not need any experience: they show you how to hold the rod, when to reel and when to let the fish run. A sailfish may jump again and again; a tuna pulls hard and deep. Either way, the crew coaches you until the fish is beside the boat.

What you might catch, month by month

Quepos fishes well year-round, but the main target changes with the season. From December to April, sailfish and marlin are at their peak. From May to November, yellowfin tuna and mahi-mahi are most abundant. Check the month-by-month seasons calendar and the species guide before you choose your dates.

Catch-and-release: what happens to the fish

Billfish such as sailfish and marlin are always released to protect the fishery. The crew keeps the fish in the water as much as possible, helps you get your photos quickly and sends it back. Table fish like tuna, mahi-mahi or snapper can be kept when regulations allow, so tell your captain before the trip if you would like to take some home.

Back at the marina

A 3/4-day trip that leaves at 7:00 is back in the early afternoon; a full day returns mid-afternoon. That still leaves time for the beach or a sunset in Manuel Antonio, and plenty of stories for dinner.

What to bring

• Sunscreen and a hat
• Polarized sunglasses
• Light, breathable clothing
• A camera, or your phone in a waterproof case
• Water and your motion-sickness remedy, if you use one

All rods, reels and tackle are provided on board, rigged and ready.

Tips for first-timers

1. Sleep well and eat a light breakfast before the trip.
2. Drink water throughout the day.
3. Listen to the crew: they read these waters every day.
4. Keep hands and feet clear of the lines when a fish strikes.
5. Be patient: quiet stretches are part of offshore fishing.