What fish can you catch in Quepos?

Offshore, the main targets are sailfish, blue and striped marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi and wahoo. Inshore, you can catch roosterfish, cubera and red snapper, jack crevalle, grouper and sierra mackerel.

When is the best time to catch sailfish in Quepos?

Sailfish are present most of the year off Quepos, with the peak season from December to April, when the best days can bring several releases.

Can you catch marlin in Quepos?

Yes. Blue marlin move through from December to April and striped marlin show up occasionally. The full-day offshore charter gives you the best chance, since it has time to reach the far grounds.

Where can you catch roosterfish near Quepos?

Roosterfish hunt along the rocky points and beaches around Quepos and Manuel Antonio. The half-day and 3/4-day inshore charters target them, and the 3/4-day gives you more time to find them.

Which fish can we keep to eat?

Table fish such as yellowfin tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, snapper and mackerel can be kept when regulations allow. Sailfish and marlin are always released, and roosterfish are released by default.

Is fishing in Quepos good all year?

Yes. Billfish peak from December to April, tuna and mahi-mahi from May to November, and the inshore species are there year-round, so every month has a good target.

QueposSport Fishing

Mahi-mahi caught on a private fishing charter in Quepos, Costa Rica

Species guide · Quepos

Fish species in Quepos, offshore and inshore

Twelve game fish you can target from Marina Pez Vela: billfish, tuna and mahi-mahi in the deep blue, roosterfish, snapper and jacks along the coast.

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In this guide

Twelve species, two kinds of water

Offshore

Offshore species: billfish, tuna and mahi-mahi

Fished on the 3/4-day and full-day offshore charters, trolling beyond the continental shelf.

01Offshore

Sailfish

Istiophorus platypterus

Costa Rica's signature billfish, known for tail-walking jumps and its tall sail-like dorsal fin. Quepos is one of the best places on the Pacific to target it.

Best months: Peak December to April; present most of the year
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Always released

02Offshore

Blue marlin

Makaira nigricans

The largest and most powerful billfish off Quepos. A blue marlin hookup means a long, hard fight and a story for life.

Best months: December to April
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Always released

03Offshore

Striped marlin

Kajikia audax

Smaller than the blue marlin but fast and acrobatic, with the blue stripes that give it its name. A welcome bonus on offshore days.

Best months: Occasional, mostly December to April
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Always released

04Offshore

Yellowfin tuna

Thunnus albacares

Hard-pulling and fast, yellowfin tuna run with the warmer months and are among the best fish to eat on the Pacific coast.

Best months: May to November
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

05Offshore

Mahi-mahi

Coryphaena hippurus

Bright green and gold, mahi-mahi (dorado) are fast, aggressive and excellent on the table. They often gather around floating debris offshore.

Best months: May to October
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

06Offshore

Wahoo

Acanthocybium solandri

One of the fastest fish in the ocean, known for blistering first runs and razor teeth. Wahoo are a prized catch and great eating.

Best months: November to March
Technique: Trolling
On these charters: 3/4-Day and Full-Day Offshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

Inshore

Inshore species: roosterfish, snapper and jacks

Fished on the half-day and 3/4-day inshore charters, around rocky points, river mouths and reefs.

07Inshore

Roosterfish

Nematistius pectoralis

The icon of Pacific inshore fishing, with a crest of long dorsal spines it raises when it attacks. Roosterfish hunt along the rocky points near Quepos.

Best months: Year-round, strongest December to April
Technique: Light tackle
On these charters: Half-Day and 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Released by default

08Inshore

Cubera snapper

Lutjanus novemfasciatus

The heavyweight of the snapper family, holding tight to rocky structure. Pulling one away from the rocks is a real test of strength.

Best months: Year-round
Technique: Bottom fishing
On these charters: 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

09Inshore

Red snapper

Lutjanus peru

A colorful reef fish found around the rocky bottom near Quepos year-round, and one of the best-tasting fish on the coast.

Best months: Year-round
Technique: Bottom fishing
On these charters: Half-Day and 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

10Inshore

Jack crevalle

Caranx caninus

Powerful and stubborn, jacks often hunt in schools along the coast and fight hard on light tackle.

Best months: Year-round
Technique: Light tackle
On these charters: 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

11Inshore

Grouper

Epinephelus spp.

Groupers live around the reefs and rocky ledges near Quepos. They hit hard and head straight for cover, so the first seconds decide the fight.

Best months: Year-round
Technique: Bottom fishing
On these charters: Half-Day and 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

12Inshore

Spanish mackerel

Scomberomorus sierra

Fast, toothy and fun on light gear, Pacific sierra mackerel move along the coast and are good eating.

Best months: Year-round
Technique: Jigging
On these charters: Half-Day and 3/4-Day Inshore
Release or keep: Can be kept when regulations allow

Release or keep

Billfish go back; table fish can come home

Sailfish and marlin are always released to protect the fishery, and roosterfish are released by default. Tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo, snapper and other table fish can be kept when regulations allow; your captain will advise on the day.

Good to know

Questions about fish species in Quepos

Marina Pez Vela · Quepos

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