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.
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.
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SailfishIstiophorus 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
Blue marlinMakaira 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
Striped marlinKajikia 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
Yellowfin tunaThunnus 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
Mahi-mahiCoryphaena 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
WahooAcanthocybium 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.
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RoosterfishNematistius 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
Cubera snapperLutjanus 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
Red snapperLutjanus 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
Jack crevalleCaranx 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
GrouperEpinephelus 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
Spanish mackerelScomberomorus 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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