If you are looking to go after big fish such as Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado & Yellow Fin Tuna, the deep sea fishing in Jaco, Costa Rica is going to offer you the best chance of reeling in a pelagic fish.   

The technique for offshore fishing is trolling with Ballyhoo as the bait.  There are very specific spots that the Captains are familiar with and it is in these areas where you will go to target the Bill Fish.

It takes roughly 1 hour from the dock to the offshore fishing grounds.  The offshore fishing boats go between 26 to 32 knots so you get their very quickly.   

Fishing Charter Options

Full Day Offshore Charter

The full day is perhaps the most commonly booked trip because it provides you with the most time on the water.  When it comes to fishing, there are no guarantees, but the more time you can spend on the water, the better your odds are of having a successful day of sport fishing.

This is from 7:00 a.m. departure time to 4:30 p.m. return time.  The all day deep sea charter is what we recommend if your main goal is to reel in a Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado or Yellow Fin Tuna.

3/4 Day Offshore Fishing

There is also the option of booking a 3/4 Day Offshore Trip which is from 7:00 a.m. departure time to 2:00 p.m. return time.  This is a good option for those who are on a tight schedule and perhaps have other activities planned during that day but still want to have the opportunity of releasing a Big Offshore Fish. 

Included in each offshore charter.

Wether you book the full day or 3/4 deep sea tour, they both include a complete lunch, drinks, fruits, snacks, crew, bait and fishing gear.   

You don´t need any previous experience to fight a Bill Fish

For those anglers who have been offshore fishing before, they have a good knowledge of what to do and how to properly reel in the fish. 

However, for those who are going offshore for the first time, do not worry, the crew is there with you during the entire charter, and will give you special tips and recommendations, so you will look like a Pro Angler while you fight that Big Fish.

Certain fish are catch and release only

The Sailfish and Marlin are catch and release only.  You can tag the fish for a taxidermy but these species of fish are only to be fought and then released. 

However, the Dorado, also known as Mahi-Mahi can be kept to take back and prepare for dinner.

You can also keep the Yellow Fin Tuna which is a very delicious fish to eat.   Of course, there are regulations as in any country, here in Costa Rica, we have several regulations as to the size and weight of the fish, so if they meet the requirements, you are able to keep your catch.   

Also, the crew will fillet the fish for you and keep it fresh in a zip blog bag with ice.