GOLFITO SAILFISH RANCHO - THE FISHING
The Western Coast line of Costa Rica has more world records for bill fish than anywhere else in the world. If you want to catch sailfish on a flyrod this is the place to go. The current that runs along the West Coast of South America northward to Costa Rica, hits the Oso Peninsula and brings to the Golfito area an abundance of Sailfish, Marlin,, Roosterfish, Snook, Grouper, Snapper, Jacks, Trevally, Blue runners, Tuna, Tripletail, Dorado.
Golfito Sailfish Rancho has a fleet of 1999 Ocean Master 27 foot, 300HP diesel powered boats. These boats have been custom rigged by Caribe Yachts of Stuart, Florida. The boats are perfect for both the water offshore and the inshore fishing we have in the bay. Since the boats are made in the United States they bring U.S. standards to the Costa Rica sport fishing industry. With blue water fishing you want safe reliable, well equipped boats. They are truly a joy to fish out of.
Each boat comes with all the latest electronics, finest of fishing equipment, "Rupp" outriggers, head, T Top and live well. Coast Guard approved safety equipment, life jackets and kits come in each boat. Remember at Golfito Sailfish Rancho the bait is in the boat before the fisherman. You don't waste valuable fishing time catching bait in the morning. The lodge offers tournament quality conventional gear at no extra cost, but request that you bring your own fly tackle.
Offshore fishing means you will generally have to run out about 40 minutes to the prime fishing grounds. The most effective way to entice a billfish to the fly is to troll with 4 teasers off the back of the boat. As a fish shows itself the mate will bring the teaser close enough to the boat for you to cast. This has to be 20-30 feet because you are throwing some big flys out there! The captain will give the order to cast as he takes the boat out of gear, the mates then rips the teaser out of the water as your fly replaces it. Now tr
y to remain calm as the very visible fish turns toward your fly, you see the bill out of the water, then the head, but don't set the hook till he has the fly!! ( yeah, right maybe the second time) The fish will know something is wrong and start running and jumping instantly. An average size fish will take an hour to land a large one on light leader may take several hours to get to the boat. Marlin are much harder to land as they have very abrasive bills and don't tire themselves out with the flashy jumps of the sailfish.
The sailfish average 65-90 pounds with the largest ones near 150 pounds. The excitement of these hookups and encounters are as thrilling as the tarpon on the other coast. But like the tarpon fishery the incredible thrills can be offset by long periods of watching the teasers with absolutely nothing going on. It night be three hours, half a day before you raise a fish. If you are prepared for the long dry spell you will be rewarded with a day when you raise fish after fish bringing several to the boat. A great day sailfishing with a fly is to raise 12, hook 8 and land 4. A bad day may be that it is too rough to go offshore or you can' t raise a fish all day.
The inshore favorite is the rooster fish. You fish for those in two ways, the first much as you do a sailfish, trolling teasers until you find fish and then replacing it with your fly. The second is to cast around likely looking areas or directly to fish feeding on the surface. Roosters like a very fast retrieve and are notorious for following and refusing flys. The teasin
g method works better as it gives the fly more speed. ( even though you are in neutral, the boat is moving and you are stripping.) If the boat is not moving you are best off with a two handed retrieve with the rod tucked under your arm. Streamers of 4-6 inches are the rule. Of course you may find a lot more than rooster fish that are willing to take your fly. Tuna are found throughout the area as well as Blue Trevally and Jacks. The action is faster than the offshore fishing so it makes for a great alternative. It is also important when the weather prevents you from getting offshore because of rough seas. The bay in front of Golfito is usually calm enough for some great inshore fishing when the weather is bad off the Osa peninsula. Better a day of tackle busting rooster fish then waiting around the dock for
the weather to clear!
Costa Rica!
The Pacific - Golfito Sailfish Rancho
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