Caribbean
Barra del Colorado
The canals and rivers of the northern Caribbean coast
boast some of the best snook and tarpon fishing in the world, and they are lined
with lush rain forest, which adds to the natural experience.
Historically,
tarpon fishing has been promoted by the lodges on Costa Rica's east coast during
the dry season, from about December through mid May, while snook traditionally
peak from about September through November. But the fish are there year round,
and it's mostly a matter of weather, which can change overnight. About half a
dozen fishing lodges are located in Barra del Colorado, Tortuguero and
Parismina. You can also get outside the channels for not only tarpon but the
blue water species like sails, blue marlin, wahoo, dorado, barracuda, kingfish,
spanish mackarel, jack, grouper, snapper. There is a canyon that drops from 260
ft. to about 1200 ft. about 30 minutes run from the Barra mouth. This is a dream
come true for the real fishermans. On the inside you can fish light tackle for
rainbow bass, mojarra, vieja, drum , gar, fat snook. There is a species of snook
that run 4 to 8 lbs that move into the rivers for 4 months every year and
catches of 25 a day are not uncommon.
SEASONS
Tarpon: They are always
around, with the traditional high season from December through May,
but that was a number of years ago when all of the lodges were
fishing with 16-foot boats and couldn’t get outside the river mouths
as the do today with larger boats designed for the purpose.
Snook: Big snook generally
peak from March through May and again September through the end
November.
Fat snook: (Calba) Peak
from mid-November through late January, but often make an appearance
much earlier.
Billfish: When you can get
outside to the blue water you will find Atlantic sailfish and
occasional Atlantic Blue Marlin most anytime of the year. Most are
caught from February through September.
Wahoo: Plentiful on the
outside from early February through mid June.
Dorado: Caught just
outside the river mouths throughout the year. Best fishing is when
the run off carries out the debris that forms inshore trash lines.
Tripletail: January
through June.
Kingfish, Spanish and Cero
Mackerel, Jack Crevalle, Barracuda: Abundant close to shore anytime
the ocean is flat.
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