The Costa Rican spearfishing report
For spearblog.com
By: Ryan Bombard
Owner, and Operator
Agua Azul charters
E-mail: aguaazulcharters@gmail.com
Phone # 011-506-8-919-1844
Location: North Pacific Costa Rica
As the owner, and operator of Agua Azul charters, I am excited to be a part of spearblogs weekly reports. We have world class spearfishing minutes from the shore, with awesome reefs loaded with fish. Based on what your level of spearfishing is, we can put you in a spot that will cater to your ability.
Inshore:
There is a great chain of reef that sits about 2 miles out, with large schools of bait, where you will find some of the fish you dream about. On the reefs you can find small Yellowfin tuna(10 to 30lbs), Wahoo, Dorado, Rainbow runners, Cubera snapper, school master snappers, mutton snappers, Vermilian snappers, Amberjack, Blufin travalli, Golden travalli, Baracuda, Broomtail Grouper, Cabrilla, Roosterfish, and lots of Trigger fish! The reefs Range from breaking the surface to about 100ft, so there is a spot for everyone!
Offshore:
There are many different species of Pelagic fish down here, just a few minutes out from shore. We are the closest port in Costa Rica to the mid America continental shelf, witch means we have 3500ft water 12 miles out. The species we would be looking for would be Black Marlin, Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Swordfish, Sailfish, Dorado, Large Yellowfin tuna, and Wahoo.
Out look for the spearing for the upcoming week
Make sure you are rigged heavy, We have Large Pacific Cuberas schooling on the reefs, and the water is nice and clear, so the wahoo are rite on the surface too. There have been good reports of Yellowfin tuna on the Dolphins as well on the offshore.
Visibility: ( offshore)
0-2ft= Blacked out, Chocolate Milk
2-5ft= Only if you are really desperate
5-10ft= Thank goodness I own a 75cm gun
10-25ft=At least I can see all 12 feet of that shark now
25-50ft= Wooohoo!!! It’s good enough for anywhere.
50-100ft= Great vis might as well be in the Bahamas!
100+ft= doesn’t get much better, the rest of the world hates me right now
Visibility: (inshore)
0-2ft= Blacked out, Chocolate Milk
2-5ft= Only if you are really desperate
5-10ft= Thank goodness I own a 75cm gun
10-25ft=At least I can see all 12 feet of that shark now
25-50ft= Wooohoo!!! It’s good enough for anywhere.
50-100ft= Great vis might as well be in the Bahamas!
100+ft= doesn’t get much better, the rest of the world hates me right now
Wetsuit this week:
Naked: water is as warm as it gets
Rashguard: keep the jellyfish and sun off
1mm suit: Comfortable and warm
3mm suit: cool enough for a hood and full suit
5mm suit: cold, bring some hot water on the boat too
7mm suit: freezing, invest in a good suit and a warm jacket
Drysuit: arctic, time to fight the polar bears for your fish
Shark Factor:
0.Better chance of seeing a Jaguar shark
- Might see one but nothing to worry about
- Definitely going to see one but shouldn’t be a problem
- Going to see them and they are going to be looking for a free meal
- Undoubtedly going to see them and plan on losing a fish or two
- Great Whites breaching on the surface or Tigers looking to see if you are Craig
Weapon of choice:
Pole spear/Hawaiian Sling/three prong
Small gun: (up to 75cm)
Mid range: (90-110cm)
Game gun: (110-130cm)
Cannon: (130-Tuna gun)
Best bets:
If you want to shoot something big, there are 50 to 60lb snapper hanging out on the reefs, and the Wahoo have been coming through pretty solid as well! If you just need to make sure you have something on the table, you can always shoot triggers, and Rainbow runners.
Rumor has it
We are just kicking off our mini summer here in Costa Rica, with a little rain in the evenings, but mostly sunny during the day. The rain is not effecting the viz, and the water is nice and clear, some days there is a cloud on the surface, but once you drop down 5 to 10ft it is clear. There have been lot of giant Manta rays around as well. We have had a few Whale sharks this year, but just Juveniles.
Open seasons of note
The best time to be here is our peak season from the end of December through April, we also have a mini summer from June through the and of August.
Regulations, and size limits:
At this time there really are none, as long as you have your fishing license, and you stay out of the reserves.
About us!
We are located in the small town of Playa Garza, just minutes away from the popular destination Playa Guiones. Garza is on the central Guanacaste coast, witch is on the North Pacific part of Costa Rica. We have been in operation for just over 5 years, and have a good working knowledge of the accommodations of the nearby towns so if you would like to plan a trip out, we can find you the best deal for what you are looking for!
Upcoming events:
The last weekend of April, we have our annual Pez fuerte’s blue water meet down here. I will post details as we get a little closer to the event, and if you have any questions please feel free to ask!
