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Posts: 2383
Location: Chisholm, MN | Well, I'm finally going to do some saltwater fishing! Anybody been to the papagayo gulf area of Costa Rica and fished roosterfish before? Looking for some guide recommendations. |
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Posts: 2068
| I have been to that area once, I wouldn't probably go back ...if you haven't booked your trip yet the fishing is much better near the Osa peninsula. That being said you can catch roosters in the Guanacaste area.. You may want to consider a good travel rod and at the very least I'd bring my own quality large capacity spinning reel with 50 braid. Most of the boats in that area don't have very good tackle for inshore fishing.. Find a local Panga and insist that they have live bait for you. Preferable mullet if you want a jumbo rooster, slowly troll 100 -200 yards off the rocks, bail open rod tip high...lively mullet on the surface wont take long before something pounds it ..good luck C.R. is a beautiful country!!!
Edited by IAJustin 12/3/2014 8:27 PM
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Posts: 2383
Location: Chisholm, MN | Thanks Justin, was hoping you'd chime in. Unfortunately this is the place my parents booked, so I'm locked in. All good info though! Thanks! |
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Posts: 2068
| No problem Kirby..you can definitely have good fishing in that area...ocean fish move with the bait. Here is a few more tidbits to remember anywhere you go in Mexico or Central America.. talk to several boats and explain what you want to do. Most boats will want to troll lures only, pool cue 4' rods with squid baits on the surface, yes when there are a lot of Mahi or Tuna in the area this will be effective-but, quite frankly most of the boats/fisherman aren't that good...what I mean is they are happy taking you for a boat ride.
The good ones charge a premium. BUT if you can find a local fisherman that can get you good fresh live bait: (mullet or big-eyed scad for example ) you will catch fish.... if you get calm conditions you might have 40 feet of visibility ....I don't use live bait for fresh water....I think its a must for saltwater...I actually like to use live bait rigged with no hooks as a teaser and then throw flies but that's a different conversation - ha! Happy to talk more.. if you have questions send me a PM.
Oh ya, don't forget to negotiate price - they all want your money...live bait is usually $3 each - get at least 10.
Edited by IAJustin 12/3/2014 10:07 PM
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Posts: 51
| I agree with Justin, fishing is pretty hit or miss in CR with the local panga guide's. But live bait is key... I stayed south of you in Potrero bay area three years ago and didn't have any luck casting from shore for roosters. I caught several nice Jacks on topwaters from shore, which are a fun fish to catch as well, but no roosters. Caught a few small tuna's, sea bass, and mahi's... both from Panga and kayaks. I would recommend a travel rod as well, that way you don't have to worry about showing up with a broken rod. Also, if you don't check your reels in your suitcase, CR used to not allow them through airport security with line on. So you'll have to unspool your reels to get them out of the country. Not a big deal, but much better than having security have you strip your reel and throw your braid in the trash! |
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Posts: 2068
| Kirby: I have these rods and they are good, and fit in a large suitcase - the Heavy action version makes a very good big roosterfish combo with a Stradic 6000 : http://www.tackledirect.com/tsunami-tscs-703h-travel-kayak-inshore-...
Edited by IAJustin 12/5/2014 4:05 PM
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Posts: 2383
Location: Chisholm, MN | Thanks guys! Big help! |
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Posts: 51
| If you need something that breaks down smaller, I have one of the llbean travel rods that come with a hard case and break down into 4 pieces so it's a smaller case. I've never used the heavy version, but I have the MH version and I've caught several saltwater fish on it. Not sure when you are going to CR, but if you sign up for the llbean email list, they send 10-20% coupons pretty frequently to help save money. Plus they are always free shipping. |
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Costa Rica Roosterfish?