COsta Rica
Score Inshore and Offshore at Crocodile Bay, Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
Coming 2024
OVERVIEW
- Anglers experience epic fishing for a wide variety of species including sailfish; striped, blue and black marlin; dorado; tuna; wahoo; roosterfish; snook; and more.
- Crocodile Bay is known the world over for both numbers and variety of fish, with plenty of inshore and offshore species to keep any angler interested.
- Live bait, trolling, casting and fly-fishing—however you want to catch them, you can do so at Croc Bay.
- Experience four action-packed days with side-by-side expert instruction as you catch your personal best in a wide variety of species.
- Crocodile Bay boasts the largest professional sport-fishing team in Central America, with in-house captains and mates able to cater to all skill levels. At the helm stands Diego Camacho, director of fishing and expert fisherman.
- Anglers stay at the beautiful Botanika Osa Peninsula resort (a Hilton Curio Collection property).
- Package includes all meals, drinks (beer and soft drinks), charter boats and tips, use of high-end tackle from Penn and other quality manufacturers, live bait, accommodations, fishing licenses, and airport transfers. A first night in San Jose at the Hilton, La Sabana is also included.
WHAT MAKES THIS EXPEDITION DIFFERENT
- Expert Instruction - PLUS two evening seminars with Diego Camacho
- Top gear to use for Free
- Chance to catch and tag a roosterfish for research
- Tuna boils on light tackle
- Tuna steaks on the grill
- Chance to have photos published in Sport Fishing and Saltwater Sportsman properties
- Uniquely designed fishing and eco-experiences
- Opportunity to do a Light Tackle Slam
ITINERARY
Enjoy one of the most prolific fisheries anywhere, and legendary Costa Rican hospitality. Learn to fish for new species or improve your skills, meet new friends, and explore the destination. Our seven-day itinerary is all about creating a fun, immersive experience.
Anglers arrive in San Jose at the International Airport (SJO). From there, our van will pick you up for the short trip to the city of San Jose and your room at the Hilton, La Sabana. That evening, you’ll join your fellow anglers for a reception and dinner hosted by Sport Fishing Expeditions. Or you can take the opportunity to come a day or two early, and enjoy the sights and sounds of Costa Rica because there is a lot to see and do.
Enjoy breakfast at the Hilton followed by transportation to the Domestic Air Terminal and a scenic one-hour flight to Crocodile Bay at Puerto Jimenez. Check in to your room at the beautiful Botanika Osa Peninsula resort, and enjoy the day relaxing, hanging by the pool, or book a local tour. Wrap up the day with dinner and cocktails.
Fishing days start with breakfast at 8:00 a.m. Anglers will be assigned a boat and crew, and make the short walk down to the dock at the Crocodile Bay Marina. Captains will formulate a plan for the day based on the anglers’ skills, weather, and bite, ensuring that plenty of fish will be caught, whether inshore or offshore. Anglers are back at the dock between 5:00 and 5:30 p.m., with time to relax and freshen up. Dinner is typically served from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m., and two of the five nights, guests will be dining off-site at popular local restaurants.
Anglers will put all they have learned to the test in a friendly tournament on the final day of fishing. The accomplishments and lessons learned will be celebrated that evening with an awards dinner.
Our van will pick you up at the Botanika Osa Peninsula resort for your flight from Puerto Jimenez to the domestic terminal in San Jose and transfer to the International Airport, SJO, for your flight home.
FISHING OVERVIEW
Sport Fishing Expeditions has partnered with Crocodile Bay to provide a one-of-a-kind learning experience in what is likely the hottest fishing area anywhere, the Crocodile Bay Offshore-Inshore Fishing Expedition. The number and variety of fish in the area provide a hot bite both onshore and off. No matter what your dream species or skill level is, there is something for you in these fertile waters.
The upwelling caused by the offshore winds to the north and south moves baitfish into the area surrounding Crocodile Bay and leaves a flat ocean with one of the highest concentrations of sailfish in the world. Yellowfin tuna up to 300 pounds call the area home, as do an assortment of billfish species. Inshore, you can expect to find a wide variety of gamefish. Do you think you have what it takes to beat the roosterfish resort record at 106 pounds?
The learning experience is geared toward those who are brand new to offshore fishing as well as veterans anglers. We will host two evening fishing seminars led by local expert Diego Camacho to provide each guest with valuable insight on gear and techniques so you’ll catch more fish, making your time on the water more productive and enjoyable. Techniques taught include trolling, live bait, casting and fly-fishing—inshore and offshore. Offshore, inshore, and now all-new kayak and shore-fishing excursions are available, each uniquely challenging and equally rewarding.
Offshore Fishing
Costa Rica is home to world-class billfishing. Boats hailing from Crocodile Bay practice catch-and-release, ensuring that the stocks of striped, blue and black marlin remain plentiful. The waters are also home to a prolific sailfish fishery, as well as plentiful dorado, tuna and wahoo.
Inshore Fishing
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is one of the most exciting destinations in the world for inshore fishing. The star of the show is the roosterfish, with 25- to 50-pound specimens common. The resort record roosterfish weighed 106 pounds, and a couple over 50 pounds are usually caught each week.
Snapper are another inshore highlight, with a dozen varieties residing close to port. Cubera are the top dog, averaging about 15 to 20 pounds, though individuals as large as 63 pounds have been caught. Grouper are also plentiful, with broomtails and goliaths frequently encountered.
The diversity of the inshore bounty continues with snook, bonito, barracuda, several types of jacks, mackerel, African pompano, bluefin trevally, rainbow runners, and many species of sharks. Though this list is long, it’s just a portion of what can be caught around Croc Bay.
More about Crocodile Bay:
THE FLEET
Anglers will fish aboard fast, safe and comfortable 33-foot Strike Tower boats in excellent condition. These boats are berthed at Crocodile Bay Marina, and are outfitted with high-quality Penn tackle. Expect each vessel to have Penn International reels in the 30 and 50 sizes, as well as both Penn spinning and conventional gear in 20- and 30-pound class. Fly tackle is manufactured by Temple Fork Outfitters, but anglers are welcome to bring their own gear if they prefer.
ACCOMMODATIONS
After a day of exciting sport fishing you can relax and unwind with the lush green canopies of the jungle right outside your room or a view of the tranquil lagoon, and of course the beautiful natural lagoon pool, bar, and common area. The Botanika Osa Peninsula is a brand-new Hilton Curio property nestled within the majestic jungle in Costa Rica’s unspoiled southern region. The organic architecture and interiors of the Botanika blur the lines between outdoors and in. With well-appointed studio, 1-, 2-, and 3- bedroom accommodations offering casual comfort and panoramic vistas that embrace Costa Rica’s natural beauty, Botanika is your personal retreat in paradise.
Meals are also included with our Sport Fishing Expeditions. Breakfast and dinner are served in the Tierra a la Mesa restaurant, just steps from your room and the marina. All of the dishes served at Tierra a la Mesa are sustainably sourced from the surrounding land and sea, and bring all the authentic flavors of Costa Rica to life. The restaurant supports local farms while showcasing both traditional and innovative land-to-table and fresh seafood dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Whether you’re dining indoors or alfresco, Tierra a la Mesa pulls the outdoors in through organic materials and an earthy color palette, creating an exquisite culinary destination that melds nature and civilization. Lunches and beverages are waiting on board for the trip offshore.
PRICES & DATES
WHAT'S INCLUDED
- Four days of guided fishing and tips
- Fishing licenses
- Accommodations including one night in San Jose on arrival
- All meals and beverages
- Airport transfers and air transfers between San Jose and Crocodile Bay in Puerto Jimenez
- 1-year subscription to Salt Water Sportsman
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
- Airline transportation to and from San Jose International Airport (SJO)
- Sunglasses and your camera!
Sport Fishing Expeditions are priced as all-inclusive packages with all meals, boats and tips, accommodations, and airport shuttles.
A 50 percent deposit must accompany each registration. The full payment must be paid 30 days in advance of your scheduled expedition.
Guests are welcome on this Sport Fishing Expedition. Guest fee includes breakfast and dinner, accommodations, and airport transfers including to and from San Jose and Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica. Please contact us for more information.
Repeat anglers, active-duty military and veterans qualify for special discounts. Please contact us for more information.
Payments made on your expedition are refundable for cancellations received, in writing, at least 61 days prior to the first day of the expedition. If you cancel your trip, for whatever reason, 31-60 days prior to the start date, we will issue a refund less a $1,000-per-person cancellation fee. If you cancel less than 30 days prior to the expedition start date, all payments will be nonrefundable.
Travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended to protect your investment.