Welcome to Coast to Coast, where we explore Costa Rica with two anglers, across three fisheries, over the course of five days. Costa Rica is positioned within three distinct fisheries: the Pacific Coast, the sprawling jungles, and the Atlantic Coast. Together, Heather Harkavy and Curtis Ciszek explore all three of these fisheries in the ultimate fishing expedition. With just five days to work with, the team set out to catch as many species as possible, all of which are new to them. Next up, they explore more of what the vibrant waters of the Pacific have to offer.

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While marlin rain king in Costa Rica, the Pacific has an abundance of fishing opportunities. This includes wahoo, yellow fin tuna, cubera snapper, bluefin trevally, and the legendary roosterfish. The crew heads to nearshore waters in search of big schools of roosters and whatever else they come across, before prepping for the next leg of the trip. Follow along for episode 2 of Coast to Coast.

Ask most anglers what the ultimate game fish is, and you’ll hear a resounding answer of billfish. Since the early days of offshore fishing, these incredible creatures have captivated the minds of fishermen, writers, and artists. Yet billfish is not a single species of fish but rather a classification of pelagic species with long, slender bills. This grouping includes sailfish, blue marlin, black marlin, and striped marlin, all of which can be found in Costa Rica. Of the places in the world to fish for billfish, few offer more in terms of diversity than Costa Rica. We began our Coast to Coast expedition fishing the blue water of the Pacific in hopes of raising billfish from the deep and catching them on fly. Here’s everything we did to make it happen.

Bring the Right Gear

When targeting billfish, the first step is to bring the right gear. Billfish, like marlin, can reach sizes of over 1,000 pounds. While you won’t be landing fish that big on the fly, even a fish a fraction of that size will put your gear to the test. For rods, we recommend a 12-wt for smaller sailfish, and at least a 15-wt for marlin. These rods definitely fall into the broomstick category, but that’s alright. They are designed for fighting fish, not casting. Keep both rods rigged and ready in case a billfish sneaks into the spread.

Once you’ve settled on rods, it’s time to find the proper fly reel. For starters, look for reels that can hold a lot of backing. You’ll want at least 350 yards to tame long and powerful runs that marlin are known for. In addition to line capacity, you’ll want a smooth drag. This is particularly important for fighting big fish on light line. When a big billfish is greyhounding through the air and dragging your fly line behind it, too much pressure or a clunky drag can pop the fish off.

The next step is prepping your setup for billfish. To achieve a bulletproof connection to a fish, knots are key. Load your reel up with 65-pound gel-spun backing and finish it off with a double bimini twist. If you don’t know how to do this, bring it to a local fly shop that can properly tie these knots and set up your reel.

Troll, Troll, and Troll

In Costa Rica, like many billfish fisheries, the key to finding fish is trolling. Typically, a boat will troll teasers behind it, at a slow and steady pace. These are often lures or dead baits that imitate a school of fleeing fish from below. When a marlin sees it, they’ll head off the bottom towards the surface for a closer look. It’s also worth noting that certain boats can raise more fish than others. The most common theory is that certain boats and motors emit a vibration that draws billfish in, while others may actually repel fish.

Typically, boats will troll around ledges, FADs (fish attracting devices), and bait schools in hopes they come across billfish. In Costa Rica, you can also occasionally come across schools of billfish, mainly sailfish, attacking bait on the surface. If that’s the case, get ready for some epic sight casting.

Stay Attentive

The monotony of trolling for hours, the hum of the engine, and a warm breeze are a recipe for dozing off. However, attention is critical when billfishing. At any moment, a fish can appear in the spread, and if the crew and angler are not paying attention, your opportunity is gone. If you have multiple anglers, consider switching throughout the day. This will give you fresh eyes on the spread and the focus needed to be ready at a moment’s notice.

Keep Your Fly in the Water

When the time comes and you watch the dorsal fin of a billfish ripping through your spread, it’s time to make your shot count. The trolling spread will be yanked out of the way by the crew, giving you the opportunity to throw your fly into a clear boat wash. While this happens, one of the mates is typically designated as the teaser. Their job is to work a hookless bait across the surface, get the marlins’ attention, and bring them closer to the boat. While this is happening, get your fly in the water and keep it there.

Fly fishing for marlin is not about making a 90-foot cast. It’s about getting the fly in front of a fired-up fish and keeping it in the zone. Constant false casting can spook a fish off or leave you out of position when it matters. Billfish flies can be bulky and often won’t sink right away when dry. We recommend keeping a bucket full of water, with the fly in it and the line stripped off. When a fish shows up, the waterlogged fly will sink as soon as it hits the water. If a billfish eats your fly, strip set until you feel the weight, and then lift the rod. Never trout set!

Typical billfish flies are tied on tubes to disengage the hook from the fly when a fish eats it. This gives you a better hookup and limits the chances of a fish becoming bill wrapped. For marlin catch and release, this is especially important. Bill wrapping a fish can seal their mouth shut, causing them to drown from a lack of oxygen. The most common colors for billfish flies are blue, pink, and white. The pink/white color combo is especially effective in Costa Rica, where squid are abundant.

Hold On!

You’ve put in the time, made the cast, and hooked your first billfish on the fly. Now it’s time to hold on and dig in for the fight ahead. Marlin, especially, are notorious fighters and have been known to fight to the death. During the initial runs, keep your drag fairly loose. Proper billfish leaders have a light class tippet, or break tippet. As fish run off and dive down, too much drag can pop this section, leaving you fishless. Later on in the fight, as the fish tires and comes closer to the boat, you can tighten up the drag.

Final Thoughts

Catching a billfish on the fly is not for the faint of heart. The persistence it takes to raise fish behind your boat, hook one, and fight them for sometimes hours is back-breaking work. Add to that doing it all on the fly, and there’s a chance you’ll lose more than you catch. Nonetheless, in the world of big game fly fishing, there is no greater accomplishment. A billfish on the fly is a lifetime achievement.

Welcome to Coast to Coast, where we explore Costa Rica with two anglers, across three fisheries, over the course of five days. Costa Rica is positioned within three distinct fisheries: the Pacific Coast, the sprawling jungles, and the Atlantic Coast. Together, Heather Harkavy and Curtis Ciszek explore all three of these fisheries in the ultimate fishing expedition. With just five days to work with, the team sets out to catch as many species as possible, all of which are new to them. First up, the blue waters of the mighty Pacific.

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In this episode, Heather and Curtis set foot in Costa Rica for the first time. Upon arrival, they immediately dive headfirst into the culture, experiencing the sights, smells, and food it has to offer. From there, they make the trek west until they reach their oceanside stay and basecamp for the Pacific. The target species are billfish, for which Costa Rica is known. Here, anglers can target blue, black, and striped marlin along with Indo-Pacific sailfish. Follow along as the team dives headfirst into the grueling world of billfishing on the fly.

Coast to Coast is a journey through Costa Rica’s three unique fisheries: the Pacific, the jungle, and the Atlantic. The series begins in the blue waters of the Pacific. Here, deep pelagic waters meet with the shallow waters of the coast, making one of the most productive fisheries in the world. Variety is the name of the game, as Heather and Curtis set out to check off as many new species as possible. From powerful pelagics to aggressive inshore species, these are the target species of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast.

Pelagic Species of Costa Rica

The near-shore dropoff found in Costa Rica attracts numerous bluewater species. These pelagic fish spend their time traveling, hunting, and migrating through the Pacific Ocean. When conditions and seasons align, expect to encounter these pelagic fish species in Costa Rica.

Marlin

Costa Rica’s unique positioning on the map attracts a variety of marlin species. These include striped, black, and the legendary blue marlin. The addition of FADs (fish attracting devices) in recent years, as well as drop-offs, reefs, and an abundance of bait, are excellent hunting grounds for these billfish. The best months to target marlin are typically in the winter and early spring, but marlin can still be found throughout the year. Check out how to catch a billfish on the fly, HERE.

Sailfish

Positioned on the Pacific side, the billfishing grounds of Costa Rica are also home to sailfish. However, these are Indo-Pacific sailfish, not the Atlantic sailfish many anglers are familiar with. The Indo-Pacific sailfish grows a lot larger than its Atlantic cousins. They will also readily eat a fly. Here, dragging teasers over likely sailfish structure can raise fish into the boat wash. With a seasoned crew, a quick bait and switch will leave your legs shaking as you watch sails chase down your fly.

Wahoo

Wahoo are common pelagic fish found throughout the world. They can reach sizes of over 100 pounds, fight incredibly hard, and make excellent table fare. Wahoo are easily identified by their streamlined body, blue coloration, and dark stripes. These pelagic fish can frequently be found patrolling offshore reefs and structure. The best time to fish for these toothy predators is often first thing in the morning and last light.

Tuna

Tuna fishing in Costa Rica can be incredibly productive. The target species is yellowfin tuna. This species grows the largest, can be caught on a fly, and typically travels in small schools. In addition, several smaller tuna species can be found, including big eye tuna, skipjacks, and bonito. These species can also be caught on fly, although they do not grow as large as yellowfin. Some of these smaller species also make excellent marlin baits.

Near-Shore Species of Costa Rica

Costa Rica’s reefs, rock edges, and beaches are also home to a number of sought-after species. From inshore giants to unique fishing opportunities, these are the near-shore species of Costa Rica.

Snapper

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Along the coast, rock edges, and reefs, anglers can find multiple snapper species. The largest and most sought-after is the cubera snapper. These fierce predators can reach sizes of over 100 pounds and have the attitude to back it up. They fight hard and have a wicked mouth full of razor-sharp teeth meant for crushing and shredding prey. Anglers can also come across mullet snapper, a smaller, more slender species found in similar areas to cuberas. In addition, several smaller snapper species are found throughout the coast, including the rock snapper.

Pacific Snook

The Pacific snook, or black snook, in a lot of ways, resembles the Atlantic snook. They live in similar habitats and have a similar appearance. However, the Pacific snook has a smaller mouth and slightly darker coloration. They can reach impressive sizes, with the world record ibeing just shy of 50 pounds, and fish pushing 50 inches are not unheard of. These giants receive little fishing pressure compared to the Atlantic species. Just make sure you bring your big gear, as you never know how big they will be.

Roosterfish

Roosterfish are one of the most unique-looking and sought-after fish in Costa Rica. These fish have a unique, finger-like dorsal fin with long fin rays. They can reach sizes of over 100 pounds, but smaller fish are more typical. When you come across a school of fired-up roosterfish, teasing them is the best way to catch them. Typically, an angler or guide will use a hookless plug to lure the fish into a frenzy as they chase the lure to the boat. Throw your fly into the chaos and hold on. These smaller roosterfish are often found traveling in packs, aggressively chasing down baitfish schools.

Bluefin Trevally

Anglers familiar with the GT or giant trevally may be familiar with the bluefin trevally. These smaller cousins to the GT are found throughout the Pacific Ocean. They can be found patrolling the near-shore waters of Costa Rica and are typically fairly aggressive. Anglers can easily identify them by their stout bodies and distinct blue color. Don’t let their size fool you; even the small ones will put your gear to the test.