Never been on a fishing charter before? That's completely fine, most of our guests are first-timers. Here's exactly what your day will look like so you can relax and focus on the experience.
Before You Leave Your Hotel
We'll send you a confirmation the evening before your trip with your exact pick-up time and location. Most departures are between 6:00–7:30 AM to make the most of the prime morning bite.
What to bring:
- High-SPF waterproof sunscreen (the ocean reflection intensifies the sun)
- Polarized sunglasses, essential for seeing into the water
- A hat or cap with a brim
- Light, long-sleeved UV shirt if you burn easily
- Seasickness medication if you're prone, take it the night before, not on the boat
- A small dry bag for your phone and camera
- Light jacket for the early morning run (it gets windy)
What NOT to bring: You don't need fishing gear, food, or drinks, we provide all of it. Just bring yourself and your excitement.
Your fishing license: Costa Rica requires a fishing license by law for every angler, local or foreign. It is not part of the charter price. You buy it before the trip, online from INCOPESCA. Feel free to ask, we can provide guidance.
Your Day on the Water
Our captain meets you at your beach or the marina. For beach pick-ups, the boat waits in the bay about 100 m out, and a dinghy brings you to it. You'll get a brief safety overview and the crew will rig the lines while you get settled.
For offshore trips, expect 45–90 minutes running to the fishing grounds. This is a great time to have coffee, watch for dolphins and flying fish, and get comfortable on the boat.
The captain deploys the spread, typically 4–6 lines with a mix of lures and bait. The crew manages everything. Your job is to be ready when a rod bends.
When a fish hits, the crew will hand you the rod or call you to the fighting chair. They'll coach you through the fight, when to reel, when to let the fish run, how to use your body weight.
Inshore fish like Roosterfish can be landed in minutes. Offshore billfish can take 20–45+ minutes of serious effort. Either way, the crew is with you the whole time.
For billfish (Marlin, Sailfish), we revive the fish boatside and release it. For Dorado and Tuna, you decide whether to keep for eating or release. The crew will handle cleaning and bagging.
On the return run, the crew cleans any fish you're keeping. Cold drinks are served. Everyone shares stories of the day. The captain will drop you back at your beach or the marina.
Do I Need Experience?
No. Our crews work with first-timers every day. They'll show you how to hold the rod, how to set the hook, and how to fight the fish. If you land a Sailfish on your first trip, it won't be because you already knew what to do, it'll be because our captain put you in the right position.
What About Seasickness?
For inshore trips on flat water, it's rarely an issue. For offshore trips in choppier conditions, we recommend taking Dramamine or Bonine the night before if you have any history of motion sickness. Once you're actively fishing, most people forget to be sick, the adrenaline helps.
One Last Thing
The ocean doesn't guarantee fish, any captain who promises that is lying. What we do guarantee is that our crew will put you in the best position possible, use the best techniques for the conditions, and make your day on the water genuinely memorable, regardless of what ends up in the boat.