Costa Rica Snook Fishing

Challenging Costa Rica Snook Fishing

Costa Rica snook fishing is one of the most rousing challenges in the country. Like the roosterfish, snook are cagey; there is a knack for getting them to take the bait. In fact, trickery based on experience is the key to fooling these fish. Just as billfish are the stars of Costa Rica deep sea fishing on the Pacific, snook and tarpon dominate the take in the Caribbean.

Both snook and tarpon move in and out of fresh water and salt water. Interestingly, there are four varieties of snook on the Pacific side, and four on the Caribbean. The Caribbean, or common, snook is the largest of the east coast snook. For sheer feistiness, the fat snook rivals any fish. What with their habit of freely inhabiting rivers and oceans, and their bicoastal range, snook offer the angler numerous opportunities for matching wits.

Fish Costa Rica on Two Coasts

On the Pacific side of the country, Costa Rica snook fishing is excellent off the central and southern shores. Quepos and Drake Bay yield abundant snook. The tangled mangrove field around the estuary of Rio Sierpe at the bay produces lots of snook and snapper. Needless to say, the deep, underwater roots of the mangroves contribute to the natural difficulty of catching the intelligent snook.

Snook and tarpon inhabit the same general areas on the Caribbean. The waters of the northeast corner of Costa Rica are teeming with both of these game fish. Their travels take them miles from the ocean up the labyrinth of rivers and creeks that riddle the area. Although one of the most unpredictable fish, snook invariably run the Rio Colorado in hordes in January. Larger snook become plentiful through May, but the largest snook--exceeding 30 pounds-- are taken in September and October. As always, take heed of the policy of releasing game fish that is part of the conservation philosophy of the fishing industry in Costa Rica.