Costa Rica’s Peak Sailfish Season Lives up to its Reputation in February at The Zancudo Lodge

Dancing Sailfish, Mighty Marlin, and backbreaking tuna lead the charge in February at The Zancudo Lodge, Costa Rica

Peak Sailfish Season in Costa Rica Heats Up

If bluewater fishing for sailfish, marlin and yellowfin tuna in one of the world’s most exotic tropical paradises sounds exciting to you, the Zancudo Lodge in Southern Costa Rica is where you need to be ASAP. 

February is Peak sailfish season in Costa Rica (Jan through May) in Costa Rica but as an added bonus the Marlin have been sticking around in good numbers to join the spectacular offshore action.

A combination of winds from the North (Guanacaste) and undersea upwellings create oxygen rich pockets that sailfish not only love but create temporary “prisons” (as the winds cause the areas outside these pockets to be devoid of oxygen) trapping them and allowing anglers to enjoy concentrated sailfish populations with lots of visits to the spread.  Multiple releases per day with both sailfish and marlin has been the norm with anglers last week releasing 19 marlin (in one day) with the top boat releasing 6.

Lots of double and triple hookups with marlin and sailfish have also been flooding our Instagram and Facebook pages during the last couple of weeks so if you’re not currently following us on those, add us to your daily fishing follows to see LOTS more action.

Hot Yellowfin Tuna Bite 

The other notable action so far this month has been the BIG TUNA that have been testing rods and anglers lower backs while keeping the tables flooded with steaks and sashimi.

The yellowfin tuna have been averaging between 60-90lbs but LOTS of individuals of 100+ (with several approaching 180lbs) have been coming in over the rails as well.

Using our state of the art Simrad radar and fast Contender boats we have been finding the spinner dolphins relatively easily and not too far offshore.

As most of you know, spinners = tuna as they both feed on the same baitfish and therefore hunt together. Some of these wide open bites have also had yellowfin tunas close to the surface allowing anglers to throw MAGBAY LURES popper at them, a dream scenario for most serious fisherman.

VIDEO: WATCH TEAM “NO SHAME” GETTING IT DONE This past month at TZL

Inshore Fishing Action Stays Strong

It may be peak sailfish season in Costa Rica, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about testing the inshore waters. Inshore has also been on FIRE and shortening anglers bucket lists with 30+lbs roosterfish and some BIG Cubera snappers. African pompano, bluefin trevally, jacks and a multitude of other snapper species like rock, yellowtail, and wax (cera) have rounded out the inshore lineup.

Costa Rica is one of the few places on the planet where one can get both a Roosterfish and Big Cubera snapper in a single afternoon on live bait and sometimes both on a popper or other artificials.

On non fishing days and evenings, guests are enjoying our miles of pristine beach directly in front of the lodge with picture perfect sunsets being served up every night a little before 6pm. Our saltwater filtered pool provides  yet another oasis to relax and enjoy a cold cocktail or local beer after a long day of battling some of mother nature’s toughest fighting fish.

For those who have visited before we’ve updated LOTS around the lodge as usual including new landscaping, decor and delicious new menu items and another Contender we recently added to our fleet. We have been PACKED this year so far but do have some spaces opening up in March, April and May so please check availability using the form below ASAP.

Here is a quick video to show you a little more about what you can expect during your visit to the Zancudo Lodge.

We can’t wait to host you at the lodge so you can experience the awesome action for yourself!

Pura Vida