3/4 Day Offshore Amberjack Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Six-hour offshore charter targeting marlin, sailfish, mahi, and tuna28-foot Bertram yacht accommodates up to six guests comfortablyExperienced local captains provide quality tackle and equipment onboard
When you're looking for serious offshore action in Costa Rica's Pacific waters, the Amberjack delivers exactly what you came for. This isn't your typical half-day run to the inshore spots – we're talking about a full six-plus hours of prime fishing time aboard a proper 28-foot Bertram Fly Bridge that knows how to handle blue water. Captain and crew know these waters like the back of their hands, and they'll put you on fish that'll test your drag and your endurance. At $1,450 for up to four anglers, you're getting access to some of the most productive billfish and pelagic grounds in Central America, plus all the tackle, bait, and expertise you need to make it count.
The Amberjack isn't just another charter boat – she's built for comfort and performance in offshore conditions. That Bertram hull cuts through swells like butter, and the fly bridge gives you perfect visibility for spotting birds, bait balls, and those telltale dorsals cutting the surface. Your captain will have you out of the marina early, making the run to productive water while the seas are still calm. Expect to cover serious ground as we hunt down temperature breaks, current edges, and structure that holds baitfish. The boat comes loaded with quality Penn and Shimano gear, fresh ballyhoo, and all the terminal tackle you'll need. Lunch is included, so you can stay focused on fishing instead of heading back to shore when things are heating up. The crew handles everything – rigging baits, clearing lines, gaffing fish – so you can concentrate on the fight.
Out here, trolling is king, and we run a spread that's designed to attract everything from aggressive mahi to monster marlin. The boat carries both conventional and spinning tackle, with 30-50 pound class rods for the billfish and lighter gear for mahi and tuna. We'll typically run four to six lines with a mix of lures and live bait – ballyhoo rigged behind jet heads, cedar plugs, and feather jigs that mimic the flying fish and squid these pelagics feed on. The captain reads the water constantly, adjusting speed and direction based on current, temperature, and what the fish finder is showing. When we mark bait or structure, we'll often switch to live bait fishing or jigging techniques. The key is staying flexible and letting the fish tell us what they want. Circle hooks are standard for billfish to ensure clean releases, and we carry heavy fluorocarbon leaders that can handle the teeth and bills of these apex predators.
Blue marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing here, and Playa Flamingo's waters consistently produce fish in the 200-400 pound range. These apex predators are most active during the dry season months from December through April, when baitfish concentrations draw them close to the continental shelf. What makes marlin so special isn't just their size – it's the way they fight, with spectacular jumps and powerful runs that can peel line off your reel for what feels like forever. The smaller males around 150-200 pounds are incredibly acrobatic, while the big females over 300 pounds rely on brute strength and endurance.
Indo-Pacific sailfish are another crown jewel of these waters, and they're active year-round with peak numbers during the transitional months of May and November. These fish average 80-120 pounds and are arguably the most exciting billfish to catch – they go absolutely ballistic when hooked, with multiple jumps and blistering runs. Sailfish often travel in small groups, so it's not uncommon to hook doubles or even triples when you find them. Their aggressive nature makes them perfect for both experienced anglers and newcomers to billfish angling.
Mahi mahi, or dorado as locals call them, are pure excitement in a smaller package. These 20-40 pound torpedoes are incredibly strong for their size and put on an aerial show that rivals any fish in the ocean. They're most abundant from May through November and often travel in schools around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks. What anglers love about mahi is their aggressive feeding behavior – they'll absolutely demolish a trolled lure and fight with surprising intensity right to the boat.
Yellowfin tuna represent some of the hardest fighting fish in these waters, with local specimens ranging from 40-150 pounds. These muscle-bound speedsters are built for endurance and will test both your tackle and your stamina. Peak tuna fishing occurs during the rainy season from June through October when water temperatures are optimal. They're incredibly strong and have a habit of making long, steady runs that can take you well into your backing.
Wahoo are the speed demons of the offshore world, capable of reaching speeds over 60 mph and known for their razor-sharp teeth and explosive strikes. These 30-80 pound rockets are most active during the early morning hours and often hit trolled lures at high speed near drop-offs and current edges. Their initial run is absolutely blistering, and their firm, white meat makes them excellent table fare for those who choose to keep one for dinner.
This is the kind of charter that fills up fast, especially during peak season when the billfish bite is hot. The Amberjack gives you the perfect combination of a proven boat, experienced crew, and access to world-class fishing grounds that many visiting anglers never get to experience. Whether you're after your first marlin, looking to add a sailfish to your bucket list, or just want to spend a full day battling whatever the Pacific throws at you, this trip delivers the goods. Payment is flexible – cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp – and deposits are fully refundable with 72 hours notice. Don't let another season pass without experiencing
The Amberjack cuts through Costa Rica's Pacific swells like she was born for it. This 28-foot Bertram flybridge got a complete makeover in 2023, and she's ready to take you after the big ones lurking in Flamingo's legendary offshore waters. Twin Yanmar 240s push her through blue water with authority while you scan the horizon from the flybridge or kick back in the shaded cockpit below. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space to work the rods when sailfish start lighting up the spread or a bull mahi crashes the baits. The roomy cockpit gives you fighting room for those trophy billfish, and the flybridge puts you up high where you can spot working birds and color changes that mark productive water. Whether you're trolling the dropoff or working structure further offshore, this Bertram handles the Pacific like the classic fishing machine she is.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants of the billfish world - females can hit over 1,000 pounds while males rarely exceed 350. These deep cobalt beauties cruise our offshore waters year-round, but peak action happens during the dry season when baitfish concentrate along current edges. They hunt in the upper water column, usually 100-400 feet down, following schools of tuna and mackerel. What makes them special is that explosive first jump when hooked - pure power that'll test your tackle and your nerves. The meat's good eating too, though many folks prefer the fight over the fillet. Pro tip: when you see a marlin following your spread, resist the urge to stop the boat. Keep trolling steady and let the fish decide - they hate pressure but love a confident presentation.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the perfect starter billfish - gorgeous golden sides with electric blues and greens that flash like neon underwater. Most run 15-30 pounds, though we see bulls pushing 50+ pounds during peak season. They love hanging around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-800 feet of water. Best fishing runs December through April when they're thick offshore. What guests love most is the acrobatic show - these fish go airborne the second they feel the hook, then put on a light display as their colors pulse and change. Plus, they're hands-down the best eating fish out here. Sweet, flaky white meat that's perfect for fish tacos. Local trick: when you hook one, leave your spread out - mahi travel in schools and you'll often double or triple up.
Istiophorus PlatypterusSailfish are speed demons built for show - that massive dorsal fin isn't just for looks, it helps them corner baitfish at 50+ mph. Most range 6-8 feet and 100-150 pounds, living their entire lives in open blue water from surface down to about 300 feet. We see them year-round, but December through April brings the best action when they're feeding heavily on sardines and ballyhoo. What makes them addictive is the aerial display - no fish jumps higher or more often when hooked. They're not great table fare, so most folks release them after photos. These are warm-water fish that follow the thermocline, so we target water temps around 80-85°F. Here's the key: when sailfishing, slow your trolling speed to 6-8 knots and use circle hooks with ballyhoo - they love a natural swimming action.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are the workhorses of offshore fishing - solid, powerful fish that average 60 pounds but can push 200+ in deeper water. These warm-blooded speedsters cruise the upper 300 feet, often mixing with dolphins and feeding birds that give away their location. We target them year-round, but dry season brings the most consistent action when baitfish are thick. What draws people back is the relentless, bulldogging fight - no fancy jumps, just pure muscle and determination that'll test your endurance. And the sashimi-grade meat? Absolutely unbeatable. They school up around current edges, temperature breaks, and seamounts in 500+ feet of water. Best technique: once you hook one, get a second line out fast with a cedar plug - yellowfin rarely travel alone and you'll often get multiples.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are the speed freaks of the ocean - sleek, silver torpedoes with zebra stripes that can hit 60 mph. Most fish we catch run 20-50 pounds and 3-5 feet long, though monsters over 100 exist. They cruise deep blue water from 100-1,000 feet, often around drop-offs and seamounts. Peak season runs November through March when they're actively feeding on flying fish and small tunas. What makes them special is the blistering runs - when a wahoo takes your lure, the reel screams like nothing else. Plus, they're premium table fare with delicate white meat that's perfect for searing. These fish have razor-sharp teeth that'll cut through mono in a heartbeat. My go-to setup: high-speed trolling at 12-15 knots with wire leaders and diving plugs - wahoo can't resist that fast, erratic action.
Guanacaste Province, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica