3/4 Day Offshore Fishing Charter- Skipjack
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Private 6+ hour offshore charter targeting mahi, sailfish, and tunaProfessional captain with twin 200HP Suzukipowered 27' Stamas boatGourmet lunch included with fresh sandwiches, fruit, and snacks
When you're serious about getting into the deep blue waters off Costa Rica's Pacific coast, this 6+ hour private offshore charter aboard the Skipjack is exactly what you've been looking for. Based out of Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste, this isn't your typical tourist fishing trip – we're talking about a legitimate offshore fishing experience that puts you in prime pelagic waters where the real action happens. The Skipjack is a 27-foot Stamas Tarpon center console that's built for performance, powered by twin 200 HP Suzuki outboards that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and keep you there comfortably all day.
Your day starts early at Playa Flamingo, one of Costa Rica's premier fishing ports and a launching point that gives you quick access to some of the most productive offshore waters in Central America. The Skipjack accommodates up to four anglers, which means you're not fighting for rail space or dealing with a crowded boat – everyone gets their shot at the action. Your captain and crew know these waters inside and out, from the seasonal bait movements to the underwater structure that holds fish. We're targeting the heavy hitters: Mahi Mahi, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, and Wahoo, all species that require different techniques and put up completely different fights. The boat comes equipped with premium tackle suited for everything from light spinning gear for smaller Mahi to heavy conventional setups for big Yellowfin. You'll spend most of your time in 200+ feet of water, sometimes pushing out to the 1000-foot line where the biggest predators cruise. The gourmet lunch spread includes fresh sandwiches, seasonal fruit, homemade hummus with vegetables, and snacks to keep your energy up during those long battles with big fish.
Offshore fishing here revolves around trolling, and the crew has this dialed in perfectly. We're running a spread of lures and baits designed to trigger strikes from pelagic species at various depths and distances from the boat. The typical setup includes cedar plugs, diving plugs, and skirted trolling lures that mimic the baitfish these predators are actively hunting. When conditions are right, we'll also deploy live bait – ballyhoo, sardines, or whatever's available at the docks that morning. The twin outboards let us maintain optimal trolling speeds between 6-12 knots depending on sea conditions and target species. For Sailfish, we often slow things down and use more natural presentations, while Wahoo fishing calls for faster speeds with flashy lures that trigger their aggressive strikes. The boat's electronics include quality fish finders and GPS that help locate structure, temperature breaks, and bait schools – all key indicators of where game fish are likely to be feeding. When you hook up, the crew knows how to position the boat for the best fighting angles while keeping other lines clear.
The Yellowfin Tuna in these waters are absolute bulldogs, typically running 20-60 pounds with occasional larger specimens pushing 80+ pounds. These fish show up year-round but peak during the dry season months from December through April when baitfish concentrations are highest. What makes Yellowfin special is their incredibly strong initial run followed by that characteristic deep, dogging fight that'll test your back muscles and drag settings. They're also fantastic table fare, which is why so many anglers specifically target them. Red Grouper are structure-oriented fish that we encounter around underwater seamounts and rocky areas, usually in deeper water. These guys are ambush predators that hit hard and immediately try to get back to their rocky homes, making for short but intense fights. They're not as common as other species but when you connect with a good one, it's always memorable.
Blue Marlin are the ultimate prize fish in these waters, true apex predators that can exceed 300 pounds and provide the fight of a lifetime. While they're present year-round, your best shots typically come during the warmer months when baitfish are abundant closer to shore. Marlin fishing requires patience since you might troll for hours between opportunities, but when one shows up behind your spread, everything changes instantly. The Mahi Mahi fishery here is world-class, with schools of these colorful fighters often found around floating debris, weed lines, or current breaks. They're acrobatic fighters that jump repeatedly and provide non-stop action once you locate a school. Indo-Pacific Sailfish are another bucket-list species that call these waters home, known for their spectacular jumps and long runs. The key to success with Sailfish is often live bait presentations around structure or temperature changes where they're feeding on smaller pelagic species.
At $975 for a private 6+ hour charter, this represents serious value for a top-rated offshore fishing experience in one of Central America's most productive fishing destinations. You're getting a proven boat with experienced crew, premium tackle, quality lunch, and access to waters that consistently produce multiple species of game fish. The crew accepts cash, Venmo, Zelle, or CashApp for payment, though keep in mind deposits are non-refundable since prime dates fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to add Costa Rican species to your list or someone wanting to experience world-class offshore fishing for the first time, the Skipjack delivers the kind of authentic fishing experience that keeps people coming back to Playa Flamingo year after year. Book your dates early – the best fishing often coincides with the most popular travel periods, and there's nothing worse than missing out on perfect conditions because you waited too long to secure your spot.
The Skipjack cuts through Costa Rican waters like she was built for it—because she was. This 27-foot Stamas Tarpon center console runs on twin 200 HP Suzuki outboards that'll get you to the fishing grounds fast and bring you back with a full fish box. The deep-V hull handles offshore swells with ease while keeping you dry, and there's plenty of room for four anglers to work without bumping elbows. Captain stocks her with top-shelf Shimano tackle, and the fish finder will show you exactly what's swimming below. Live wells keep your bait lively, GPS keeps you on the fish, and the icebox keeps your drinks cold between battles with sailfish and mahi. The VHF radio connects you to other boats sharing intel on where the yellowfin are biting. Whether you're trolling the blue water drop-offs or working structure for wahoo, the Skipjack delivers the speed, stability, and fishing features that turn good days into great ones.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the ultimate prize in Costa Rican waters - true giants that can reach over 1000 pounds. These apex predators cruise the deep blue water along current edges and temperature breaks, usually in 200+ feet. What sets them apart is the massive size difference between sexes - females get four times bigger than males. The fishing is best during our dry season when water temps climb into the mid-80s. Guests love them for the raw power and aerial displays when hooked, though be ready for a marathon fight that can last hours. While the meat has high mercury levels, it's the experience that counts. My advice: when trolling, keep your baits dancing on the surface like flying fish. These fish hunt by sight and love active presentations that trigger their predatory instincts.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are pure eye candy - brilliant gold and electric blue colors that put on a light show when they come out of the water. These fast-growing fish average 15-30 pounds and are found around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in open water. They're year-round residents here, but peak season runs during our warmer months. What makes them special is the combination of great fights, stunning looks, and excellent eating - firm white meat with a mild, sweet flavor that's perfect for grilling. They travel in schools, so where you find one, you'll often find several more. They're also acrobatic fighters that'll jump and make long runs. Pro tip: look for frigate birds working floating debris - they'll lead you right to feeding mahi schools below.
Epinephelus MorioRed grouper are the heavyweight champions of our reef fishing around Playa Flamingo. These rusty-red beauties average 5-10 pounds but can push 50 pounds on a good day. You'll find them hunkered down near rocky bottoms, ledges, and wrecks from 30-300 feet deep. They're aggressive predators that'll slam just about anything, but they're also tough fighters that'll try to dive straight back to the rocks once hooked. The meat is outstanding - firm, white, and flaky with a slight shellfish taste from their crab and shrimp diet. Year-round fishing is good, but warmer months are prime time. Here's the key: once you hook one, keep steady pressure and don't let them get back to structure. Heavy tackle is a must since they'll test your gear.
Istiophorus PlatypterusSailfish are Costa Rica's signature species and the reason many anglers make the trip to Playa Flamingo. These billfish average 6-8 feet and 100-150 pounds, with that iconic sail-like dorsal fin and spear-shaped bill. They cruise the thermocline in 150-600 feet of water, following baitfish along current lines and temperature breaks. Peak season runs November through April when they're thick in our waters. What makes them legendary is their speed and aerial acrobatics - they'll greyhound across the surface and launch completely out of the water multiple times. Most anglers practice catch and release since they're not great table fare. Here's my go-to technique: troll whole ballyhoo or mullet at 6-8 knots and watch for that distinctive dorsal cutting the surface behind your spread.
Ocyurus ChrysurusYellowfin snapper are one of our most reliable targets around Playa Flamingo's reefs. These beautiful fish run 8-14 inches typically, with that distinctive bright yellow stripe and forked tail that gives them their name. You'll find them hanging around rocky structures and reefs in 30-120 feet of water, especially during warmer months. They're night feeders, so early morning and late afternoon tend to produce the best action. What makes them special is their excellent table fare - sweet, flaky white meat that rivals grouper. They're also perfect for kids since they fight hard on light tackle but aren't overwhelming. My tip: use lighter fluorocarbon leaders and smaller hooks. These fish are smart and will spook from heavy tackle in clear water.
Guanacaste Province, Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica