Half Day Offshore Fishing in Playa Herradura
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fivehour offshore trip targeting marlin, sailfish, and tunaCaptain Jeff Monyard guides groups aboard equipped 35' sportfisherProfessional crew provides quality gear for Pacific fishing experience
When you're ready to chase billfish and pelagics in some of Costa Rica's most productive waters, Captain Jeff Monyard's 5-hour offshore trips from Playa Herradura deliver the goods. You'll be fishing aboard a well-maintained 35' sportfishing boat that's built for comfort and performance, with quality tackle and a crew that knows these waters inside and out. The Pacific waters off Herradura are legendary for fast action on marlin, sailfish, tuna, mahi, and wahoo – and with groups capped at six anglers, everyone gets plenty of rod time. This isn't just another charter; it's a professionally run operation that consistently puts fish in the boat.
Your day starts early at the Herradura marina, where Captain Jeff and his crew will have the boat rigged and ready to run. The ride out to the fishing grounds takes you through some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Central America, with the lush mountains of the Central Pacific dropping right into deep blue water. Once you clear the point, it's game on. The continental shelf drops off dramatically here, creating upwellings and current breaks that concentrate baitfish – and that means predators. You'll be trolling a spread of lures and rigged baits, covering water efficiently while keeping your eyes peeled for birds, debris lines, and color changes that signal fish. The boat's layout gives everyone room to fight fish without getting tangled up, and the crew stays on top of everything from rigging fresh baits to gaffing your catches.
Captain Jeff runs a proven trolling spread that's designed for these waters and the species you're targeting. You'll typically see a mix of large lures for marlin and tuna, smaller skirted baits for mahi and wahoo, and rigged ballyhoo or other natural baits that sailfish can't resist. The crew adjusts the spread based on conditions – water temperature, current, and what's been biting lately. Lines run at different distances and depths, with outriggers keeping everything spread out and organized. When something hits, the crew knows exactly which rod to grab and how to clear the other lines quickly. The tackle is quality stuff – reels with smooth drags, rods with enough backbone for big fish, and leaders that can handle teeth and bills. You don't need to bring anything except sunscreen and enthusiasm, though experienced anglers are welcome to bring favorite lures if they want.
Atlantic Sailfish are the bread and butter of these waters, and for good reason. These incredible billfish average 60-80 pounds and put on an aerial show that never gets old. Peak season runs from December through April, but you'll find sails here year-round. They're aggressive feeders that love rigged ballyhoo and smaller lures, and when they're fired up, multiple hookups are common. The fight is pure adrenaline – long runs, high jumps, and that distinctive purple dorsal fin cutting through the water.
Blue Marlin are the holy grail of offshore fishing, and Herradura's deep waters hold some real giants. These fish can range from 200 pounds to well over 500, and they're built for power. Peak activity happens during the dry season, especially when water temperatures climb above 80 degrees. Blues are ambush predators that cruise the thermoclines looking for schools of tuna and other pelagics. When one grabs your lure, you'll know it immediately – the initial run can peel off hundreds of yards of line in seconds.
Mahi Mahi or Common Dolphinfish are probably the most fun fish in the ocean, pound for pound. These colorful speedsters average 15-30 pounds but fight like they're twice that size. They love floating debris, weed lines, and current edges, making them perfect targets for the trolling spread. Mahi are present year-round but peak during the rainy season when more debris washes offshore. Their colors are absolutely spectacular when they come boatside, flashing gold, green, and electric blue.
Wahoo Fish are the speed demons of the deep, capable of hitting 60 mph when they want to. These torpedo-shaped predators average 20-40 pounds in these waters and are famous for their blistering initial runs. They're most active during the cooler months and early mornings, often hitting high-speed lures trolled on the outside lines. Their razor-sharp teeth can cut through most leaders, so wire is essential. The meat is outstanding – firm, white, and perfect for the grill.
Yellowfin Tuna are pure muscle, built for endurance and power. The tuna that frequent these waters typically range from 30-100 pounds, though larger fish are always possible. They're most active during the dry season and can be found around schools of dolphins or feeding birds. Yellowfin have incredible stamina and will test your tackle and technique. They're also some of the best eating fish in the ocean, with that deep red meat that's perfect for sashimi or searing.
Captain Jeff's reputation speaks for itself – this is a top-rated operation that delivers consistent results in world-class fishing grounds. The combination of his local knowledge, quality equipment, and professional crew makes this trip a customer favorite among serious anglers and first-timers alike. Remember that a valid Costa Rica fishing license is required for all anglers, and a $200 deposit secures your date. With only six spots available per trip, the best dates fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Whether you're chasing your first sailfish or hunting for a grander marlin, these waters off Playa Herradura offer some of the best offshore fishing opportunities in Central America. Don't let this chance slip away – book your spot and get ready for a day of wide-open Pacific fishing at its finest.
This 35' Express sportfishing boat cuts through Costa Rica's Pacific waters with twin Yanmar engines, giving you a stable platform to chase marlin, sailfish, and tuna in the deep blue. The spacious deck features a fighting chair and outriggers for serious angling, while the full cabin keeps your crew comfortable with AC, a fridge for cold drinks, and even a bed for anyone needing a break between strikes. Captain Jeff knows these offshore waters like the back of his hand, using GPS, radar, and fish finder to put you on the fish. The flybridge gives you commanding views of the action, and with a livewell to keep bait fresh and an icebox for your catch, this boat has everything needed for productive fishing. Up to six anglers can spread out comfortably on deck, and when nature calls, there's a proper head and small galley onboard. Perfect for groups wanting a well-equipped vessel that can handle the open Pacific while targeting the big pelagics that make these waters famous.
Istiophorus AlbicansThese amazing fish average around 7 feet and 50 pounds, though we see them up to 10 feet out here. Sailfish are lightning fast - some say they hit 60+ mph when they get going. You'll find them in the upper 30-65 feet of water, and they love hunting baitfish in schools. The best action happens during our cooler months when they're more active near the surface. What makes guests love targeting them is that famous fight - they'll jump, dive, and put on a real show once hooked. Plus, they change colors when excited, flashing blues and blacks while hunting. My tip: when you see one lit up and raising that huge dorsal fin, get ready because they're about to strike. Keep steady pressure but let them run when they want to jump.
Makaira NigricansBlue marlin are the giants out here - females can reach over 1,000 pounds while males typically stay under 350. We find them in the deeper offshore waters where the current brings in baitfish like tuna and mackerel. They're around year-round in Costa Rica, but the bigger fish show up more consistently during our warmer months. What makes them special is that raw power and those aerial shows when hooked. These fish will test every piece of gear you have, and landing one is a serious accomplishment. The meat's good eating too, though most folks prefer the fight over the fillet. Here's what I always tell my anglers: when a big blue takes off on that first run, don't try to stop it. Let it tire itself out, then start working. You'll save your back and have a better chance at getting it to the boat.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are some of the prettiest fish we catch - bright gold and green colors that really light up when they're fighting. They average 15-30 pounds but can get bigger, and they're built for speed with those long bodies. You'll find them around floating debris, current lines, and weed patches in the top 100 feet of water. They're here year-round, but the best fishing happens during our warmer months when they school up. Guests love them because they fight hard, jump clean out of the water, and taste fantastic on the dinner table - sweet, firm white meat that grills perfectly. The color show they put on when you first hook them is something else. Pro tip: when you see one, there's usually more around. Once we get the first fish in the boat, keep a bait in the water because his buddies are probably still there.
Acanthocybium SolandriWahoo are rockets - they'll hit 60 mph and slice through the water like nothing else out there. These fish run 3-5 feet long and can weigh up to 80+ pounds, with razor-sharp teeth that'll cut right through your line if you're not careful. We find them in open water around 60 feet deep, often near floating objects or current breaks. The fishing picks up during our cooler months when they're more aggressive. What guests love is that blistering initial run when they take the bait - it's pure speed and power. Plus, they're some of the best eating fish in the ocean with that white, flaky meat. Here's the key: always use wire leaders because their teeth will slice through anything else in a heartbeat. When one hits, just hold on tight for that first screaming run.
Thunnus AlbacaresYellowfin are built like torpedoes and can hit 50 mph when they want to. Most of what we catch runs 60-100 pounds, though they get much bigger. These fish stay in the upper 300 feet and love to follow schools of baitfish around the offshore waters. We see them year-round, but the best action is during the warmer months when they're feeding heavily on the surface. Guests love the non-stop fight these fish put up - they're pure muscle and endurance, plus the meat is top-shelf for sushi or grilling. Nothing beats watching one destroy a surface lure out of nowhere. Here's my advice: when you hook up, be ready for a long battle. Keep steady pressure, but don't rush it. These fish have the stamina to outlast most anglers, so pace yourself and let the drag do the work.
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