Tamarindo Full Day Offshore Fishing Charter
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Ninehour private charter targets both nearshore and offshore speciesCaptain Frank uses trolling and live bait techniques throughout dayAccommodates up to four guests with quality tackle and comfort features
When you want serious fishing time in Costa Rica's most productive waters, this 9-hour private charter with Captain Frank delivers exactly what offshore anglers dream about. You'll have the range to work everything from shallow nearshore reefs to the deep blue water 40 miles out, targeting whatever's running hot that day. This isn't a rushed half-day trip - you get a full day to dial in the bite, adjust your approach, and put some real fish in the boat. With room for up to six anglers and Captain Frank's decades of local knowledge, this charter consistently produces the kind of fishing stories you'll tell for years.
Your day starts early with Captain Frank reading the water conditions and fish reports to plan your attack. The beauty of this 9-hour window is the flexibility to chase the action wherever it's happening. You might start working the nearshore reefs for Red Snapper when they're feeding at dawn, then make the run offshore as the sun climbs higher and the pelagics start moving. The boat's equipped with quality tackle that can handle everything from finicky Mahi Mahi to freight-train Marlin, plus you've got shaded seating and onboard facilities so you can stay comfortable during those long runs between fishing spots. Captain Frank knows these waters like his backyard - he'll put you on fish whether they're holding tight to structure or scattered across miles of open water. The boat handles the bigger swells offshore beautifully, so you can focus on fishing instead of fighting seasickness.
Captain Frank switches up techniques throughout the day based on what the fish are telling him. You'll start with trolling spreads when covering water, pulling everything from cedar plugs to big swimming lures that trigger strikes from Wahoo and Tuna cruising the blue water. When you mark fish on the sonar or hit a temperature break, he'll switch to live bait presentations that drive Sailfish and Marlin absolutely crazy. The rig changes happen fast - one minute you're pulling deep for Tuna, the next you're working the surface for a Mahi Mahi school that just lit up the area. Captain Frank carries the right tackle for each situation, from heavy conventional setups for the big pelagics to lighter spinning gear when the bite gets finicky. He'll teach you to read the water signs too - watching for bird activity, temperature changes, and current lines that hold fish. The key is staying mobile and adapting to what's working, which is exactly why you need those 9 hours to really dial it in.
Roosterfish are the crown jewel of Costa Rica's inshore scene, and these waters around Tamarindo hold some absolute giants. These fish are pure attitude - they'll come up hot on a surface lure, fins flared like they're ready for war, then test every knot in your tackle box. Peak season runs from December through April when water temperatures are ideal, but Captain Frank knows the year-round spots where resident fish hang out. What makes Roosters special is their fight - they'll strip line on the initial run, then dig deep and use their broad sides to pull like a freight train. Most anglers target them in 60-100 feet of water around rocky structure, but the really big ones cruise the drop-offs where they ambush bait schools.
Mahi Mahi, or Dorado as the locals call them, are pure excitement from the moment they hit your line. These fish travel in schools and when you find them, the action can be absolutely wild - multiple hookups, fish jumping all over the surface, and that gorgeous green and gold coloration that photographs like a dream. They're most active from May through November when water temperatures spike, though you'll find scattered fish year-round. What anglers love about Mahi is their acrobatic fight - they'll jump, tail-walk, and change directions so fast it'll make your head spin. Captain Frank targets them around floating debris, temperature breaks, and anywhere birds are working bait schools on the surface.
Greater Amberjack are the bulldozers of the reef system, using their broad shoulders and stubborn attitude to test your drag system and forearm strength. These fish live around structure year-round, with the biggest specimens showing up during the cooler months from December through March. What makes Amberjack fishing so addictive is the initial hit - they'll slam a jig or live bait like a freight train, then immediately head for the rocks to break you off. Smart anglers keep steady pressure and fight them away from structure, but these fish know every cave and crevice on the reef. The bigger ones push 40-50 pounds and will humble even experienced anglers who think they know how to fight a fish.
Great Barracuda are the speed demons of the offshore scene, with razor-sharp teeth and a nasty attitude that makes every hookup an adventure. These fish are visual hunters that love shiny lures trolled at high speeds, and when they decide to eat, the strike is explosive. Year-round residents that peak during the dry season, Barracuda are perfect for anglers who want consistent action between the bigger pelagic bites. What makes them fun is their unpredictability - they'll follow a lure for hundreds of yards before striking, or slam it the second it hits the water. Their sharp teeth require wire leaders, and their powerful runs can empty a reel in seconds if you're not paying attention.
Cobia are the wildcards of the offshore world - solitary hunters that show up when you least expect them and fight way above their weight class. These chocolate-colored bruisers are curious fish that will follow the boat and inspect lures before deciding to eat. Peak season runs from April through August when they cruise the deeper waters hunting for crab and smaller fish. What anglers love about Cobia is their power - they fight like a cross between a grouper and a shark, using their broad heads to pull straight down while testing every component of your tackle. Captain Frank targets them
Meet the 'Coyote Tres,' your floating command center for serious offshore action in Tamarindo waters. This 35' Carolina Classic isn't just another fishing boat – she's built like a machine with twin Cummins engines pushing you out to the fishing grounds at 28 knots, so you spend more time with lines in the water instead of getting there. Captain Frank knows these waters and adjusts tactics all day long, from early morning snapper runs on the reefs to chasing billfish and tuna in the deep blue up to 40 miles out. The boat handles whatever you throw at it – trolling for wahoo, rigging live bait for sailfish, or working structure for mahi. Modern fish finder and GPS keep you on the fish while radar handles any weather that rolls in. Comfort matters on a 9-hour charter, so you've got AC when you need to cool down, a real kitchen for meal prep, and even a bed if someone needs to rest between bites. The flybridge gives you perfect sight lines to spot birds working baitfish, while the icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold. Quality tackle is ready to go, but there's room for your favorite rods too. Built to fish, designed for comfort, rigged to handle whatever's biting out there.
Rachycentron CanadumCobia are the loners of the offshore scene - dark brown, shark-like fish that cruise solo around structure. These bruisers average 30-50 pounds and can push 100+, making them serious opponents on heavy tackle. They hang around reefs, wrecks, and floating debris in 30-150 feet, often visible just under the surface. Spring migration from March-May brings the best fishing as they move inshore to spawn. Guests love them for their stubborn fights and outstanding table quality - firm, white meat that tastes like a cross between grouper and mahi. They're curious fish that'll often approach the boat. My trick: sight-fishing works best. When you spot one, drop a bucktail jig right in front of its nose and work it slowly along the bottom.
Sphyraena BarracudaGreat barracuda are the ocean's missiles - sleek, fast predators that can hit 35 mph in short bursts. Most run 3-4 feet, but 5-6 footers aren't rare around here. They patrol coral reefs, weed beds, and drop-offs from the surface down to 100 feet, hunting by sight for anything shiny or moving erratically. Spring spawning season brings the biggest fish shallow, but they're catchable year-round. Guests enjoy their explosive strikes and blistering runs, though they tire quickly. Not great eating due to ciguatera risk, so most go back. Watch those teeth when landing them! Pro tip: use wire leaders and don't wear shiny jewelry - they're attracted to flash and might follow the boat thinking you're food.
Seriola dumeriliGreater amberjacks are bottom bruisers that'll test your arms and tackle. These silvery-blue fish with their distinctive amber stripe average 20-40 pounds but can exceed 100 pounds around deep reefs and wrecks. They hang in 80-300 feet over rocky structure, feeding on squid and smaller fish. Spring through early summer offers the best action when they move shallow to spawn. Anglers target them for their bulldogging fights - they make long, powerful runs straight for the bottom. The meat's excellent when properly prepared, though larger fish can carry ciguatera. My advice: use heavy tackle with at least 50-pound line. Once hooked, keep steady pressure and don't give them slack, or they'll wrap you around the reef structure and break off.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi mahi are among the most beautiful fish we target, flashing gold and electric blue when hooked before fading to yellow-silver. These fast-growing fish typically run 15-30 pounds but can hit 50+ pounds. They're surface dwellers found around floating debris, weed lines, and current breaks in 100-2000+ foot depths. Peak season runs May through October when water temps climb. Guests love them for their acrobatic jumps, strong runs, and excellent table fare - firm white meat that's perfect grilled. They school up, so landing one often means more action nearby. Key tip: when trolling, look for frigate birds working floating debris or sargassum patches. Where you see birds diving, mahi are usually feeding underneath.
Nematistius PectoralisRoosterfish are one of Costa Rica's signature inshore catches, easily recognized by their dramatic comb-like dorsal fins that shoot up when they're hooked or excited. These powerful fish average 20-40 pounds but can reach over 100, making for serious battles on medium-heavy tackle. They patrol sandy beaches, rocky points, and reef edges in 20-100 feet of water, feeding on sardines and small baitfish. Best fishing is during the dry season when baitfish schools are thick along the coast. Most anglers catch and release since the meat is tough, but the fight and photos make it worthwhile. My tip: when trolling live bait, keep it skipping on the surface - roosters love chasing flying fish and the commotion draws them up from deeper water.
Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province