Billfishing Suggestions: January/February.

Cajun Martyni

Looking to go with my wife for about 4 nights with 2 days of fishing sometime mid-January to mid-February. Looking for somewhere with a very high probability of fishing success and reasonably comfortable fishing conditions (usually not terribly snotty, reasonable ride to the grounds, decent boats with knowledgable crews). Also interested in a nice place to stay with good food and fairly easy travel access from Southeast Florida. Cost is certainly a factor (we still have multiple kids to support and educate) but I do understand there will be some expense and that's ok, provided the trip will be worth it. Wondering about places like West Coast of Mexico, Northwest Coast of Costa Rica, Panama, etc versus just staying in South Florida or the Keys.

Kinembe

you want to come to costa rica.

that time of year we are catching piles of sailfish, some marlin, tuna and dorado offshore and inshore, lots of roosterfish, snapper, grouper, snook and more.

here is a video of some billfish action on my boat, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5eeDU69vU ...note the calm january seas.

and here is a little tuna action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jf5S3mbV4ts

and here's my facebook page where you can see lots of recent photos and videos Kinembe-Sportfishing

feel free to drop me a line, i can also help you with accommodations and and the rest of your trip as well.

-Chris

Cajun Martyni

Chris- How do I get there? Suggestions on places to stay? Thanks.

Keysbound

I would definitely recommend Costa Rica (either Los Suenos or Quepos) based on the criteria you laid out. You won't be disappointed.

Kinembe

cost was a concern so that rules out los suenos. quepos is an ok option, but the fishing isn't as good as further south around golfito and puerto jimenez.

bullchaser

Stay in Jaco and fish out of Los Suenos. World class fishing that time of year.

sapeloson

Just another thought: My fishing buddy and I have been going down for the last few years with great success. Kimbee and bullchaser are right on. My only additional though is the farther south you go, the less "family friendly" it is....ie) more hard core... Los Suenous is the best place for wives and children by far. Costa Rica Dream Makers has been an unbelievable help for us each trip...... might be worth a call just for another option.....what ever you do, you will love it!

Cajun Martyni

These are great suggestions. I really appreciate it. Please keep them coming. To clarify, the focus is to stay at a nice place (comfortable accomodations for my wife and myself, with good food) that is as easy to get to as possible (particularly since this will be a relatively short trip) and with the greatest chance of multiple billfish shots in two days of fishing. Cost is a factor, but I'm not looking to go "cheap". I've never been to Los Suenos, or anywhere in that area. Any specific suggestions there about where to stay or who to fish with in that area? Any of the other areas suggested? What is Costa Rica Dream Makers? Thanks.

sapeloson

Cajun Martyni wrote: »

What is Costa Rica Dream Makers? Thanks.

Just as Kinembe suggested, most folks down there will help arrange everything. CRDM is basically a booking agent. They know all the in's and out's and can arrange everything from Airport pick-up to lodging, fishing, zip lining and tour stuff. They make their money from commissions. Our first trip we did on our own only to find out they could handle everything and usually at a discounted cost. We stayed at Marriott Los Suenous the first time then found out we could stay in a condo on the beach at Jaco for less.... The Marriott is very nice and has some of the best restaurants in the area. It's all good once you get there....and very family friendly. In Jaco you'll get more of the local flavor and can walk downtown to all the shops and restaurants. Our last few trips we rented a four wheel drive SUV and traveled up and down the coast almost to Panama and into the mountains to go exploring....it was a blast. It doesn't have quite the same casual feel as the Bahamas however. You are in a "real" third world country.

During that time frame, you will catch fish. And possibly lots of them! I don't want to take anything away from any of the guys down there, we have just had great success with Larry and his crew at CRDM. Give them both a call and see what they have to offer. It’s definitely a lot better to let someone that knows the local scene help with the planning.

Good luck in your travels!

biminibrad

Lassuenos, if out of price range, let me know, if you don't stay there, you want to fish out of there.

Kinembe

biminibrad wrote: »

Lassuenos, if you don't stay there, you want to fish out of there.

i'm curious, why?

los suenos is, how do i put it, an "uptight, we're better than you, we charge more and got a golf course" location. the water they fish is by no means the best in the country, they fish the same waters as the quepos boats and you can get the same boat in quepos for 25% less than what you'll spend in los sunos.

the impression i get from talking to the original poster is he's looking for a couple days fishing and another day lounging. no real need to spend the extra money for los suenos area. also, it is 2 people so he may or may not need a big fancy los suenos boat.

jaco is a good place for the party crowd. it is not a very safe place and not really where i'd suggest anybody go...unless they were looking for drugs and prostitutes and the chance to be robbed.

quepos has more great lodging options and they have an airport so you don't have to drive to jaco. and the prices are much less than in the los suenos area.

basically, in my opinion, quepos is better than jaco/los suenos for lodging/dining/prices and they have the same fishing. however neither of those places compare to the golfito/puerto jimenez area for the fishing period.

Pesca Pimp Panama

January/February is prime time for billfish here in the Gulf of Chiriquí, Panama! The seas are generally flat calm and the Marlin and Sailfish are everywhere. Good inshore possibilities as well for Roosterfish and Cubera Snapper if desired. Fish Hannibal Bank with me and have our private island lodge in here on Isla Paridas all to yourselves! Perfect spot for couples.

Check out our website, fishing reports from year's past in January/February on our Blog, You Tube page, and Trip Advisor reviews below. PM me if you'd like more info.

Thanks!

Capt. Shane Jarvis
[email protected]

Panama Cellular Phone 011-507-6675-7191

Visit our other pages.....

Fishing Reports http://panamasportfishinglodge.blogspot.com/

Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/panamafishing

YouTube Channel http://www.YouTube.com/fishpanama

Trip Advisor Page http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g612410-d1574533-Reviews-Propiedad_de_Paradise-Chiriqui_Province.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QpFikKGcCbg