Tuna are biting like crazy

Author: Captain Willy Atencio

Hello from beautiful Drake Bay, Costa Rica. We are thankful to be back on the water fishing every day. Right now, the Tuna are biting like crazy. There are large schools of Tuna right by Cano Island. Because they are so close, we are averaging about 10 Tuna on a half-day trip. After clients have had their fill of catching Tuna, we are also close to my favorite spots for Snapper, Roosterfish, Grouper, Amberjack, and Pompano.

It is an excellent combination of fishing methods since we usually troll for the Tuna and fish with live bait or jigs for the bottom fish. If you come, I encourage you to bring a cooler. Our service includes filleting the fish you wish to keep. Any “leftover” fish will be donated (not sold) to the community of Drake Bay. If you stay in Drake, the local restaurants or lodges will prepare your fish with some delicious sides. Of course, Tuna is ready to eat right from the ocean.

Offshore, right now, we are finding the big Tuna (100+ lbs.) when the water conditions are right. These massive schools are following the bait, birds, and often spinner dolphins. It is an incredible sight to observe as the ocean erupts with everything feeding or trying to escape. After chasing the Tuna, we often can look for other big pelagic fish like Sailfish, Blue and Black Marlin, Mahi, and Wahoo.

As we enter the first five months of the new year, we expect the big schools of Sailfish to arrive as they historically have done. If you have never caught a Pacific Sail, it needs to be on your bucket list. These magnificent beauties leap and twist in the air offering the angler not only a good fight but an acrobatic show. Of course, the Marlin is the king of all sportfish.

 “Thankfully,” many of the fish we catch are in the 250 – 300 lb. range. However, the massive 500+ fish will show up on occasion. One lucky angler from Wisconsin holds the record on the Reel Escape with a 550 lb. Black Marlin. Regardless of what species you want to target or what method of fishing you prefer, we do it all. We only make custom trips based on what the customer wants. 

We now have a beautiful oceanfront house for rent in Drake Bay. This house is on a small hill, directly on the beach, with its private steps. For more information, click here.

I hope to see you soon in Drake Bay!