What You Can Catch & When
Los Sueños is exceptional because almost every month offers something amazing, but certain times of year are more optimized for different species. Here’s what the calendar looks like and what species dominate.
Dry Season / Peak “Gold Season”: Late December through April is the prime time for sailfish, blue and striped marlin, and yellowfin tuna. This is when weather is more stable, seas are calmer, and offshore conditions are favorable.
Green Season / Rainy Season: May through November has more varied weather, but still excellent fishing. Blue and black marlin are found during this season especially around seamounts, and other species like dorado (mahi-mahi) can explode in abundance. Fewer crowds, sometimes more bargains.
Here are some of the most sought-after species around Los Sueños, and when you’ll have the best chances:
Species
Best Months
Notes
Sailfish
December → April (very strong)
Nearshore and offshore trolling; Los Sueños is famous for large sailfish release counts.
Blue Marlin, Striped Marlin, Black Marlin
Blue/Striped: Jan-Jun; Black: often during green season (June-October) especially around deepwater features/seamounts.
Big fights, requires heavy tackle.
Yellowfin Tuna
Peak during dry season; good results year-round.
Schools are more plentiful offshore with certain currents.
Dorado (Mahi-Mahi)
Peaks during warmer months and when currents stir up food sources (often May-November)
Known for explosive surface action and bright colors.
Wahoo
Scattered opportunities year-round; better when offshore water is warmer and bait is abundant.
Roosterfish, Snappers, Grouper, Jacks, Snook etc. (Inshore)
Year-round; especially good during calmer conditions and inshore seasons (dry season mornings).
Great for families or mixed-groups wanting action without long offshore runs.
Types of Charters & Trip Options
Los Sueños offers a wide range of charter types, designed to meet all kinds of angler goals and group sizes.
Full-Day Offshore Charters: Extended trips, often 8–10+ hours, getting you out to deep water to target billfish, tuna, marlin. Best chance for big pelagics and high-action trolling.
3⁄4 Day Trips: Slightly shorter, still far offshore. Good for anglers who want offshore action without committing a full day. |+1
Half-Day Trips / Inshore Charters: These are closer to shore; targeting roosterfish, snapper, jacks, snook, etc. Allows more leisurely schedule, great for families, or catching fish when you also want other activities. lossuenosfishingcharterscr.com
The charters at Los Sueños are backed by a robust infrastructure:
Boats range from smaller inshore vessels to luxury sportfisher yachts. Sizes vary widely—some in the 26-34 ft “smaller / economical” class, others up to 50-60 ft luxury yachts.
All charters generally include high quality rods, reels, tackle, live bait, or spooling bait options. Safety gear and modern navigational/electronic equipment are standard. |+1
Experienced, licensed, professional captains who live locally or operate in Los Sueños full time. They know where the fish are, how the seasons shift, and how to read weather & sea conditions.
Regulations & Conservation Practices
Los Sueños takes its role seriously in sustainable fishing. Key practices include:
Catch & Release policies for many of the billfish (sailfish, marlin) to ensure long-term population health.
Compliance with local laws and licensing requirements (Costa Rica’s INCOPESCA permits, size limits, species restrictions etc.).
Use of live bait, trolling, and careful tackle practices to reduce harm to fish. Good captains are careful about drag settings, fight times, etc., especially for trophy fish.
Month-by-Month Breakdown (What to Expect)
Here’s a rough guide to what fishing is like month by month at Los Sueños. Use this to plan your trip so you match what you want to catch with the best time.
Month
Offshore Action
Inshore Action / Add-Ons
January – March
Some of the best sailfish and billfish action. Blue and striped marlin come closer in certain seasons. Yellowfin tuna and dorado also getting more plentiful. Dry season, calmer seas.
Inshore is excellent: roosterfish, snapper, jacks. Morning inshore trips are ideal.
April – May
Transition season. Billfish still available; marlin offshore seamounts more active. Dorado picks up.
Green season begins. Inshore still good; afternoons may bring showers—but mornings usually calm.
June – August
Good for blue/black marlin, wahoo, tuna. Dorado may be more abundant. Ocean conditions vary.
Roosterfish, snapper, etc., still good. Possibly less crowding; good value.
September – November
Some instability; east or southeast swell; fishing can be hit-or-miss. But marlin migrations and dorado runs can be exciting.
Inshore trips may be impacted by weather; need local guidance. Still many species available.
December
Back into peak billfish / sailfish season. Big numbers offshore again. Excellent weather returns
Inshore mornings beautiful; perfect for combining fishing with other resort activities.
Things to Know Before You Go
To make sure your Los Sueños fishing adventure is smooth & memorable, here are some tips and practical info:
Book Early: Peak season fills up fast. Lux boats and premium captains are in high demand between December and April.
Licensing: Check whether your charter includes the required fishing license; otherwise get it via INCOPESCA or through your charter operator.
Gear & What to Pack:
• Light and heavy tackle (if available through the charter)
• Sunscreen, hat, polarized sunglasses
• Rain jacket or windbreaker (especially in transition/green seasons)
• Motion sickness meds if needed
• Camera / waterproof bag
Weather & Sea Conditions: Dry season = calmer seas; green season = afternoons often wet, sometimes winds or surfier conditions. Make sure captain monitors forecast.
Sustainability Mindset: Respect catch-and-release rules, avoid damaging coral or reefs, follow captain’s instruction about fish you can keep if that’s part of your trip.
Why Charter with Us at Los Sueños
(Adjust to match your actual company’s offerings, but here are strong differentiators)
Local Expertise: Our captains have years of experience pulling in billfish and tracking seasonal migrations.
Personalized Trips: We design the trip to match your goals—whether that’s chasing marlin, throwing poppers for roosterfish, or a relaxed half-day inshore outing.
Top-Tier Boats & Comfort: From luxury sportfishers to comfortable center consoles, we offer a fleet that suits budget, group size, and desired comfort.
Full Service: Your charter includes bait, tackle, drinks & snacks (or meal on board), plus options for lodging and transfers. We take care of the logistics.
Safety & Reliability: All boats are well maintained. Crews follow safety standards; weather is respected; customer satisfaction high.
Here are ideas for how your fishing trip might play out:
Full Offshore Day: Depart early (~6 am), travel 20-30+ miles out, troll for sailfish/marlin, stop for tuna and dorado bites, return in late afternoon.
Half-Day Morning Inshore: Focus on roosterfish, snapper, jacks; explore rocky points and river mouths near shore; return by midday to enjoy resort afternoon.
Luxury Overnight Option: Some high-end charters combine fishing with a stay on board or luxury accommodations ashore, gourmet meals, etc.
If you want big fish, exciting fights, beautiful scenery, and unmatched infrastructure, Los Sueños is about as good as it gets. It’s not just the fish—it’s the full experience: the marina, the crews, the boats, the seasonality, the variety. Plan your trip to match what you want to catch, choose the right time of year, pick a crew you trust—and you’ll leave with a story worth telling.