Best Times & Seasons to Catch Tarpon in Costa Rica (Guide)
Tarpon are one of the top targeted fish species in Costa Rica waters. Knowing the best times and seasons to target tarpon in Costa Rica helps anglers plan great fishing trips.
The best times to catch tarpon in Costa Rica are from January to May, and from September to October. However, tarpon in Costa Rica are non-migratory so they are available year-round.
Costa Rica has some of the best tarpon fishing in the world. Tarpon fishing is possible both on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts and these non-migratory resident tarpon grow to great sizes.
Tarpon Fishing in Costa Rica: Best Times
Fishing in Costa Rica for tarpon, or “the silver king”, is a bucket list adventure for many. You will want to head to Costa Rica’s Caribbean between mid-January to mid-May, and again between September to October.
Unlike tarpon throughout the rest of the Caribbean, Costa Rica offers residential tarpon that do not migrate. With a population of tarpon staying so close to home, charters and captains are able to follow annual weather patterns to increase their odds of catching a monstrous-sized tarpon (200+ lbs.).
Best & Worst Months in Costa Rica
The best months to chase tarpon throughout Costa Rica’s Caribbean will be mid-January to mid-May, and again in September to October.
During these months, the unpredictable weather of the Caribbean traditionally tapers to the dryer, sunny days- often referred to as the “low season.” Calmer weather gives two advantages: calm seas for spotting and safer access to water.
Remember, since these are resident tarpon and available year-round, the best fishing is based more on the conditions rather than the fish.
The worst months, however, would be July to August, and December to January. Though tarpon are still available throughout Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, poor and unpredictable weather conditions make tarpon fishing difficult.
As rain and storms increase throughout the area, the ability to access prime spots decreases and spotting tarpon can be near impossible.
Recommended Fishing Charters in Costa Rica
These Costa Rica-based charters are some of the best at putting you on great fishing action. The captains are knowledgeable and professional and are sure to put you on fish. By clicking the links below, you will be taken to the charter’s respective profile on Fishing Booker where you can read reviews, learn more about the charter, view photos, and book online at the best rate.
| Recommended Fishing Charters | Location |
| Sea Breeze Fishing & Adventures | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Bucket List Sportfishing | Quepos, Costa Rica |
| Snook Sportfishing | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Jackpot Sport Fishing | Quepos, Costa Rica |
| Capullo Sportfishing/Rainbow Runner | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Luminare Sport Fishing | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Allin Sportfishing Charters | Jacó, Costa Rica |
| Pacific Boat Rentals – Mad Marlin | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Capullo Sportfishing | Tamarindo, Costa Rica |
| Chino’s Sportfishing | Herradura, Costa Rica |
| Flamingo Sportfishing Charters | Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica |
| Gitana Fishing Charters | Herradura, Costa Rica |
I recommend this Penn Pursuit Spinning Rod & Reel combo (available on Amazon) for inshore and nearshore fishing. It can handle everything from redfish to snapper and king mackerel. The Penn Battalion Series Spinning Rod and the Penn Battle Spinning Reel are fantastic if you want to create your combo.
Best Time of Day for Costa Rica Tarpon
Your best chances to hook a tarpon will be in the early morning and late afternoon. During these times of day, a low sun will bring out tarpon from structure and shadows.
Second, these times of day will typically offer less wind and calmer seas compared to the mid-day weather. This will make water access and spotting a tarpon’s roll or boil a much more realistic task.
Most importantly, these are common feeding times for tarpon. If you can pair this time of day with an incoming or outgoing high tide, be ready.
Temperature’s Impact on Tarpon Fishing
Tarpon prefer a temperature range of 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit, and a lot of research says the warmer the better (up to 90 degrees).
Tarpon require little oxygen in their water, so their habitat can include slow-moving rivers and stagnant lagoons as long as that water provides warmth, food, and protection. Since warmer water holds less oxygen, tarpon’s tolerance for warmer water is higher than many other fish.
Best Tidal Conditions for Costa Rica Tarpon
The best tide for tarpon would be on both sides of the high tide, whether that be the incoming or outgoing tide.
With an incoming high tide, tarpon will venture toward areas they previously couldn’t access, such as beaches, mangroves, and backwater channels.
This makes fishing closer to shore a lot of fun. But as the high tide recedes, baitfish are washed out of their nooks and crannies, so the best place to setup would be natural choke points where the outgoing tide can serve as a conveyor belt of tarpon bait.
Many people also consider the high tide to be a great option for tarpon, as they are predictably venturing into structure for newly accessed baitfish.
However, the difficulty with the high tide is that more water volume makes for more water to cast to, making tarpon feel like a needle in a haystack.
Night Fishing Tarpon in Costa Rica
The dry seasons in mid-January to mid-May and September to October will be your best bet for night fishing tarpon in Costa Rican waters.
Tarpon are notoriously difficult to hook and keep on the line, so the idea of catching them at night would be a difficult endeavor, but not an impossible one (for all you optimists out there).
If you were to fish at night, target a location with structure. This could include drop-offs, rock ledges, wrecks, or sandbars, all of which provide baitfish and protection from predators (mainly sharks).
Live bait will be your best option, as tarpon will have a difficult time locating lures (even on full moon nights). Like many types of night fishing, the key to this game will be patience to allow tarpon to find your soaking bait.
Seasonal Breakdown of Tarpon Fishing in Costa Rica
February-May: The quality of fishing at this time of year will be excellent with it being the first of two peak seasons.
You will want to fish nearshore, targeting structure, river mouths, and deep holes. This time of year will be your best chance for a glass-like surface, so if this is the case, sight casting to tarpon with stick baits and poppers can be an exciting and effective tactic.
June-August: The quality of fishing at this time of year will be slow, though the tarpon are available. Due to conditions, this will not be a conducive time for fly fishing or hard baits on the coast, so jigging or live bait will be your best option.
Caution: due to unpredictable weather, many places don’t even recommend fishing Costa Rica’s Caribbean waters this time of year.
September-October: The quality of fishing at this time of year will be excellent with another peak season.
If sight fishing with hard baits and fly gear doesn’t entice you, jigging with 1/0 or 2/0 hooks with bright colors (red, yellow, and pink work best) and soft plastics will be effective. You can also bump-troll live or dead bait (mullet and sardines) along the bottom.
November-January: The quality of fishing at this time will once again be slow, as the fish are available but conditions are poor. Since this time of year will be tricky, live bait will be your best chance at enticing a silver king.
If you’re looking for an adventure, this could be an excellent time to attempt jungle fishing for tarpon. With another wet season, tarpon will use high water to settle into the jungle rivers and lagoons. Target deep river holes, lagoons, and mouths of creeks.
Best Seasons for Costa Rica Tarpon (by Region)
East Coast
Mid-January to mid-May and September to October will be your best seasons due to optimal weather. Remember, in Costa Rica where the tarpon are residential, the peak seasons are based on the weather rather than the fish.
Pacific Coast
Tarpon are increasingly caught along Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, especially in the southern zone, and Sierpe and Coto Rivers. However, these tarpon are nowhere near the average weight of Costa Rica’s Caribbean tarpon. If you want to chase them, this region’s dry season of January to May will be best.
Surf Fishing Costa Rican Tarpon
If chartering a boat to open flats or upriver is not your preference, you still have a chance at catching tarpon from the beach. Costa Rica’s east coast provides many beaches beside river mouths and estuaries that are perfect for surf fishing.
Mid-January to mid-May and September to October will once again provide the best opportunities due to the milder weather.
These river mouths and estuaries will also be natural choke points, so the outgoing high tide will be a great time to fish from the beach due to the baitfish that are funneled back into the ocean.
As these baitfish are washed out from their hiding holes, tarpon will be waiting below the river’s mouth for their next meal. For anyone looking to night-fish from the beach, an outgoing tide may be your best chance.
When looking at the worst months, our answer once again is June to August, and December to January. Not only will the rainy and stormy conditions of these seasons cause access issues, but their unpredictable manner will make it increasingly difficult to locate tarpon.
Jungle Fishing for Tarpon in Costa Rica
Do not overlook this option. If you’re a fly fishing junkie, the jungle tarpon fishing season in Costa Rica from August to December can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Aboard a river panga, you and a buddy can sight fish to rolling tarpon, or blind cast to structure and creek confluences in hopes of a tarpon-ambush.
For a complete breakdown of the best times to fish in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch marlin in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch sailfish in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch roosterfish in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best times to catch mahi-mahi in Costa Rica, check out this guide. For a complete breakdown of the best time to catch snapper in Costa Rica, check out this guide. Click here to see a breakdown of the best weather for tarpon fishing.
