SEASONS
Both tarpon and snook can be taken any
month of the year, and the Rio Colorado Lodge is
the only fishing resort in the area that remains
open year around. But like fishing anywhere,
there are never any guarantees, and at certain
times of the year chances of scoring big are
greater than others. The dry season, from
January through May, is considered the peak
season in the quiet river and lagoons for tarpon
as the aerial acrobats swarm in by the thousands
to spawn. We have also had some outstanding
sport as late as July and early August on the
inside, but in the fall the sea is calm and the
fish move to the ocean, providing prime action
along the coast. In other words, the fishing is
good year around.
The snook are also present year around
in the waters of the Rio Colorado Lodge, and are
taken casting, trolling, surf fishing and even
on flies. Small snook, called "calba" move into
the rivers in November-December and provide
furious action for two to three months, with 20
to 80 fish per rod not an unusual day's catch.
They average about five pounds, so light tackle
is in order. But beware! There are always a few
up to 30 pounds mixed in with the smaller calba.
The best surf fishing and trolling in the waters
near the river mouths is in the late fall, and
that's when the monsters from 25 pounds on up
are usually caught. You're also likely to tie
into a big jack crevalle, bonita dorado or
mackerel while fishing in the sea.
Light tackle gamesters including guapote,
mojarra, machaca, and drum are taken in the
rivers, creeks and estuaries 12 months of the
year, so don't forget a light bait casting or
spinning outfit.
Rio Colorado Lodge in Friendly Costa
Rica
TARPON
These are the king of all game fish, and
there is no thrill in fishing to compare with
hooking a tarpon. Set the hook hard when they
strike, then watch the water erupt as they head
for the stratosphere, leaping and twisting clear
of the water eight or twelve times! Average size
of the tarpon taken at the Rio Colorado Lodge is
around 80 pounds and fish to 207 pounds have
been brought to gaff. You can expect to jump
eight or ten fish a day, and when things are
really hot, anglers often jump 25 or more tarpon
in a day's fishing. Only artificial lures are
used, and all of the fish are lip-gaffed so they
can be released after the photos have been
taken.
Most of the action will be in the calm
waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with
monkeys and brilliantly hued birds to be seen in
the vines and branches of the verdant, orchid
draped trees that line the shore. When the fish
are on the outside, your guide will often put
you in the middle of a school of literally
hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre
or more of calm sea.
Real Audio Download Page Click to hear
more about the fishing at Rio Colorado!
Rio Colorado Lodge in Friendly Costa
Rica
SNOOK
You will troll along the banks of the
quiet jungle river or drift silently into a
likely lagoon, plugging toward the brush. When
the snook hits, you'll know you have a real fish
on the line as these sluggers know all the
tricks, one moment bulldozing toward cover, then
often reversing their field to break water as
they try to shake barbs. Except during the calba
runs, the average snook of close to 20 pounds.
Thirty-pounders are not uncommon, and fish in
the 50 pound bracket have been taken locally.
Hooking a snook in the surf as you stand
waist deep in the warm waters of the Caribbean
is an experience you won't soon forget,
especially since the fish in the surf tend to
run much larger. They will circle and jump
frantically, using the surge of the tide and
waves to their advantage and testing the
angler's skill to the limit.
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Tarpon
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