Other Local Fish Species in Costa Rica: A Diverse Angler’s Paradise

While Costa Rica is best known for its trophy billfish like marlin and sailfish, the country’s coastal and nearshore waters are teeming with a wide variety of game and table species that offer excellent sport and culinary value. From powerful reef dwellers to light-tackle favorites, the species diversity found along the Pacific coast makes Costa Rica a year-round fishing destination for anglers of all levels.

Here’s a detailed guide to some of the most notable and commonly caught local species beyond the big offshore names:

🐟 Corvina (Sea Bass)

Corvina, often referred to as Pacific sea bass or bar corvina, are abundant near rocky coastal areas, estuary mouths, and shallow reefs. They resemble speckled sea trout found in the Gulf of Mexico but are typically larger and more powerful.

  • Average size: 5–15 lbs

  • Best caught using: Live bait, shrimp, jigs, or small soft plastics

  • Food quality: Excellent — sweet, white, flaky meat perfect for ceviche or grilling

🐟 Grouper (Cherna / Mero)

Costa Rica hosts numerous species of grouper, including:

  • Broomtail Grouper

  • Goliath Grouper

  • Snowy Grouper

  • Gag Grouper

These hard-hitting reef dwellers are found near deep rocky ledges, wrecks, and underwater drop-offs, often at depths of 50 to 400+ feet.

  • Can exceed 200–300 lbs in size

  • Techniques: Live bait, dead bait (such as squid or cut fish), or heavy jigging

  • Fight: Strong initial run toward structure—requires heavy tackle

  • Food quality: Outstanding—rich, firm, and white meat

🐟 Jacks (Jack Crevalle, Bluefin Trevally, Horse-Eye Jack)

Several species of jack patrol Costa Rica’s inshore waters and river mouths. These include:

  • Jack Crevalle – Powerful and aggressive, often travel in schools

  • Horse-Eye Jack – Common around rocky points and beaches

  • Bluefin Trevally – Smaller but beautiful and prized on light tackle

  • Average size: 10–30 lbs

  • Techniques: Live bait, poppers, jigs, spoons, trolling

  • Fight: Very strong fighters, ideal for light tackle battles

  • Food quality: Fair to poor (usually released)

🐟 Amberjack (Greater Amberjack)

Amberjack are among the toughest reef fighters, often caught near offshore wrecks, reefs, and pinnacles.

  • Size: Can exceed 100 lbs

  • Behavior: Deep, powerful dives with non-stop resistance

  • Tactics: Vertical jigging, live bait, slow trolling

  • Food quality: Very good—white, firm meat excellent grilled or smoked

🐟 Cero Mackerel (Sierra / Spanish Mackerel)

This fast-moving, toothy predator is common along the inshore reefs and beaches.

  • Size: 3–15 lbs

  • Attack style: Aggressive topwater strikes

  • Caught on: Trolled spoons, jigs, flashy plugs, or live bait

  • Food quality: Excellent—great for ceviche, sashimi, or pan-searing

🐟 Snook (Robalo)

Snook are ambush predators commonly found in estuaries, mangroves, and surf zones along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. They are highly prized for both sport and taste.

  • Size: 5–30+ lbs

  • Peak season: Rainy season (May–November)

  • Caught with: Live mullet or sardines, jigs, topwater plugs

  • Food quality: Exceptional—delicate, flavorful white meat

🐟 Wahoo

Wahoo are sleek, torpedo-shaped fish with razor-sharp teeth and striking vertical stripes. Though less common than other pelagics, they are a prized catch for their speed and flavor.

  • Speed: Up to 70 mph

  • Best time: Green season (June–November)

  • Habitat: Near floating debris, reef edges, and offshore pinnacles

  • Techniques: Trolling with wire leaders, high-speed lures, or live bait

  • Food quality: Excellent—firm white meat perfect for sashimi or grilling

🐟 Pompano (Palometa)

African pompano and other varieties are frequently caught nearshore and offer strong fights for their size.

  • Size: Typically 3–10 lbs

  • Caught on: Shrimp, squid, or small jigs

  • Fight: Great on light tackle

  • Food quality: Very high—flaky and buttery meat

🐟 Triggerfish

Often considered bycatch, triggerfish (especially gray triggerfish) are found on reefs and rocky bottoms.

  • Size: 1–5 lbs

  • Technique: Bottom fishing with small hooks and squid or shrimp

  • Food quality: Surprisingly excellent—dense, sweet meat

🐟 Tilefish and Blueline Snapper

In deeper waters, anglers targeting bottom species may encounter:

  • Tilefish – Excellent eating, similar to lobster or crab in flavor

  • Blueline Snapper – Colorful reef fish found over sandy bottoms and deep ledges

Final Thoughts

Costa Rica is not only a world-class destination for marlin, sailfish, tuna, and dorado—it’s also home to an incredibly rich diversity of inshore and reef species. From the powerful pulls of amberjack and grouper to the light-tackle thrills of jacks, mackerel, and snook, there’s no shortage of action or variety.

Whether you’re bottom fishing reefs, casting along the surf, or trolling nearshore structure, Costa Rica offers some of the most dynamic and rewarding multi-species angling in the world.

Book a trip, grab your gear, and discover the full range of Costa Rica’s fishery—it’s more than marlin; it’s an angler’s dream.