FAQ’s

Bananas have been considered bad luck on a fishing boat by many captains and crews for a hundred years. The origin of this myth comes from Central American back in the 1800′s.

The bad luck theory of bananas is derived from the misfortune of dockworker or stevedores back in the old days who had to load and unload banana boats in and from Central America. The cargo often contained large brown biting spiders whose bite was not only very painful, but often deadly as well.

Dockworkers considered it very bad luck to be assigned to the job of unloading banana boats back then. Crew who worked on the boats during the voyage would also often get bitten and become very sick as well from these spiders hiding in the bananas. This was the original story behind the myth that is still around today, as far as I can tell.
The effect that this superstition has on anglers today is real! Like any myth that has been passed on over the years, it changes and takes on a life of it’s own. Now days the Banana Myth is about bad karma and the negative energy on board while fishing. Captains and crew who believe that a banana on the boats is bad luck often blame the banana for creating a negative imbalance on board that effects performance and ability to find fish that day. Bananas are bad luck for those who believe they are bad luck.
Of course we don’t know how much of this stuff is true, but one thing is for sure, having positive energy and thinking positively on board the boat does directly have a positive effect on your trips fishing success and the fun factor!
Be careful not to allow negative thinking to creep into the day during times of a slow or nonexistent bite. You’ll begin to focus on the bad in all events, people, places, and things, making it very hard for the captain and crew to work effectively at putting fish on the hook and pleasing you. Being in this negative state is the exact polar opposite of why we go fishing in the first place, to have fun! So leave your “negativity” on the dock! It will be there when you get back, for sure!
Remember we are here for a day of fun and adventure, first and foremost!
Catching fish while being the goal of the day is not the reason for the trip. The reason for the trip is to spend time enjoying paradise while relaxing with friends and family on the water. It?s an opportunity to decompress from the pressures of an ever demanding world while capturing life long memories of a fun time spent with friends and family. Fishing requires an positive uncluttered open mind. So clear your mental slate before going out fishing and let us help you relax and enjoy your time here in this beautiful place called Costa Rica.
“WE’LL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SECURE YOUR DREAM FISH, BUT REMEMBER, WE’RE DOING BATTLE WITH CREATURES THAT HAVE A BRAIN THE SIZE OF A BREAD CRUMB AND SOMETIMES THEIR JUST SMART ENOUGH TO MAKE US ALL LOOK LIKE FOOLS! THAT’S WHY WE CALL IT FISHING!” CAPT. JOSE

Yes can help you. We can make suggestions and give you our advice on what we feel are the best places to stay at any price range. Many of our Angler’s stay at Villa Caletas or the Monte Carlo located in Jaco but there are several other very nice places we can suggest you look at, just ask us for help. In San Jose there is a huge selection to choose from the Presidente, and Balmoral are some of the most popular choices with many of our anglers.

Sure. Your always welcome to bring your own big game rod and reel or any favorite lure or teaser you may have. Our boats however are equipped with quality fishing tackle and our and mates are always rigged with the tackle and gear that is proven to raise the most fish in these waters.

Costa Rica prohibits the shipping of fish from the airport, you can take frozen fillets home with you in your checked baggage, however it is a very cumbersome process. Regulations state that your fillets must be frozen and can not be included in your carry-on luggage, but checked baggage only. Furthermore, you can not pack your frozen fillets with any ice or foreign substances. It is very difficult to take fish back with you and I don?t suggest you attempt to.

Yes. Costa Rica requires that all anglers purchase and carry a valid Costa Rica fishing license. You will be required to purchase your Costa Rica fishing license at the dock entrance on the morning of your first day of fishing. The cost is $25.00 and is payable in cash. Your license will be good for one year from the date of purchase.

Yes! Round trip ground transportation from your hotel is included free of charge with of all our fishing adventures. This service alone will save you over $300.00 if your staying in San Jose, or the Central Valley. Taxi drivers and Van drives will charge you anywhere from $90.00 to $150.00 each way to Jaco or Puntarenas. Other charter companies charge you $120.00 for the service. With Angry Marlin Sportfishing its free! So if your staying in San Jose, The Central Valley, Jaco area or Puntarenas it’s free. If your in another location call us and we will see what we can do to help you.

NO. All edible, non-release fish such as Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, or Yellowfin Tuna, Snapper, or Mackeral that are caught on your charter are YOURS! The mates will fillet, bag and ice your fish on board. It is customary to offer crew some fish fillets, however it is NOT required.

By any measure it’s best in the country, Period! This region is globally known and recognized as Costa Rica’s Fishing Capital! This is why we are based here and we fish the entire region. So no matter what any one from any other part of the country tells you, the diversity of fishing in this entire region offshore, inshore and even in the estuaries is by far the most consistent and productive year round… that?s no fish story!

Someone once told me that the word TIPS means ?To Insure Pleasant Service?, I don?t know if it’s true but in service industries throughout the world workers expect them. As the owner of this company my personal feelings on the practice are simple, it?s voluntary!

In other words, don?t tip just because you feel you have too, tip because you feel the crew earned it! A good rule to follow is 10% -15% with 20% being very, very generous!
Most all other companies here in Costa Rica demand you pay 20% per day as though they are entitled to it! We think they?re dishonest and exploit their guests!

We do believe though that tipping should NOT be based on how many fish you catch a day. Its called fishing, not catching! Your paying for the services of the captain, crew, and equipment. If the captain and crew worked hard at finding the fish, made multiple moves, changed baits and lures, serviced your needs and were friendly and accommodating with you and the equipment all worked, then they are not to blame because the bite was just not on that day. We never leave the dock hoping we’re NOT going to catch fish that day, we give it our all every time and hope for the best bite each time out!

We understand what this trip means to you and respect that your expectations for the day are high, trust me we feel it! We all work very hard to deliver a hassle free day of fun, hoping to have a trophy day on the water. However fishing will always be fishing and if the fish won’t bite, they won?t bite! Theres is so much that goes on behind the scenes here to pull your trip together and you don?t see how difficult it is because we just make it all look easy, but trust me we work very hard for you!

Fortunately we have more successful days on the water, than are not as successful fishing wise. But like any place in the world you go fishing, slow bite days happen and there is nothing we can do about it other than offer another trip for days we skunk. So please don?t fault your Captain & Crew for a slow bite.

Generally we request 2 week notice to book a trip. However, call or email us if you plan to fish with less than a 2 week notice so we can check boat availability. We have a 24 hour minimum notice window, if you call with less than 24 hours notice we will see what we can do for you. We have 5 boats and some people join our excursions at the last minute, call for availability.
To make a reservation simply click on the reservation menu option on our home page choose a date and the kind of trip you wish to book. You can also simply call us at 805-880-1270 or send an email to info@angrymarlin.com. We look forward to fishing with you!

Remember the old saying, never judge a book by its cover? In this business never judge a crew by the shine of the boat. Too often a shiny boat masks the real story of how professional a crew is and how well it prepares for your day of fishing.

Want to know how to tell the difference between a well prepared crew and one that just knows how to shine a boat real good? Look past the shiny boat at the little details that tell the real story of how well prepared the crew is for a day of fishing.

Look at the condition of the lures, rods and reels. Are the hooks and lures clean, rust free untangled and not rotting? Are the rods banged up and not well cared for? These are a few little signs of an unprofessional crew that just does not take pride in or care for their gear very well! The condition of a crews gear is a direct reflection of the pride and care they take in showing you they are prepared for a fun, hassle free day of fishing.

At Angry Marlin Sport Fishing all our boats are equipped with well maintained, state of the art fishing gear from top shelf manufactures like Shimano, Penn, Calstar, G-loomis and more.
When we fish with live bait it’s ready to go before you begin fishing. This way we don’t waste half your day trying to catch bait so we can go fishing. All our frozen baits are prepared before the trip as well so your not waiting for crew to prep bait while fishing and loose a hot bite. Lures are clean with sharp hooks free of rust! Teasers and riggings are well stored and ready to go when needed and have proven over time to be the most productive for these waters.

The same care we put into maintaining our boats is the same care we put into maintaining our fishing equipment.
BECAUSE IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT MAKE THE BIG DIFFERENCE AND TELL HOW WELL PREPARED YOUR CREW IS WHEN A HOT BITE IS ON!

All Billfish and sport fish caught on our boats are released alive. Edible species such as Dorado, Wahoo, Tuna, Snapper, and more are filleted by our mates on board at no additional charge. We will gladly point you to some of our favorite restaurants, where they can cook your fresh fish for you at a very reasonable price.

The fishing around Los Suenos, Jaco, Tambor, and the Puntarenas region is excellent year round, however during certain months of the year, different species of Game fish are more abundant than others. To see what months typically represent the best time to fish for the different species we catch, please visit our Fish & Seasons page to use as a general guideline.

Since we offer free transportation to our boats this is really not an issue you have to worry about. However when you get picked up depends on what kind of tour you are going out on. Generally we pick you up at your hotel between 6:00 and 6:30 and our boats depart the dock at 7:30am if its an all day tour. We return between 4:00-4:30pm.

Our 5 boats, generally depart from Los Suenos or Puntarenas, but if your on the Nicoya Peninsula we meet you in Tambor. The real important question is where do we fish? Depending on current bite conditions and fish movement we have our ?secret honey holes? around the entire Los Suenos, Tambor, and Gulf of the Nicoya Region. We’re serious fisherman who like to move with the fish and follow the currents not the crowded mass of boats that march out to the same old over fished, over hyped areas just outside the marinas. We fish where the fish are and thats not always the most convenient place to pick up new clients. Since we pick you up at your hotel and take you to the boats, having the flexibility to leave from more than one location is a real advantage because we are not restricted to where the marina is located! Once on the water the fish don’t care what marina you just departed from.