The Equatorial Current system has a banded structure and contains more elements of eastward flow than could be anticipated from the integrated flow field which is indicated only by the presence of the North Equatorial Countercurrent. The most prominent of all eastward flow is the Equatorial Undercurrent. It is a swift flowing ribbon of water extending over a distance of more than 14,000 km along the equator with a thickness of only 200 m and a width of at most 400 km. The current core is found at 200 m depth in the west rise to 40 m or less in the east and shows typical speeds of up to 1.5 m s. Surface flow above the Equatorial Undercurrent is usually to the west. Although it is the swiftest of all equatorial currents its existence remained unknown to oceanographers until 1952 when it was discovered. 

Off Costa Rica's Pacific coast the continental shelf is narrow and steep, and extreme ocean depths are reached very near the coast. The North Equatorial Countercurrent and the Equatorial Undercurrent push massive amounts of water 1000's of miles across the Pacific Trough from west to east slamming the wall that is the Central American coastline. The deep waters off Costa Rica churn with a rich mixture nutrients and bait due a massive confluence of currents. Nutrient enrichment is caused by classic Equatorial upwelling, open ocean upwelling driven by wind and a strong tropical thermocline off Costa Rica. The waters along the coast boil and churn due to the amount of current flowing into this corner of the Pacific.

OFFSHORE:The Pacific coast is known as one of the world's best Pacific sailfisheries. Black, blue and striped marlin fishing can also be very good at times. Large yellowfin tuna, dorado and wahoo round out the typical offshore species.

There are three general regions on the Pacific coast for solid angling. Tamarindo, Flamingo and Guanamar in the north, Quepos in the central and Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, Zancudo and Drake Bay in the south are very productive destinations. These are general geographic areas. The Pacific coast has many productive destinations and they are too many to cover in depth. The entire Central American coast is on the pathway for migrating tuna and billfish, so the action is hot top to bottom depending on the season. Seasonality is the key, so choose your region carefully for optimal fishing.

Tamarindo is located at the southern end of the shallow, plankton rich Papagayo Gulf on the northwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The Gulf is a breeding ground for tuna, therefore blue, black and striped marlin are ever present as their main diet is tuna. Tamarindo's close proximity to the continental shelf makes for a very short run time to the fishing grounds. In Tamarindo marlin, sailfish, tuna and many other species can be caught year round, however mid-May through mid-August is best as far as numbers of sailfish go. Marlin fishing peaks from November through March. January and February are the windiest months but seas are perfectly fishable and marlin action is good. March and April are good variety months for Billfish, Tuna and Reef Fish, as is the period from November to December. Other species frequently taken include roosterfish, amberjack and wahoo.

Main fishing areas: This is not written in concrete and varying opinions exist. Check things out for yourself. These are the times the FTF family has experienced nice action.
Sails are king, while blues marlin, yellowfin, dolphin, roosters, cubera and wahoo round out the list of species we like to fish for.
Pacific
Marlin N-Nov-Mar, Aug-Sep C- Sep, Oct*,Nov S-Aug-Dec
Sails N-May-Aug C-Nov-Apr S-Dec-May
Tuna N-Aug-Oct C-Jun-Sep S-corresponds to marlin, sails
Dolphin N-May-Oct S-May-Oct
Wahoo N-Jul-Aug C-Not Common S-Not abundant
Rooster N-Nov-Mar S-all year
Snook- S-May-Sep, Jan-Feb good all year though

North-Flamingo, Guanamar,Tamarindo
In the north the Gulf of Papagayo and Bat Islands are a bait rich area where the N. Equatorial current washes the coast. Nice blacks and big sails are heavy May into fall. Big dolphin and roosters are common.

Central-Quepos
In central Costa Rica sails are the best with blues marlin, blacks marlin and mid sized yellowfins abundant Dec-July.

South-Puerto Jimenez, Golfito, Zancudo, Drake Bay
In the south sails rule, with blue marlin, blacks marlin, big yellowfin, dolphin, roosters, cubera, aj's being caught mostly June-September.

Caribbean
Tarpon Dec-May all year though
Snook Mar-May Sep-Nov
Billfish Feb-Sep for sails and blues
Wahoo Feb-Jun
Dolphin year round
Kings adundant anytime ocean is flat
Crevalle adundant anytime ocean is flat

INSHORE:The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is one of the premier destinations in the world for incredible tarpon and snook fishing. Tarpon may grow larger elsewhere, but they are nowhere more numerous or more feisty. The angling is done in rivers and river mouths and inlets. The tarpon all along the Caribbean are common in the 50 to 100 lb range. Snook in the 20 lb range are common in the surf and bigger fish are definately possible. Dorado and mackerel are abundant most of the year when the ocean is flat. Dorado are especilly nice when the rivers are emptying debris after the rains. Sailfish and blue marlin are available if you venture out to the blue water most of the year. Parismina Ranch is well known for having some rather large snook in the fall. These waters along the coast are filled with nice jack crevalle's.

The Pacific side has some excellent inshore fishing especially along the rocky coastline and in the surf. Pacific inshore fishing for roosterfish is a thrill. Roosterfish range in size from 20 to 80 lbs. and are very tough fighters. Cubera snapper, grouper, amberjack, barracuda and snook are available as well.

TRAVEL:

Entry Requirements:
A visa is not required for travelers holding U.S. or Canadian passports.

Vaccinations: No vaccinations are required to enter this country.

Dengue Fever: Year-round risk, countrywide, below 1,300 meters elevation in urbanized areas. Risk is elevated in coastal provinces. To prevent dengue, travelers should take measures to prevent mosquito bites.

Hepatitis: Hepatitis A is endemic. Hepatitis A vaccine is recommended for all nonimmune travelers. Hepatitis E has not been reported, but could occur. The hepatitis B carrier rate in the population is less than 1%. Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for stays over 3 months and for short-term travelers wanting increased protection. Travelers should be aware that the risk of hepatitis B is increased by unsafe sex and the use of unsterile needles and syringes. Hepatitis C is endemic but levels are unclear.

Leishmaniasis: Focally endemic. Potential for transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis occurs in most rural forested areas below 800 meters elevation. Increased transmission from May through July. Officially reported incidence has been highest in areas bordering Panama. Travelers take precautions against insect (sandfly) bites.

Other Diseases/Hazards: Abdominal angiostrongyliasis, brucellosis, Chagas’ disease (occurs sporadically in rural areas of Alajuela, Guanacaste, Heredia, and San Jose Provinces at elevations below 1,300 meters, but is not considered a major public health problem), cysticercosis, filariasis (transmitted by blackflies; endemic near Puerto Limon), fascioliasis (liver fluke disease; from contaminated water plants), filariasis (mosquito-transmitted; reported in Puerto Limon), paragonimiasis (lung fluke disease; from ingestion of raw freshwater crabs or crayfish), rabies (very low risk), tick-borne rickettsioses (Rocky Mountain spotted fever reported from Limon Province; tick-borne relapsing fever), Venezuelan equine encephalitis, and strongyloidiasis and other helminthic infections are reported