Most guests who step onto one of our boats have never done offshore fishing before. That’s completely fine — our crews have taken absolute beginners from zero to fighting a sailfish within hours. But knowing a few things in advance will make your day smoother and more enjoyable.
Here are the ten things we wish every first-timer knew before departure.
1. You Don’t Need Experience
Seriously. The crew handles everything: rigging, bait, tackle, and technique. Your job is to hold the rod and enjoy the fight. Our captains will coach you through every step of fighting a fish — foot position, rod angle, when to reel, when to let it run. First-timers land sailfish here every single day.
2. Bring Dramamine If You’re Prone to Motion Sickness
Even on calm days, the offshore swell can catch people off guard. Take medication the night before and again in the morning — after it’s kicked in, it’s far more effective than taking it on the boat when you’re already feeling queasy. Ginger chews are a useful backup. Tell us in advance if seasickness is a concern and we’ll advise on the smoothest routing.
3. We Leave Early
Most charters depart between 6:00 and 7:30 AM. This isn’t arbitrary — the best fishing typically happens in the first few hours of light, before wind and boat traffic disturb the feeding zones. Plan your night before accordingly.
4. Sun Protection Is Not Optional
You’ll be on open water for most of the day with zero shade. The tropical sun reflects off the water and accelerates burning significantly. Pack SPF 50+ sunscreen, a wide-brim hat, sunglasses with UV protection, and a long-sleeve sun shirt if you have one. Bring more sunscreen than you think you need.
5. The Crew Rigs Everything
Don’t show up with your own tackle unless you’ve specifically arranged it. Our boats are fully rigged with commercial-grade offshore gear appropriate for the species we’re targeting. If you have a personal rod or reel you’d like to use, let us know when you book.
6. There’s Food and Drinks on Board
All of our charters include lunch and soft drinks. You’re welcome to bring additional snacks or your own beverages. Beer is fine — but take it easy until afternoon. Dehydration and alcohol don’t mix well offshore.
7. Expect Long Stretches of Nothing, Followed by Chaos
Offshore fishing isn’t constant action. You might troll for an hour before something happens — then suddenly every rod fires at once and the deck is organized chaos. The quiet periods are part of the experience: watching the horizon, the flying fish skimming the swells, the frigate birds working the sky. When it happens, it happens fast.
8. Catch and Release Is the Default for Billfish
We practice responsible catch-and-release for sailfish and marlin. The fish are documented, photographed, and revived before release. If keeping fish is important to you, species like yellowfin tuna, dorado, and snapper are excellent table fish and our crew will fillet and bag your catch for you.
9. The Crew Works Hard — Take Care of Them
Our captains and deckhands are professionals who take enormous pride in putting you on fish. A good catch, a great experience, and a fair tip at the end of the day goes a long way. Standard in Costa Rica is 15–20% of the charter cost for a great day.
10. You’ll Want to Come Back
We hear this after almost every trip. People who’ve never thought much about fishing show up for a half-day tour and leave planning next year’s week-long fishing trip. It happens constantly. Consider yourself warned.
Ready to go? Browse our tours and we’ll get you set up with the right option for your group.