Fishing Tournaments in Costa Rica You Cannot Afford to Miss in 2023

For all fishing enthusiasts, Costa Rica truly makes the best spot for experiencing the best of fishing worldwide. Surrounded by the Pacific Coast on one side and the Caribbean Coast on the other, this Central American country is famous as the paradise for anglers, where sport fishing aficionados can enjoy the best of both inshore and offshore fishing. The impressive natural beauty of the country, the vast swathes of the coastal ecosystem, and the sustainable sportfishing practices like “catch and release” has made Costa Rica a go-to place for tourists on a fishing excursion.  

If you love sportfishing and winning a fishing tournament is your goal for 2023, the phenomenal sportfishing opportunities in Costa Rica are perfect for you. IGFA (International Game Fish Association) is a recognized, not-for-profit fishing authority committed to conserving Game fish and promoting ethical, responsible fishing practices. Costa Rica homes dozens of IGFA titles. To be more specific, this nation has won 70+ IGFA world records and around 17 All-Tackle records. Thousands of trophy hunters from Canada and the US participate in the fishing tournaments organized here to enjoy the best billfish game.  

The abundance of fish species in the lakes, rivers, and marinas is why this Central American nation is widely known, considered, and praised for offering anglers the best sport fishing experience. Blue, black, & striped marlin, sailfish, and swordfish are some of the many targeted species found in the waters of this beautiful country.  

Five Popular Fishing Tournaments in Costa Rica  

A fishing tournament, AKA “Fish Derby,” is a competition where anglers compete to catch fish. Both teams and individuals can participate in these tournaments, where they must catch fish within the given time. The number of fishes, the weight of the fish, and the time it takes to catch each fish will help decide the winner. The winners are awarded a cash prize, depending on the type of tournament they participate in.  

Let us look at the most famous Costa Rican fishing tournaments you can participate in during your trip in 2023.  

1. Signature Triple Crown  

Los Sueños Resort and Marina in Jaco, Costa Rica, is one of the most visited and popular spots in the Central Pacific region. Besides having so many natural vistas, this marina is also known for sponsoring the best billfish tournament. The fishing experience here is exceptional, thanks to the pleasant weather conditions and calm waters all year. Los Sueños Resort and Marina is where one gets the best boats, amenities, and, eventually, the best fishing experience.  

The Signature Triple Crown tournament is one of the most competitive billfish tournaments that draws participants from all over the world, including Russia, Brazil, Nicaragua, and the United States. With Los Sueños Resort and Marina as a backdrop, this tournament offers a magical experience you will not get anywhere else.  

Schedule of the tournament  

• Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown LEG 1: 18th to 21st of January 2023  
• Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown LEG 2: 22nd to 25th of February 2023   
• Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown LEG 3: 22nd to 25th of March 2023  

2. Pelagic Rockstar Offshore Tournament  

The PELAGIC Rockstar Offshore Tournament is one of the largest and richest sportfishing tournaments. It is a team event where you and your team can bag up to USD 500,000 as prize money. Teams from every country travel to Costa Rica to participate and compete for this highly prestigious title.  

Schedule of the tournament   

• January 12th, 2023 (Thursday): Team Check-In, Meeting with Captain, and Kickoff Party  
• January 13th, 2023 (Friday): 1st Day of the Tournament   
• January 14th, 2023 (Saturday): 2nd Day of the Tournament  

• January 15th, 2023 (Sunday): Award Ceremony  

Entry Fee   

• General Entry: $3,500  
• All In (Sonar Division): $40,500  
• All In (Non-Sonar division): $25,500  

3. Rooster Rodeo 2023  

This one-day event is dedicated to catching and releasing roosterfish. The team that releases the maximum number of roosterfish will get the highest points, depending on the size and weight of the fish. The winning team can win a cash prize and bragging rights. Every participating team needs to have a cameraperson on the boat to document each release. The organizers will decide the winner based on the recorded videos and the number of tagged fish.  

• General Entry Fee (mandatory): $300   
• Evert rooster release is worth 50 points  

4. The Dorado Derby  

This one-day event is organized annually in Costa Rica, where teams participate in various categories like the “Largest Fish,” “Most Unique Catch,” or “Heaviest Catch.” The team that catches the heaviest dorado usually bags the first prize. A weighing round is conducted at the end, and based on the results, the winners are decided.   

Team Entry Fee (Mandatory) – $300 for five members   

Schedule of the tournament   

November 10th, 2023  

• 2:00 to 6:00 pm: Final registration.  
• 7:00 pm: Meeting with the Captain  

November 11th, 2023   

• 5:30 am: Check out  

• 7:00 am: Shot Gun Start  
• 2:00 to 6:00 pm: Weigh station opens  
• 7:30 pm: Award Ceremony  

5. Marina Pez Vela Open   

The best thing about this tournament is that it is organized with other Costa Rican fishing tournaments, meaning you can enjoy other exciting events during your excursion. It is a two-day sportfishing event where participants are divided into two teams – the gun division and the fun division.  

Each division has different rules that need to be followed during the tournament.   

The Gun Division: All the participants in this division are on their own, meaning it is their responsibility to release the billfish they catch. Moreover, the rules of the International Game Fish Association are also in force.  

The Fun Division: The participants can catch whichever fish species they want without worrying about releasing them. The charter crews can help unhook the catch before passing the rod to other anglers.  

The Marina Pez Vela Open tournament is perfect if you want to enjoy the best of fishing without worrying about winning or losing. A group of friends who love fishing will surely enjoy this event.  

Schedule of the tournament  

April 14th, 2023 – Registration Day   

• 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm: Final Registration  
• 7:00 pm: Meeting with the Captain  

April 15th, 2023 – Fishing Day   

• 5:00 am: The registration desk open  
• 5:30 am: Boats are permitted to leave the marina   
• 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm: Weigh Station opens  
• 7:30 pm: Award ceremony  

Conclusion   

The pristine environment and friendly Ticos make Costa Rica an impressive sport fishing destination. Costa Ricans enjoy the laid-back Pura Vida lifestyle and are proud of their culture and heritage. They value their natural resources, and thus, you will see them putting in effort to conserve every fish. Hence, there are laws and regulations you need to know, follow, and consider while participating in any Costa Rican fishing tournament.  

Villa Firenze in Los Sueños Resort and Marina is one of the most luxurious private villa rentals on the Pacific Coast. Villa rentals include a fishing charter, a helicopter ride, and an RZR tour. At Villa Firenze you get both – the best fishing charter experience and a chance to enjoy the Pura Vida lifestyle while staying in Costa Rica.