This is a true JUNGLE adventure in the wilds of Costa Rica. You arrive by boat or plane at this remote jungle lodge situated on the banks of the Colorado River, right at its mouth where it empties into the sea! Everything here is built on stilts. Very few bugs- but rain can of course occur. You are literally on the edge of the river, the ocean and the jungle. Glorious wildlife, birds and plants abound. Expect to be greeted by monkeys, parrots and big smiles. 

THE TARPON: Conventional tackle or fly.
This Cost Rica tarpon operation has been around for many, many years. Many of the best known big name salt water anglers have fished here, and catches and fights with dozens of giant tarpon are commonplace.

When the tarpon fishing is on, catching 10 to 20 tarpon in a day is not unusual. You can fish conventional tackle or fly tackle- often one method will be almost as productive as another. And these are not baby tarpon- these are bruisers in the 80 to 150 pound range, and bigger. It is a boat fishery, with you casting or trolling generally. Snook are often fished in the surf on foot if that suits you.

Many experienced anglers feel that no other salt water fish offers the angler the drama, the excitement and the challenge of these silver rockets. Leaping, twisting and turning, Costa Rica´s aerial acrobats average 80 to 100 pounds, and will jump not just once or twice when hooked, but will soar six or eight times, often 10 feet or more into the air, shaking and twisting every second! When fishing´s hot, it´s not unusual to jump 20 or more tarpon a day, and they then readily take a fly or plug.

Most of the action will be in the calm waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with monkeys and brilliantly hued birds soaring thru orchid draped trees that line the shore. When the fish are on the outside, your guide will often put you in the middle of a school of literally hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre or more of calm sea.

OTHER SPECIES:
If tarpon alone are not enough for you, then try the awesome snook fishing, Costa Rica stands in class by itself as evidenced by the many IGFA world records – including the all-tackle mark – that have been posted here. And for even more excitement, this Lodge recently introduced a new fleet of boats that make it possible for fishermen to work virgin inshore waters for fish that have never before seen a hook. If you’re looking for a Tarpon Fishing Lodge in Costa Rica then this is the “right place”.

Other available species include Atlantic sailfish, wahoo, dorado, great barracuda, world record jack crevalle and cubera snapper, tripletail, king mackerel weighing up to 50 pounds, Spanish mackerel, jewfish, pompano and other more exotic species such as the silvery machete fish, and immense sharks including hammerheads, white tips, brown tips, bulls and makos.

And the angler tiring of battling big fish can always head for the back waters and lagoons to sample the light tackle sport for guapote, or rainbow bass, a brilliantly colored fish that will run to six or eight pounds and fight just like the largemouth bass back home. There are also a host of other species in the river and lagoons, including the bluegill-like mojarra, leaping machaca, drum and more.

REFERENCES SAY:
“This is one exotic fishing trip that many can afford, and one you will long remember.”Ken Moran, New York Post
“Every fisherman should experience this type of fishing at least once. But watch out: Once you try it, you´ll be hooked for life! Costa Rica is a Fisherman´s paradise!” John Spehn, Chicago Sun-Times
“At times they´re big and at times they`re thick, but most of the time they`re available and hungry.”Byron Stout, Florida Sportsman Magazine
“The Lodge is one of the most comfortable fishing camps I have ever visited. Truly one of the best fishing trips of my life!” Gerald Almy, Sports Afield Magazine
“The world class fishing the superb cuisine, and friendly staff, all combined to make the angling adventure of a lifetime!” Dan Sura The In-Fisherman.

THE LODGE:
All rooms are double roofed for insulation and air conditioned. All have private baths and showers. Even the walkways and dock are roofed for your convenience. 18 comfortable rooms NOW AIR-CONDITIONED (the only East Coast lodge with air-conditioned rooms). All have private baths, hot showers, electric fans and daily maid service (they can also take care of your laundry). Meals are served family style, all you care to eat, and the cuisine has earned high praise from ardent fishermen from around the world. There is a comfortable recreation room with game tables, and you’ll find a new video room with satellite TV, telefax equipment, a very well stocked tackle shop and ample outdoor lounging areas, and a very interesting zoo. They have a fully stocked bar with drinks at reasonable prices. Daily Happy Hour is from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., when all rum drinks and soft drinks are “on the house.”

THE TRAVEL:
The packages include meeting guest upon arrival in San Jose Airport (SJO);,and then transferring them to a first class hotel where they overnight; and then transferring them EARLY the next morning to the flight to Lodge and boat, and also the guide, fuel, lodging, meals, etc.

THE TIMING:
This Lodge is the only fishing resort in the area that remains open year around. But like fishing anywhere, there are never any guarantees, and at certain times of the year chances of scoring big are greater than others. The dry season, from January through May, is considered the peak season in the quiet river and lagoons for tarpon as the aerial acrobats swarm in by the thousands to spawn. But they have some outstanding sport as late as July and early August on the inside, but in the fall the sea is calm and the fish move to the ocean, providing prime action along the coast. In other words, the fishing is good year around.
Most of the Tarpon action will be in the calm waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with monkeys and brilliantly hued birds to be seen in the vines and branches of the orchid draped trees that line the shore. When the fish are on the outside, your guide will often put you in the middle of a school of literally hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre or more of calm serene backgrounds.

The snook are also present year around. The snook are taken casting, trolling, surf fishing and even on flies. Small snook, called “calba” move into the rivers in November-December and provide furious action for two to three months, with 20 to 80 fish per rod not an unusual day’s catch. They average about five pounds, so light tackle is in order. But beware! There are always a few up to 30 pounds mixed in with the smaller calba. The best surf fishing and trolling in the waters near the river mouths is in the late fall, and that’s when the monsters from 25 pounds on up are usually caught. You’re also likely to tie into a big jack crevalle, bonita dorado or mackerel while fishing in the sea. Except during the calba runs, the average snook is close to 20 pounds. Thirty-pounders are not uncommon, and fish in the 50 pound bracket have been taken locally.

Hooking a snook in the surf as you stand waist deep in the warm waters of the Caribbean is an experience you won’t soon forget, especially since the fish in the surf tend to run much larger. They will circle and jump frantically, using the surge of the tide and waves to their advantage and testing the angler’s skill to the limit
Light tackle gamesters including guapote, mojarra, machaca, and drum are taken in the rivers, creeks and estuaries 12 months of the year, so don’t forget a light bait casting or spinning outfit.

TACKLE:
They provide you with the comfort of 23 ft. fiberglass boats with unsinkable flotation, powered by NEW 90 HP, 4 stroke motors. Each boat has a center console and two very comfortable fighting chairs with rod holders. Boats all have U.S.C.G. approved safety equipment. Their entire fleet has fish finders, compasses and radios for maintaining contact with the Lodge and the other boats. The Lodge feels they have the finest, safest fleet of the best equipped boats on the Caribbean coast. Your boat will be stocked with a cooler and cold beverages included in the deluxe package, and you will only be charged for the beverages consumed at a reasonable price.
Their English speaking guides were born and raised in the area of the Lodge and are expert fishermen. They know every hole and riffle in the area. As you spend time with your guide, you’ll believe he “thinks like a fis

CONVENTIONAL TACKLE SUGGESTIONS:
For both tarpon and snook, we recommend a six to seven foot rod, stiff enough to set a hook in the tarpon’s bony mouth, and a quality conventional or spinning reel spooled with 150 to 200 yards of 12 to 25 pound test line- THIS IS THE MINIMUM.. With braid you can go heavier, but will need to leader it. A lighter bass outfit or spinning rod spooled with 6 to 12 pound line is suggested for small snook and light tackle gamesters, and a little longer rod is more suitable for fishing in the surf. The Lodge maintains quality loaner equipment if a visitor should be caught short.

Favored lures for tarpon fishing inside the river are Rapala Magnum 11 Series 14 in orange, red/white or silver and green mackerel colors. Two ounce Coasthawk lures are used in the deeper holes and 65M-11 Mirrolures are used when the fish are in the lagoons.

In the Caribbean the tarpon will readily take a variety of lures with jigs being the most popular. Jigs should be one to two ounces with a strong short-shank hook. Popular jigs are Bomber 1 to 1 1/2 ounce in white, green or yellow and 12 Fathom Shad Tail Jigs. Coasthawk and 65M-11 Mirrolures also work well. CD9 or CD11 Diving Rapalas can be slow trolled in the ocean for tarpon jack crevalle, or an occasional king mackerel or barracuda.

Snook prefer jigs in the surf and lures inside the river. Bucktail or shad tail 3/4 ounce jigs work best when casting. Bomber 600HD series in fluorescent orange or green and Magnum 11 series Rapalas are trolled inside the river mouths for snook. During the calba run 1/2 to 3/4 ounce black/red bucktail jigs are the most productive. For casting in the lagoons, 7M model floating Mirrolures or similar lures are the best bet. Chartreuse or black/silver are productive colors.

A selection of “small” bass plugs and spinners including surface poppers and medium runners are effective for guapote, mojarra, machaca, drum and other light tackle gamester. Rooster tails, Rebel Teeny Crawfish and small floater/diver Rapalas are the favored lures. Hooks for all types of fishing should be very sharp, so take a file to the barbs ahead of time.
All these lures are available at their tackle shop but due to import duties they may be slightly higher than you can find them in your local tackle store or through one of the many mail order tackle companies.

FLY FISHING SUGGESTIONS
If you opt to flies instead of conventional tackle, you will see that Fly fishing for tarpon at this Lodge has very little resemblance to the Florida Keys or Belize.
Tackle: Recommend you bring 12/13 weight rods and reels that hold at least 300 yards of 30lb. test backing. Bring a number of lead core shooting heads ranging from 450 grain to a deep water express (700 grain). Suggested is a one piece fly line called deep sea density compensated. In the rivers and lagoons where you’ll be fishing in 6-10 feet of water, the 450 grain lead core head should be adequate. However, in the ocean with tarpon running at depths of 20 feet or more, the 700-850 grain heads are essential. Also, pack 18 to 20 shock leaders, and use 20 test class tippets that will allow you to land and release more lively, less damaged tarpon.
Flies: Come well equipped with flies that are traditionally used in deep and murky water. Tie a variety of “whistler” patterns in various combinations of colors. You might want to use the largest weighted eyes you can find.

In the River: Try a version of a black and red whistler. Tie a strip of black rabbit fur in place of the black wing feathers. The rabbit fur seems to give the fly a real “lively” look. You may use the traditional black & red whistler. Whistler patterns also work well tied in purple and red patterns. You might try using purple rabbit fur on those.
In the Lagoons and Ocean: In the lagoons try a large (5/0 hooks) deceiver pattern, tied in white and green and white and blue dressed with a little iridescent mylar. In the ocean try a moderate size (6 inches) sailfish fly. Also try a single rather than tandem hook tied with a number of blue and white and red and white patterns.

2024 PRICES: Prices subject to change without notice.

Please NOTE THEY offer all inclusive packages as well as other options. Full payment must be received NLT 30 days prior or you may lose your domestic airline and hotel reservations!!!!!!!!!!!!!

STANDARD PACKAGE: ( excludes liquor, licenses and lures) INCLUDES: DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND HOTELS !!
6 Days, 5 Nights, 3 Days Fishing Per Person $2525.00 Additional fishing days – $550 PP Per day
Package includes 2 nights at a 1st class hotel in San Jose, 4 grounds transfers, round trip in country scheduled flight, 3 Days (or more at addl. daily rate listed above) with boat, guide, fuel, lodging, 3 fantastic meals per lodging day, happy hour, conventional rods & reels. Gratuities are NOT included.

DELUXE PACKAGE (includes liquor, your lures and your licenses) INCLUDES: DOMESTIC FLIGHTS AND HOTELS !!
6 Days, 5 Nights, 3 Days Fishing PER PERSON $2864.00 Additional fishing days – $600 PP Per day
Package includes 2 nights at a 1st class hotel in San Jose (usually the Crowne Plaza), 4 ground transfers, round trip in country scheduled flight, 3 Days (or more at addl. daily rate listed above) with boat, guide, fuel, fishing license, fishing lures, lodging, 3 fantastic meals per lodging day, alcoholic beverages, conventional rods & reels. Gratuities are NOT included.
There are longer stays available and we can custom design a package for you, just ask us at Hunt Nation.

*For single room in San Jose add $180.00 per person. ONLY the DELUXE accommodations include Fishing License, Fishing Lures and Beverages. GRATUITIES are NOT included in any prices. For safety reasons, the domestic carriers require actual traveler weights please provide them to us at time of booking. Special arrangements may have to be made for guest over 250 pounds. Please advise us if this applies individuals in your party.
Prices do not include a proposed tax on parts of the package. It is not known if it will pass the courts at this time.

If full payment of your package is received less than 30 days prior to arrival, we cannot guarantee confirmed seats on Sansa or Travel Air, the local domestic airlines, although we will do our best. If your seat is not confirmed, you will be charged the additional cost for a private charter airplane for transportation to and/or from the Lodge, or if you prefer, you may make your own travel arrangements to the Lodge and we will deduct from your package price, the amount allowed for round-trip airfare to the Lodge and refund it to you.

The above prices includes boat 8 hours boat service to all the popular fishing grounds, the canals, rivers, lagoons, etc. and the Caribbean too. If you notify the Lodge manager a day in advance we will be happy to provide you a sack lunch for 8 hours uninterrupted fish from 6 am till 2 pm. You may fish after additional hours from two to five pm at an hourly rate of $50 per hour per fisherman in the boat if you wish.

Non-fishing guests are welcomed at the Lodge at a rate of $175.00 per day. Non fishing guest may ride along with fisherman to enjoy the wildlife and take photos for a daily rider fee of $50 per day.

Space and weight is limited to 27 LBS including luggage and tackle on the flight between San Jose and the Lodge, so please keep your baggage to a minimum. Baggage in excess of 27 LBS may be allowed at your expense and subject to space and weight restrictions as determined by the air carrier. Your hotel in San Jose will check your extra luggage until your return.

WE ARE HUNT NATION- YOUR SOURCE FOR ADVENTURES
1-307-637-5495 email: info@hunt-nation.com
WE ARE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE SPECIALISTS!!
OTHER SPECIES TO FISH FOR:

Atlantic sailfish, wahoo, dorado, great barracuda, world record jack crevalle and cubera snapper, tripletail, king mackerel weighing up to 50 pounds, Spanish mackerel, jewfish, pompano and other more exotic species such as the silvery machete fish, and immense sharks including hammerheads, white tips, brown tips, bulls and makos are only a sampling of the species that have been caught. And the angler tiring of battling big fish can always head for the back waters and lagoons to sample the light tackle sport for guapote, or rainbow bass, a brilliantly colored fish that will run to six or eight pounds and fight just like the largemouth bass back home. There are also a host of other species in the river and lagoons, including mojarra, leaping machaca, drum and catfish OF MANY VARIETIES.