Crocodile Bay September 2026 Fishing Report
September was an incredible month here at Crocodile Bay, and I honestly don’t think we could have asked for much more from the fishery. Double-digit inshore action kept our anglers busy pretty much every day, while offshore, the yellowfin tuna created some serious mayhem.
The weather gave us plenty to enjoy, too. We were treated to beautiful, sunny days and remarkably calm seas throughout much of the month, with most of the rain moving in during the afternoon, after we were already back from fishing. Even during Costa Rica’s green season, we enjoyed summer-like days here on the Osa Peninsula. With great fishing and the wildlife that surrounds us, September gave us plenty to remember.
Inshore Fishing: Roosterfish and Fast-Paced Action
The roosterfish bite here continues to impress me, and September once again showed us why. Our anglers experienced more than 50 inshore bites, with multiple different species keeping the rods bent. But, as usual, the roosterfish were the stars of the show.
There aren’t many places where you can experience this many bites in just a couple of hours of fishing. Here at Crocodile Bay, however, it happens pretty often. That is what makes this fishery so special.
You can leave the dock in the morning, head out to the inshore grounds, and within minutes find yourself surrounded by life. Roosterfish, jacks, snapper, and other inshore species can keep anglers moving from one bite to the next.
And when that big roosterfish finally eats, everything changes. The explosive strike, the power of the first run, and watching an angler battle one of these fish never gets old. Whether it is someone’s first roosterfish or their tenth, these fish have a way of creating memories that last a lifetime.
Offshore Fishing: Yellowfin Tuna, Mahi-Mahi and Billfish
While the inshore fishing was spectacular, offshore was a completely different kind of madness. Our crews worked several different schools of yellowfin tuna throughout September, as the fish continued to show up in great numbers.
The tuna ranged from approximately 40 pounds all the way up to 200 pounds, giving our anglers the opportunity to experience everything from fast-paced schoolie action to some serious heavyweight battles.
The ocean comes alive when a school of yellowfin tuna surrounds the boat. When multiple rods start going off at the same time, things can get pretty chaotic, and that is exactly the kind of chaos anglers travel to Costa Rica for.
We are also seeing early signs of a strong mahi-mahi (dolphin) run, with some nice bulls showing up and lighting up in the spread over the last two weeks. We expect mahi numbers to increase as we move into October.
We also started seeing some billfish activity offshore during September, an encouraging sign as we move toward our upcoming billfish season. Those first signs always get us excited about what the coming months will bring.
And, of course, if you catch a yellowfin tuna that you would like to harvest, I strongly suggest bringing it back to Crocodile Bay. Our chefs can work their magic with a fresh yellowfin, and I don’t think you will be disappointed. There is something special about catching a tuna offshore and sitting down later that evening to enjoy it prepared by our culinary team.
Tarpon Trails and Responsible Fishing in Costa Rica
As many of you know, I do quite a bit of work with the Sport Fishing Federation of Costa Rica, FECOP. One of the programs I am especially proud to be involved with is Tarpon Trails.
The program started because we began noticing an increase in the number of tarpon being encountered on the Pacific side of Costa Rica. That created an incredible opportunity, but it also created a responsibility.
Our goal with Tarpon Trails is to train our crews in techniques for targeting tarpon and, most importantly, in the proper handling and release of these fish. Tarpon are an amazing resource, and if we are going to fish for them, we need to make sure we are doing it responsibly.
As part of the program, we were fortunate enough to bring four of the top tarpon fishing captains from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to the Pacific side. Their knowledge and experience gave our Pacific crews an opportunity to learn from some of the best.
Then, in September, I had the opportunity to return the visit and travel to the Caribbean. During my visit, we held the first-ever “Fishing Tourism as a Driver of Development – Opportunities for the Costa Rican Caribbean” event.
It is always an honor to be involved in projects that help communities better understand the opportunities that sport fishing can bring. Sport fishing is much more than catching fish.
When done responsibly, it can create jobs, bring visitors to communities, support local businesses, generate opportunities for guides and captains, and provide an economic incentive to protect the very resources that make these fisheries possible.
Working with communities and promoting responsible fishing is something I am passionate about, and I am proud to be part of these efforts in Costa Rica.
Two Days of Tarpon Fishing and Exploring the Caribbean
After the event, we had the opportunity to spend two days fishing. On day one, we had two tarpon bites, and we were able to safely release one of them.
For me, that was an unforgettable moment. There is something special about connecting with a tarpon, especially when you understand how important it is to handle these fish correctly and release them in the best condition possible.
On the second day, we crossed the river mouth and made our way to the fishing grounds, excited to see what the day would bring. We had only been fishing for about an hour when Mother Nature decided she had other plans for us. The rain moved in, the wind picked up, and conditions quickly became rough. We made the call to leave the fishing grounds and find shelter.
Rather than letting the weather ruin the day, we decided to turn the adventure into something completely different and explore the canals of the Parismina River. And I have to say, it was a great decision.
The canals gave us a completely different perspective of the area. We explored an ecosystem full of wildlife and scenery you simply don’t get to experience from the open ocean.
Of course, we were there to fish — and that is always going to be a big part of the adventure for me — but sometimes the best experiences happen when Mother Nature changes the plan. And that is exactly what happened on this trip.
Leatherback Turtles and Conservation
During our time in the Caribbean, we had the opportunity to experience the release of leatherback baby turtles. I had never experienced anything like it before. These were the last eggs of the hatching season, which made the experience even more special. Watching those tiny leatherback turtles emerge and make their way toward the ocean was unforgettable.
It was one of those moments where you stop thinking about fishing for a little while and simply appreciate where we are and how lucky we are to be surrounded by such incredible wildlife.
Experiences like this remind me that what we do on the water is connected to something much bigger. The same oceans, rivers, beaches, and ecosystems that provide us with incredible fishing are also home to some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet. That is why responsible fishing and conservation are so important to me.
Looking Ahead: October Fishing at Crocodile Bay
October is traditionally the time when we start getting ourselves prepared for the upcoming season. After the way we closed out September, we have plenty of reasons to be excited.
The inshore fishing continues to produce incredible numbers of bites, the roosterfish continue to show us why this fishery is so special, the yellowfin tuna schools are still running strong, and we are starting to see some encouraging signs of billfish activity offshore. We expect the mahi run to strengthen as we move into October.
September gave us great fishing, calm seas, sunny days, and experiences I will remember for a very long time. If the way we finished September is any indication of what is coming, October is shaping up to be another great month of fishing here at Crocodile Bay.
So bring your fishing gear and get ready for an adventure. Come experience the Osa Peninsula, chase some of the best game fish in the world, enjoy the incredible wildlife, and see for yourself why we are so lucky to call this place home.
I’ll see you in paradise!
Diego Camacho
Fishing and Fleet Director
Crocodile Bay
