January 2026 Fishing Report – Crocodile Bay Resort

The New Year  2026 Starts Off Strong at Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica

 

January on the Osa Peninsula felt like the true start of summer – long, calm mornings, bluebird skies, and near-glass seas set the stage for an outstanding month of fishing both offshore and inshore.

Offshore Fishing Highlights

 

The bite consistently delivered and often exceeded expectations. Offshore, we experienced an early and sustained billfish bite that kept rods bent and smiles wide all month long. Several of our crews recorded double-digit billfish days, giving guests repeated opportunities to battle – and for some lucky anglers, land – the fish of a lifetime. There is nothing quite like watching a billfish rise into the spread, inhale your bait, hold it for a heartbeat, and then explode into a run. That adrenaline is indescribable, and the memory lasts forever.

Inshore Action Stayed Hot

 

With the blue water so dialed in, many guests focused on offshore trips this month. But those who spent time inshore found equally exciting action. We landed numerous trophy-class roosterfish along with several large adult cubera snapper for anglers targeting heavy structure and cover. Inshore fishing at Crocodile Bay is incredibly diverse – it is not just trolling. Our crews are bottom fishing for snapper and grouper species, casting plugs and poppers around rocky points, and seeing excellent results with vertical jigging. Jigging has quickly become one of the most productive techniques for anglers looking for fast, explosive strikes and an impressive range of species.

Lodge and Operations Updates

 

 

 

 

 

We are thrilled to announce a major new partnership. Crocodile Bay has joined forces with Gray Trophy Fish Mounts. Now, if you land a prized catch while fishing with us, we can help preserve that memory with a museum-quality mount for your home. Please ask your crew to take the proper measurements, photos, and documentation at the time of catch, and our team will coordinate

everything with Gray Trophy – from shipping to mount options – so your trophy is ready to display.

Marina Construction Has Officially Begun

 

 

 

In other exciting development news, construction of the Crocodile Bay Marina is officially underway. This project represents a major investment in our community and operations. It will create local jobs, improve dock and logistics capacity, and enhance services and accommodations for visiting anglers. We will share regular updates as construction progresses and look forward to welcoming guests to an even more capable facility in the near future.

Looking Ahead to February

 

 

 

 

Forecasts suggest the warm, stable weather will continue – more calm mornings, clear skies, and productive fishing ahead. If you are ready to escape the cold and chase world-class billfish, roosterfish, or cuberas, or simply enjoy peaceful tropical mornings, the Osa Peninsula and Crocodile Bay are ready for you. Contact our bookings team to plan your trip, and remember to tell your captain if you would like your catch documented for a Gray Trophy mount – we will take it from there.

See you in paradise,

Diego Camacho
Fishing Director

Sportfishing Calendar

January

Tuna, marlin and dorado taper off. Number of sailfish begins to increase.

February

Prime time for sailfish. Occassional marlin, tuna or dorado.

March

Prime time for sailfish.

April

Sailfish numbers drop mid-April and some marlin begin to appear.

May

Slower for billfish. Typically we start seeing schools of spinner dolphins with yellowfin tuna.

June

Slower for billfish. Spinner dolphins with yellowfin tuna.

July

Marlin begin to appear. A chance for black marlin as well as blues and striped marlin. A chance for tuna.

August

Marlin and tuna.

September

Slower for billfish. A chance for tuna and dorado.

October

Dorado begin to appear in numbers with marlin close behind.

November

A mixed bag of dorado, marlin and some big tuna.

December

Marlin, dorado, tuna and sailfish are all possibilities.