roosters and sails on the fly

[steveo955]

does anybody on here have experience with fishing roosters or sails on the fly in costa rica? im headed down middle of jan after postponing it a few times. mostly interested in roosters but sails would be an awesome bonus. ive got gear for roosters but i dont think 11wt is enough even for a small sail. any sugestions on guides? thanks in advance

[bigdaddy37]

like this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFNy5cWdMlU

That would be a blast! Something else on my bucket list

[Pikebreath]

Where in CR are you headed?

Roosters are in shore fish so you can use a smaller boat (less $),,,, but while not impossible, they are tough to catch on fly.

Jan is prime sailfish time in central and southern CR,,, Jaco, Quepos and the Osa Peninsula. A good offshore charter is going to run $1000 or more, but if you really want to get a sail on the fly that is what you have to ante up to get a good crew that is capable of teasing the fish to the boat. A lot of the cheaper crews will tell they are expert at flyfishing but all they do is simply troll the flies.

I can personally recommend these guys. http://www.bigeyecharters.com/ We caught 9 sails on the fly in two days with Ross at the helm and Frankie as first mate.

I have used cheaper charters and literally have been "taken for a ride".

A sail could be caught on good stiff 11 wt, but a 12 -14 wt would be easier on you and the fish. I caught my sails on a TFO LD bluewater which can be had for around $300 (great tarpon and shark rod too).

[elnino54]

Originally Posted by Pikebreath

Where in CR are you headed?

Roosters are in shore fish so you can use a smaller boat (less $),,,, but while not impossible, they are tough to catch on fly.

Jan is prime sailfish time in central and southern CR,,, Jaco, Quepos and the Osa Peninsula. A good offshore charter is going to run $1000 or more, but if you really want to get a sail on the fly that is what you have to ante up to get a good crew that is capable of teasing the fish to the boat. A lot of the cheaper crews will tell they are expert at flyfishing but all they do is simply troll the flies.

I can personally recommend these guys. http://www.bigeyecharters.com/ We caught 9 sails on the fly in two days with Ross at the helm and Frankie as first mate.

I have used cheaper charters and literally have been "taken for a ride".

A sail could be caught on good stiff 11 wt, but a 12 -14 wt would be easier on you and the fish. I caught my sails on a TFO LD bluewater which can be had for around $300 (great tarpon and shark rod too).

X2 with Bigeye Charters. Frankie is a very good buddy of mine, and I will be down to see him a few times this winter. My wife and I usually go fly fishing for sails every year. Frankie runs his own boat now and Ross had been running The Big Eye II. Check out the video I put together back in 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8YSqYeYxtQ

[goldscud]

Looks like fun. Setting the hook with the boat looks effective.

[tjcartmell]

If you are going to be in the Osa area then check out Joe Lynburg in Puerto Jimenez for Kayak Fishing for roosters(Costaricakayakfishing.com) and the guys at Sierpe Del Pacifico in Sierpe. I would recommend both of these outfits.

[steveo955]

my biggest rod is a sage 11wt xi3 with a sage 4210 reel, its my tarpon rod but not sure if it will do for sails. should be plenty for roosters though. I will be in playa conchal, first time in costa rica, so I don't know the area at all. I plan on fishing a few days, a couple charter days and a couple from a kayak maybe. do you know if the charter guys provide fly gear?

[elnino54]

Your 11 wt will work, especially if the guys running the boat know what they are doing. If you want to chase sails on the fly, make sure the guys know in advance. The reaaly good guys would be able to provide gear, including flies.

[steveo955]

still looking for a charter out of the north, I spoke to the guys from the bigeye today and they are a long way away from where I will be staying. too bad cause they seem awesome.