Striped Marlin
Sport fishing for Striped Marlin is every angler’s dream in Costa Rica
It is every angler’s dream to hook, battle, fight, catch and release a Striped Marlin. Known for their speed, agility, and electrifying aerial displays, Striped Marlin are one of the most sought-after gamefish for offshore anglers. These fish, with their distinctive blue stripes and streamlined bodies, are the stars of Costa Rica’s billfish waters alongside their larger cousins, the Blue and Black Marlin.
See Which Charters Target Striped Marlin in Costa Rica
There is nothing more exhilarating than seeing a Striped Marlin slash through bait on the surface, light up with neon stripes, and then leap high into the air once hooked. While they may not match the massive size of Blue or Black Marlin, their fighting spirit and dazzling speed make them a bucket-list catch for any angler visiting Costa Rica.
Striped Marlin Size and Behavior
Striped Marlin are typically smaller than Blue or Black Marlin, averaging 150–250 pounds, though some can reach over 300 pounds. What they lack in size, they make up for in action. They are lightning-fast predators, often traveling in packs, and can turn a calm offshore day into pure chaos when multiple rods go off at once.
Much like Sailfish, Striped Marlin are usually caught by slow trolling large baits such as bonito or skipjack tuna, or by fast trolling with brightly skirted marlin lures. Their aggressive nature means when the bite is on, anglers often get multiple chances in a single day.
Catch Striped Marlin 365 Days a Year in Costa Rica
Fishing for Striped Marlin in Costa Rica is what we do best.
While Striped Marlin can be found in Costa Rica’s Pacific waters all year long, there are clear peak seasons and regional hot spots.
- South Pacific (Golfito, Puerto Jiménez, Drake Bay): From mid-November through March, anglers offshore encounter a mix of Blue Marlin and smaller numbers of Striped and Black Marlin. The offshore waters outside Golfo Dulce and around Drake Bay’s Furuno Bank are prime feeding grounds.
- Central Pacific (Jacó/Los Sueños Marina and Quepos/Marina Pez Vela): The bite here peaks from January through April. During these months, Striped Marlin mix with Blue Marlin and Sailfish, offering anglers an excellent chance to tick off multiple billfish species in a single trip. While the odds are usually one Marlin for every 10–15 Sailfish, during peak weeks you might see more Marlin than Sailfish.
- North Pacific (Guanacaste – Tamarindo, Flamingo, Gulf of Papagayo): As the season moves north, June through September becomes prime time. July and August in particular bring excellent Striped Marlin activity, especially in the deep offshore waters.
Fish Costa Rica’s FADs for Striped Marlin
For anglers who dream of non-stop marlin action, Costa Rica’s world-famous FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) deliver unforgettable experiences. These floating buoys and platforms, set 40 to 120 miles offshore, are magnets for Striped, Blue, and Black Marlin.
Charters out of Los Sueños and Golfito offer overnight FAD trips ranging from two days, one night, to three days, two nights. Anglers often release multiple Marlin per trip, making this one of the most productive billfish fisheries on the planet.
Why Striped Marlin in Costa Rica?
- Year-round availability with seasonal peaks in different regions
- Fast, acrobatic fights that rival any billfish species
- Multiple fisheries – South, Central, and North Pacific – plus FAD expeditions
- Catch-and-release focus ensuring healthy populations for future anglers
Whether you’re an experienced angler chasing a new billfish species or a first-timer looking for the thrill of your life, Striped Marlin fishing in Costa Rica delivers an adventure you’ll never forget.