Algae moves in
Algae and marine growth cover the rope and attractors.
Fish Costa Rica · FAD basics
What Are FADs?
The quick answer, a simple diagram, and why these floating devices far offshore have made Costa Rica one of the best places in the world to catch a blue marlin.
The short answer
A FAD (Fish Aggregating Device) is a floating buoy anchored far offshore in deep water. Marine growth on its rope attracts small baitfish, and the bait attracts big predators like blue marlin, tuna and dorado. In Costa Rica, FADs sit near the offshore seamounts and are fished on multi-day marlin trips.
How a FAD is built
Four simple parts.
- BuoyA large float or set of drums at the surface.
- LineHundreds of feet of rope, cable or chain hanging below.
- AttractorsNetting, palm leaves or synthetic strips that marine growth and small fish cling to.
- AnchorA heavy anchor or concrete block holding it in place, thousands of feet down.
In open blue water with no natural structure, a FAD works like an artificial reef.
How FADs work
A food chain that
builds itself.
Small fish gather
Sardines, scad and mackerel gather for food and shelter around the only structure for miles.
The big fish follow
Tuna, dorado, wahoo and blue marlin come to feed. The longer a FAD stays, the richer it gets.
Two kinds of FAD
Anchored vs drifting.
Anchored FADs
Fixed to the seafloor so they stay in one place. These are the FADs Costa Rica’s sportfishing crews fish for marlin, near the offshore seamounts.
Drifting FADs
Free-floating rafts that move with the current, used mainly by commercial tuna fleets around the world. They aren’t what sportfishing trips target.
What lives around a FAD
Fish you can catch.
FADs vs seamounts
Man-made meets natural.
Seamounts are natural underwater mountains that push food up from the deep. FADs are man-made and anchored near them, concentrating the bait even more. Together they make Costa Rica’s offshore marlin grounds.
Go fish a FAD
Ready to see one for yourself?
FAD questions
Quick answers.
Want to fish a FAD? Ask us.
What does FAD stand for?
Fish Aggregating Device: a floating structure, usually anchored, that attracts baitfish and the predators that feed on them.
How does a FAD attract fish?
Marine growth on the FAD’s line feeds small fish, which gather around the only structure in open water. Bigger predators like tuna, dorado and marlin follow the bait.
Where are the FADs in Costa Rica?
Far offshore in deep water near the Pacific seamounts, reached on multi-day trips from Los Sueños, Quepos or Golfito.
What fish live around FADs?
Blue marlin are the main target, along with black marlin, yellowfin tuna, dorado, wahoo and sometimes sailfish.
Can you fish a FAD on a day trip?
Usually not. Costa Rica’s FADs are far offshore, so FAD fishing is done on overnight and multi-day trips.
Plan your trip
Now you know what a FAD is.
Come fish one.
Tell us your dates and how many days you can spend offshore. We’ll recommend the right FAD trip.
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