CASA MAR LODGE
FISHING TARPON AND SNOOK
BOOK NOW 1-800-493-8426
 

 

Casa Mar Lodge has become synonymous with great tarpon and snook fishing. Very likely you've read about this famous fishing lodge in outdoor magazines such as Field & Stream, Sports Afield, Florida Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman and others have carried articles on the fantastic angling near the popular lodge.

Casa Mar Lodge is on the northeast Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in a remote rainforest setting which has the largest river and lagoon system of fishable waters on the east coast of Costa Rica. Casa Mar is nestled in seven acres of tropical garden -- a scenic, serene, setting. A main lodge and six duplex cabins are on lush grounds thriving with varieties of fruit, native flowers and wild birds.

The Casa Mar lodge faces Laguna Agua Dulce, a freshwater lagoon where tarpon often can be seen rolling right in front of the dock. The lodge at Casa Mar is homey and spacious. A well-equipped tackle shop is at one end of the lodge; dinner tables are at the other, and large screened windows offer a view of the jungle lagoon. Each cabin has twin beds with private bathroom and shower. When the sea is calm, it is possible to venture outside the river mouth where tarpon bunch up.

Tarpon average 75 pounds at Casa Mar Lodge, and some exceeding 150 pounds are caught each season. Snook also star at the lodge of Casa Mar. In January swarms invade the Río Colorado and surrounding waters. Tarpon are here by the thousands from January through May. In September and October only scattered tarpon are found in the rivers and lagoons. Instead, they congregate in vast numbers just outside the river mouth in the Caribbean. Most fishing is done in sheltered rivers and lagoons.

The snook in Costa Rica average about five pounds, with many in the 12-pound class. A few 20-pounders are taken. Large snook become more numerous in April and increase in numbers through May. September and October are the best months for taking really big snook, but now the action moves to the beach. Tarpon begin their move inside the rivers in January and build up to a peak during the spring months. It's not unusual for an angler to jump 30 tarpon in half a day when the fish gather in the deeper areas.

The same fantastic action is often found with snook during their spawning run. In January, a 50 snook catch is possible in half a day's fishing, but Casa Mar Lodge urges its guests to release most fish.

In addition to tarpon and snook, anglers can enjoy sport with smaller gamesters such as machaca, guapote, roncador, and mojarra. You'll be fishing in wide-beamed boats powered with new 40hp motors. These new fiberglass boats are designed with a casting deck on the bow. Guides are English-speaking and knowledgeable in fishing methods, including fly.

Though it's possible to simply cast a lure into the depths, jig it a couple of times and jump a tarpon and snook almost every cast, this is not always the case. Great fishing does not occur every day at Casa Mar lodge or anywhere else we know about. There have been guests at Casa Mar lodge who did not catch tarpon, but most came in contact with them.

 

Casa Mar Lodge Package Rates

Casa Mar Lodge Package includes:
  • All accommodations are double occupancy
  • One night hotel accommodation in San Jose (Herradura or Presidente Hotel)
  • All meals, soft drinks/beer and wine, open bar at the lodge
  • Guided fishing, boats and fuel, shared (two anglers) boat and guide, unless Private Package is specified
  • Fishing License / Park Fee
  • Airport Reception
  • Round Trip ground transportation (airport-hotel-airport) in San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Round trip air transfer (San José - Casamar - San José)
  • Highest quality Rods and Reels (fly conventional) available for use
  • Daily Laundry service at the lodge
Not Included
  • Round-trip airfare from your home city to San Jose, Costa Rica
  • Tackle (flies/lures/leaders/hooks/etc) used or lost
  • Personal items purchased at the lodge
  • Gratuities for guides, lodge staff, and luggage handlers
  • Excessive equipment breakage (Repairs will be charged at industry rates)

RATES PER PERSON Double Occupancy Private: Boat & Room
8 Night / 7 Days Fishing $3550 $4525
7 Night / 6 Days Fishing $3225 $4050
6 Night / 5 Days Fishing $2860 $3550
5 Night / 4 Days Fishing $2495 $3100
DAILY RATE* $585 $695

Angler: Double occupancy at Casa Mar Lodge, sharing a room and guide Private: Private room at Casa Mar Lodge and private guide Double Occupancy.

Please note: The airstrip at Barra Colorado is closed for renovation. Your flight will arrive into Tortuguero which is a 45 minute boat ride to the lodge.

*Daily rates do NOT include domestic flight $190 and fishing license $45

For Reservations or Information call :

1-800-493-8426

OR

CHECK FOR CASA MAR LODGE AVAILABILITY

CASA MAR TIPS AND TACKLE SUGGESTIONS

TARPON: Rods of 6 1/2 to 7 feet designed to handle 12 to 20 pound line are most popular. Twenty pound line is practical, though 12 and 15 are used frequently. Because some tarpon fishing is done with lures weighing around two ounces, sufficient rod backbone in tip and butt section is desired. Because tarpon average 80 lbs, the butt strength is important to raise them by jumping. Reels should be sturdy, with smooth drag systems, and have a capacity of at least 200 yards of the test line you choose.

SNOOK: In the surf, a 10 and 12 pound line is usually sufficient. Rods should be light enough for continuous casting without causing fatigue. Spinning rods of medium weight designed to handle 10 to 20 pound test line are ideal. Six to seven foot lengths are popular.

Plug casting rods in 5 to 6 foot lengths are popular for inside waters, while in the surf 6 and 7 are better suited. Surf fishing along this coast does not require the type of long sticks used along the mid Atlantic shores of the U.S. Most one-handed spinning or bait casting tackle will be sufficient. Reels for snook should have a capacity of 150 to 200 yards and a good drag system.

FLY FISHING: For Tarpon, rods that will handle 12 or 13 line are best. Snook can be fished with success on tackle which handle lines in size 8 or 9. Tarpon reels, of course, should have a very smooth drag and have capacity of at least 200 yds with 20-30 backing. On occasion it's not necessary to go deep, so we urge fly fisherman to bring a variety of shooting heads up to 850 grains. Don't forget to bring your lighter bass or trout gear for the smaller species such as machaca and guapote. They provide lots of sport on tackle matching their size.

CLOTHING: This is a Costa Rica rainforest jungle and it does rain. So bring rain gear. Most often, however, the rain will come as showers of short duration. Average rainfall is 188 inches, but most of this comes in November and December. Rubber soled tennis or boat shoes are needed. Wide brimmed hats are popular among the sun-sensitive. Don't forget sun screen. Shorts are best for fishing the surf. Lightweight trousers and shirts in light, heat reflective colors are recommended. Laundry service is available at camp, but bring enough fishing togs to have a dry change in reserve.

TACKLE REQUIREMENTS: Choice of tackle depends upon both a fisherman's skill and his desires. Recommendations here are simply general guidelines.

TICO TRAVEL™
161 East Commercial Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida 33334
Office Hours: * Monday thru Friday 9am to 6pm * Saturday 10am to 2pm E.S.T
1-800-493-8426

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