A 900-lb Black Marlin on the books! Maverick Sportfishing’s May 2026 Fishing Report
The catch: a black marlin few anglers ever see
Some days the ocean just shows off. After working the offshore grounds out of Los Sueños, the crew raised a giant — an estimated 900-pound black marlin that lit up, ate, and went airborne behind the boat. Of the three billfish that cross these waters, black marlin are the one you can’t plan for; this fishery is built on sailfish and blue marlin, and a black of this class is the kind of fish that defines a season.
What followed was a hard, drawn-out fight that pushed the angler, the crew and the gear to the limit. When the leader finally came to the boat, the fish was carefully revived and released — swimming off strong to fight another day. A huge congratulations to our anglers and to Captain Simón González and the Geaux Fly crew for making it happen. Moments like these are exactly what sportfishing is about.
Why we release billfish
Every marlin and sailfish raised aboard the Maverick Sportfishing fleet is fished on a catch-and-release basis. Billfish grow slowly and a healthy release means the same fish — and the fishery itself — is still there for the next angler and the next season. A 900-lb black marlin swimming away strong is a better story, and a better outcome, than one on the dock.
May 2026 Costa Rica fishing report — year over year
One trophy fish makes the headline, but it sits on top of a fishery that ran hot all month. Here is how the May 2026 board off Los Sueños compared with the same month in 2025:
Maverick Sportfishing, Los Sueños Marina, Costa Rica. May 2026 vs May 2025 Fishing Report
Maverick Sportfishing catch report, Los Sueños — May 2025 vs. May 2026.
Catch totals, Maverick Sportfishing fleet — Los Sueños, Costa RicaSpeciesMay 2025May 2026Year over yearSailfish (Pez Vela)91153▲ +68%Mahi-Mahi / Dorado2940▲ +38%Yellowfin Tuna (Atún Aleta Amarilla)6736▼ −46%Blue Marlin22EvenBlack Marlin01New — 900 lb, released
Sailfish led the way and then some, up roughly 68% over last May — classic Los Sueños sailfishing at its best. Mahi-mahi (dorado) climbed too, a welcome sight for anglers who like to mix big-game days with something for the grill. Yellowfin tuna came in lighter than 2025, a reminder that the tuna bite moves with the bait and the porpoise schools. Blue marlin held steady — and then the black marlin tipped the scales on the whole month.
What this means if you’re planning a Costa Rica fishing trip
The numbers point to a fishery hitting its stride heading into summer. June through November is some of the most productive offshore fishing of the year off the central Pacific coast, with sailfish, blue and black marlin, dorado and tuna all in play. The marina is quieter and the green-season pace makes it an easy time to plan a serious offshore trip, a family getaway, or both.
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Costa Rica fishing FAQ
What fish are biting in Costa Rica in May?
In May 2026 off Los Sueños, sailfish led the catch by a wide margin (153 for the Maverick fleet), followed by mahi-mahi/dorado and yellowfin tuna, plus blue and black marlin. Sailfish numbers were up about 68% over May 2025.
Can you catch black marlin in Costa Rica?
Yes, though they’re the rarest of the billfish here. Costa Rica’s central Pacific is best known for sailfish and blue marlin, which makes a 900-lb black marlin like the one released aboard the Geaux Fly a genuine trophy.
Is marlin fishing in Costa Rica catch and release?
On the Maverick Sportfishing fleet, all billfish — sailfish, blue marlin and black marlin — are caught and released to protect the fishery. The 900-lb black marlin in this report was revived and released.
When is the best time to fish Los Sueños, Costa Rica?
Offshore fishing out of Los Sueños is strong much of the year, with a particularly productive billfish window from roughly December through April and another exc