Fishing for cichlids in Costa Rica ??

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Goliath Tigerfish
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Jan 19, 2007
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I'm going to be in Costa Rica next week and was thinking of bringing a light tackle bass rod and a small tackle box with me to fish for cichlids. I don't plan on bringing any home, just catch, photo, and release. I will be staying in Arenal for a few days, then Manuel Antonio for a few days. I know that there is a large population of trophy Dovii in Lake Arenal but those are mostly caught by boat and I just want to fish from shore. Does anyone here have information on any other areas to fish between Arenal and the coast ?? Licences ?? Species ?? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your replies.
 
Monster convicts lol! Seriously maybe dovii, amphs and astheros. There are some large catfish sp. too. This would be a good question for the Cichidae.com-the cichlidroom companion. A lot of people there have experience collecting cichlids all over CA.
I've been to Liberia and all over NW Costa Rica, but never to Lake Arial. I love Costa Rica! Beautiful country and great people. I wonder if there a lot of crocs in Lake Arial. I have seen some big ones in rivers.


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Go to Lake Arenal they have rainbow bass and check out the hot spring resorts they are amazing!!


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Yeah I plan to do the hot springs. And rainbow bass are the local term for Parachromis Dovii.
 
Monster convicts lol! Seriously maybe dovii, amphs and astheros. There are some large catfish sp. too. This would be a good question for the Cichidae.com-the cichlidroom companion. A lot of people there have experience collecting cichlids all over CA.
I've been to Liberia and all over NW Costa Rica, but never to Lake Arial. I love Costa Rica! Beautiful country and great people. I wonder if there a lot of crocs in Lake Arial. I have seen some big ones in rivers.


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Ill check out that site thanks. As far as crocs in the lake I don't think there are. They offer kayaking and SUP rentals there so I don't think they would if there was any danger of croc attacks. And I would be stoked to catch monster convicts or any kind of cichlid for that matter.
 
Looking forward to pics! I was there a few months ago, but for work. Didn't have a lot of time to travel around. Would have loved to gone fishing :)
 
I hope so Jose. Between surfing, running, seeing the sights and hanging with my fiance, I'd like to find at least a couple moments to cast a line or two. Any body of fresh water will be in my sights.
 
Been to Manuel Antonio a few times, nice snorkling just off the beach, some trails that cross small creeks in the park.
And a great spot with a rustic bar and restaurant just across from the Divisimar Hotel, just up the hill from Manuel (forgot the name) run by some guys from Seattle, that was a fabulous place to hang out, breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There was an Italian restaurant in San Jose called Balcon de Europa that was very good, hope its still there.
Some shallow rivers with rapids in the central valley where you might fish for T. tuba or Sieboldi depending on their drainage to east or west.
I rented a car and drove from San Jose to Manuel Antonio, crossed many rivers in between, you might want to try.
 
I went to Costa Rica a few years back and caught a lot of Dovii and maculicauda (black belt) in the Parismina River. We collected fresh water shrimp and used it as bait. A truly amazing country with very hospitable people.


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Bring me back a couple of small WC Dovii's and I'll reward you handsomely with a case of your favorite brew! :) Oh... you're all healthy now and don't drink anyway so we'll call it even.
 
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