A Winter Bite
After several years running a research boat and various sport-fishing operations up and down the East Coast, Capt. Darren McClave and his wife Katie moved to Puerto Jimenez full time in 2001 to manage Parrot Bay. They have since built up a large clientele of avid anglers by putting them on fish and providing world-class amenities.
The sailfish action heats up in December and lasts until April. "Mid-January to April is high time for sailfish and marlin," McClave says. "We generally troll teasers and pitch baits, but we try to accommodate the guests and fish however they want. On a banner day, we'll raise at least 25 sails."
In December, crews also encounter a strong yellow-fin bite. "Whenever we find a school of spotted porpoises, we change gears," McClave says. "We'll make one pass by the school with ballyhoo or jet heads. If that doesn't get a bite, we drop down a live bait." These tuna regularly beat the 200-pound mark.
You might want to take at least a half-day to cast live baits into the surf for roosterfish as well. The waters of Golfo Dulce and Cabo Matapalo produce some of Costa Rica's hottest roosterfish action.
Clean and Classy
Parrot Bay's accommodations suit anglers perfectly. Situated on the shore of Golfo Dulce, the grounds back up to one of the most biologically diverse rainforests on the planet. Scarlet macaws hang out all over the property, and you can typically find iguanas, monkeys and even salt-water crocodiles close by.
After arriving back at the lodge, sweaty and sun-baked from a long day of fishing, anglers can grab some shade and a cold drink at the open-air bar. You don't need to wash up and change for dinner, but if you want to, you can head to your air-conditioned cabin for a well-deserved shower.
Guests can choose from one of seven private cabinas or two houses for larger groups. The cabins are spaced about the lodge with pathways through botanical gardens that make the resort feel more like a home than a hotel. You are far enough from town to feel close to nature, but close enough to walk into town should you want to check out the local watering hole. In many ways, Parrot Bay is a perfect compromise between nature and civilization. You'll know you're in a foreign country, but you won't feel too detached from home.
