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Los Sueños & Jacó Fishing Report – May 2026 Green Season Bite
Report Updated: May 19, 2026 | Valid Through: May 31, 2026
Fishing in Jacó, Los Sueños and Herradura has been strong through the second half of May 2026, with the best offshore action coming from mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna and billfish, while inshore anglers are seeing steady roosterfish and snapper close to the beach lines and river mouths. Morning departures are producing the most consistent results as typical green-season showers build later in the day. If you are planning a trip in the next couple of weeks, this is an excellent window for both full-day offshore runs and mixed inshore charters out of Los Sueños Marina.
Quick Conditions Snapshot
| Category | Current Report | What It Means for Anglers |
|---|---|---|
| Offshore Bite | Strong for mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna with consistent shots at marlin and sailfish. | Plan on full-day offshore charters to cover water and work productive current lines and floating debris. |
| Inshore Bite | Moderate to strong, with roosterfish and snapper active around points, reefs and river mouths. | Half-day and three-quarter-day inshore trips are ideal for families or mixed-experience groups. |
| Top Species | Mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, Pacific sailfish, blue and striped marlin, roosterfish and cubera snapper. | You can build combo days that include meat fish for the table plus chances at billfish and trophy inshore species. |
| Sea Conditions | Generally calm to moderate morning seas with typical afternoon showers as green season settles in. | Most boats are running comfortably, but early departures remain the best choice for smoother rides. |
| Best Trip Type | Full-day offshore for tuna, mahi and marlin; shorter inshore trips when you prefer to stay closer. | Build your week around at least one bluewater day from Los Sueños with flexible inshore back-up options. |
| Best Boat Fit | Mid- to large-size sportfishers for groups of 5–8; smaller express boats for 2–4 anglers inshore. | Choose based on group size, comfort level and whether offshore range or inshore maneuverability matters most. |
Offshore Report
Celebrating Another Incredible Offshore World Championship
The Offshore World Championship Sportfishing Tournament wrapped up in the Los Sueños region at the end of April, once again proving why Herradura Bay is considered one of the world’s premier billfish destinations. The final release count reached into the hundreds of billfish over several days of competition, with teams raising sailfish, blue marlin and striped marlin throughout the event.
Pacific sailfish and blue marlin dominated the scorecards, backed up by solid numbers of tuna, dorado and other billfish species. One international team made a dramatic final-day surge with a series of sailfish and marlin releases, underscoring how quickly an active bite can stack up points when conditions line up. For everyday anglers, that same pattern translates into real chances at multiple billfish releases on a single full-day offshore charter during May.
Current Offshore Bite Around Los Sueños
As green season settles in, offshore boats running from Los Sueños Marina in Herradura are reporting consistent action along current edges, rip lines and floating structure. Captains are finding mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna under birds and debris, with marlin and sailfish showing around the same bait-rich areas when conditions are right.
- Mahi-mahi: Good numbers of dorado, many in the 20–40 lb range, with larger fish mixed in when you find bigger debris lines.
- Yellowfin tuna: Fish from school-size up through triple-digit tuna are in the mix along temperature breaks and spotted dolphin pods.
- Billfish: Blue and striped marlin plus Pacific sailfish are active enough that most full-day charters have realistic release opportunities.
- Best Techniques: Trolling rigged ballyhoo and lures along productive lines, then switching to live bait and poppers when tuna show on the surface.
For anglers visiting in late May, a full-day offshore charter gives you time to run to these offshore zones, search for productive water and work multiple current lines. This is the ideal time to book a tournament-grade boat from Los Sueños if you want to chase a mixed bag of billfish, tuna and mahi on the same day.
Inshore Report
Green Season Inshore Action Close to Jacó
Closer to shore, the inshore bite around Jacó and Herradura has been steady, with roosterfish, snapper and jacks working the rocky points and river mouths. Slightly stained water from afternoon showers helps predatory fish move in tight to the structure, and light cloud cover keeps the inshore zone comfortable for anglers throughout the morning.
- Roosterfish: Active along rocky points and current seams, especially on tide changes and when bait is stacked along the beaches.
- Snapper: Cubera and other snapper species are holding tight to reefs and drop-offs, rewarding anglers who work live baits near the bottom.
- Jacks and other inshore species: Jack crevalle and other hard-fighting species are providing plenty of rod-bending action for families and light-tackle anglers.
- Best Trip Length: Half-day or 3/4-day inshore charters give you ample time to work key spots without long runs offshore.
If you are traveling with family or mixed-experience anglers, an inshore charter is a smart choice for your first day on the water. It allows everyone to warm up, learn the tackle and get a feel for the local waters before committing to a full-on offshore run later in the week.
Top Species This Period
Find Your Giant Dorado and Tuna
May continues to be one of the best times of year to target dorado (mahi-mahi) and yellowfin tuna from Los Sueños.
- Species: Mahi-mahi (dorado)
- Bite Quality: Strong, with fish frequently congregating under floating debris, logs and current lines.
- Best Technique: Trolling lures and rigged ballyhoo to locate fish, then switching to chunk or live-bait presentations once a school is found.
- Best For: Anglers who want excellent table fare and fast-paced action on both spinning and conventional tackle.
- Notes: Many dorado in May range from 20–50 lb, with occasional larger fish that make for memorable photos at the dock.
- Species: Yellowfin tuna
- Bite Quality: Strong and improving through late May, with fish from school-size up to 100–300 lb in the region during green season.
- Best Technique: Live-baiting around pods of spinner dolphins, jigging deeper marks and casting poppers when tuna are busting on the surface.
- Best For: Anglers who enjoy long battles on heavy tackle and want high-quality fresh tuna for sashimi and steaks.
- Notes: Green-season tuna fishing from May through October is one of the big draws for experienced anglers planning multi-day trips from Los Sueños.
Other Popular May Catches
Beyond mahi and tuna, a variety of other sportfish are in play for May visitors.
- Species: Roosterfish
- Bite Quality: Moderate to strong along the inshore structure.
- Best Technique: Slow-trolling live baits along rocky points, beaches and river mouths.
- Best For: Anglers looking for an iconic Costa Rica inshore trophy with powerful runs and dramatic photos.
- Notes: Many roosterfish are released to protect the fishery, so plan on catch-and-release for this signature species.
- Species: Marlin and sailfish
- Bite Quality: Consistent enough that full-day offshore charters can reasonably target billfish along with meat fish.
- Best Technique: Trolling lures and rigged baits along offshore structure, then dropping live baits back to tailing fish.
- Best For: Anglers who want the chance at a bucket-list release while still putting tuna or mahi in the box.
- Notes: Black and blue marlin in the 100–400 lb range remain possible encounters during early green season.
For anglers heading to the deeper bottom spots, dropping baits in 250–350 feet of water can also produce grouper and snapper. These options are especially appealing on days when you want meat for the grill and a change of pace from trolling.
Best Charter Fit Right Now
Choosing the right charter boat for your group size and target species is one of the most important decisions you will make for a successful trip. For May 2026 conditions, these are strong fits out of Los Sueños Marina:
- Up to 4 Anglers: 28' Shamrock Express or 32' Maverick 2008 (ideal for nimble inshore and near-offshore days with shorter runs and plenty of rod time).
- 5–6 Anglers: 36' Custom Marcam or 38' Custom D&A Sportfisher (strong balance of speed, range and comfort for full-day offshore trips targeting tuna, mahi and billfish).
- 7–8 Anglers: 50' Maverick or 52' Hatteras (maximum comfort and deck space for serious bluewater days, tournament-style spreads and larger groups who want to fish together).
If you are unsure which boat fits your group best, the Adventure Tours Costa Rica reservations team can walk you through options based on your dates, desired trip length and priority species. They also track recent on-the-water reports, which helps match you with the captains who have been dialed in to current conditions.
Lay-Day Adventures When You’re Not on the Water
Even the most dedicated anglers need a lay day, and not everyone in your group may want to spend every day offshore. On weeks like this, when the bite is good but you also want to balance time on the water with time on land, Adventure Tours Costa Rica offers top-rated excursions just minutes from Los Sueños.
Off-Road Action: ATV & UTV Tours
Trade ocean swells for rainforest trails. Our ATV and UTV tours take you high into the mountains for mud, waterfalls and panoramic coastal views.
- Premium Honda TALON 1000X4: Experience the jungle in our top-tier side-by-sides. Available in 2-Hour, 3-Hour, 4-Hour or the ultimate Full-Day Private TALON Tour.
- Classic ATV Tours: Ride solo or double on our quad trails. Choose from a quick 3-Hour Ride, an advanced 4-Hour Tour or "The King's" Full-Day Private ATV Tour.
- UTV Buggies: Hit the trails with the whole family in our standard buggies, offering 2-Hour and Full-Day options.
Nature, Parks & Coastal Escapes
Explore Costa Rica’s famous biodiversity with our guided rainforest and nature tours, perfect for family members who prefer a more relaxed pace.
- Tortuga Island Private Tour: A pristine white-sand beach escape for snorkeling and relaxation.
- VIP Manuel Antonio Park (Private Tour): Spot monkeys and sloths with a private guide at Costa Rica’s most famous national park.
- Carara National Park Tour: A birdwatcher’s paradise just minutes from the marina, famous for wild Scarlet Macaws.
- Jungle Booze Cruise: Celebrate your catch with a lively rainforest adventure, complete with drinks and great views.
Marina and Weather Notes
All of these trips depart from Los Sueños Resort & Marina in Herradura Bay, just a few minutes north of downtown Jacó. The protected bay makes departures reliable even during green season and keeps the ride comfortable as you head toward offshore structure or inshore points.
Typical May weather in this part of Costa Rica brings warm daytime temperatures in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit with higher humidity and scattered afternoon showers. Morning conditions are usually calmest, which is why most offshore charters recommend early departures and a return to the marina before late-day thunderstorms have a chance to build. If you follow the local forecasts and pack light layers plus a rain jacket, you will be well prepared for a full day on the water.
If you are ready to plan a May 2026 fishing trip to Jacó, Los Sueños or Herradura, our local experts can help you choose the right charter, build a custom multi-day plan and add lay-day adventures that fit your group. Browse our Los Sueños sportfishing fleet, or contact Adventure Tours Costa Rica directly to lock in your dates while prime green-season fishing is still available.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best species to target in Los Sueños in May?
In May around Los Sueños and Jacó, anglers can expect strong action for mahi-mahi, yellowfin tuna, blue and striped marlin, and Pacific sailfish offshore, with roosterfish and snapper inshore. This mix makes May a great month for both first-timers and experienced anglers planning multi-day trips.
Is May a good time for offshore fishing from Los Sueños Marina?
Yes, May is an excellent time for offshore fishing from Los Sueños Marina, with consistent mahi-mahi and yellowfin tuna plus regular shots at marlin and sailfish. Most captains recommend full-day offshore charters to cover more water and find the most productive current lines during green season.
What is inshore fishing like near Jacó and Herradura in May?
Inshore fishing near Jacó and Herradura in May typically produces roosterfish, snapper and jacks along the rocky points and river mouths. Half-day or three-quarter-day inshore charters are ideal for families or anglers who prefer shorter runs and more time casting around structure.
Are morning or afternoon fishing charters better in Costa Rica’s green season?
Morning fishing charters are usually better during Costa Rica’s green season because rain and thunderstorms tend to build in the afternoons. Booking an early departure gives you calmer seas, cooler temperatures and a higher chance of completing a full day before showers arrive.
Which Los Sueños charter boat is best for my group size?
The best Los Sueños charter boat depends on how many anglers you have and whether you prefer inshore or offshore fishing. Smaller groups up to four anglers often choose 28–36 foot boats for nimble inshore and near-offshore trips, while groups of five to eight anglers usually book 38–52 foot sportfishers for maximum comfort on full-day offshore runs.
