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I enjoyed several sessions of surf fishing during our stay in Puerto Jimenez. Conditions ranged from big surf during high tides to calm dawns with low tides. The water was always approximately 84 - 85 degrees F. The more serious of my attempts were on the mornings of January 16, 2018 (low tide, pictured below) and January 20, 2018 (falling tide, clear and calm.) On these mornings, I hiked down the beach in pre-dawn darkness and fished hard from before 6 AM until 7:45 or so. By that time, the sun had climbed, the days were hot, and any action right along the beach had seemingly ceased. Upon arriving at Agua Dulce lodge on the morning of January 13, 2018, I made a beeline to the beach. The tide was rising and the surf was pounding (much more so than I had expected.) The water was clear (except for surf-riled sediment) and wonderfully warm. In just a short, splashing visit, I saw several fish that I tentatively identified as jacks and blue runners. I noted an osprey diving into the surf just a few feet from shore, and I strolled down the beach (for about 20 minutes) to the mouth of a small tidal creek. This was a recommended starting point for my surf fishing adventures. Later that afternoon, it was just too hot to walk that far, so I chose to cast closer to our lodging. I focused on a couple of obvious cuts in the sand bar. With the big surf and high tide, I had to rely on plugs, spoons and tins to reach beyond the bar and to maintain contact with my lure. I'd not much hope for any catching success, and I had no bites in an hour or so of effort. My next surf session was the morning of January 16, 2018. Awake at 5 AM, I walked down the beach to the creek mouth. Low tide revealed some sand structures here, and conditions seemed favorable in the low light. I tried several lures (Hogy Epoxy Jig, Gotcha plug, bucktail tipped with a Gulp! Sand Flea) but settled into throwing a Gulp! Jerk Shad on a 1/2-ounce lead-head jig. After all, anything would likely eat this. I had a couple of taps and follows, but finally connected at the very end of a long cast. My first Costa Rican surf fish was just a one-pound jack crevalle. Nothing glorious; but still a fun and satisfying encounter. By 7:30 AM or so, the sun was high enough and the air hot enough to send me back to the hotel pool for a cool-down and then some breakfast. On the afternoon of January 16, 2018, the skies were overcast and rain threatened. The tide was high and the surf was once again pounding, but I gave it a shot, anyway. Both spoons and Gulp! were given a fair chance, and I really did work the shoreline lip and trough hard, but once again, I revealed no fish. On my last morning on the Golfito (January 20, 2018), I was once again in position near the stream outlet before sunrise. Conditions were fishy! Currents, trough, lip, cuts; all were obvious. And, there were many signs of baitfish and small predators. I was suddenly inspired to switch from the jig to the Hogy Epoxy Jig; conditions seemed perfect for skipping this lure across the water's smooth surface. My first fish came pretty quickly; another small jack. I enjoyed fair amount of action for the next hour. Surface strikes, follows, splashes and brief touches were interspersed with the landing of three more jacks to a couple of pounds. ![]() As the sun rose and the brightness increased, this activity slowed. I switched to the jig and Gulp! Jerk Shad. Almost immediately, I caught another jack. I noticed some obviously larger fish cruising offshore, tails out, and then some surface action within reach. At the end of another long cast, I connected again. After a nice little fight on my light tackle (which had been dictated by my only travel rod), I pulled my first Costa Rican Roosterfish from the surf. He was just a little guy, but still a milestone of sorts for me. Plus, K had just walked down the beach to visit. She arrived just in time to watch the fight and to document the landing and release. This was a fitting and beautiful end to my Costa Rican fishing for 2018. What do I think about this? I had some doubts about having brought some tackle on the trip; it cost a few bucks to check the luggage each way (hooks and lines can be dangerous, after all), it was a little distracting, and I probably could have used a little more relaxation. But how could I live on the fish-filled beach for a week and not fish? I was forced to be smart and constrain my tackle selection by the logistics (and possession of a single travel rod), and I think I was forced to fish smart with this tackle once there. I believe I could seriously get into surf fishing given enough time and access; I appreciate the hunting aspect of choosing where to fish. I only caught small fish, but that was okay; they all pulled at least a little drag, and each was a pleasure to encounter. I enjoyed fishing with the Hogy Epoxy Jigs, and I do really believe, when in doubt, that a Gulp!/jig combo is not a bad choice. Ever. Pondering the questions of core essence and finding meaning in unexpected ways
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