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SEASONSBoth tarpon and snook can be taken any month of the year, and the Rio Colorado Lodge is the only fishing resort in the area that remains open year around. But like fishing anywhere, there are never any guarantees, and at certain times of the year chances of scoring big are greater than others. The dry season, from January through May, is considered the peak season in the quiet river and lagoons for tarpon as the aerial acrobats swarm in by the thousands to spawn. We have also had some outstanding sport as late as July and early August on the inside, but in the fall the sea is calm and the fish move to the ocean, providing prime action along the coast. In other words, the fishing is good year around. The snook are also present year around in the waters of the Rio Colorado Lodge, and are taken casting, trolling, surf fishing and even on flies. Small snook, called "calba" move into the rivers in November-December and provide furious action for two to three months, with 20 to 80 fish per rod not an unusual day's catch. They average about five pounds, so light tackle is in order. But beware! There are always a few up to 30 pounds mixed in with the smaller calba. The best surf fishing and trolling in the waters near the river mouths is in the late fall, and that's when the monsters from 25 pounds on up are usually caught. You're also likely to tie into a big jack crevalle, bonita dorado or mackerel while fishing in the sea. Light tackle gamesters including guapote, mojarra, machaca, and drum are taken in the rivers, creeks and estuaries 12 months of the year, so don't forget a light bait casting or spinning outfit. |
TARPONThese are the king of all game fish, and there is no thrill in fishing to compare with hooking a tarpon. Set the hook hard when they strike, then watch the water erupt as they head for the stratosphere, leaping and twisting clear of the water eight or twelve times! Average size of the tarpon taken at the Rio Colorado Lodge is around 80 pounds and fish to 207 pounds have been brought to gaff. You can expect to jump eight or ten fish a day, and when things are really hot, anglers often jump 25 or more tarpon in a day's fishing. Only artificial lures are used, and all of the fish are lip-gaffed so they can be released after the photos have been taken. Most of the action will be in the calm waters of the jungle rivers and lagoons, with monkeys and brilliantly hued birds to be seen in the vines and branches of the verdant, orchid draped trees that line the shore. When the fish are on the outside, your guide will often put you in the middle of a school of literally hundreds of leaping fish spreading over an acre or more of calm sea. |
SNOOKYou will troll along the banks of the quiet jungle river or drift silently into a likely lagoon, plugging toward the brush. When the snook hits, you'll know you have a real fish on the line as these sluggers know all the tricks, one moment bulldozing toward cover, then often reversing their field to break water as they try to shake barbs. Except during the calba runs, the average snook of close to 20 pounds. Thirty-pounders are not uncommon, and fish in the 50 pound bracket have been taken locally. Hooking a snook in the surf as you stand waist deep in the warm waters of the Caribbean is an experience you won't soon forget, especially since the fish in the surf tend to run much larger. They will circle and jump frantically, using the surge of the tide and waves to their advantage and testing the angler's skill to the limit. |
SMALL GAME FISHIf you should tire of wrestling lunker tarpon and snook all day you may elect to spend an hour or two in the late afternoon finessing guapote, mojarra or machaca along the shoreline near the lodge. The guapote fights for all the world like a black bass, and may run to 12 pounds, although the average size is probably closer to three pounds. The mojarra looks much like a huge bluegill, except the colors are more brilliant and they frequently run one to two pounds or more, and will hit voraciously on small trout spinners or flies. Machaca have been called "miniature tarpon" because of their propensity for aerial acrobatics. They will average four pounds, and nine-pounders have been weighed in at the Lodge. Try working a surface lure or popper close to the bank, then watch the water explode! Drum feed in the estuaries and lagoons near the river mouths and will take small spinners, bucktails or plastic-tailed lures bumped along the bottom. In the evening, you can catch big catfish right from the boat dock. All but the machaca provide excellent table fare. |
TACKLEFor both tarpon and snook, we recommend a six to seven foot rod, stiff enough to set a hook in the tarpon's bony mouth, and a quality conventional or spinning reel spooled with 150 to 200 yards of 12 to 25 pound test line. A lighter bass outfit or spinning rod spooled with 6 to 12 pound line is suggested for small snook and light tackle gamesters, and a little longer rod is more suitable for fishing in the surf. The Lodge maintains quality loaner equipment if a visitor should be caught short. Favored lures for tarpon fishing inside the river are Rapala Magnum 11 Series 14 in orange, red/white or silver and green mackerel colors. Two ounce Coasthawk lures are used in the deeper holes and 65M-11 Mirrolures are used when the fish are in the lagoons. In the Caribbean tarpon will readily take a variety of lures with jigs being the most popular. Jigs should be one to two ounces with a strong short-shank hook. Popular jigs are Bomber 1 to 1 1/2 ounce in white, green or yellow and 12 Fathom Shad Tail Jigs. Coasthawk and 65M-11 Mirrolures also work well. CD9 or CD11 Diving Rapalas can be slow trolled in the ocean for tarpon jack crevalle, or an occasional king mackerel or barracuda. Snook prefer jigs in the surf and lures inside the river. Bucktail or shad tail 3/4 ounce jigs work best when casting. Bomber 600HD series in fluorescent orange or green and Magnum 11 series Rapalas are trolled inside the rivermouths for snook. During the calba run 1/2 to 3/4 ounce black/red bucktail jigs are the most productive. For casting in the lagoons, 7M model floating Mirrolures or similar lures are the best bet. Chartreuse or black/silver are productive colors. A selection of "small" bass plugs and spinners including surface poppers and medium runners are effective for guapote, mojarra, machaca, drum and other light tackle gamester. Rooster tails, Rebel Teeny Crawfish and small floater/diver Rapalas are the favored lures. Hooks for all types of fishing should be very sharp, so take a file to the barbs ahead of time. All these lures are available at our tackle shop but due to import duties they may be slightly higher than you can find them in your local tackle store or through one of the many mail order tackle companies. |
BOATS AND GUIDESDuring the 1992 season, the Lodge continued to upgrade plant and equipment. We now provide you with the comfort of 23 ft. fiberglass boats, powered by NEW 90 HP, 4 stroke motors. Each boat has a center console, and two very comfortable fighting chairs with rod holders and U.S.C.G. approved safety equipment. Our entire fleet has fish finders, compasses and radios for maintaining contact with the Lodge and the other boats. Unquestionably, we have the finest, safest fleet of the best equipped boats on the Caribbean coast. Your boat will be stocked with a cooler and cold beverages, and you will be charged for the beverages consumed at a reasonable price. Our English speaking guides were born and raised in the area of the Lodge and are expert fishermen. They know every hole and riffle in the area. As you spend time with your guide, you'll believe he "thinks like a fish." |
THE LODGEThe Rio Colorado Lodge is built on the banks of the Colorado River, right at its mouth where it empties into the sea and where fishing is frequently the best. The whole complex is built on stilts, elevating it from the ground and is under cover, shielding it from the rain. Rooms are double roofed, providing a cooling, insulating effect for your comfort. Even the walkways and dock are roofed for your convenience. 18 comfortable rooms NOW AIR-CONDITIONED (the only East Coast lodge with air-conditioned rooms). All have private baths, hot showers, electric fans and daily maid service (we can also take care of your laundry). Meals are served family style, all you care to eat, and the cuisine at the Rio Colorado Lodge has earned high praise from ardent fishermen from around the world. There is a comfortable recreation room with game tables, and you'll find a new video room with satellite TV, telefax equipment, a very well stocked tackle shop and ample outdoor lounging areas, and a very interesting zoo. We have a fully stocked bar with drinks at reasonable prices. Our daily Happy Hour is from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m., when all rum drinks and soft drinks are "on the house." |
CLIMATEAlthough located in one of the world's most beautiful and primitive tropical rain forests, the weather is seldom oppressive and mosquitoes and other insects are never a problem. Temperature averages about 80 degrees year around, seldom going above the mid 80's. Showers may occur any time of the year, with the heavy rains from late May through December. Don't forget to bring plenty of film for your camera, a sun hat, tennis shoes, warm weather clothing, a poncho or other rain gear for the frequent showers, sun screen and a long sleeved shirt and light trousers if you're sensitive to the sun. |
PACKAGES AND PRICESCALL NOW FOR RESERVATIONS 1-800-243-9777Your booking at Rio Colorado Lodge will be arranged based on your individual needs, using our basic 3 day fishing package, and can be adjusted to fit YOUR needs. Single angler rates, as well as non-fishing rates are also available. For additional information, rates, questions, and to book your trip, please call toll free from the United States or Canada 1 800 243-9777 or e mail tarpon4u@mindspring.com or tarpon@racsa.co.cr. We strive to give you the most personal attention while charging you only for what your schedule allows.
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