# Grouper in Costa Rica: Cabrilla, Broomtail and the Giants

> The groupers caught on Costa Rica's Pacific reefs are mostly spotted cabrilla and broomtail grouper, and the huge Pacific goliath grouper is a rare sight. They're caught all year by bottom fishing and jigging around rocks, and smaller ones make excellent eating.

Source: https://sportfishing-costarica.com/grouper-in-costa-rica/
Last checked: 2026-11-14
Main species: Spotted cabrilla (Epinephelus analogus), broomtail grouper (Mycteroperca xenarcha), Pacific goliath grouper (Epinephelus quinquefasciatus)
Size: Cabrilla up to 114 cm and 22.3 kg; broomtail up to 150 cm and 91 kg; Pacific goliath up to 250 cm (FishBase)
Where: Pacific coast, rocky reefs, pinnacles and islands
Season: All year
Eating: Excellent; up to 5 fish per trip may be landed for your own use
Licence: INCOPESCA sport fishing licence

## Groupers of Costa Rica's Pacific

Groupers belong to the sea bass family (Serranidae). They're thick, heavy-bodied fish with big mouths that swallow prey whole, and they live close to rocks and caves, where they ambush fish, crabs and octopus. Many groupers start life as females and change into males as they grow, so the largest fish are usually males, and taking too many big fish from one reef can upset its breeding.

The old version of this page talked about black grouper and yellowfin grouper, but those are Atlantic and Caribbean species. On Costa Rica's Pacific coast, where almost all grouper fishing happens, these are the ones you're likely to meet:

- **Spotted cabrilla** (*Epinephelus analogus*), the most common grouper on Pacific charters. It's pale to reddish brown, covered in dark spots, with faint darker bands. FishBase lists a maximum of 114 cm and 22.3 kg.
- **Broomtail grouper** (*Mycteroperca xenarcha*), a bigger, longer grouper with a ragged-edged tail like a worn broom. FishBase lists up to 150 cm and a published weight of 91 kg.
- **Pacific goliath grouper** (*Epinephelus quinquefasciatus*), a true giant of the Eastern Pacific that FishBase lists at up to 250 cm.

For more on the grouper family as a whole, see [The Grouper](https://costaricajourneys.com/the-grouper/) on Costa Rica Journeys.

## Where to find them in Costa Rica

Groupers live on rocky reefs, pinnacles, ledges, wrecks and around islands, from shallow water to well over 100 m. FishingBooker's guide mentions groupers in the Gulf of Nicoya and the smaller bays of the Pacific, and boats from [Guanacaste](/guanacaste/), the [central Pacific](/central-pacific/) and the [southern Pacific](/southern-pacific/) all fish for them.

Some of the best grouper habitat in the country is off limits. Fishing is banned inside national parks and biological reserves, which includes Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, Santa Rosa National Park (with the Murciélago, or Bat, Islands), Marino Ballena National Park, Manuel Antonio National Park and Isla del Coco. Those reserves give big groupers a refuge, so leave them to the divers.

## Best months

Groupers don't migrate much and are caught all year. The main limits are sea conditions for getting to the reefs and current for keeping a bait or jig on the bottom. Calm, light-current days are best.

## How crews fish for them

- **Bottom fishing with live bait:** a live sardine, small jack or squid on a weighted rig dropped next to the rocks is the classic method.
- **Vertical jigging:** heavy metal jigs worked near the bottom, or slow-pitch jigs fluttered along ledges. Groupers often hit on the drop.
- **Casting near rocks:** in shallower water, spotted cabrilla will also take swimbaits and plugs cast toward rocky shorelines.

The key moment is the first few seconds. A hooked grouper heads straight for its hole, and if it gets into the rocks, it's usually lost. Crews use strong braided line, heavy leaders and tight drags, and they pull hard right away. The same reefs hold [snapper](/snappers-in-costa-rica/) and [amberjack](/amberjack-in-costa-rica/), so expect a mixed bag.

## The rules

Groupers aren't a catch-and-release species in Costa Rica, and we found no special sport-fishing size or bag limit for them. The general rules apply: the fisheries regulation (Decreto 36782, article 68) lets you land 5 fish per trip for your own use, selling sport catches is banned, and everyone fishing from a boat needs an INCOPESCA sport fishing licence (Ley 8436, article 75), which many operators can arrange.

Keep a medium cabrilla for dinner and let the biggest fish go, especially a goliath, which is slow-growing and far more valuable alive. Fish pulled up from deep water can suffer from the pressure change (barotrauma); release them fast, and ask your crew whether they use a descending weight to send them back down.

## Eating quality

Grouper is one of the best-tasting reef fish, with firm, white, sweet flesh that holds together well for grilling, frying or soups. Spotted cabrilla is excellent eating.

## Frequently asked questions

### What grouper species are caught in Costa Rica?

Mostly spotted cabrilla and broomtail grouper on the Pacific reefs, while the huge Pacific goliath grouper is rarely seen.

### Where is the best grouper fishing in Costa Rica?

Rocky reefs, pinnacles and islands along the Pacific coast, outside the national parks and biological reserves where fishing is banned.

### Can I keep a grouper?

Yes, within the general limit of 5 fish per trip for your own use. Releasing the biggest fish helps the reef.

### Can I fish at Isla del Caño?

No. Isla del Caño is a biological reserve, and fishing isn't allowed there. It's a dive and snorkel spot.