Down East Guide Service
Down East Guide Service
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North Carolina Fishing Guide Service. In Oriental/New Bern we run mixed bag trips for speckled trout, puppy drum, and flounder that can happen at anytime with peak fishing in spring and fall. The Tarpon arrive in late June and depart by mid-September. The peak for the Giant Red Drum is August/September. In Morehead City / Atlantic Beach there is a year round mixed bag of speckled trout, flounder and mackerel as well as near shore wreck fishing for grouper, amberjacks and more. In May and June there is excellent sight-casting for cobia and offshore dolphin fishing. October and November are the best fly fishing months for false albacore and king mackerel. We are also the managing partners of Dragin Fly Fishing Charters (see our TripAdvisor page) in Costa Rica based out of Los Suenos Marina and Resort. We specialize in fishing packages, family vacations, corporate trips and honeymoons. All trips are customized and can include fishing, accommodations, transportation and tours. Go with someone who know! George and Anna have been working in Costa Rica for over 20 years. Let us help you plan your next adventure!
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
56 reviews
Excellent
55
Very good
1
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William B
34 contributions
Jan 2024 • Friends
Just completed another wonderful Costa Rica vacation experience put together by George and Anna at Down East Guide Service. This is probably the 10th time Down East Guides has arranged Costa Rican trips for me, and we will be back for number 11! Our trip included a week at the fabulous Los Suenos Resort, a day each of inshore and offshore fishing, and a day in Manual Antonio National Park. We caught Rooster fish, Sail Fish, Wahoo, and Red Snapper. Probably for me where you really get the benefit of Down East’s experience, is in their arranging of the transportation. The drivers are on time and where you need them from the initial pick up at the airport, until you are picked up for the ride to your return flight home. Thanks guys, see you next year!
Written February 3, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob W
Miami, FL2 contributions
Jan 2022
From airport pickup to return we were magnificently taken care of. The condo was great for the 5 of us. Two trips on the Dragon Fly gave us happy memories, 3 tunas, 6 Marlin including a rare Black Marlin about 300 lbs and a couple of Sailfish too. Another trip on the Wing Man gave us tasty snapper and a tuna that was served onboard and the bucket list Rooster Fish. The ATV tour was spectacular as well. A lifetime of memories!
Written February 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RGH-NC
1 contribution
Jan 2020
Had a great group of friends down to get the full Costa Rica experience, and we could not have had a better trip. My crew and I were able to experience a trip down the coast to see the beautiful beaches, eat awesome food, and have an adult beverage while watching the local surf competition. Got up the next morning and went inshore/nearshore fishing. We caught rooster fish, jacks, and more snapper and grouper than we could handle. The next day we had awesome sailfishing with everyone in our group landing multiple sails. We also caught several nice tuna and a dorado to finish out the day. Tuna sushi and mahi fish fingers were delicious and prepared at the restaurant recommended by George and Anna. The whole experience was a trip of a lifetime for my friends and I, and it was accomplished with one email to Down East Guide Service. Best trip yet, and looking forward to doing all again as soon as possible. Thank you for always taking care of us DEGS!!!
Written February 3, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William B
34 contributions
Dec 2021
This is probably my 6th or 7th trip with George and Anna. As I type I’m trying to figure out how soon I can do the next trip! Costa Rica is Costa Rica, the worlds greatest vacation spot. What makes these trips special is the care, hard work, and dedication that Down East Guide Service takes in planning, and then working to make the trip perfect. And they seem to always get it right. This year the biggest stress issues were the Covid testing requirements. Anna went so far as to have the Dr come to our condo the night before our flight home and test us, then email us our results for our flight home. Thanks guys! The fishing doesn’t always cooperate, but you guys do!
Written December 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KDean321
Bath, North Carolina5 contributions
Oct 2021 • Couples
I reached out to Anna and George to help me plan a big bucket list trip for my dad. It was our dream trip and turned out better than I hoped it would be for the 4 of us. My husband and I have travelled several times to Costa Rica with George and Anna, but this time there was uncertainty with COVID-19 and the constantly changing requirements. As always our trip was seamless. George and Anna ensure every detail is handled, from transportation, to activities, to the Covid testing prior to our departure. All we have to do is show up and enjoy a perfectly put together trip. Our trip started at Los Suenos with a few days of offshore fishing on the Dragon Fly and checking multiple species and experiences off of our bucket list. If you have never fished with this crew…Do it! They are amazing! The knowledge and customer service of this crew exceed any other boats we have fished with. We followed that up with a couple of relaxing days by the pool/beach and day day of Rooster fishing. Next was a hop over to the East coast for a few days of tarpon fishing before heading home. The real treat for me is knowing I can truly enjoy my vacation because Ana and George handle every detail.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard
9 contributions
Nov 2019
First, I want to apologize to George and Anna for posting this so late. Hip Surgery sucks.
We were scheduled to go down to Costa Rica in April of 2019 but had to reschedule on account of a terrible family illness.(Get Trip Insurance No Matter What) With that being the situation, George and Anna totally understood and gave us time to handle things on our end. When I called them back to reschedule, they went far and beyond our expectations and got us right back to our original plan and then some. We ended up going in Mid November (2019) starting at Arenal then making our way to Los Suenos. I can't say enough about their drivers and hospitality. The people they have on their team are top notch. Ovidio is an encyclopedia and just a great human being, They love their country and want to share it with you.
I could go on and on about our experience, but I will say that this was our fourth time to Costa Rica and each time was through Down East Guide Service. The people they are associated with down there are genuinely one of a kind. And dare I leave out the crew of the DraginFly! We have fished aboard with them every time and I have had the awesome experience of doing a Seamount trip
that was off the chain. Captain James, Berto and crew do everything they can to get you on the bite. Fishing is fishing but there is no lack of effort and we won't even discuss lunch!!
We are planning to head that way again soon and without a doubt it will be with the help of Down East. Can't say enough. You won't be disappointed with them or Costa Rica!
Pura Vida!
We were scheduled to go down to Costa Rica in April of 2019 but had to reschedule on account of a terrible family illness.(Get Trip Insurance No Matter What) With that being the situation, George and Anna totally understood and gave us time to handle things on our end. When I called them back to reschedule, they went far and beyond our expectations and got us right back to our original plan and then some. We ended up going in Mid November (2019) starting at Arenal then making our way to Los Suenos. I can't say enough about their drivers and hospitality. The people they have on their team are top notch. Ovidio is an encyclopedia and just a great human being, They love their country and want to share it with you.
I could go on and on about our experience, but I will say that this was our fourth time to Costa Rica and each time was through Down East Guide Service. The people they are associated with down there are genuinely one of a kind. And dare I leave out the crew of the DraginFly! We have fished aboard with them every time and I have had the awesome experience of doing a Seamount trip
that was off the chain. Captain James, Berto and crew do everything they can to get you on the bite. Fishing is fishing but there is no lack of effort and we won't even discuss lunch!!
We are planning to head that way again soon and without a doubt it will be with the help of Down East. Can't say enough. You won't be disappointed with them or Costa Rica!
Pura Vida!
Written January 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
William D
2 contributions
Mar 2021 • Couples
This trip was put together rather quickly. My girlfriend and I wanted to get away and invited 2 other couples to join us. We played golf, fished, and ate the best food in one of the most beautiful places any of us have ever been. The wildlife and landscape Is something out of a jungle story book. Most importantly we arrived safely had all our documentation correct and were ahead of the game compared to other tourists. The guidance Anna and George provided was invaluable and I would never go to Costa Rica or Argentina without the guidance of this team. Thank you Down East Guide Service.
Written March 10, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
fishinfoss
Apex, NC1 contribution
Aug 2016 • Friends
Capt. George did everything possible to put a Unicorn (Tarpon) into the boat but the 88 degree water temperature was not to kind. We ended up fishing for Red Drum and boy was it great. Cant recall how many we caught but it was not stop start to finish. Thanks again for the great fishing and for being a First Class Capt.
We'll see you soon in Costa Rica.
We'll see you soon in Costa Rica.
Written August 26, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JayThompson1
Florence, SC1 contribution
Feb 2015 • Couples
Have been to Costa Rica 5 times now since 2005 and all trips were handled by George & Anna with Down East Guide Service. Always a great experience in a wonderful place. Fishing was incredible as always on the DRAGIN FLY. Captain James and the crew are the best in the business and the boat is a fishing machine! Seeing the sights and checking out new are a breeze with all of the connections that George & Anna have.......... already planning my next trip and I can't wait.
Jay Thompson (South Carolina)
Jay Thompson (South Carolina)
Written March 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bt_simons
Greenville, North Carolina14 contributions
Jan 2013 • Couples
Highly Recommend!! My husband has talked about fishing in Cost Rica since the day I met him and has frequently reminded me that we “should have went there for our honeymoon” …so thanks to Anna and George we were able to make our ‘fishing trip’ dreams come true and so much more! A friend of a friend recommended Down East Guide Service and we are sooooo thankful that we used Anna and George to plan our trip. Not only was it comforting to know that we were booking our offshore fishing trips in a foreign country with a reputable and local North Carolina company, but they also listened to all our desires and worked with us on every detail to plan the perfect trip! Everything was taken care (hotels, fishing, transportation, etc.!) of and top notch! The fishing on The Bite and ½ day of Panga was amazing, 20+ sailfish in 2 days, mahi, grouper, roaster fish, barracuda, etc. But Anna was also able to take care of my wifely wishes and made our ‘fishing’ trip extra special with accommodations at some breathtaking and excellent hotels (including time at Arenal volcano Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort and El Parador Hotel in Quepos… my absolute favorite, hearing and seeing the monkeys from our balcony overlooking the beautiful coastline while drinking an awesome cup of Costa Rican coffee is what life is all about!). I cannot express enough how thrilled we were with our trip and thankful that we used Anna and George! My husband is the most appreciated…cause now I might actually want to do a Costa Rica ‘fishing trip’ every year!
Written April 23, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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