Marlin Mayhem Continues at Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica Fishing Report, May 21st, 2013
By Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Patience is the key to bagging a really nice fish and no-one does it better than regular guests Jim and Leighanne Nunes. They brought good friends Gary Deems and Ron Harney down with them and introduced them to their first Pacific sail.
The Nunes stayed a couple of days longer and worked the waters offshore without much success until their captain ran across a trash line that held small tuna and dorado. They ended up raising 7 marlin, boating and releasing two, the largest going 400 lbs. A very wise and accomplished fisherman once told me, “your chances of catching a really good fish are directly related to how much you deserve it.” Jim must really deserve it because he bags a marlin nearly every time he comes to the resort.
Thomas and Patrick Hayden were our first father/son visitors for the school break and they also took a nice 350 lb blue marlin. Bill and William La Fuze were the first to take advantage of our “Dad’s and Grad’s" special and started inshore with a real nice cubera snapper and followed yesterday with a pair of dorado, the largest tipping the scale at 50 lbs.
Another frequent client, Bill DeDeugd and son Daniel, brought another father son team, Jim and Nick Rice who spent their first day catching a mixed bag of bottom fish.
More marlin keep moving in offshore, following the migration of tuna and dorado. It is a hunting game, but there are fish out there to be had. Fishing inshore has been changing day to day, changing from fair to good. Some nice snapper and a few roosterfish are cooperating with anglers
Crocodile Bay would also like to wish Leighanne Nunes a very happy birthday and a great 2013. Hope to see you and Jim Soon! The Crocodile Bay Staff!
Todd Staley,
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica www.crocodilebay.com
Costa Rica Fishing Report - May, 2013
By Todd Staley, Fishing Director - Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
The last couple of weeks have been hot and cold but generally everyone caught what they came for, but maybe not in the numbers they wanted.
Boston Whaler Incentive Trip To Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica! Thanks for coming down guys! Hope to see you back again soon!
The unseasonal rain scattered the sailfish but also brought marlin for an early arrival. David Butcher brought down a group of tournament fishermen that travel all over the globe. This year they fished here.
Mike Thomas held the lead for most of the 4 day event but Terry Detrich bagged a marlin on the last day to take the top prize. This was a 20 lb test line tournament and Detrich’s first marlin on such light tackles. Congratulations Terry.
Congratulations also go to Brett and Tamara Vana who honeymooned here as well as Rick and Bonnie Alvarez who celebrated their 20th anniversary with us.
Boston Whaler has been visiting us with a large group annually for over a decade. I’d like to personally thank Dennis Tilton who makes the logistics for the event very easy for me. The have a fun tournament every year with half the prize money going to the angler and have to a community project. Every year the winning anglers end of also donating their have of the winnings. This year they raised over $3000 and it will go to buying books for the new library at the elementary school.
Will Rogers on of Whalers managers have captured some incredible video over the years and the attached video is an extraordinary example of it. It shows a marlin coming in to the teaser repeated before taking the bait. I like to call it “Before the Bite.”
Watch and Share this Vimeo Video of a Marlin swordfighting the teaser "Before the Bite" by Will Rogers
Diego Toiran, host of Pescando en Los Cayos filmed an inshore for the Hispanic audience in the United States. Not only did he capture roosterfish on film but visited town to catch the local culture with cameraman Jose Acosta.
See you soon in Costa Rica!
Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
www.crocodilebay.com
MLB Hall of Famer Wade Boggs smiles before embarking on day two of the Red Bone @ Large Costa Rica Classic at Crocodile Bay Resort!
There's a fine line between superstitious and obsessive compulsive and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs crossed it every night. The 12-time All Star attributed much of his success to a daily routine and refused to alter his habits. These everyday customs including eating chicken before each game (earning him the nickname "Chicken Man"), and always taking exactly 150 ground balls during infield practice. He also always took batting practice at 5:17 and ran sprints at 7:17 and drew the word "Chai" (Hebrew for "life") in the dirt before coming up to bat. Boggs' allegiance to his superstitions helped lead him to one of the finest pro baseball careers of all time and induction to the Hall of Fame.
Wade paid us a visit again last week fishing in the second leg of the Redbone tournament for cystic fibrosis. Wade also won the celebrity division of this year’s tournament.
Pictured above, Brian Dellett of Denver Co. Grand Champion Angler of the Redbone @ Large Crocodile Bay OSA Classic! Congratulations Brian!
I am also superstitious. One of my biggest superstitions is to never brag when fishing is really good. On my last report I broke my rule. Fishing had been so good the whole month of March I fell to temptation and told the whole world. Well, on April Fool’s Day my world caved in. The weather changed and the fish quit biting. Usually April is one of our driest months and the rains started. Fishing was lousy for over a week and finally the sunshine started to show more each day and the inshore recovered. Drew Kelly returned again this year and opted for the better inshore fishing. They caught 20 jacks on topwater plugs one day along with roosters and some really nice snapper.
"I GOT IT" Exclaims eight year old Tyler Gernstein as his rod breaks and he still manages to reel in this 55lb monster roosterfish!
Other highlights: Eight year old Tyler Gernstein is no stranger to roosterfish. Last year he caught a 59 lb monster with a little help. This time, a year older and with experience under his belt he hooked into a 45 lb fish. The mate on the boat immediately went to help him lift the rod. His reply to this action was a surprise and put a big smile one everyone's face. "Don't worry about the rod, I got it," he exclaimed. "Hang on to me!" If the rod was going in the water he would be attached to it. He landed the fish pictured all be himself.
Jeff Thurston (pictured above) spent one day on the water and caught a 120 lb sail and returned to the doc with a 55 lb dorado. Chuck Raderstorf’s 400 lb blue marlin was the fish everyone was talking about at the resort.
(pictured below) Guests Jeff and Kimberly enjoy a nice mix of sailfish and roosters
Many thanks to Jamie and Donna Piraino for sharing their photos that turned out to be some of the BEST sailfish shots we've ever been given by any guest! Here's something to motivate you for YOUR next fishing trip!
Don't take our word for it - Here is a testimonial from Brian Tooms on his fishing trip with his wife Trish this past week at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
Brian and his Wife Trish With a "Dream" DoubleHeader Sailfish hookup!
"We honeymooned in Crocodile Bay in 2007 after getting married in Las Vegas on the way down.
This year to celebrate my retirement from 37 years of being a Locomotive engineer with Canadian National Railways my wife said we could go pretty much anywhere in the world for a trip. She knew it would be a fishing trip and she was surprised and pleased that I picked Crocodile Bay.
My wife has a severe water phobia and she has been getting a lot better and this last trip you would never know. That is due in a large part to the professionalism of the guides, captains and mates that helped her and made her feel relaxed and comfortable on the water.
Trish surprised herself by going out in a kayak for the first time and having a fantastic time. The spa is a huge plus and she is always telling her friends about it, and the animal sanctuary where she returned to see her buddies Sweetie and Poppy.
The whole setting, wildlife, friendly staff, the other guests that you meet, all make it a fantastic experience for couples. On the water we saw the whale sharks, hundreds of dolphins surrounding the boat, pilot whales and scores of birds.
The fishing was amazing, some days were slower than others and Trish caught her first sailfish during a doubleheader that was incredible. She is so proud of being able to do it herself she bought a carved sailfish and a picture frame to put on her desk at work.
I am addicted to the take of a billfish on a fly rod, it's the ultimate dry fly fishing and anything else doesn't measure up so you have ruined me for any other fishing:)
I caught a 200lb blue marlin on the fly on our honeymoon that was my fish of a lifetime.
Here are a few videos from the Tooms' trip to Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica!
Brian and Trish are lucky enough to get this Whale Shark on their GoPro Hero 3 with some help from our Eco Director Dennis Atencio!
Ever wonder what's going on "Beneath the Boat" While you Fish..here's a sneak peek!
Don't miss out on 20% savings on Sport Fishing and Eco Adventure Packages at the World Famous Crocodile Bay Resort, May 1st through November 30th 2013! Beat the crowds and enjoy the seasonal fishing species and local wildlife! RESERVE ONLINE HERE
See you soon in Costa Rica!
Todd Staley,
Fishing Director,
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
This is no April Fools! - Offshore fishing heated up this past week for the Red Bone/Boomer Esiason tournament to "Catch the Cure" to Cystic Fibrosis. "The month of March has brought the best fishing for sailfish I have seen in 7 years." - Todd Staley.
Costa Rica Fishing Report March 2013 by Todd Staley:
Probably one of the most memorable days in Mitch Krenk’s life was winning a Super Bowl ring with the Chicago Bears in 1985. Another shining moment he probably won’t soon forget is taken the celebrity division in the recent Boomer Esiason – Redbone Tournament fundraiser held here at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica. After a slow start on day one, Krenk’s boat landed 12 sailfish the second day of the 2 day event, and Krenk who had never caught a sailfish before finished with 6 releases.
Chicago Bear Mitch Krenk hams it up with a “mullet” hair piece.
Total points champion for the event which consisted of points for billfish and roosterfish went to Kelly Fiaman who scored with 7 roosterfish. Another NFL great Dave Rimington, fishing with Fiaman, finished with 5 roosters. Teammate Rob Hodel added the clincher and the team took first place in the inshore division with 13 roosterfish.
The tournament which was formally known as the Costa Rica Classic is over a decade old and has raised millions for Cystic Fibrosis and the children afflicted with the disease here in Costa Rica. Former Denver Bronco lineman Mark Cooper and tournament comedian also was on hand to keep everyone’s sides hurting.
The month of March has brought the best fishing for sailfish I have seen in 7 years. Boats have been raising double digits consistently, with days of seeing 15 to 20 sails per boat more common than a rarity. Several boats raised 30 or more sails a day. Every time it slowed for a day and I thought the run was over, the next day the numbers were right back up there again.
Roosterfish have been a different story. We have had to work hard for the prized inshore gamefish and most anglers gave up early and ran offshore for the sure bet on sailfish. Yellowfin tuna also haven’t showed lately but with so many sails making drags sing, no cares.
Dave Rimington who spent his career knocking people on their keasters in the NFL gently handles a baby rooster before letting it go.
Inshore champion Kelly Fiaman with one of his many roosters
Closing Awards Ceremony - Dave Rimington Right
Spring Specials at Crocodile Bay Resort!
"Spouse on the House" Fishing Package - Get a FREE $1,595 Spa vacation for your wifewhen you book any fishing package of three (3) days or more!
Don't take our word for it - Here is a testimonial from Brian Tooms on his fishing trip with his wife Trish this past week at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
"We honeymooned in Crocodile Bay in 2007 after getting married in Los Vegas on the way down.
This year to celebrate my retirement from 37 years of being a Locomotive engineer with Canadian National Railways my wife said we could go pretty much anywhere in the world for a trip. She knew it would be a fishing trip and she was surprised and pleased that I picked Crocodile Bay.
My wife has a severe water phobia and she has been getting a lot better and this last trip you would never know. That is due in a large part to the professionalism of the guides, captains and mates that helped her and made her feel relaxed and comfortable on the water.
Trish surprised herself by going out in a kayak for the first time and having a fantastic time. The spa is a huge plus and she is always telling her friends about it, and the animal sanctuary where she returned to see her buddies Sweetie and Poppy.
The whole setting, wildlife, friendly staff, the other guests that you meet, all make it a fantastic experience for couples. On the water we saw the whale sharks, hundreds of dolphins surrounding the boat, pilot whales and scores of birds.
The fishing was amazing, some days were slower than others and Trish caught her first sailfish during a doubleheader that was incredible. She is so proud of being able to do it herself she bought a carved sailfish and a picture frame to put on her desk at work.
I am addicted to the take of a billfish on a fly rod, it's the ultimate dry fly fishing and anything else doesn't measure up so you have ruined me for any other fishing:)
I caught a 200lb blue marlin on the fly on our honeymoon that was my fish of a lifetime.
Here are a few videos from the Tooms' trip to Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica!
Brian and his Wife Trish With a "Dream" DoubleHeader Sailfish hookup!
Brian and Trish are lucky enough to get this Whale Shark on their GoPro Hero 3 with some help from our Eco Director Dennis Atencio!
Ever wonder what's going on "Beneath the Boat" While you Fish..here's a sneak peek!
Video of the Tooms Double Sailfish Hookup Coming Soon!
Costa Rica Fishing Report March 2012 by Todd Staley:
Sailfish make a strong showing for the 73rd International Light Tackle Association Sailfish Tournament hosted this year in Costa Rica at Crocodile Bay Resort and Marina in Puerto Jiménez!
Success highlights advantages to environmental law enforcement in Gulfo Dulce.
Did intervention have anything to do with the success of the 73rd International Light Tackle Association Sailfish Tournament hosted this year by Costa Rica at Crocodile Bay Resort and Marina in Puerto Jiménez? I think so.
The recent demise of nearly 300 sea turtles in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica has been officially declared a result of illegal fishing methods. The problem stemmed from the illegal catching of live bait in the protected Golfo Dulce, and then using the bait on long lines in areas where live bait is not allowed.
The result was a massive kill of not only sea turtles but sailfish as well, and complaints were filed with various agencies including the new Vice Minister of Oceans José Lino Chaves. Within a week, he was personally in the area and heading a patrol that captured 14 boats from the Golfito and Quepos areas. The boats were fishing bait inside the gulf, and Chaves filed suits against all of them.
Within days, many of the boats fishing illegally headed out of the area. INCOPESCA also declared a ban on all commercial longline activity within the boundaries of the tournament during fishing days. The result was some boats getting more than 30 bites a day.
Teams from Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and the United States competed in the four-day catch-and-release event. The results showed that if fishing regulations are followed and enforced, Costa Rica has a chance of reclaiming its former spot as “Sailfish Capital of the World.” The tournament was dedicated to Tia Nora Schofield, who broke down the gender barrier, earning women the right to compete in fishing tournaments nearly 50 years ago.
Fifteen boats competed in the event, and the leader board was constantly changing amongst anglers, boats and teams. The format of teammates fishing on separate boats each date but accumulating points for their respective teams eliminated the need for observers. The opportunity for participants to fish with so many different anglers allowed old friendships to be renewed.
More than 800 fish were raised, and 406 were caught and released during the four days of fishing. The final results are as follows.
TEAMS
TOT PTS
1ST
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #1
3700
2ND
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #3
3400
3RD
PORT ARANSAS ROD & REEL CLUB - USA
3400
4
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #1 - COSTA RICA
3200
5
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #2 - COSTA RICA
3100
6
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #3 - COSTA RICA
3100
7
CLUB NAUTICO de STE. DOM. - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
2600
8
OCEAN CITY LIGHT TACKLS CLUB - USA
2600
9
ARRECHO FISHING TEAM - PUERTO RICO
2500
10
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #2
2500
11
SAILFISH & TARPON CLUB OF MEXICO
2500
12
PUERTO RICO LIGHT TACKLE ANGLERS
2400
13
SADSAA - SOUTH AFRICA
1900
14
PLAYA GRANDE YACHTING CLUB - VENEZUELA
1700
15
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #4 - COSTA RICA
1600
PLACE
ANGLERS
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
TOTAL
1ST
JULIO
MANSYLLA
300
100
400
900
1700
2ND
MATTHEW
BARRAZOTTO
100
200
200
1100
1600
3RD
JAVIER
MONTEALEGRE
300
300
300
600
1500
4
LUIS PEDRO
FORTUNY
400
0
700
300
1400
5
RICARDO
SEEVERS
200
200
600
300
1300
6
RICKY
JAEN
300
200
200
600
1300
7
DR. CARLOS
FORTUNY
300
200
400
400
1300
8
JUAN MANUEL
COBAR
400
100
200
600
1300
9
LUIS LEOPOLDO
GONZALEZ
300
0
500
500
1300
10
ALVARO
DE LA HOZ
100
200
500
500
1300
11
ALBERTO
LAURENCICH
0
100
700
400
1200
12
JORGE N.
GUTIERREZ
300
200
600
100
1200
13
CHARLES
DONATO
100
0
700
300
1100
14
ALVARO
FORTUNY
300
100
400
300
1100
15
ORLANDO
SOTO
200
100
300
500
1100
16
JOHN
PRICE
100
100
500
400
1100
17
CARLOS
FORTUNY, JR.
200
100
500
200
1000
18
ANTON
LINGENFELDER
100
0
500
400
1000
19
FERNANDO
MERCK
200
0
500
300
1000
20
DOMINGO
DOMINGUEZ
100
200
300
300
900
21
JOSE
SCHIFTER
100
100
400
300
900
22
JAVIER
PADILLA
200
100
200
400
900
23
CARLOS
PADILLA
200
0
300
300
800
24
ROGER
GALINDO
300
100
300
100
800
25
RODRIGO
GUZMAN
300
300
200
0
800
26
EVELIO
MEDEROS
100
200
300
200
800
27
GABRIEL B.
RIVAS
100
200
200
300
800
28
HUMBERTO
DONATO
100
0
200
400
700
29
TIM
CHOATE
100
200
200
200
700
30
CARLOS
BARNES
100
200
100
300
700
31
FERNANDO
PINTO
0
100
100
500
700
31
MANOLO
MATIENZO
200
0
0
500
700
33
MICHAEL
KELLY
100
100
200
200
600
34
DIEGO
CABRERA
100
0
300
200
600
35
JOHN
CARBONE
0
0
400
200
600
36
MANUEL
COBAR
100
100
200
200
600
37
NILS
GUTIERREZ
100
100
0
400
600
38
WALLY
HEINSEN
0
300
200
0
500
39
PAUL
BORCHERDS
0
0
200
300
500
40
CARLOS ENRIQUE
MONTEROS
100
0
200
100
400
41
BRUNO
RODRIGUEZ
100
0
100
200
400
42
WYNAND
WIERING
0
0
0
400
400
43
NORA
SCHOFIELD
100
0
100
200
400
44
BRUNO
DI BENEDETTO
100
100
0
100
300
45
STEPHANIE
CHOATE
100
100
100
300
ALTERNATE
400
TOTALS
7000
4600
13500
15500
40200
PLACE
BOATS
DAY 1
DAY 2
DAY 3
DAY 4
TOTAL
1ST
GERMAN
600
500
1500
1800
4400
2ND
MCGUINNESS
700
600
1200
1500
4000
3RD
FRANCISCO
700
500
1400
1000
3600
4
CHEPE
600
500
1600
900
3600
5
BOOLO
800
300
800
1400
3300
6
SAMBA
600
300
800
1200
2900
7
XIPHIAS
300
300
900
1300
2800
8
OLDEMAR
300
300
800
1000
2400
9
MELVIN
200
500
800
800
2300
10
WILL
400
100
800
800
2100
11
FREDDY
500
200
600
800
2100
12
GEOVANNY
100
300
700
900
2000
13
EDWIN
400
100
600
700
1800
14
ALPHA MIKE
500
0
400
800
1700
15
MAURICIO
300
100
600
600
1600
TEAMS
1ST
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #1
2ND
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #3
3RD
PORT ARANSAS ROD & REEL CLUB - USA
4
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #1 - COSTA RICA
5
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #2 - COSTA RICA
6
CLUB AMATEUR de PESCA #3 - COSTA RICA
7
CLUB NAUTICO de STE. DOM. - DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
8
OCEAN CITY LIGHT TACKLS CLUB - USA
9
ARRECHO FISHING TEAM - PUERTO RICO
10
ASOC. NACIONAL de PESCA de GUATEMALA - #2
11
SAILFISH & TARPON CLUB OF MEXICO
12
PUERTO RICO LIGHT TACKLE ANGLERS
13
SADSAA - SOUTH AFRICA
Crocodile Bay Costa Rica Fishing Report -
March Fishing Report 2013 by Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Sometimes I think I should look for a type of work that is a little more predictable. Something that is a little easier on the blood pressure. Something a little more consistent that doesn't’t change in a heartbeat. Maybe herding cats or something of that sort would be a better option. That is how the fishing has been the last two weeks. There are lots of fish out there and last week they were more interested in making babies than in eating. This week is a different story all together. They went crazy. The numbers went from a half a dozen sails raised per boat to one boat raising 32, another 24, and all boats in double digits. The numbers have leveled off to a dozen or so a day.
A few dorado have been taken offshore as well but not in any great numbers. The tuna have not showed of late, but some schools of spinner dolphins have moved into the area, so a tuna bite could happen any day.
Former Miss Costa Rica Marilela Gonzalez was down with us at Crocodile Bay and caught a Dorado (Mahi Mahi) almost bigger than her!
My hat’s off to Allan Sosnow who had never fished for sailfish with a fly rod but had it on his “bucket list.” After a few mis-haps he managed to bring four to the boat on a fly. He has already decided to return next season to tackle a roosterfish on a fly, which is a much harder feat than a sailfish.
Not many anglers are opting to fish inshore with the sailfish action keeping them busy, but the few that have, have been rewarded with jacks, roosters, mackerel, and snapper. One of our friends, Oscar Villalobos took a 100 lb roosterfish at Matapalo rock.
Yearly guests Phil Bush and Mike Grace from Cummins motors hosted a group for a short stay this week raising double digits and landing 8 one day. Mike and Ann Pizzi have fished here over a decade and Mike has become quite proficient hooking his own fish. He went 13 for 13 and missed the 14th fish. A humbling experience and a good ribbing session for me, to a guest who has become more of a good friend over the years then a client.
The Wounded Warriors Received a complimentary fishing trip and adventure vacation of a lifetime courtesy of Crocodile Bay and O'Neill Williams! Thank you for your service gentleman! Glad you had a great time!
TV hosts O’Neill Williams and Mark Davis both made recent return trips. O’Neill brought SGT Major, Jesse Acosta, Eric Nobles, and Scott Grimes, all Wounded Warriors. Acosta who completed two more tours of duty after losing his eyesight and the other two gentlemen were an inspiration to a full house of guests.
Crocodile Bay is Extending the FREE PENN Series saltwater REEL giveaway to Everyone who answers the PENN Mystery and Bonus questions and books and fishes before June 30th 2013! You will also be entered into a drawing to WIN the actual PENN Rod and REEL Mark Davis used during his recent filming of BIG WATER Adventures!
Todd Staley
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort,
Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay contributed to science last week when we hosted marine biologists Mark Fichett and Bruce Pohlot from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science at the University of Miami who put satellite tags in sailfish to track their movements and habits. These gentlemen along with Dr. Nelson Ehrhardt have done tremendous things in Central America when it comes to billfish and data they have collected in the past has convinced governments to take action towards better protection of the species. In a few weeks we will update you on these fish.
The marlin have thinned a little as expected as the Costa Rica summer sets in but the sailfish are out there in big numbers. Anglers are seeing between 5 and 10 a day and on exceptional up to 18 or 20. Dorado in the 20 to 30 lb range has also been very active and the yellowfin tuna still make an appearance every few days. Most of the tuna have been running from 40 to 60 lbs but several over 100 lbs have filled the sushi bar and supplied thick tuna steaks for the guests.
Inshore roosterfish have been playing hide and seek but when they come out to play they are big, 30 to 60 lbs. African pompano, Bluefin trevally and plate size snapper have been the norm. The biggest snapper taken this week was around 30 lbs and was released.
Mark Davis Now On Location at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
BLUE VALENTINE'S DAY!
Mark Davis is down filming his latest episdode of Big Water Adventures and the sailfish showed up to welcome him. Check out the following pics of Sailfish hitting the bait below! We can't wait to see this episode when it airs! (we will announce dates for the upcoming season of BWA soon!)
Watch this video clip to see why Mark Davis considers Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica one of the World's Top Fishing Destinations!
..And We have a Winner!
Scott D. was our first grand slam winner and will collect $500 in prizes for doing so. During his stay he caught, billfish, dorado, tuna, roosterfish, and snapper to collect the species needed to qualify.
Scott also was a quick student to catching sailfish on a fly. He started with a couple miscues and then had a day when he landed six on a fly which is exceptional for anyone new to that game. Congratulations.
Todd Staley,
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Costa Rica Fishing Report - January 2013 by Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Pictured above, famous guitar jam rock player Derek Trucks & friends/family visit Crocodile Bay
Resort, Costa Rica
I love it when you finally get to meet your heroes and find out they really are heroes. Mama Trucks is my hero. I am blessed to have a super mom myself so I know one when I see one.
You see her sons are some of the very best guitarists in the world. Derek played live with the Allman Brothers when he was just 13. His uncle knocked out some of those great Allman Brothers drum solos that used to rock my house and drive my mom crazy (His great uncle Virgil “Fire” Trucks, was famous for pitching two no-hitters in a single season as a pitcher for the Detroit Tigers in the early 50's).
Derek has played with other greats like, Eric Clapton, Santana, ZZ Top and has twice appeared on Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time; currently 16th on the list. He was listed as an official member of the Allman Brothers band in 1999 and teamed up with Susan Tedeschi a dozen or so years ago to form the Grammy Award winning Tedeshi Trucks band and his kids are also being raised in the same Mama Trucks style.
Grammy Award winning Derick Trucks & fellow rocker\wife Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band
If you didn’t know they were famous you would never guess it, because they are just great southern folk. And if Charlie Trucks doesn't’t follow his dad’s footsteps as a great guitarist he will one day be working for me because at 11 years old he is one hell of a fisherman.
Along with the Trucks family was Jimmy Herring, another great guitarist who has played with Widespread Panic, the Dead, and the Allman Brothers (just to name a few) nd his family. Together they caught sails, lots of big tuna and some dorado. Jimmy's daughter caught her first sailfish with us, and hopefuly we will have the photo to post soon!
Jimmy Herring, pictured second from left with Widespread Panic
When I found out Mama Trucks is involved in turtle conservation back home in Jacksonville, Florida, I took her to see our little turtle hospital here on the Golfo Dulce in La Palma. The head of the organization Didiher Chacon explained the exciting new discoveries here and turtles from the Galapagos come here to feed.
On the way out and back I got some great insight on this remarkable woman and the famous family I have followed for years. I am a firm believer that behind every great man is a great mother.
Fishing has picked up over the last two weeks and the sails have been a lot more consistent. We have seen quite a few marlin still and Vern Larsen started his return trip here with a 300 pound blue.
Roosterfish and snapper are keeping lines tight inshore and snapper have supplied meals to many inshore anglers.
Patrick Connaughton was nice enough to send some photo of his recent fishing trip as he released several sailfish and brought in some Dorado for dinner. Thanks for the photos Patrick! Hope to see you next year!
Cap. Todd Staley,
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
Happy New Year or "Blue Year",
as in Blue Marlin & Pacific Sailfish Costa Rica Fishing Report January 1st, 2013!
New Year's Week Fishing Update: The big story this past week has been the impressive number of sailfish coming up in the spreads. Lots of our guests have enjoyed double and sometimes quadruple hookups. Some notable double hookups were father and son from Columbus Ohio - Erik and Alan Varhus (see photos below). Not only did the double hook-up make for one of their most memorable fishing trips to date, but it was also their FIRST sailfish release EVER!
Several other guests also caught there FIRST sailfish so needless to say, the mood this New Years week has been extremely festive. We are averaging 200+ raises a week and the trend looks to continue well into our approaching PEAK sailfish season January and February. We currently have some openings left for mid to late January so call 1.800.733.1115 to for internet special offers while the bite is hot!
Click Here to BOOK NOW!
Alan and Brian Varhus During their FIRST Father & Son Double Hookup
Alan Varhus of Columbus Ohio with his first Sailfish!!
Tower Shot of the Varhus Double Hookup
January Fishing Report By Todd Staley
The holiday week at Crocodile Bay is always a lot of fun. Many of the same names come back year after year and if I tried to remember them all, I would surely leave someone out and I don't want to do that. A couple stand out, like John Mork who is my bratwurst connection.
One I won’t soon forget is Leo Hoplamazian. Leo is the grandson of Herb Kohler and 99% of the US homes probably have something in their house made by his company. Leo is around 11 or 12 and first thing he did when we met was challenge me to spell his name. I won. I have rarely met a young man with such enthusiasm. As promised he made our wall of fame when he landed his first sail.
Leo Hoplamazian Lands His First Sailfish (120lbs) at Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica!
The full moon played some games with the fish and made them a little finicky some days but on other days double digit sails popped up in the spread. Top boat of the week raised 16 in a day but the catch rate was not so high because Donald Bradley was fly fishing. Last year he landed a 300 marlin on a fly.
Snapper action inshore has been on fire and Dennis and River Laack proved that they had the touch to feel the soft bite when they landed over a dozen one day. Roosters have been very cooperative and a monster 70 lb fish won the week’s award.
And believe us, catching snapper pays off when dinner time rolls around!
Brian Tracy shows off one of the many nice sized roosterfish guests have been nabbing this past holiday week!
The big surprise inshore was a double hook up of two 100 lb tarpon off the beach at Carate by Jason and Brooke Jeter. We hook about 7 or 8 a year of the small population that has worked its way through the Panama Canal.
The moon has passed and the weather is moving into Costa Rican summer and conditions are idea for a good run of sails to be present. The dorado are still biting strong and a few marlin are still heating up some reels.
Baby New Year and Other Amazing New Year Surpises!
As in all past new years, this New Years holiday week has been full of unexpected yet delightful sruprises. Along with the double Tarpon hookup that Fishing Director Todd Staley mentioned above, the early arrival of a GIGANTIC whaleshark and her calf (that we have dubbed "Babby New Year) was captured on camera by guests Brian Tracy and Kim Kanas. Here are some of their photos:
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Fishing Report - December 18th, 2012
Crocodile Bay Resort December 18, 2012 - Double Blue Marlin Hookups and the beginning of the sailfish run has guests smiling in December at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas(or other holiday color) you may be disappointed - the only color here is “Blue” as in – marlin, sailfish and the cobalt blue waters of Costa Rica’s South Pacific Coast. The Sailfish are moving in just in time to maximize the “Holiday Cheer” as our peak season kicks into high gear for the upcoming Holidays.
Brothers James, Jim & James Stewart (nicknamed "The James Gang" by Fishing Director Todd Staley), released several sailfish and tuna to 90lbs this past week as well as several inshore species.
Meanwhile, on December 17th Ralph Beckley and Mike McAuley reeled in the first “DOUBLE” Pacific blue marlin hookup of the new season with a pair of beautiful 350lb + Pacific blue marlin– see video and photos below. In general however, the marlin are starting to thin out and the sailfish are gaining momentum as we head into prime sailfish season . In other offshore news, good numbers of yellowfin tuna from 60lbs to 120lbs are being had as well as tasty dorado (mahi mahi) in the 25-30 lb range. Below Aaron Beckley and Ralph Beckley show off some inshore species (Jack and Roosterfish pictured below.)
The inshore Holiday "Fish List" has guests sporting ear-to-ear “Crocodile Smiles” as the dinner tables are overflowing with fresh table fare such as cubera and yellowtail snapper, seared yellowfin tuna, fresh sushi rolls and sashimi, African pompano and bluefin trevally – remember we prepare your fresh catch any way you like! Roosterfish have also been running rampant and giving anglers a taste of one of Costa Rica’s most sought after catch and release inshore fighting fish!
During the upcoming Holidays: Martin Luther King Week, President's Day, Good Friday Week or Easter Week - Catch any sailfish or marlin, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, dorado, & cubera snapper during your fishing trip and WIN $500 in credit toward our luxury Spa services - or toward an *extra fishing day on your current trip or a future fishing trip* at Crocodile Bay Resort! Book now and get a chance at a FREE 33' Strike Yacht Upgrade.
Todd Staley to return to his monthly fishing report for our New Year's Special Edition!
See you soon in Costa Rica!
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica, Costa Rica Fishing Report - December 5th, 2012
A "December to Remember" at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica!
These past couple of weeks here at Crocodile Bay Resort have been very productive when all is said and done. Although we didn’t have many boats out fishing yet, all indications were that those anglers who were fortunate enough to be here would have good luck…. And they did!
Offshore The marlin were very cooperative and made themselves available for frequent catch and release photo op’s. It seemed like “A marlin a day kept the fishing blues away.” Most of the marlin released were between 200 and 300 pounds. A few bigger, “Ladies In the Big Blue Dresses”, appeared in some of our boats wakes but eluded the hookup.
Photo courtesy Capt. Donald Mc Guinness
Rob Laible had this to say about his fight with the 350lb blue Marlin-
"
I was about an hour into the fight when the rod broke. Turned it upside down and reversed cranked for a bit. Capt jumps down from the tower and hand holds the line while the mate splices my line into a new rod. Unbelievable! Boated him, took some pictures and he swam away fine...Total must have been 1 &1/2 hours..? Yes, arms and hands and back were screaming. Thank God for Cervezas!" - Rob
Pictured above Rob Laible, Captain German and First Mate Elmer hold up the now famous "Broken Rod"!
"Thanks again to Crocodile Bay for putting together a great trip. Highlight was the 350lb Blue Marlin!"- Rob Laible
Dorado were sporadic but those that were caught were in the 20 to 25 pound range.
Then came the tuna. They were also very cooperative and there has been fresh tuna steaks and Sashimi on our menus for days now. Most of the tuna were in the 30 to 80 pound range and a few “100 pluser’s” were brought to the boats and shook the hooks before they could be landed.
A few sails were seen in the spreads and a few were released, but all in all it’s been “The Marlin Express” around here and we’re glad of it.
Near shore/Inshore
On the days our clients went inshore the action was good also. Many 20 to 40 pound rooster´s were landed and more than a few cubera snapper were caught for dining purposes. Also appearing for both photo and culinary opportunities were some blue fin trevallys'
When a client asks me, “What kind of snapper is this? I affectionately call them,”Frito Entero” Which means “fried whole” in Spanish.
Capt. Will’s Fearless Fishing Forecast … for the relatively near future: Scattered marlin with tuna showers and occasional dorado showers mixed with sail fish splashes.
Roosters should also cooperate and provide photo´s to make your friends say, “Woooow, what kind of fish is that?”
Bring the Go Pro’s and get your butts down here. “Catch something , bring, it to the boat and we’ll tell you what it is. There´s only one sure fire way to NOT catch fish…. and that's’s NOT to go.” You can quote me on that.
Fishin' Chix Video Testimonial - The President and founder of Florida's Fishin' Chix, Claudia Espenscheid and her daughters explain why Crocodile Bay is the perfect destination for fishing, whale watching and well...landing your first marlin!
Fishingly yours:
Capt. Will Kitsos
P. S: If you´re interested in fly fishing for billfish go to the fly fishing section of this website and look for my “10 Fly Fishing Tips”
Space is limited! Click the button below to BOOK NOW!
Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica,
Sport Fishing Update - November 15, 2012
We started our season with an invasion of the British which hasn’t caused such a stir since the Beatles appeared on Ed Sullivan, and here the marlin liked the beat. David Plummer hosted a group including honeymooners Richard Perry and Loraine Chant along with David Leavesley and Martin Wickes. The marlin gods shined on Wickes who bagged a pair at 200 and 300 pounds apiece. Leavesley fished a day with Sheena Banton from south Florida and the two took a smorgasbord of inshore species including a 60 pound roosterfish, 40 pound amberjack, snapper, jacks and other inshore species.
Richard and Loraine also added a bunch of species to fish list including marlin, sailfish, snapper, roosterfish, jacks, Bluefin trevally, and bonito. They were at the top off the leader board almost every day and if their marriage is as good as their first fishing trip as husband and wife, they are bound to have a long happy marriage.
Another group from across the pond was Gary Hincks, Mick Tutt, and Mick Fullan, who have kept me in stitches with their British humor. The have also caught a lot of fish including raising 5 marlin, hooking 4, and landing 2 in one day. They have also caught some nice fish shore fishing on their “non fishing” days. Some just can’t get it out of their system.
Our first customers of the season were also from non US locations. Ernesto Stoecklin from the Dominican Republic and Henry Looser from Switzerland have been fishing buddies for a long time. Roosters, dorado and Henry’s big snapper was among their catch and I especially enjoy conversing with Ernesto about marine conservation efforts.
THE BOSS HOG
Good friend and host of Big Water Adventures Mark Davis is filming his third show at the resort. The man is a perfect example of what preparation, talent, and a little luck can make in a fishing trip. Using the new Sebile Popper, he bagged and 35 pound jack, a 30 plus pound snapper, and a rooster of 70 pounds or more all in one morning. This will be seen on the 2013 season of Big Water Adventures. Enjoy the photos.
Here is what Mark Davis had to say about why you should book your next fishing trip to Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica! Click play to view video testimonial!
Angela Eubank fishing with husband Jason took her first sailfish yesterday and had to take the customary first dive in the water after landing her fish. This is usually done at the dock but we let her off light and let her use the pool. They just missed a marlin yesterday and if they get it today, the ceremony will definitely be done on the pier.
Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica,
Sport Fishing Update - November , 2012
Doug Olander of Sport Fishing Magazine highlights Crocodile Bay's new Marina project in this month's edition of Sport Fishing Magazine! Check it out below!
"After literally years of working through official channels within Costa Rica, renowned Crocodile Bay Resort is on the brink of adding “and
Marina” to its name, as construction of a 100-slip, full-service marina and expanded hotel/village is expected to start soon. CBR says the new “green” marina — with its floating wavebreak and dock system that offers no obstruction to water flow or sea life — will be the first of its kind north of the Panama Canal. A new oceanfront hotel will be part of a respected “and iconic” hotel chain and, says CBR hotel director Cory Williams, “will be the only hotel in the country to be built over the water.” Along with a great variety of adventure tours, CBRM will continue to offer world-class sport fishing around and offshore of southern Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce." For more information, visit crocodilebaymarina.com.
"Now and later: A top-shelf resort and marina (inset)will give the current configuration of Crocodile Bay Resort, tucked into
Costa Rica’s Golfo Dulce, a whole new look."
Excerpt by Doug Olander from Sport Fishing Magazine's December 2012 edition.
Crocodile Bay Costa Rica Fishing Report, October 17, 2012 by Todd Staley, Fishing Director
It looks like there is going to be plenty of action when we open in two weeks for our 14th season…
Crocodile Bay and The Costa Rican Fishing Federation (FECOP) sponsored a kids tournament last Saturday on the pier at the resort. Sixty-six local kids between the ages of 7 and 12 showed up with their parents for a fun afternoon with some light hearted competition.
The catch and release tournament produced a mixed bag of species including, snappers, grouper, moray eels, jacks, a couple of sharks, and even a lobster was caught on rod and reel.
The message for the event was marine conservation and catch and release fishing. The top three anglers in each group took home a trophy and a new rod and reel supplied by Dick Tanner. All kids received t-shirts, medallions, and a certificate to remember the day.
……tons of dorado around already which means the season ill start with some tasty fillets for early season anglers and the possibility of scoring a marlin. When the dorado are around, the marlin move in right behind them because they love slurping up dorado.
My good friend Cory took his son Tosh out in a kayak fishing Iguana reef just around the corner from Crocodile Bay. He hooked a couple of dorado, caught some nice roosterfish and was pleasantly surprised when he landed a a wahoo. The roosterfish has remained strong all through the months of May to September. We just shut down for October to freshen up the place and it looks like the roosters will still be strong when we open.
The snapper fishing has been good for the locals and it gets better every month with the shrimp boats now out of the gulf. This also applies for other reef fish like, amberjack, grouper, African pompano and Bluefin trevally.
Offshore there may be a few sailfish mixed in with the dorado, but the numbers will increase as the water warms as we slide in to the Central American summer which begins in December. One thing for sure is that it looks like there will be plenty of stuff around when we open to stretch a string.
See you in November!
Todd Staley,
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort,
Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Fishing Report, October 2012
A behind the scenes interview with Todd Staley Fishing Director, Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay will kick off this years fishing Season November 1st 2012! November is historically a great month to target Blue Marlin, Dorado, and a variety of hard hitting inshore fish. Read this great new interview with our fishing director Todd Staley by Blair Wixtrom of Florida Sportsman Magazine!
Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula: Crocodile Bay Resort
In “Costa Rican Business Trip” in the October, 2012 issue of Florida Sportsman, Publisher Blair Wickstrom details his battles with yellowfin tuna on the new Penn Spinfisher V off Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Staying at Crocodile Bay Resort in late June of this year, Wickstrom and the other members of the party, many of them Penn Tackle pro staffers, enjoyed impressive fishing, terrific hospitality and a renewed appreciation for Costa Rica’s resources and wildlife. But their mission was to test the new Penn gear, and in that they and the gear succeeded.
Below is a summary of fishing opportunities available from the Osa Peninsula. Following the fishing calendar is the full interview with Todd Staley, head of fishing operations at Crocodile Bay Resort. Part of that interview appears in Wickstrom’s story in the October issue.
Crocodile Bay Resort, behind the scenes interview with Todd Staley, Fishing Director, Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica
.
I’ve known Todd Staley, head of fishing operations at Crocodile Bay Resort (CBR) for nearly 25 years. I regretfully admit that in Todd’s 14 years at CBR this was my first visit. While visiting Todd’s home in downtown Puerto Jimenez, meeting his Costa Rican family, visiting his 13-acre property, which he plans to build on one day, it became clear Todd was in Costa Rica for more than the fishing. But, fishing was why I was ultimately there, so I wanted to take this chance to get his insider views on what a Florida Sportsman reader would want to know about CBR and its fishing.
BW: As head of fishing operations of CBR what is your primary function? What does that insure for me as a prospective visitor?
TS: I have run the fishing operation here since day one (14 years). I know the area, the captains and what works best. By having such a long term relation with the captains it makes it easy to match captains with guests.
BW: Tell me a little about your captains and crew.
TS: When we first opened I had to bring almost my whole crew from outside because the locals, although good fishermen, did not have any experience as guides. It is a 4- to 5-year process before a new employee works his way up to be a captain. Ninety percent of my crew are English-speaking locals.
BW: Do your boats follow IGFA rules?
TS: Crocodile Bay is not what you might refer to as a “record-seeker destination,” though we have set records in snapper, snook and several other species. We basically want to insure the guest has a fun experience while they are fishing. If a guest wants to fish for a record we will accommodate them.
BW: You mentioned to get the most out of your trip, there’s a need to communicate with your crew and captain.
TS: When fishing here or chartering a boat anywhere the client should do their homework and ask the questions they have in mind before they arrive. No question is a bad question. Once you’re on the boat, again, good communication is key to the overall positive experience.
BW: Tell me about your boats.
TS: We have thirteen Strike inboard diesels ranging from 33 to 35 feet, ten 27-foot Rambo’s and seventeen 24-foot Boston Whalers.
BW: Can people keep their catch? Do you help in shipping fish back to the states?
TS: If someone brings their own cooler they can take fish back with them. We do not ship fish because the local airlines cannot guarantee us space on the plane.
BW: Can you tell me a little about Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica.
TS: Puerto Jimenez was settled by several large families. My wife has 66 cousins in town so there is always an eye on me. This at one time was a gold rush town, and still is. People mined gold in the hills of what is now Cocovado National Park.
BW: Tell me a little about your location in Costa Rica.
TS: We sit on one of the few tropical fjords in the world, the Golfo Dulce. The northeast side is formed by volcanic activity and the western edge is mangrove estuary. Throughout the Gulf there are volcanic reefs that are haunts for many different types of snapper, roosterfish, amberjack and other reef fish. The river mouths offer an opportunity for a trophy snook to the angler who has the patience to fish them in tropical heat.
BW: What are some of the things a Florida Sportsman would like to do if he wasn’t fishing? Not your typical zip line or spa visit? Anything you can think of from an insider’s view?
TS: We are located on the Osa Peninsula on what National Geographic describes as the most ecologically intense place on the planet. A rainforest jungle hike is a must and can be as easy or strenuous as you like. From a stroll on flat land to scaling a waterfall. Surfers are offered four different breaks within thirty minutes of the resort, including the famous Pavones break which is the second longest left in the world. The jungle can also be done on horseback and many options involving rural tourism like the Chocolate Farm show guests how some of the local people make a living.
BW: As a former Florida angler tell me what fishery in Florida comes closest to matching the fishery you have at CBR?
TS: As a long time west coast Florida resident I would guess that the inshore snapper fishing would be the closest. If someone would have told me 20-some years ago that I would one day be jigging grouper in 400 foot of water and watch people walk on the beach at the same time I would have told them they were crazy. Down here I have learned that a cubera snapper will come up in 100 foot of water and hit a popper. Most east coast Florida anglers like a chop to fish for sails but here a flat ocean is most productive.
BW: Is there anything else the readers of Florida Sportsman, who are planning a trip to fish the Tropics would like to know about CBR…should know about CBR or your region of Costa Rica.
TS: We have the most friendly and service oriented staff I have ever worked with.
Big plans for CBR. If construction goes as planned beginning mid-2013, CBR will be building a much larger marina, an oceanfront hotel and a residential village. The new Costa Rica marina will become the closest international full service marina north of the Panama Canal. For more information go to: www.crocodilebaymarina.com
Planning Your Trip Around the Bite to Crocodile Bay Resort off Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
NEW Video: Penn Reels field tests it's new PENN SpinFisher V at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica! Click play to watch video - Todd Staley's August fishing report below!
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica Fishing Report,
August 2nd, 2012
By Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Sometimes I just hate my job. Many times it is for reasons I have no control over like the moon, tides, weather, water temperature, and of course.... the fish gods. Yesterday was one of those days. Let me explain.
Three days before Kevin Morrissy checked in with his dad, Pat and good friend Rick Lichty. Kevin had a black marlin on his bucket list. On the first day out they hung into a 500 lb blue marlin that was only hooked up a short time before it broke off. The next two days of fishing a marlin never appeared in the spread.
One of the ugliest fishing quotes there is goes something like this, “The two best days of fishing are yesterday and tomorrow.”
Well yesterday as the Morrissy clan was flying out of the resort, two Crocodile Bay boats stumbled upon a small log just five miles off the beach that had been floating long enough to create a marine eco-system. Below it swam hundreds of oceanic triggerfish, bonito, small yellowfin tuna, rainbow runners and dorado. When there is drive through feeding like that available, marlin usually are not that far away.
Andrew and Brittany Rico fished on one boat and Casey McCartin fished by himself on the other. In the course of the day the three anglers raised 13 marlin. McCartin landed the biggest fish, a 450 lb black marlin that two hours into the fight tail wrapped. Fortunately the fish was able to be released unharmed. He had two more hooked up. One that ate a small tuna he was reeling in that melted his spinning tackle and another that broke off.
The Rico’s called it a day early after the landed 3 blue marlin in the 200 to 300 lb range and caught endless small tuna and blue runners.
Que Rico! Andrew and Britanny Rico release a nice marlin!
Until yesterday the most consistent fishing has still been inshore. Big Roosterfish continue to feed at the rock and snapper on the reefs inside the gulf. Yellowfin tuna in the 20 to 30 lb range keeping surprising inshore anglers and have been hitting both live bait and poppers.
The humpback whales are right on time, and have begun to enter the gulf with their calves. Three sets have been sighted so far. They will be in the protected waters of the gulf for the next two months. Last year a total of 14 mamas and babies showed up.
Crocodile Bay July Fishing Special Edition:
The 2012 PENN Media Summit
By Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Above, PENN Fishing’s Hunter Cole exults in his first tuna of the trip and in the flawless performance of the new Penn Spinfisher V series.
The marlin were not present for the PENN Media Summit held here at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica, where Penn Tackle introduced their brand new Spinfisher V model spinning gear which is the strongest spinning gear made to date.
Coastal Angler's Charlie McCullough was the life of the party on
and off the boat. Nice Rooster Charlie!
SaltWater Sportsman's Blair Wickstrom with a nice tuna
PENN's new SpinFisher V...one word..AWESOME!
Sport Fishing Magazine's Doug Olander
The writers did get a true test of the gear as the yellowfin tuna schooled offshore every day and fish in the 30 to 60 pound range kept them busy. The marlin are a little late this year, maybe due to lack of rain or they are just waiting for this moon to pass. Private sportfishing boats that have been camping overnight at 60 to 70 miles report lots of marlin so their arrival is expected soon.
Costal Angler, Florida Sportsman, On the Water, Saltwater Sportsman, Sport Fishing, The Fisherman, Western Outdoor News, Stripersonline.com, and Bloodydecks.com were some of the media represented. Thanks to John Bartow, Hunter Cole, Mike Rice and the rest of the Penn crew everyone had a good time.
The inshore fishing continues to produce roosterfish and a few snapper. John Brownlee filming a show for Saltwater Sportsman TV brought in an 80 amberjack on the new Penn gear.
I want to thank Tab and Sonia Betsworth for the photos of the trip…. Nice fish
Todd Staley
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Fishing Report - June 2012 By Will Briegel (filling in for Todd Staley, Fishing Director)
Summer Sizzles Inshore this June at Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica!
June has literally been on fire inshore this year with the fireballs in the shape of bright orange cubera snapper plucking poppers from the water like a bunch of kids snatching candy from a plummeting Piñata.
The sailfish have been sticking around in small but consistent numbers this first week in June as witnessed by several of our boats releasing at LEAST one this past week. Two days ago the White family went 4/8 on sailfish and then were rewarded inshore with a large roosterfish and other species.
The Week in Fishing at CROCODILE BAY, COSTA RICA "The real story has been the sheer variety of fish being released inshore. Amberjack, African Pompano, Cubera snapper to 30lbs, roosterfish to 70lbs, snook to 30lbs, sierra mackerel, and of course one of my favorite fighters, the misunderstood and highly underrated Jack! Offshore has seen just about everything this week including sailfish, dorado and yellowfin tuna 30 to 50lbs. We’re pretty sure that list will include some marlin as we near July and August."
Joe Vicic and Brian Verba. I had the pleasure of meeting these guys on the 45 minute flight down from Costa Rica’s Capital city San Jose to Crocodile Bay. Some people you just get along with right off the bat and have a feeling they’re going to do well. Verba was vision rambling about sailfish and marlin while Vicic kept his expectations in check and said he would just be happy to get out on the boat and catch some snapper. YEAH RIGHT! The pair turned out to be to be an uncle and nephew duo from Ohio and California celebrating a double birthday with a world class fishing trip.
Their first day inshore fishing must have been like watching an episode of American Pickers as they plucked various undersea species like snapper from their holes on the volcanic basalt bottom of the coast.
Rooster wrangling was next as they hooked a variety of large gallos(roosterfish) from the current lines while live bait trolling. The next few days was more of the same with the exception of one offshore day out they raised and released sailfish Robert's sought after sailfish as well as a huge amberjack and some tasty Dorado (mahi-mahi, dolphinfish)
Rock snapper taken shore casting off playa preciosa!
To our delight, we learned that Joe Vicic owns his own custom fly rod shop King Fisher Pacific Co. and puts out one of the strongest and lightest fly rods on the market.
Check out his site www.kinfgfisherflyrods.com for more info. These light rods are excellent for travel given weight restrictions on small flights!
Time to plan your summer fishing or adventure vacation!
June through September are excellent months to visit Crocodile Bay for a variety of reasons. On the sport fishing front, July ushers in the beginning of the mighty Black Marlin season (based on historically good opportunities in July and August). Black marlin can give anglers the fight of their lives and can make a showing any day in July through Sept.
August and September almost always offer guests a chance to view humpback whales on their annual migratory run from the southern hemisphere. They utilize the deep, protected waters of Crocodile Bay’s home, the Golfo Dulce (sweet gulf) to teach their young to hunt and dive.
Great inshore fishing is just the beginning! A lot of folks just don’t seem to realize that sport fishing is just the tip of the sailfish at Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica. Our unique geographical location on Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula allows your non fishing friends or spouses to enjoy exciting or relaxing eco tours in the surrounding area which is the most ecologically diverse place in ALL of Costa Rica. Enjoy exciting zip-line tours through Costa Rica’s rainforest canopy, walk to or rappel from giant waterfalls, take our mountain bikes or kayaks out for a spin, and enjoy Costa Rica’s best surfing - and whatever you do, don’t miss a visit to our 5,000 square foot luxury Spa rated as one of the best in the country – with over 25 treatments you won’t regret it (including one massage especially for anglers after a long day fighting with a BIG fish!)
Visit our FaceBook pagehere to see new photos daily and weekly as well as updates about the resort and staff!
Special Note: Welcome aboard to our newest fishing specialist in our California Sales office Brian Wong. Brian specializes in all kinds of salt water fishing techniques and is happy to field fishing questions and help you plan your dream Costa Rica fishing vacation.
See you this summer at Crocodile Bay Resort!
Will Briegel filling in for Todd Staley
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica www.crocodilebay.com
Crocodile Bay Fishing Report - May 2012
By Fishing Director Todd Staley
I am very happy to be writing this report. First I would like to thank Will Breigel, our internet and marketing guru for filling in for me after the car accident in which every day I realize how lucky I am. I am almost fully recovered, my wife more seriously injured than I is recovering slowly. She was thrown from the vehicle and it passed over her as we rolled 200 feet down a mountain side. Thanks to those of you, who called our sent e-mails checking on us.
The month of April brought lots of fish for some and not so many for others. Boston Whaler was down again on their annual trip, a tradition since 2001. There were a lot of first timers in the group and most every one of them took billfish off their bucket list before they left. Once again they put together a tournament and then donated all the winnings to the school here. Over the years, they have put a roof and floor in the kindergarten, bought new desks for the first grade, help both public and private schools and bought camping equipment for the scouts. Hat’s off to Boston Whaler.
Ed Beattie brought a group of Cabela’s folks down and seasonal rains fell early and dropped water temps and scattered the sails. They did manage to take a few marlin and roosters. By the time Walter Oster checked in with his group from Canada, a few sails had returned. My favorite in the group was Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion. Hazel has been her cities Mayor since 1978 and is 91 years young and full of spunk. She is pictured here with a nice sail.
Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion Hazel McCallion releases a large sailfish!
Tom Cooksey from “Ventafish” brought his crew down and spent more time teaching than fishing as they worked with both Crocodile Bay captains and local artisanal fisherman demonstrating their tool that releases air from the swim bladder and allows fish caught in deep water to be released alive. They donated lot of venting devices as well as hook removers to local fisherman. You can learn more about their products at www.ventafish.com.
Boston real estate and hotel photographer Rocky Gonet ( Boston Real Estate Photography) came down to take some fishing and eco shots and enjoy nature with his family. 3 year old Rocky Jr. decided to start his "fishing mate" career early and caught some bait for the group on his first day out fishing. Rocky Sr. who normally fishes the florida keys got a taste of Costa Rica inshore fishing when he did battle with a feisty roosterfish. His wife Dawn and Sister-in-law Leanne had fun taking in the scenery and watching dolphins play off the bow of the boat. Here are some pics of their family adventure!
While fishing inshore we ran into a group of young black tip reef sharks who are masters of stealing bait! The young sharks were all released safely in the ocean.
Pictured above, Will Briegel with a juvenile black tip reef shark - safely released after a quick photo.
The last few days, fishing has been tough offshore as neither the sails or marlin showed up to play. Inshore was more productive as roosterfish from 30 to 55 lbs were taken and a few nice snapper. Since weather patterns seem to be early this year I’m hoping the annual June run of marlin will be early.
Beautiful yellow eyed Tree Frog on the grounds of Crocodile Bay Resort!
Crocodile Bay Fishing Report - Spring Fishing Special Report, by Fishing Director Todd Staley
Celebrity Tournament, NBC Sports, Events, Marlin and Whale Sharks and more!
March was one of the wildest and certainly most entertaining months we've seen in quite some time at Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica. Our hotel was full of guests, big name tournaments, celebrity events, TV shows filming, travel writers writing, and plenty of sailfish, marlin and roosterfish biting.
Although most days the sailfish were out in big numbers, getting them to bite was sometimes a challenge as water temperature, spawning, moons, and other natural phenomena sometimes frustrated anglers. However, most anglers ended their fishing vacation with ear to ear grins that could have only been the result of catching big fish.
Mid-way into April fishing has been steady with inshore being the hottest. Some early rains have moved in and caused the usual debris to wash from the rivers into the gulf causing fish to move to deeper water. Offshore the drop in water temperature slowed the sails but moved some marlin into the area.
Captain Anthony Lee Santos Reaches for a Rooster!
Our
guests favorite amenity - 900 ft. private pier - straight to the fish!
For the second consecutive year, Crocodile Bay hosted the 31st Annual International Billfish tournament (2nd year in a row at Crocodile Bay) organized by Costa Rica’s in-country fishing powerhouse and conservation club- Club Amateur Pesca (www.clubamateurpesacr.com) and believe me, there is nothing “amateur” about this fishing club. They take the direct Latin meaning of the name "amateur" or “love of the sport” very seriously. Teams from all over the world took part including Puerto Rico, USA, Costa Rica, Panama and others. In the four day event 9 boats released 155 billfish. The team of Tim Choate, his daughter Stephanie, and Nick Carullo from Miami won the event (Team USA) and Ernesto Vasquez of Puerto Rico was top angler with 14 releases. A big "thank you" to tournament sponsors Guy Harvey and Aftco for supplying the tournament Guy Harvey Shirts and Sportswear for the event!
Next up Crocodile Bay Hosted The "Redbone Celebrity Tournament"Working to catch the cure to Cystic Fibrosis! This annual tournament raises money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. This tournament always features a celebrity and this year it was none other than Major League Baseball Hall of Fame great Wade Boggs. As always Boggs, a frequent visitor to Crocodile Bay was a great host and took time to visit with other young guests in the hotel. A warm thank you to Gary and Susan Ellis of RedBone for bringing this important event to Crocodile Bay Resort!
Wade Boggs gets ready to release this roosterfish
Cabela's visited us again and had a wonderful trip. Following are some photos from their April fishing adventure courtesy of John Hafner Photography:
TV Hosts including our good friend O'Neill from NBC Sports' O'Neill Outside, (www.oneilloutside.com) and first time guest Huntin' with the Judges' Julie Mogen who also filmed an episode here that will air soon (www.huntinwiththejudge.com)
In the past month not only have we seen celebrities and anglers from across the globe, but we've also seen an increase in the number of kids taking part in the fishing salt water fishing action. 7 year old Tyler Gerstein accompanied by his mother Joy Covey (former CFO of Amazon.com) and Utah guide Doug Askelson set out to get his first IFGA youth roosterfish record for his age bracket. He missed the mark by 5 pounds when he nabbed a 59 lb roosterfish that was heavier than he was. Although Tyler narrowly missed the record, he did find himself on Crocodile Bay’s coveted “Wall of Fame” that has taken some of Crocodile Bay’s older clientele years of repeat visits to achieve!
REEL Kids - 7 Year Old Tyler shows off his monster Roosterfish on his quest for the junior IFGA record!
Crocodile Bay MVP Mike Pizzi invited his friends the Terresons down and they had a great vacation. Mr. Terreson told me it was “The best vacation he has ever taken in his life”. His wife and kids joined him for the fishing fun and Catherine Terreson age 9 caught and released two sailfish and left dad scratching his chin. The other highlight of their trip was the snorkeling excursion where they had a great day of 25 foot visibility and saw a myriad of unique species. We look forward to seeing the Terressons back again!
No Foolin' Catherine Terreson boated this nice sailfish April 1, 2012!
Guests have been lucky enough to see lots of humpback whales in and around the gulf and over the past few weeks a pair of whale sharks has been hanging around which is a dream encounter for many marine enthusiasts.
Adopt a Sailfish!! - The 2012 Captain Ron Hamlin Billfish Satellite Tagging Program (Download the brochure in PDF) - University of Miami, and Dr. Nelson Erhardt have introduced a new solar/hybrid tracking system that allows sailfish migrations, feeding habits, and range to be tracked for up to one year. In the past, non-solar battery operated devices only lasted a couple of months so this new tracking device gives researchers a greatly improved way to study these fish. Guests, and anglers may now "Adopt" their own sailfish which will they will be able to track from their computer or cellular device. Every device purchased will be used for rebuilding sailfish populations and offer us data on harmful and illegal long line fishing vessels currently taking up to 1,000 sailfish/day in by catch. For more information contact Todd Staley at conservation@crocodilebay.com
Welcome back to fishing director Todd Staley who was recently in nearly fatal car accident. His wife and son are fine and resting at home. Todd of course can not be kept indoors long and is already out making his rounds.
We're happy to have you back but the fish do not share our enthusiasm as you will be out chasing them again by next week!
If you're planning a Spring or Summer 2012 trip now is the time to book with Crocodile Bay! May 1st through September 30th you'll get 20% off peek season rates - we also have several other specials you can learn more about by calling 1-800-733-1115. Don' miss your chance for a fishing or eco adventure of a lifetime at the world famous Crocodile Bay Resort!
Crocodile Bay Fishing Report March 2012
The fishing has been just as varied. We have seen some really good days and days that were aggravating to clients and hair loss days to the fishing manager. The sails bit on day and have lockjaw the next. Cold water moves in and is replaced with hot water. An earthquake of 6.1 sends fish scattering in all directions. There have been some highlights. The cold water shut the sailfish down but brought marlin in with it.
For those lucky enough to score a marlin, it weighed between 200 and 500 lbs. Dorado haven’t been plentiful, but several over 50 lbs have come to the deck.
Some days the sails would float on the top, more interested in flirting with the opposite sex than stretching a tourist’s string. Other days they went on a feed. Yesterday Saltwater Journal’s Mark Sosin landed tree out of the 11 that popped up in the teasers as most didn't’t hang around long enough to pull off the “bait and switch.”
Without the pressures of getting a show filmed, Mark is relaxing with his wife Susan. Mark is one of the pioneers of television fishing shows that I watched as a kid and Saltwater Journal was always famous for teaching as well as entertaining. Inshore has been steady for the most part but did get a little “shaky” right after the tremor.
Roosterfish have been the main attraction and fish up to 60 lbs have been taken. The snapper bite has been fair although the big snapper haven’t been to active, lots of dinner size fish are hitting on inshore reefs.
Boston Whaler has been visiting us with a large group annually for over a decade. I’d like to personally thank Dennis Tilton who makes the logistics for the event very easy for me. The have a fun tournament every year with half the prize money going to the angler and have to a community project. Every year the winning anglers end of also donating their have of the winnings. This year they raised over $3000 and it will go to buying books for the new library at the elementary school.
There's a fine line between superstitious and obsessive compulsive and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Wade Boggs crossed it every night. The 12-time All Star attributed much of his success to a daily routine and refused to alter his habits. These everyday customs including eating chicken before each game (earning him the nickname "Chicken Man"), and always taking exactly 150 ground balls during infield practice. He also always took batting practice at 5:17 and ran sprints at 7:17 and drew the word "Chai" (Hebrew for "life") in the dirt before coming up to bat. Boggs' allegiance to his superstitions helped lead him to one of the finest pro baseball careers of all time and induction to the Hall of Fame. 
BLUE VALENTINE'S DAY! 
Derek has played with other greats like, Eric Clapton, Santana, ZZ Top and has twice appeared on 
WIN $500 - and Take a Shot at a FREE 33' Strike Yacht UPGRADE! 
Crocodile Bay Resort December 18, 2012 - Double Blue Marlin Hookups and the beginning of the sailfish run has guests smiling in December at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica! 
These past couple of weeks here at Crocodile Bay Resort have been very productive when all is said and done. Although we didn’t have many boats out fishing yet, all indications were that those anglers who were fortunate enough to be here would have good luck…. And they did!
Good friend and host of 
The humpback whales are right on time, and have begun
Boston real estate and hotel photographer Rocky Gonet ( 
Next up Crocodile Bay Hosted The "Redbone Celebrity Tournament" Working to catch the cure to Cystic Fibrosis! This annual tournament raises money for the fight against Cystic Fibrosis. This tournament always features a celebrity and this year it was none other than Major League Baseball Hall of Fame great Wade Boggs. As always Boggs, a frequent visitor to Crocodile Bay was a great host and took time to visit with other young guests in the hotel. A warm thank you to Gary and Susan Ellis of RedBone for bringing this important event to Crocodile Bay Resort!
Cabela's visited us again and had a wonderful trip. Following are some photos from their April fishing adventure courtesy of 
TV Hosts including our good friend O'Neill from NBC Sports' O'Neill Outside, (
Adopt a Sailfish!! - The 2012 Captain Ron Hamlin Billfish Satellite Tagging Program (
