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Hello Adventure Angler,

My name is Mike Laptew, AKA “The Diving Fisherman”, and I am planning a very special angling safari to Costa Rica at the worldrenowned Crocodile Bay Lodge.

The trip is December 6 through December 12, 2003, the start of the summer season and the fishing will be terrific. Here are some of the species (and the lodge records to date) that we will be targeting:
Marlin - 856 pounds
Sailfish - 151 pounds
Wahoo - 84 pounds
Tuna – 312 pounds
Dolphin – 79 pounds
Snook – 49 pounds
Rooster fish – 106 pounds
Cubera snapper – 63 pounds
Broomtail grouper – 76 pounds

There are a lot of added value extras incorporated into this trip and the details are outlined below.

First, take a look at my photo essay showcasing some of my personal experiences at Crocodile Bay This was my personal best rooster, estimated to be around 70 pounds. This game fish is among the strongest and most beautiful fish on earth.

This sailfish was estimated at 130 pounds. When Todd Staley – director of the fishing operations – found out it was my first Pacific Sail, he shut the engines off and said, “Why Mike I want you to be sure and enjoy that fish!” I loved every minute of the 45-minute battle.

My underwater observations of these majestic fish will help you catch more sails. We’ll watch my new “Tips and Techniques” video at the conference center.

This picture shows a LARGE sailfish being landed while the ghostly image of another sail can be seen in the distance.

My underwater observations of Cubera snapper and rooster fish will also be discussed during my video presentation.

We will be there when the jungle is as lush and vibrant as it gets. You will be fishing alongside the most bio-diverse shoreline on the planet!

Over the last five years I’ve been to the Crocodile Bay Lodge eight times. Each trip has provided me with memories that will last a lifetime, and I have come to expect the unexpected. I always manage to see something totally different and usually quite extraordinary. Let me point out just a few of these experiences.

TV Show Producer, Trevor Gowdy and me were the very first guests of the lodge. On that trip, I filmed a family of humpback whales, right in the bay!

During the shooting of Trevor’s “Days of Sportsman” show with legendary jazz musician Taj Mahal, I watched a blue marlin gray hound behind the boat in an endless procession of jumps. That particular show went on to win the Teddy award for outstanding outdoor show that year. Since that first show, every major ESPN2 and Outdoor Life Network fishing show has featured the lodge.

In addition to humpbacks I had a chance to swim with a large pod of pilot whales. I even had them blast me with their sonar to the point where I felt it resonate deep into my sternum. At one point twentyone whales were actually circling me!

This is a frame taken from the video I shot When you’re freediving in water that is over a mile deep, you can expect to see anything.

Where else can you see Orcas cruising by a rainforest?

You can expect almost anything in the rainforest. In addition to seeing four different kinds of monkeys, hawks, owls, and assorted denizens of the jungle. I also videotaped a baby sloth as it was struggling to climb back into the canopy. Here’s a frame from that video:

I’ve been panning for gold, climbed waterfalls, watched people rappel down ancient trees, eaten termites, chased giant blue butterflies. Along with these action pact pursuits I’ve also been quite content to just sit and listen to the glorious sounds of the forest.

On a deserted moonlit beach, I watched shooting stars blaze by overhead as a phosphorescence light show went off with each crashing wave. I marveled at the pristine beauty of this very special place and realized I was about as relaxed as a person could be…and still have a pulse.

The resort is fantastic and the Osa Peninsula is so breathtakingly beautiful, I had to share the experience with my wife and daughter…now they too are in love with Crocodile Bay – and they don’t even fish!

A short walk from your room will place you on the longest pier (725’) in Costa Rica. From here you can explore the beauty of the Gulf or venture offshore. All the boats are perfectly suited for the many different fishing opportunities.

An added value to the Laptew Safari will be a free upgrade to a 33’ Strike on one of the offshore fishing days.

You won’t be limited to only offshore fishing with the Strikes.

They can work some of the best rooster fish grounds as well.

The Rambo and May-Craft are also great offshore boats.

The flats boats and Champions are terrific for inside the Gulf.

In the Golfo Dulce (Sweet Gulf) you can target large jacks, snappers, grouper, snook and rooster fish, just to name a few of inshore species. You might even run into the largest fish in the world – the whale shark. On my last visit a couple of participants in the Redbone Tournament actually rode them. My ride had a spectacular finish as I was tossed off one of the smaller (20’ plus) sharks. Of course I captured it all on video and will share it with you during our clinic.

As I mentioned before, “You come to expect the unexpected!”

The mouth of both the Rio Tigre and Rio Esquinas are excellent locations for a broad number of species, especially snook at low tide.

The lodge is situation in the best possible location to access both inshore and offshore hot spots. The lush landscaping on the 44-acre grounds will make you feel like your staying in paradise.

The accommodations are gorgeous and many rooms have a Jacuzzi.

The bar and dinning facility are handcrafted out of native wood.

I’ve always been pleased with the food and beverage, and a very professional and courteous staff serves it.

This is the new conference center where we’ll conduct are multi-media seminar and review some of the video taken during our stay.

It’s a great facility for both meetings and parties.

I look forward to sharing my next Crocodile Bay experience with another great group of anglers. I promise you it will be all that I’ve described and much more. Pictures can’t do it justice…but here are a few that give you an idea of what you can expect.

From Matapalo Point on the western shore of the gulf,…

to Pavones on the eastern side, you’ll see some of the most beautiful shoreline imaginable…

and the second longest left break in the world. If you’re looking for additional thrills beyond fishing and an ecotour, give surfing a try.

The local “Ticos” and “Ticas” (what the residents call themselves) are very warm and friendly and will make you feel right at home.

Enjoy the warm climate, friendly people, fabulous fishing, sumptuous food and first class accommodations. Here are the details:

I recommend a flight with Delta ($557)

Saturday, December 6
• 6:30am depart from Providence to San Jose at 1:09pm.
Everyone has a chance to enjoy an evening in San Jose –
keeping in mind we have a 4:30am wake up call with a flight at
6:00am -- 45-minute flight to the lodge.

Sunday, December 7
• Arrive at the lodge by 7:00 AM for breakfast
• 8:00 AM – on the boats for a day of inshore or offshore fishing –
lines in at 3:00 – back at the dock for 4:00
• 4:30 – cocktails IN the pool and snacks served till 5:30
• 6:30 – dinner
• 7:30 – 60 minute video clinic/seminar on how to maximize your
opportunities with fly and light tackle
• 8:30 – bar is open, town is nearby, I suggest a good nights sleep
and a wake up call at 5:30 – the flock of parakeets will wake you
up at that time anyway!

Monday, December 8
• 6:00 AM breakfast is served
• 7:00 jump on the boat for a full day of offshore fishing – lines in
at 3:00 – back at the dock for 4:00
• 4:30 – cocktails IN the pool and snacks served till 5:30
• 6:30 – dinner
• 7:30 – 60 minute video highlights of the day
8:30 – bar is open, town is nearby, I suggest a good nights sleep
and a wake up call at 5:30 – the flock of parakeets will wake you up
at that time anyway!

Tuesday, December 9
• 6:00 AM breakfast is served
• 7:00 jump on the boat for a full day of offshore fishing – lines in
at 3:00 – back at the dock for 4:00
• 4:30 – cocktails IN the pool and snacks served till 5:30
• 6:30 – dinner
• 7:30 – 60 minute video highlights of the day
• 8:30 – bar is open, town is nearby, I suggest a good nights sleep
and a wake up call at 5:30

Wednesday, December 10
• 6:00 AM breakfast is served
• 7:00 jump on the boat for a full day of offshore fishing – lines in
at 3:00 – back at the dock for 4:00
• 4:30 – cocktails IN the pool and snacks served till 5:30
• 6:30 – dinner
• 7:30 – 60 minute video highlights of the day
• 8:30 – bar is open, town is nearby, I suggest a good nights sleep
and a wake up call at 5:30

OPTIONAL ECO TOUR DAY - LEAVES EARLY MORNING AND RETURNS EARLY AFTERNOON
Thursday, December 11
• 5:00 AM continental breakfast
• 5:30 Ecotour of Osa Peninsula and Matapalo Point
• 12:30 – Return for lunch, pack, pay bill for any incidental
charges
• 3:30 – 45 minute flight back to San Jose
• 5:00 – Back to the hotel
• Dinner, Casino, etc

Friday
Sleep in – shop for souvenirs - trip to the airport is not until 12:00 PM
Flight out is 3:00 PM – back home at 11:52 PM

The price for this package which includes: two nights stay at the Hotel Herradura, roundtrip flights from San Jose to the lodge, 4 days of fishing (one day upgrade to a 33’ strike for free), is only $2,595.00 per person (double occupancy). If you want a single room and are willing to fish two to a boat, the cost is $2,895.00. The option to bring a nonfishing partner is there and the cost is only $1100 (that person would also be allowed to ride along on the boat a couple of days if desired). Everyone gets a $60 ecotour credit.

These special packages include: ground transportation, flights in Costa Rica, cocktails (local liquor and beer), boats, captains, tackle, meals and lodging.

• NOT INCLUDED: International airfare, meals in San Jose, airport departure tax ($20) and gratuities. If you want a deluxe room or a suite the additional cost is $25/pp/room/night and $40/pp/room/night.

At http://www.costaricaconferences.com/ecotours.html#rainforest you will find the additional rates for tours such as: House of Orchids Botanical Garden, Panning for Gold, Mangrove Kayaking, Snorkeling, Beach & Horseback Riding and some of the best surfing imaginable are among the options.

December is one of my favorite months to visit Costa Rica. It offers some of the best diversity in fishing; the marlin bite is very good, the dolphin fishing is terrific, there are tuna to be found, wahoo are always a possibility, roosters are there in good numbers, cubera snapper will tear up your tackle, snook patrol the dock and the river mouths, hordes of big jacks will put a bend in your rod, and on one of my past trips a 312 pound goliath grouper was taken from shore on a hand line!

For added value:
• I will be conducting a seminar/clinic at the lodge’s conference center and will be showing video tips on what to do and what not to do to maximize your fishing opportunities.
• I will be available by phone to coordinate all the activities and help arrange the booking. I can answer any questions concerning what type of gear to bring and what to expect on shore and on the water.
• If people are leaving and returning on the same flights, I will be happy to act as a tour guide and help ease any of the travel related concerns.
• Videotapes of the lodge, fishing opportunities, and ecotours will be given to everyone that attends.
• I will be filming at the lodge and will be available (separate fee) to videotape the action of any group of anglers that would like a professional quality video that captures their fishing antics. For another fee, I can edit the video into a top-notch production that even includes underwater footage, music, photographs, and animation. This can also be transferred to a DVD production! This could be the ultimate way to preserve the memories of a father and son fishing trip, or when someone bags their first sailfish wouldn’t it be nice to be able to share that moment with friends and family?