Costa Rica Fishing Report – October 2015 by Todd Staley

Play the broken record, still a hunting game offshore and some very good days inshore. I’ve said the same thing for the last couple reports and expect the same until the dorado move in offshore next month which will change the whole offshore picture for the better. In the mean time, here is what Captain Smity a recent guest had to say about his September fishing experience at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica.

Photo of the Month – Kris Lindsay with a 70lb Roosterfish – September 2015 at Crocodile Bay Resort.

The Crocodile Bay Experience – A Testimonial by Captain Smity

“First of all, Crocodile Resort is 1st class all the way. All the travel arrangements, over night hotel in San Jose, pick up at the International airport (SJO), next morning pick up at hotel for hop to the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez. Everything went like clock work. Great job on your part making these arrangements!

Early morning breakfast at Crocodile Bay included a traditional American style, and off to the pier to meet our guide and mate. Great boat and 1st class gear. All Penn reels and rods with live bait we caught each morning.

The 25 foot Boston Whaler with twin Merc 150 Verados took the chop like a champ. We trolled most of the day with the two motors and you could barely hear them. Here’s the best part. Captains Johnnie and Anthony puts us on fish straight away. We got into some huge Jack Crevelle which got our motivation right on track. We didn’t catch that many roosterfish that day, but I did manage a trophy of about 30 lbs. After trolling inside close to surf, it got slow and our Captain suggested deep water for red snapper and cubera which we caught in about 200 feet of water. We caught yellowfin tuna, rainbow runners, mackerel, some fish I have never heard of. We kept the snapper as Todd, the Resort’s fishing director told us to do. Man, talk about good eating. Small red snapper gutted, scaled and deep fried whole. Yes, I said whole. The meat fell off the bone and melted in your mouth. Next day just got better. We worked mostly for roosterfish and caught several up to 30 lbs. More Jacks, snapper and one African pompano.

The 3rd day was the gravy day. We targeted roosterfish and caught 14 with me catching 3 over 40lbs one of which was 50lbs. We were getting bites all morning and there were some nice fish that broke off and the hook just pulled out. Just part of fishing, but we should have boated well over 20 rooster fish. Troy and I agreed that it was one of the best fishing trips we had ever been on together. I remain a die hard peacock bass fisherman, but I now have a healthy respect for that roosterfish. I have never had a hold of a more powerful fish in open water. When they take off, all you can do is hold on. They do come up and show themselves and I liked that. When you think you have them whipped and they see the boat, off they go like a streak of greased lightning and again all you can do is hold on. I have never seen a fish that can move that fast in the water. All were safely released to fight again.

We managed to catch one more African pompano on about the last fish. It fought bravely, but when we tried to release it, it could not be revived. Anthony filed it out for us and told us to tell the cook to fix it on the grill. Allan, that undoubtedly was the best fish I ever put into my mouth. I cannot fully explain the flavor and texture of the filet. You would just have to experience for yourself. Thanks buddy for all your help. Troy wants to go back the same time next year and take his youngest son who will be 17 then. Of course, I will gladly tag along. Although the Todd said that December through March were the best months, Sept is off-season and both our Captains agreed that was a good time to come and we were the only boat out and the pressure on the fish was minimal.

That was a trip and I finished my “bucket” list of fish I wanted to catch and experienced a fishing trip beyond my wildest dream. How fortunate I am to have been able to be healthy enough to have fished all over the world as I have.”

– Capt Smity

September Highlights from Crocodile Bay Resort

Lightning strikes twice – The ladies had all the luck on this September day as two of our female anglers released two 70lb roosterfish in the same day!

Below Jeri Heiser the winner of our annual VIP fishing trip strikes gold with this huge roosterfish – Read about Jeri Heiser’s fishing experience here

David Hardin and Mark Kaiser hooked up with several inshore species this week, but this 60lb roosterfish was the icing on the cake!

Pictured above – Ryan Lindsay shows off one of the fattest rock snappers we’ve ever seen

New Video – Costa Rica Fishing at Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica

*Thanksgiving Special (Valid for vacations taken Nov. 23 to Nov. 30) Thanksgiving week at Crocodile Bay Resort offers guests an experience not to be missed. We put on a great feast with fun for the whole family. Book any standard fishing package of three days or more and we’ll give you a complimentary Strike tower boat upgrade for one of your three fishing days! We have a 5,000 square foot luxury spa and feature 30 exciting eco tours for the whole family! restrictions apply – limited availability of upgrades. Check Availability

*Christmas Special(Valid for vacations taken Dec. 22 – Dec. 30) Give your family or significant other the Holiday gift of a lifetime with a vacation at one of the worlds foremost sport fishing and adventure destinations. *Book any standard fishing package of three days or more (booked by Oct. 7, 2015) for vacations between December 23rd and December 30th, 2015 and we’ll give you a one day complimentary Tower Strike Yacht upgrade ($700/day value)  restrictions apply – limited availability of upgrades. Check Availability *All above specials are valid for new reservations (booked by Oct. 7, 2015) for fishing packages of three or more days. Specials may not be combined with other offers. Boat upgrades are based on availability and supplies are limited. Specials may be changed at any time.

Where the World Comes to Fish!

Crocodile Bay Resort has been featured in major Sport Fishing magazines world wide – but this is one of the more interesting covers we’ve seen. From a recent Chinese fishing magazine (Lure Vision).

Check Availability Online