Costa Rica Fishing Report – May 2017
Boston Whaler Raises 41 Marlin, Mark Davis of Big Water Adventures Visits, Ladies Lets Go Fishing and More at Crocodile Bay Resort
Costa Rica Fishing Report May 2017 – April was one of the craziest months I have seen in all my years at Crocodile Bay. Fortunately, I lost my hair years ago or it would be falling out all over the place. Never have I seen sailfish so slow and marlin fishing so good in all my 25 years in Costa Rica. This following two years of the best sailfish numbers I have seen. It started with Boston Whaler’s annual trip here.
Creating an Artificial Marine Eco- System
We all know what any type of object lost at sea can do whether it is a log, trash or other material. Over time small fish use it to seek refuge from predators. And just like the cartoon, small fish attract bigger fish which attract bigger fish until up to the top off the food chain is hanging out around it. Usually you get one or two days of fishing on it and then it floats out of range. If you can make it stay in one place you can return many times and find fish.
Annual Boston Whaler Visit
Boston Whaler has been bringing a group down every year for 15 years. Dennis Tilden hosts the group each year with Will Rogers with top sales dealers from around the world. This year they brought Lisa Pohlmann who has been doing the logistics of the annual trip for years but the first time she came down with them. She was the only one in the group to catch a sailfish.
Usually I would hang my head in shame to say something like that, but let’s back up for a minute. In February, my bosses decided to create several of our own “artificial marine eco-systems”. It is at some expense when you have to anchor something to the bottom in 3 to 5 thousand feet of water and make it out of a material that is eco-friendly and has a substantial life span.
A week before Boston’s arrival we tested it again and though it had plenty of bait on it, nothing exciting was to be reported. Upon their arrival, I explained it was a shot in the dark but I thought they should be my Guinea pigs.
They rose 41 marlins in two days, catching and releasing fish between 200 and 400 lbs. Of course, they had their annual Calcutta fishing tournament and as every year donated all the prize money to community projects.
New Video for May – Video Fishing Highlights and Recap
Each month our audio/video department puts together a “highlight reel” featuring guest experiences at Crocodile Bay Resort. We hope you enjoy this month’s video fishing report – who knows…you may even be the star!
Mark Davis and Big Water Adventures Mark Davis host of “Big Water Adventures” on the Outdoor Channel also tested that area. Fishing at the same time was Steve Martin, maker of “Fish RaZr,” a heavy-duty teaser dredge. Our boats are equipped with them. Davis recorded, “my best day of marlin fishing ever” and you can catch it later this season on the Outdoor Channel.
What we have found is some days the area is loaded with fish and other days not. Lately it hasn’t made a difference. The last two days with 4 boats fishing offshore, all have been raising 2 to 8 marlin apiece within 12 miles of the beach. Brothers Harry and Luke had two fish at 600 lbs.
July and August are historically good months to target marlin with blacks and striped marlin in the mix – you may check availability below for summer Costa Rica fishing trips.
Ladies Lets Go Fishing
Inshore has been consistent all month. When Andrea Beuter and her group from “Ladies Let’s Go Fishing” tired of offshore they got plenty of roosters and deepwater inshore species like grouper, tilefish, and congria.
You won’t find many women as enthusiastic about fishing as Licia Shreves. Her boyfriend James Hutmacher was so impressed with her fishing ability he proposed while they were here. “Great fishing and getting engaged, Best trip ever,” she beamed.
On a Conservation Note:
The last several years the Williams family has been very generous by allowing me time to address conservation issues in this country. Our group FECOP, ( Federacion Costarrisence de Pesca) has had some major advances for marine conservation.
FECOP Conservation Initiatives and Advances in Costa Rica:
- Stopped exportation of sailfish
- Supplied the science for the proposed reduction of tuna licenses issued and total tonnage allowed from 25,000 metric tons a year to around 8.
Our organization has done a very poor job of letting the fishing community know who we are. Crocodile Bay Resort is allowing me 6 months off during the low season to work as Communications Director at FECOP. The boss has offered to send my newsletter on to Crocodile Bay folks.
So when you receive the first newsletter, you will have an option to keep receiving them or not but I hope you do. If you want to make sure you are on the list drop me a note at todd@crocodilebay.com and pass it on to a friend.
If you’ve ever dreamed of owning your own boat slip and fishing in one of the worlds foremost sport fishing destinations, Crocodile Bay Marina has released a limited number of private boat slips. If you are interested in owning a slip at the new Crocodile Bay Marina, please click the following link for more information and a video that will help you to better understand all aspects of this new offering. WATCH THE MARINA VIDEO
Muchas Gracias
Todd Staley,
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort
Puerto Jimenez,
Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
Guest Testimonial of the Month:
Greetings friends at Crocodile Bay!
Dan, Adelyn, and I wanted to let you know what an amazing time we had visiting you at Crocodile Bay! We really appreciate everything you did for us and the lifetime of memories you helped us create! This is the best vacation our family has ever taken and we will smile every time we think of it.
Todd, Safari is doing very well and Adelyn will not let her leave her side. Thank you for making Adelyn’s trip so great and for her new friend!
Dennis, thank you for all of the great times on the eco tours, such a phenomenal experience!
We hope to see you all again very soon! Thank you again.
Becky, Dan, Adelyn, and of course Safari
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