Wind Sends Boats South, Where Sailfish and Marlin Play

WIND is blowing like crazy on the northern Pacific coast, with many boats out of Tamarindo and Flamingo basing at Playa Carrillo, or running clients south of Cabo Vela. If it follows the normal pattern as expected, all will be well for the Michigan Boys Tournament, scheduled out of Flamingo in April.

There appears to be more consistent fishing farther south, where Julie Kieldsen reports that Florida anglers Frank Durand and Frank Piazza fished the Reel Pleasure out of Los Sueños at Herradura Bay on the Central Pacific Coast, and went 15 releases for 16 sailfish up only 8 miles from shore.

“The blue water is back close to the beach, bringing the sailfish and marlin in with it, and marlin are being caught daily at The Corner, a spot 14 miles to the south,” Julie said.

Quepos boats are reporting similar action farther south.

Julie also reports that Don Quincey, Bob Mount, Merl Faupel and Jennifer Hoyle had an incredible four-day trip aboard the 64-foot Carcharodon. It took them south from Los Sueños to DrakeBay the first day, where they went three for six on sails at CañoIsland. The next morning they moved farther south off Golfito and by 9 a.m. had nine more sailfish.

About 11 a.m., a giant black marlin charged the left teaser; they dropped back a bait, which the fish took and Quincey was off to the races – the marlin greyhounded, then bored deep and finally came in to take a peek at the boat before heading to the depths, Judy said.

Don had the estimated 500-pound black marlin on the line for two hours before getting it close enough to release.

They added nine more sails to the boat that afternoon, and more the following day. Out of Quepos, Bill Gannon, captain of the Unique, reports the fish are a 15- to 20- mile run from the beach, with boats raising 15 to 25 sails a day.

Todd Staley reports from Crocodile Bay Lodge at Puerto Jiménez in the Southern Zone that pro football players Trey Teague, Mark Robertson, Dave Moore and Alex Van Pelt of the Buffalo Bills, along with stunt pilot Walt Powell were among 22 anglers competing in a private tournament there in early March.

“They took enough sails to make it interesting, and lots of roosterfish to 60 pounds,” Todd said. He adds that boats are seeing about five marlin a day, with a few to the boat estimated at 250 to 350 pounds.

On the Caribbean, Dan Wise reports from the Colorado Lodge that tarpon just won’t quit, with a pair of anglers out of the lodge Tuesday morning reporting five releases between 6 and 9 a.m., working inside the river.

Dan said all are amazed to find the calba (a species of small snook) have made a reappearance a month after their normal run, with guide Luis Pérez nailing 13 in one day last weekend.

For more info on fishing, contact Jerry at jruhlow@costaricaoutdoors.com or visit www.costaricaoutdoors.com Anglers are invited to e-mail or call Jerry with fishing reports by Wednesday of each week. Call or fax: 282-6743 if calling from Costa Rica, or through the e-mail address above.