High Hook wins Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica

Press release from Presidential Challenge Charitable Foundation, March 5

CARRILLO, Guanacaste – The High Hook team, led by owner Larry Allison and Capt. Mike Parr, came to the Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica (PCCA) ready to fish and have fun, and by all measures they accomplished both goals. They followed up their strong Day 2 performance going into Day 3, tallying more than enough points to outdistance the closest competitor. (They had a memorable second day where they released three blue marlin and two sailfish, good for 1,100 points.) While the scores were tight during most of the day, a last-minute sailfish release for David Shinn put them on top with 1,500 points. High Hook owner Larry Allison was also the Top Angler for the tournament, releasing two blue marlin and a sailfish over the course of three days.

The Sea Angel clawed their way into second place with 1,300 points. Owner Greg Angel, his sons Capt. BC and Austin Angel, and Arturo Moreno found only sailfish during the tournament, never releasing a marlin in three days, so they scored their points the hard way: one sailfish and 100 points at a time. The team won several events in the Pacific last year, including the Papagayo Cup Perpetual Trophy, presented to the team with the highest point total between the Presidential Challenge of Costa Rica and the Presidential Papagayo Cup.

The Silver-Rod-O, with Team Las Ventanas del Mar – angler/owner Gary Carter, John Richardson, Tim Mossberg and Brian Grange – placed third with 1,300 points. A last-minute bite would have moved them into second, but unfortunately they ran out of time, missing the 3:30 p.m. cutoff by just seconds. The Silver-Rod-O is based in Carrillo, so the team was able to take full advantage of their local knowledge during the tournament.

In the angler standings, Allison took home first with 700 points, thanks to his early release of a blue marlin. Gary Carter finished second with 700 points, followed by Arturo Moreno in third, also with 700 points.

The PCCA celebrated its 16th anniversary of “fishing for conservation” this year. For the tournament there were four blue marlin, six striped marlin and 67 sailfish released by 12 participating teams.

Next up on the PCCA tournament schedule is the Presidential Papagayo Cup, scheduled for June 6-9 at Marina Papagayo, in northwestern Costa Rica. For more information on the tournament series, visit www.preschallenge.com.

PCCA Final Standings
First-place team: High Hook, 1,500 points
Second-place team: Sea Angel, 1,300 points
Third-place 5eam: Las Ventanas del Mar, 1,300 points

First-place angler: Larry Allison, 700 points
Second-place sngler: Gary Carter, 700 points
Third-place angler: Arturo Moreno, 700 points

Top boat: High Hook, 1,500 points
Second-place boat: Sea Angel, 1,300 points
Third-place boat: Silver-Rod-O, 1,300 points