Mike Jones displays this 100lb plus trophy Rooster Fish, but not after a 45 minute battle, out of Playa del Coco
Fishing often seems to take its cue from the Longfellow poem/nursery rhyme that most Americans and Canadians growing up in the 1950s and 1960s (and before) know: ‘… when she was good, she was very, very good, but when she was bad she was horrid’.
The final spring months off most of Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, especially the Central Pacific (Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Los Sueños/Jacó) and North Pacific (Tamarindo, Flamingo, Papagayo) was exactly like that, either really up or really down. During one of the up phases, for example, Jamie Casey, owner of the 38ft Macushla out of Los Sueños with Captain Johnny Cerpas, called me to enthusiastically report that her clients raised an incredible 47 sails on a full day charter, releasing an arm-wrenching 25.
Playas del Coco
Mike Jones fishing with Captain Jimbo Lopez from Albacora Sportfishing Tours caught this huge Rooster fish weighing over 100lbs. He was using a PowerRod by Shakespear, Daiwa Spinning Reel (model 4500BL Regal Z), with 20 pound test line and it took him 45 minutes to bring it in. Read more... (738 words, 2 images, estimated 2:57 mins reading time)
Limited Funds provide Limited Lifeguard Services. Over 98% of all Costa Rica beaches have no lifeguard services. And those that do, are threaten with lack of funding.
One of the questions I get asked all the time is, “How safe are Costa Rica’s beaches?” And having been a competition swimmer, driver, surfer, and former lifeguard in San Diego, my answer is three questions, “How good of a swimmer are you?” and “Can you spot a rip current and how to get out of one?”
Since about the early eighties when US surfers discovered the unreal wave action in Costa Rica, about the only people you saw in the ocean were surfers. Rarely would you see a Costa Rican swimming, at best it was wading ankle or the brave, waist deep in the ocean. Costa Ricans are smart; they know how dangerous their ocean can be. But even with that, a dangerous rip surge, even in waist deep water, can drag a body underwater and that is why, according the the Red Cross, there are about 120 recorded drownings a year. And only God-knows how many deaths occur from drownings that go unrecorded. Read more... (769 words, 3 images, estimated 3:05 mins reading time)
450 lb Black Marlin, just one of many caught and released on Good Friday
Good Friday was incredible, Captain Bobby McGuinness of the Cazador related: marlin, two for three, one a superb 450lb blue and the ‘minnow’ just over 250lb; plus 11 sails brought to the boat of 18 raised that day. That was followed up a couple of days later with a tally of marlin, one for three; and sails, one for seven in just over five hours of fishing (the client had a cold, and came in early).
And it’s not going to stop. Bobby said there is enough bait to last for months, 20 miles of nothing but bait just seven-eight miles off the coast.
Bobby is not the only captain with satisfied clients. A young couple went out two days ago on the 27-foot Salsa with Captain Maikel Rodríguez out of Tamarindo for a half day inshore. They came back with more than they probably bargained for, and certainly with big grins on their faces, a 500lb black marlin! Read more... (262 words, 1 image, estimated 1:03 mins reading time)
Club Vertigo's Rocking Night Action in San Jose
Costa Rica for spring break? Humm – not a bad idea! It may not be as wild as Cancun, Mexico with it’s crazy parties, infamous umbrella drinks, wet T-shirt contests and drunken beer-guzzling nights, but what really defines, “Exciting!” to your personal taste?
Mexico has always been the choice for Spring Breakers, but now with increasing problems (spearheaded by the Media and read this State Department Warning) with the drug wars, Costa Rica sounds more like the perfect destination if you are looking to party in a tropical setting and most important, FEEL SAFE!!!
Travel Agents have jumped on the bandwagon offering vacation packages for as little as $400 for a weeks stay that includes, hotel, meals and of course, that famous complimentary cocktail upon arrival, but unlike Cancun, this one will have some “serious” alcohol in it!!
So it may not be a 5-star hotel, but who cares, you probably won’t sleep there anyway.
Do you have this in Cancun? Read more... (719 words, 3 images, estimated 2:53 mins reading time)
