First, our congratulations to the 12 boats, captains, crew and anglers, they released 218 billfish overall (216 Sailfish and two Marlin) some very impressive numbers to for this small size of tournament in Quepos.
Second, we give excellent credit to Costa Rica Sportfishing, (Americana Sportfishing) who, while, during this second annual Quepos Billfish Cup tournament kept anglers/onlookers abreast from their Twitter, Costa Rica Fishing Reports page of daily billfish counts and points.
But getting back, with 30 Sailfish released over the three-day event, Tease Em emerged as the winner of the second annual Quepos Billfish Cup held February 8, 9 and 10 held at the new Pez Vela Marina.
The 70ft boat racked up 3070 points, followed by Billfish (2784) and Fastrak (2723). Billfish released 27 Sailfish, and Fastrak 22 Sails and a Marlin.
However, there was a bit of controversy that clouded the final day, and since Americana was posting the daily outcome on their Facebook page they became targeted as a venting place for people displeased with the outcome.
Costa Rica Sportfishing suddenly found themselves in the position of moderator.
Many claimed that Fastrak anglers really won, smoking the competition through the entire tournament with 36 sailfish, 1 marlin, and 1 dorado.
One of the things that started the controversy was (according to local gossip, the second most important thing that Costa Rica is known for) when 12/captains/owners saw some contradictions and misinterpretation between certain oral guidelines and written rules before the tournament even started. Now we add IGFA rules and it became a cluster bomb of interpretations.
But it narrow down to the last day of the tournament and upon returning to the marina Fastrak was denied dock access when the captain called in at 5:20 pm and was told to wait outside the marina. According to the Quepos Billfish Cup "Unofficial" Rules 2013 ALL boats must be checked in by 5:30pm, thus leaving ONLY ten minutes for Fastrak to enter the marina, dock and check in.
So why did Fastrak have to wait? If Fastrak was allowed to dock and check in, they would have won the tournament.
Marina/Tournament officials claimed this was due to heavy traffic at the fuel docks, thus preventing Fastrak to dock and check in so their final tally was not counted! So you can see how the Captain/Crew/Anglers were saying, WTF! … when many claimed the fuel dock had only a few boats docked.
Anyone that has been to Pez Vela Marina knows, that marine has a lot of docking space besides the fuel dock.
So why wouldn't/didn't Marina/Tournament officials tell Fastrak to dock somewhere else? Good question and one that cause the outcry!
A writer for various fishing publications wrote: "I will certainly be discussing this injustice with the community. Sorry to say it, and I'm not one to enter conflict, but this was organized injustice at its best. Late (which they were not) should be a deduction, not a disqualification. The captain made communication with the officials. They were robbed of their day, unjustly. I hope the other competitors show some respect and talk to the organization- and stop this from happening next year to someone else."
Another wrote, "The sponsored team from Mexico that was on the Fastrak will not be returning here anytime soon. Just my opinion but the ones who were hurt the worse with this, are the Captain and crew on the Fastrak who worked their hearts and angler Rudy Solano who single handedly caught 24 sailfish, a marlin and 4 mahi so should have been the Top Angler of the Tournament. At the captain's meeting Friday it was said we're not saying there will be impropriety going on and that it is not a big money tournament and it is about sportsmanship, gentlemanship and so on….."
Costa Rica Sportfishing maintaining neutrality wrote, "I can well understand that someone(s) would get pissed off at being disqualified for a technicality, misunderstanding, confusion or general ineptitude. Just hope it doesn't adversely affect the marina, its reputation (the Offshore World Championship is scheduled for mid-April out of Pez Vela) and its future."
But to sum it all up by one, "It's a shame the team that caught the most fish didn't win the show."
Editors Note: Controversy always seems to happen at these Billfish Touraments. At the world famous Cabo San Lucas Bisbee tournament some form of controversy happens just about every year. Organizers of next year's tournament (hosted at the Pez Vela Marina) have insured there will have none of the difficulties encountered. We wish them the best, since this is a nice monterary draw into Quepos, Costa Rica.
This not all of the story! Also the boat that would have taken 3rd place was blocked form checking in and there is no "Children of Quepos" and they could not say how much $$ went to them and you dont buy Air conditioners with money.
This article is no where near th truth you might want to have the person who wrote it check his facts and not report on what his buddies say and take it as truth here are the facts. This article is a completely false as to when the boat was at the approved area he was behind our boat and we just barley made it with 4 minutes to go. They were not even in view of the marina. I would like to make a few comments about what transpired on the last day of this tournament. 1. The Fast Trak boat is a local boat out of this marina. 2. The Boat that ultimately won is a boat from the states that is in transit. 3. The Boats that finished second and third were boats from that marina. 4. Fast Trak did aquire the most points with in the aloted fishing time. 5. They failed to make it back to the marina on time. 6. The rules were in black and white and all the other boats were in on time. This is what cost them the points on the last day. They were the the boat to beat. 7. They were 12 minutes late witnessed with my own eyes. I was a contestant in this Charity Tournament for the children of Quepos and it would be a sad day, if these people, that clearly did not make it back into the marina on time, were to take legal action against a charity. The rules are the rules and it was not easy to watch the boat that had caught the most fish get DQed for not making it back to the marina on time. It was refreshing to see the representative of the Fast Trak graciously accept his awards. and brag about the first rate experience at this marina very class act. Just The Facts People
Like we said there was a few pissed off people and they pretty much vented from the quotes we posted. We did visit the Billfish Cup website and nothing was said … either way, there is always displeased people, lets hope that next years Cup is big and successful.
I was on the boat Fastrak. All evidence points to us being inside the 'safe' area of the moorings on the final day. It was said in the initial captain's meeting that on the shortened last day that you just needed to be in the moorings at the edge of the marina concession. Maybe some didn't attend that meeting or understand that written rules need to also accept what is verbally stated. So who made the call from the marina to block our entrance? The captain said it was an 'unusual' voice. Most have trouble comprehending that we would be asked to wait outside. All calculations point to us being in on time, and exactly at 5:20 when many vouch hearing the unusual conversation with the marina. It would have been a rush to the desk, but on the last day that was not necessary. We were led to believe that our position and arrival was acknowledged. The boat was never accelerated to save time, and was running at 10-15% less than it's potential. We could have made it in fifteen minutes earlier, but why push it. Foul play is present and there are those turning a blind eye to the facts for whatever self-serving reasons. Why would we be going to such lengths to try to correct our mistake? Many have signed the petition, but many are afraid for their jobs. The marina most likely has valuable photos and information that they are withholding. Come on, just do the right thing. I was going to tout the area and great fishing, now I have to use it as an example of how tournaments lack a checks and balances system for decisions that could be influenced by financial gain. I could easily take them to court and win. The winning boats should accept our case and do the right thing. Shame on those wealthy individuals accepting a win in this manner. I understand that you are hurt by the loss, but the word is sportsmanship. We dropped twice as much into the local economy as we could have won. If you want to live the pura vida then live with a pure heart. At the moment, the waters of Quepos are a little muddy.
Bryan Replogle fishing on Fastrak