That’s Fishin’ – March 2020

Welcome to March edition of That’s Fishin! March is an excellent time to fish here in Quepos with both our Offshore and Inshore fishery providing some special opportunities to wet a line and who knows, possibly catch that fish of a lifetime!

OFFSHORE FISHING

When Offshore fishing, we typically fish 20-40 miles Offshore range where huge numbers of Pacific Sailfish congregate at this time of year as part of their annual migration and breeding ritual. At this time of year it is not uncommon to experience double digit bites from Sailfish when the bite is on, which makes for one action packed day on the water with jumping Sailfish and flashing cameras at the ready! Marlin, Tuna, Dorado and the odd Wahoo can also be caught whilst trolling Offshore. Talking about Wahoo, regular visitor Elise Furlin-Parker caught a stunning Wahoo of more than 40lbs during her February trip aboard GOOD DAY, a special fish for sure and capped off a great couple of days fishing where they caught Sailfish, Tuna, Dorado, and Wahoo. An estimated 60lb Wahoo was also landed by another boat in the fleet just a few days before, another fantastic fish!

There were some very nice sized Tuna caught throughout February with many Yellowfin Tuna topping 100lbs, expect more of the same throughout March. To fish for Tuna in Costa Rica is something that has to be experienced to be believed and appreciated. Photos, videos, and stories at the bar might add to the excitement but they do not do it the justice it deserves. We catch Tuna alongside mega pods of literally hundreds of Spinner Dolphins which travel together with the Tuna and form a huge feeding frenzy as they attack the bait balls lurking below as birds dive kamikaze style from the air and come crashing into the water to join the feast too. Seeing this first hand is something that might stay with you forever and is one thing that keeps many of our guests returning year after year. When you have nature at its best playing out before your eyes like this, catching a fish is just a bonus.

INSHORE FISHING

Roosterfish, Snook, Snapper, Jacks, Mackerel, and Corvina have dominated the Inshore catches over the past month. A shout out to the guys aboard Chloe Frijole who have had some great success with Roosterfish fishing and have been making dreams come true with many guests from the USA, England and Ireland recently, delighted at having struck a big Roosterfish off their bucket lists. The Snook fishing in February was spectacular and Capt Jerry aboard COWBOY landed a 37lb Snook, a fish of a lifetime for sure. March is always a favourite time for a big Snook and let’s see if any of the Quepos Captains can break the magical 50lb barrier this month, or even perhaps another World Record Snook, of which Quepos holds several in various line classes.

If Snook is your target head to the river mouths close to Quepos, and for Roosterfish, the rocks and islands south of Quepos are your best bet for a larger Roosterfish.

TOURNAMENTS – MARCH MADNESS!

The tournament season has already got off to a blinder with hugely successful events The Dorado Derby, Pelagic Rockstar, and the LADIES ONLY Pescadora Billfish Championship. This month we have two great tournaments happening here at the Marina Pez Vela. The 1st ever Roosterfish Rodeo takes place on March 7th which is a one day 100% Catch & Release Roosterfish shootout with prizes awarded to the longest fish (measured, photographed and released immediately) and for the most fish released. The weekend of March 20-21st then sees the return of the ever popular QUEPOS BILLFISH CUP, which is 1st leg of the Marina Pez Vela Championship Series and also a qualifying event for the OFFSHORE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP. So something for everyone during this month’s tournaments, Inshore batting it out for the prized Roosterfish or Offshore against some of the best boats and teams in the business fishing for Marlin & Sailfish. It is still not too late to enter either event, no prior experience is necessary as we cater to both experienced Anglers and novices alike. Just drop myself or the team at Marina Pez Vela a line if you would like to find out more.

REMAINING TOURNAMENT DATES

The dates for the remaining tournaments in the 2020 Marina Pez Vela calendar are as follows with full details at marinapezvelatournaments.com.

March 7, 2020 Roosterfish Rodeo (NEW!)
March 20-21, 2020 Quepos Billfish Cup
April 17-18, 2020 Marina Pez Vela Open
April 20-23, 2020 Offshore World Championships
May 23-24, 2020 Pelagic Pura Vida Inshore Classic & Kids Only tournament!

Hope to see you out there!

Benn Gilmour
Jackpot Sport Fishing, Marina Pez Vela, Quepos
Cell: 8458 4997 [email protected]