This has been the year of big wind as we set off on bucket list fishing trips to both Barbados and Costa Rica. El Nino has tried its best to keep us off the water; but in the end the trips were amazing, if different than what we had planned. As our captains always advise, keeping an open mind is the key to a great charter.
Fishing Golfo De Papagayo, Costa Rica
This recent trip to Golfo de Papagayo, Costa Rica was one of those trips. The original trip was planned to hunt the world-class marlin and wahoo which feed in these waters in the winter. January is tournament season in Costa Rica and the big pelagics were in the area. Unfortunately, so was the high wind and big surf. Wahoo and Marlin like the clear, blue water while roosterfish like green. So with conditions the way they were, and winds gusting 30 knots, we compromised on an in-shore trip to go after the roosterfish that can only be caught in these waters, Southern California to the Coast of Equador.
We set out into the Golfo de Papagayo from the Papagayo Marina aboard El Jefe, a stunning Out Islander 40 with twin Cummins 450s, tournament grade tackle, top-grade gadgetry and everything you can expect on a luxury charter. We started out in pursuit of live bait – bonita is a favorite of roosterfish.
Almost from the beginning we were intrigued by the high tech aspects of El Jefe. We quickly located and caught the bonita which the crew deposited into tuna tubes. The only way to describe it is, uh, on their noses. The tuna were held in tubes with saltwater pumped over their gills to keep them fresh and colorful while keeping them from thrashing around too much. The array of electronics and gear was sensational and all top-shelf.
The seas were rocking and rolling with 6 foot breaking waves, it was spectacular. After a successful bait run we changed course, threading past Monkey Head Rock and other outcroppings to get to the favorite haunt of the roosterfish. They prefer the structure of the shoreline in 20-100 foot waters. As always, the captain was a little vague about his specific course and coordinates. We could see Witches Rock – famous with surfers for its regular breaks – and the waters off of Santa Rosa National Park. We steered clear of the protected waters and started to troll a lazy figure 8. We kept an eye on the full bank of high tech Garmin sounders, radar, maps and GPS that were charting the captains’ path carefully over the rocks and scrabble roosterfish love to hide in.
Gotta say, at this point we are usually so focused on the fishing we miss most of the scenery, but Golfo de Papagayo will beguile even the most focused angler.
Costa Rica lies on the Circle of Fire, the ring of volcanos which sits atop where the Caribbean and Pacific plates meet. The verdant rain forests rest in the distant mist. We were surrounded by the craggy, spectacular islands and out-croppings teeming with frigates and other birds that make fishing in this gulf a spectacular trip, whether fishing or catching.
The water was a balmy 82 degrees and we were locked and loaded with up and down-riggers plying our bait to the hungry roosterfish below. The Blackfin rods and Shimano reels gleamed in the sun. The frigates were diving and we knew our fish were poised for a strike. But where were those elusive roosterfish.
The crew was taking nothing for granted. Rods were reeled in and reset. Bait was scrutinized and refreshed. The captain was scouring the waves and radio for signs of strikes. Oliver did his never-fails fish dance and Mike sent a little Imperial beer over the side for the fish gods. As the captain slowed a bit and started working and reworking a specific part of the figure eight, the crew was telling us of their recent trip with Jude Law (Marlin!) and their trip the day prior with baseball player James Jones (on his honeymoon – they didn’t fish, just snorkeled swam with turtles and had a private barbeque on a private beach.) Still nothing. Just when the tension was becoming unbearable Oliver jumped in with drinks and some of the best fresh guacamole we have ever had.
But as always happens the minute we stopped watching the surface and reached for those rum drinks – BAM! It was game on and the guac went flying – temporarily forgotten with the screaming of the lines!
Mike jumped on the port rod and was strapped into the rod-harness as the line screamed out 25 yards of 30 lb mono.
The crew was with him guiding him as he played the now seriously- pissed-off roosterfish. Roosterfish are known for their strong jaws and bad tempers when jerked around, so technique is especially important to landing the fish successfully. Mike was gentle as he tipped the rod up, but the fish put up a great fight. It took about 10 minutes to get it close enough to the boat to have it jump and dance on the surface, then it took off with a sharp heave, back 25 yards. And so it went. Roosterfish are great fighters. They dive down to the rocks and reefs they love and don’t give up easily. Roosterfish are predators that fight every fight as though their lives depends on it.
After 25 minutes Mike reeled the beauty in close enough for the crew to bring it into the boat. And was it worth all the effort! Our roosterfish was a bit above average at about 45 pounds, roughly 42 inches. While not a world record – currently 114 lbs caught off the Southern California Coast – it was spectacular. Its signature comb gleamed and the sun glistened on its stripes.
As with many of our own, local sports-fishermen practice catch and release seriously in Costa Rica. From the moment the roosterfish came on board the captain stepped in to be sure pictures were taken quickly and the fish was gently returned to the water. All of the crew focused and worked together to be sure the fish was alive and kicking as it bolted away from us, leaving nothing but wonder and some great photos on-board.
Oliver, Mark, Neils were truly spectacular captain and crew. Their efforts made the day. Gotta mention that while we’ve had the privilege to fish with great captains, this captain and crew kept the charter running like clockwork, and immaculate. Nothing was out of place. When the guac went flying it was cleaned up so quickly and thoroughly it was as if it had never happened. If you want a world-class experience with a focused, well trained, caring and proficient crew, on a high-tech yet comfortable boat, check out El Jefe.
We based this trip from the Andaz Resort directly on Golfo de Papagayo on Costa Rica’s West Coast, north of Liberia. As mentioned, this is stunning countryside. While we usually like to spend all of our time on the water, we could not resist checking out Arenal Volcano and the surrounding area – ask us about it all at the RISAA show!
If you find yourself headed to Costa Rica reach out to them at info@eljefecostarica.com or 832.447.4831
For an extraordinary opportunity consider staying at Casa Estrella with your family or friends, and have several days of El Jefe at your disposal for fishing, scuba/snorkel and more! http://www.youtube.com/embed/t0K5QqdBvjc?rel=0
