The term “world class” is so over used that it’s hard to take the term seriously. However, if you get the chance to fish the sea mounts off of Quepos, Costa Rica you will quickly realize what that term is supposed to mean. Captain Pete Rae and Pat McCotter, owner of the Sea Spud a 60’ B&D, would have never guessed that their fishing experience in Costa Rica would turn out to be as phenomenal as it has been. In the span of just 194 fishing days, February 2014 thru the 27th of July 2015, the Sea Spud crew caught and released 1,001 blue marlin off the coast of Quepos, Costa Rica. That’s caught and released, it doesn’t include the hundreds of others that were raised!
After their most recent four day trip out to the sea mounts, Capt. Pete and the Sea Spud crew caught and released 57 of the 71 blue marlin they raised. Day four of the trip proved to be red hot as they caught 25 of the 33 marlin they raised all on lures! Capt. Pete says, “That has to be some kind of record in itself”. Pat, a 2014 Billfish Foundation Angler of the Year recipient, turned 81 years old this last March and has reluctantly decided to sell the Sea Spud and retire back to North Carolina. However, Capt. Pete (captpeterae@yahoo.com) plans on continuing his adventures as soon as a new boat owner that shares his passion is found.
The area of sea mounts, 85 to 155 miles southwest of Quepos, has to be one of the most prolific blue marlin fishing grounds in the world. Until recently, it was the exclusive domain of a few private sport fishing vessels that had the range and equipment to undertake the trip. That’s now no longer the case. Ken and Amanda Cofer operate the 57’ Spencer sport fish “Tranquilo” out of Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica. (http://tranquilocharters.com) In addition to offering single day offshore and inshore fishing trips, they also offer two, three and even four day sea mount trips. The typical sea mount trip consists of two-twelve hour days of fishing and traveling to and from the sea mounts at night. Once in the vicinity, the Tranquilo team usually begins trolling a spread of two dredges, two teasers, and four lures at 8 to 10 knots. The lure spread remains deployed until live bait is spotted. Once bait is spotted and caught, most likely small tunas, the crew will switch over to live bait. Live baiting marlin is one of the biggest adrenaline rushes you can have while fishing once you see the fish as it zones in and violently attacks. Lures or live bait, the action is incredible and it’s not uncommon to release up to 30 or more marlin daily. Sea mount fishing is just one aspect of the incredible year round fishing here in Costa Rica. If you want to find out what “world class” fishing really means, Costa Rica is the place to be.
Written by Tom Hauer
Tom is a co-publisher of the Costa Rica edition of Coastal Angler Magazine. He can be contacted at tomh@coastalanglermagazine.com or 321-445-1557.
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