Good three days of fishing.  Strange weather on day 2, 30 knot winds and 8 to 10 foot seas.  Not unlike a brisk day in Bermuda, but totally freaky for CR.  If we had been signed up for the tournament, we would have had second place overall and in the daily Calcutta. Clearly we were having fishing as good as it could be. Got a nice 225# marlin on 30#  and one BIG sail that they said went 150 – 180#.  I think we had 13 sails overall and held a respectable hook up ratio.  Three of four nice Dorados, too.  Oh yeah, we also  caught a turtle and a bird, both safely released.

- Bruce Dilke

Last week I had the opportunity to fish four days of a wonderful six day vacation with Black and Blue Fishing, in their Los Suenos location. Invited by club member Rich Allen and club owner Jason Doyle. I flew into San Jose with Capt Sean O’Neil, Yacht broker J.T. Welker and Jamie Naven.
Our all star fishing team was picked up at the airport by ‘Carlos’, Black and Blue’s competent and friendly Tico driver. He had ice cold drinks and AC awaiting us in the van and made the beautiful hour and half drive over the mountains to Jaco both comfortable and exciting. “Ask to stop and view Costa’s enormous Crocodiles along the way”. This was my first time fishing with the Black and Blue clubs Los Suenos operation. The entire week was made so pleasurable by this first class, smoothly run operation.
Our first day of fishing we met up with Capt Mike Springer, his Mate’s Chowie and Arturo at 7 Am. The weather was beautiful and the hour ride to the fishing grounds was so comfortable aboard the 57 Sonny Briggs that I actually slept on the way out! The day was a great introduction to the Pacific Sailfish and Marlin with our crew going 11 for 21 on the huge pacific sails. Capt Sean managed to catch an acrobatic Striped Marlin after a frantic teaser bite! Unfortunately we missed a Blue Marlin on a aggressive teaser bite. Capt Mike and his crew were superb ship mates and the fishing, breakfast and lunch were truly excellent on the DeMako.
After fishing a “cool down” Imperial beer was ready in the cockpit drink box and up at Los Suenos Marinas Hook Up bar. Then back to the ice cold air conditioning at the Black and Blues well equipped condo. Staying inside the Los Suenos compound was safe and luxurious. The condo’s covered veranda overlooks the golf course and part of the harbor and is surrounded by Costa Rica’s picturesque mountains.
Day two fishing was once again accented by calm seas and highlighted by a couple of sailfish double headers. Our team tightened up after our practice on day one and combined for 16 for 19 sails and some more big mahi! It was a great day of fishing and the beer again was ice cold at the Hookup! After showering up at the condo, we took the short cab ride into Jaco for dinner, each night a different venue and never a bad meal!
Day three started with Capt. Mikes egg & sausage burritos and after the ride to the fishing grounds the sail bites started quickly. We caught a few doubles and missed a few other opportunities. The fishing was pretty constant and when the diesel smoke cleared we were 14 for 28 on the sails. Another great day with lots of sail bites. Although a few too many misses on our part. Mike and his crew as always did their part and out fished the fleet considerably!
Day four Capt. Sean and I wanted to experience Costa on Land. While the others were busy catching 11 for 18 Sails and missing 2 shots a Marlin. Ole Cappy and I were Zip –Lining thru the forest canopy in the mountains with Los Suenos canopy tours. Local gringo friends recommended this particular outfitter as being one of the better Zip tours in Costa Rica, and it was also the closest. It was a blast whipping thru the treetops in a harness connected to a stainless. A couple of friendly guides accompany you along the hour and a half tour ensuring your safety. The steep tractor ride to the upper starting point added to the experience. The humid sweet greenery of the mountain was defiantly a diversion worth trying.
The next morning we were all tired enough to leave Los Suenos but no one really wanted too! While we waited for Carlos to pick us up we all lingered around the condo area. A last view from the porch, a quick dip in the beautiful pool, a laugh from the past week, it was a trip to be remembered, and made extremely memorable by all those involved with the Black and Blue fishing club. The people and the amenities made it a wonderful experience.

Sincerely,

Capt. Chris Dudzek

This is why you should not wait to do a fishing report. Hmmmmm, what did happen? Well, we made a boys’ trip down to Costa Rica to see Capt. Mike, Chowie and Arturo. Capt. Allen decided to come fishing for a vacation, Super Dave and Fletch (Bermuda’s favorite bartender) and I had a great time.

The sails were not super thick but how can you complain about double digits every day? The weather was beautiful and we had a great time. The most notable catch was Super Dave’s Blue Marlin. This fish obviously did not know about the “Pacific fish stay on top and jump around”. Poor Dave had to reel in 71/72 nds of a spool of line to get that fish in, but he did it. Great job Dave!

The next best show was put on by yours truly, emptying (virtually single handedly) the drink box on De Mako. This is why it is not a good idea to start the day with a rum. Ah well, live and learn. (I would like to point out that while walking was hard, I did go 2 for 2 on sails.)

I promise to do better on the report when I return at the end of March.

- Jeff Radke