Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica - Fishing Report April 7, 2011
by Todd Staley, Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
Crocodile Bay Resort just finished hosting the 30th Club Amateur de Pesca annual sailfish tournament with teams from South Africa, Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the United States competing. In four days of fishing the group of 10 boats raised over 300 billfish and landed a total of 150 billfish including several blue marlins which is amazing because all anglers were required to fish 20 lb test line and had a maximum of 30 minutes to land a fish.
The closest I have ever felt to walking with royalty was walking the pier each day with 86 year old Nora Scholfield. Nora was fishing her 28th tournament and is one of the pioneers of sport fishing in Costa Rica. Nora hooked two marlin on day two of the tournament and nearly landed a 250 pounder in the required 30 minutes. The 500 pound fish she hooked later wasn't about to give her the same chance.
Guatemala ended up taking first place, with South Africa second and Puerto Rico third. Franz Hoffman of Guatemala tied Puerto Rico's Bruno Rodriquez for the most fish, but Hoffman took home the trophy because he landed his last fish earlier in the day than Rodriquez.
The tournament atmosphere was a change for Crocodile Bay Captains who generally fish for fun although each wants to be on top of the scoreboard posted in the bar each evening. Freddy Navarro was top captain, followed by Edwin Cerdes and Chepe Conteras.
Inshore fishing as of late has been good with roosterfish along the beach cooperating very well. Dorado made a show this week and several were taken during the tournament but not counting as points. Yesterday 88 year old Richard Schrader fulfilled a lifelong dream and took his first sailfish on a fly. What's left I asked him as he got on the boat this morning. His reply was said matter of factly, "Do it again."
Todd Staley
Fishing Director
Crocodile Bay Resort, Costa Rica
