Coming off a great February with light winds, the March anglers so far have done well:
* Naines group (01-02) fishing aboard the “Intensity” raised 34 , had 31 bites and 20 releases; their second boat “Pelagian” raised 26, had 22 bites and 16 releases
* The Batesko group (02-03-04) fishing aboard the “Rum Line” raised 53, had 41 bites and 22 released + 3 marlin raised, had 2 bites and 1 released (est 350lbs)
* The Soliday group (05-06-07) fishing aboard the “Rum Line” (25-20-14) and “Finest Kind” (27-24-14) having a good time
* The Bradley group (05-06-07) fishing aboard the “Pelagian” (9-7-4) are having a tough time of it. They did raise one blue on Friday.
* The Coleman group (05-06-07) fishing aboard the “Twenty” (19-18-10) and Circle Hook (37-29-22)
* The Schifferdecker group (05-06-07) fishing aboard the “Intensity” (36-28-20)
This morning the weather is turning clear and the winds are picking up and the wave action is starting to affect the sailfish bite. But, the blues just love that rough water!
Continuation of the report:
Of note Dru Guillot in the Bradley party (5 thru 7th) caught an albino sailfish. You be the judge http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NS8s4bMW1kE
* The Pastro party fishing about the same time as the Murphy group (9-10 & 12th) from So. Fla encountered heavy seas. Heavy for us, but not for where they normally fish. The crew of the Spindrift kept them on the fish 26-21-14 and 1 blue raised. Our certified guide, Juan Carlos took them up to La Antigua on their off day for some local culture and shopping. Gotta bring the wives some jade!
* The first section of Murphy’s group (9 thru 11th) didn’t fare well. Finally on their last day on Intensity connected 19-14-8 on fly.
* The second section (12 thru 14th) fared better. On Release 26-23-14; Finest Kind 15-7-4 and raised 4 blues, releasing 2; and on Intensity 34-27-18
It should be noted that the So. Fla anglers faced large swells – much higher than we normally see, but due mainly to the cold fronts pushing down from the USA.
* The Waleryzak party (15th thru17th) fishing Release 32-21-8 and 1 250 blue released on fly. Fishing on Intensity 46-18-9
* The DeCorral party from Argentina (15th thru 17th) had to switch boats – Capt. Nicho from Spindrift to Canaso took them to the moon and back 53-22-10 on fly.
* The Horsley group – (same time) Finest Kind 29-10-6; Rum Line 30-19-5; Pelagian 53-19-9 and 1 blue raised
* Fervert party (15th thru 18th) on Rum Line with Capt. Chris Sheeder – 12-9-5
* Second Horsley group (19th thru 21st) fishing on Release 30-12-6 on fly and raised 2 blues; Intensity 20-8-7 and 1 blue
* Trefelner group (18th thru 20th) on Finest Kind 19-16-11 and 1 blue
* Dr. Lee Sprinkle and partner fly fishing from the Twenty with Capt. Jason Brice (15th thru 19th) 23-12-8 on fly and 1 300 black also on fly. Good job!
* Stagg party from Texas (18th thru 20th) on the Pelagian with Capt. Chico Alvarenga fishing conventional gear 26-21-16
* Don Scovira and his wife from Colorado escaping the winter cold fished aboard the Intensity (22nd thru 24th) with Capt. Mike Sheeder 27-22-15 on fly and raised 2 blues, releasing 1 250# on conventional.
* SWS Editor John and his lovely wife Poppy Brownlee joined by photog extraordinare Richard Gibson fished the Finest Kind with Capt. Ron Hamlin for two days (22 & 23) 8-3-3 and Poppy got her first blue – 225# on conventional. The following day (24th) they were aboard the Rum Line with Capt. Chris Sheeder 12-10-7 Article to be out this winter on their adventure.
* A group of Brazilians took over the lodge (25th thru 27th) on their annual pilgrimage fished four of our boats: Release with Capt. Nico Melendrez 40-34-20 and 1 blue raised; Intensity with Capt. Mike Sheeder 20-16-10; Rum Line with Capt. Chris Sheeder 48-38-21 and Pelagian with Capt. Chico Alvarenga 25-18-14 and 1 300# blue. Mini Tournament Totals: Sailfish = 133 raised, 106 bites, 65 released / Blue Marlin: 2 raised, 1 bite, 1 released
* Squeezed in the lodge were Davis Mitchell & Robert Gates who went down to go over plans to build a hospital in Pto. San Jose and replace the aging clinic there. They got out one day (26th) on the Finest Kind with Capt. Ron Hamlin 11-10-7
* Christiansen & Needler groups were next (28th thru 30th). Christiansen fishing the Release 33-29-22 on conventional plus raising 2 blues. Needler fishing on Intensity 52-42-28
* Now have the Shimano Tackle group (29th thru 01st) on the Finest Kind with Capt. Ron Hamlin. First two day report is encouraging 19-17-11 and 1 blue raised.