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Big Billfish are Jumping Offshore at Marina Papagayo
Talk about the one that didn't get away!
It took nearly two hours, a hooked bonita and a persistent angler to land a 500-pound black marlin in a 26? Gulfstream sport-fishing boat a few miles off the Pacific coast from Marina Papagayo in northwestern Costa Rica this summer."
"The captain and crew and the guest fishermen had seen several marlin free jumping in the water," said Capt. Dan Eaffaldano, General Manager of Marina Papagayo. "They caught and bridled (on a circle hook) a bonita and a big black marlin took the bonita - the angler fought the marlin for at least an hour and 45 minutes."
That half-day sport fishing charter out of Marina Papagayo yielded several spectacular catches. The anglers caught and released the 500-pound marlin and several dorado. On another recent fishing charter, three large blue marlin were caught and released, and, during a June 2 charter, anglers caught and released three sailfish and eight dorado.
These amazing, powerful fish are among the big catches landed by sport fishermen and women almost every day since Billfish Safaris began the summer fishing season off the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Billfish Safaris is offering sport fishing charters out of Marina Papagayo at the 2,300-acre Peninsula Papagayo luxury resort in Costa Rica.
"Hop on an airplane and come to Marina Papagayo. Now is the time for great fishing," said Capt. Eaffaldano, President of Costa Rican operations for Brandy Marine International, L.L.C. of Sarasota, FL. Brandy Marine manages, markets and performs consulting work for the new, state-of-the-art 180-slip luxury marina at Peninsula Papagayo.
"In summer, the water has been warming to around 85 degrees (F)," Eaffaldano said. "That's bringing in more fish - blue marlin, black marlin, striped marlin, sailfish, yellowfin tuna, roosterfish, wahoo, dorado and amberjack. This will continue through October."
Billfish Safaris offers charters on fully equipped sport fishing boats, including a custom 42' Gamefisherman, a 35' Cabo and a 26' Gulfstream. Full-day (15 nautical miles to 35 nautical miles offshore) and half-day inshore (up to eight nautical miles from land) charters are available and include certified, licensed and experienced captains and crews who are familiar with the prime fishing grounds in the region. All boats are equipped with state-of-the-art safety equipment and electronics, International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) certified tackle, bait, fighting chair(s) and other amenities (including food and beverages) for a fun, memorable, safe excursion.
The enthusiastic and attentive captain and crew of each vessel provide expert guidance and assistance to beginning, novice and experienced anglers. Each boat is meticulously maintained before, during and after each trip by a uniformed, courteous and friendly crew.
Billfish Safaris has 15 years experience in big-game fishing off the coast of Costa Rica. The firm was contracted specifically to serve residents and guests of Peninsula Papagayo, including guests of the on-property Four Seasons Resort Hotel, and yachtsmen mooring their vessels at Marina Papagayo.
Marina Papagayo, which opened in December, 2008, is a state-of-the-art harbor for mega-yachts, sport fishing boats and other luxury vessels. The marina has 180 wet slips, an innovative floating dock system, ultra-wide slips and fairways, full in-slip amenities, a fuel dock with high-speed diesel dispensing, a Customs & Immigration office, a swimming pool, a ship's store, a bar and restaurant and other landside amenities. A Marina Village with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and condos is under construction. At build-out, Marina Papagayo will have 350 wet slips and a 200-unit dry storage facility.
Brandy Marine International has been involved in consulting, design, assistance in overseeing construction, management and marketing of Marina Papagayo since its inception in 2003. Brandy Marine is a 32-year-old marina management, design and consulting firm with extensive marina experience in the U.S. and in other countries, including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Bahamas.
Peninsula Papagayo also has an Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course with clubhouse and tennis courts and the exclusive Prieta Beach Club & Spa.
For information on Marina Papagayo and/or sport fishing charters, send an email to Capt. Dan Eaffaldano or reach him by phone at 1-888-860-0301 or 011-506-2690-3600.