SPORT FISHING VIDEOS FROM GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA IGFA Angler's Digest Films Two Shows With Billfish Safaris 2008 was a great year for fishing here in Guanacaste. So much so that host Bill Boyce, cameraman and editor Richard Chudy, and camerawoman Dolores Peralta of the fishing show, IGFA Angler's Digest, decided they needed to show the rest of the world just what fishing in Northern Pacific Costa Rica is all about. Joining us during the filming of the shows was Sam Friederichs. Sam came along to complete his research work on Eastern Pacific billfish stocks focusing on Pacific sailfish migrations. We're proud to say that Sam's part of the Billfish Safaris staff now, bringing his expert knowledge as a biologist into the mix. If you have a question about billfish, or any other marine species found here in Costa Rica, simply "Ask the Biologist" and Sam will answer them. Below are excerpts from the Angler's Digest shows divided into four, eight to ten minute videos clips. We head out to "Jurassic Park" to catch a mix of game fish species including sailfish, roosterfish, amber jacks and set a new world record for Pacific jack crevalle! And if you've ever wanted to catch your own world record, there's a short tutorial on how to do it right in Part Four. Enjoy the show! PART ONE PART TWO PART THREE PART FOUR Sam Friederichs, our staff Marine Biologist. Have a question?.... click here to "ask the biologist." QUESTION Sam, I read that part of your research dealt with migration of billfish in the Pacific. How do you track a billfish? Joe W., Austin, TX ANSWER Considering billfish live out in the open ocean and can swim very fast it can be difficult to determine where they go.  A number of methods have been used, but the most successful has been the use of pop-up satellite tags (PSATs).  These devices are essentially small computers that are attached to the billfish by a short section of line anchored in the fish’s back muscle.  The tags are about the size of a large cigar. They record data such as dive depth, dive duration, time spent at a given depth, water temperature and light levels every few seconds. To see what they look like, check out the photos below.  The image above shows a PSAT tag with the tagging stick and a Pacific sailfish with a tag in place. Underwater photo: Sam Friederichs Contrary to their name and popular belief, most satellite tags do not transmit the fish’s location while the tag is on the fish. Instead, after a pre-determined length of time, the tag pops off the fish and floats to the surface enabling a connection to the satellite. The data collected is then sent to a satellite and downloaded by marine biologists for analysis.  Fish locations are calculated from the light level data recorded by the tag using complex computer programs. Newer tags are capable of real-time locations providing scientists with both location and diving data as the fish travels. However, the fish must be "on-top" with the tag's transmitter breaking the surface of the water in order to make contact with the satellite. The image above shows the post-release path taken by Pacific sailfish caught off the Guanacaste coast. (Click Here for a larger image) Sailfish tagged off Guanacaste have been shown to swim in the territorial waters of Nicaragua, Guatemala, El Salvador, Mexico and Panama. These migrations are made in short periods of time with fish tagged in Costa Rica making the trip to Mexico in as little as 20 days! For more information on tracking billfish and other marine life using satellite tags go to billfish.org and topp.org. MORE GUANACASTE SPORT FISHING ACTION FROM "FISHING THE FLATS" WITH HOST HENRY WASZCZUK HENRY FISHES WITH US TOO!! If you're an avid angler who, when not on the water fishing loves to watch top-notch fishing action, then you probably already know about Fishing the Flats with Henry Waszczuk. A former Canadian Football League star player, Henry traded in his pads for a fishing pole long ago and is celebrating his 25th year on television... that just may be the longest running fishing show on television! Henry was kind enough to share some video from the many shows he's filmed with us here in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.. and we sure thank him for letting us share them with you here. The first video features Henry on some BIG, BIG roosterfish that are quite common here. If you've always wanted to catch a world-class "Pez Gallo".... Guanacaste is the place to do it. The second video features almaco jack and toothy cubera snapper (dogtooth snapper). To cap off this video, Jamey Harless II shares some tips on submitting world records to the IGFA and his angling wife, Sjon Harless, talks about her recent "Grand Slam" of billfish caught a few years back.

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