2022 Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing Schools
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| 2022 Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School Reports, Vessel "Dragin Fly" Los Suenos Costa Rica |
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| Blue Marlin On Fly |
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June 12-17, 2022: “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” Report Los Suenos Costa Rica.
Bill and Nikki Wilson along with their 14 year old grandson Noah just returned from a 2 1/2 day “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” trip to an offshore sea mound. Noah never saw a marlin before, on this trip he caught and released 3 Blue Marlin and a Sailfish all on fly while using IGFA 20 pound class tippet, His grandmother caught a couple Blue Marlin while Bill caught a Sailfish on fly.. this was our first of 11 trips during 11 consecutive weeks. They had a great time and I still love my Job❤️❤️
Week #1 Results
30/11/5 Blue Marlin
21/2/2 Sailfish
2022 Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School week 2, June, 19-25
My long time client canceled their trip at the last minute, so I wound up inviting a friend to join me for a short trip to “Marlin World”. We left my Los Suenos condo at 3:45 pm on Tuesday June 21, boarded the “Dragin Fly“ at which time Captain James Smith headed out toward some offshore sea mounds at 4:00pm. The seas were rough with strong wind so we were in and out of rain storms all night, thank god for that awesome sea keeper. At 6:15 Roberto served dinner of Meatballs with a green salad then at 7:30 everyone except me and the captain went to sleep. Today I had a big lunch with my friend and I ate a salad that was bad, however once I got rid of that I went below into the air conditioned cabin and fell asleep.
Wednesday June 22 we woke up this morning at 5:00 am while breakfast was cooking. The sun was shining with light to moderate wind and two to four foot seas. Captain James Smith along with mates Berto and Aramis put out the teasers at 5:30 while our cook, Roberto made coffee and a delicious breakfast.
At 5:48 my friend hooked a hot blue and 12 minutes mutes later he released his first blue marlin ever on 20 pound IGFA class tippet, this was a fish of close to 200 pounds.
Thirty four minutes later he caught his second fish of the day, another red hot jumping blue marlin this fish was in the 150 pound class, again on my TFO BW-HD fly Rod, a Mako 9700 LH fly reel, while using a Cortland Big Game Billfish Line, with one of my marlin flies using a Gamakatsu, octopus 8/0 hook, using IGFA 20 pound class tippet.
At 7:32am my awesome fishing buddy landed his third fish of the day, this one was bigger, close to 250 pounds. It jumped a lot and took about 11 minutes for him to catch an release that awesome marlin.
At 9:14am I hooked a bigger Blue on the same gear except a RH retrieve Mako fly reel. This fish was over 250 pounds and fought valiantly. After a 30 minute plus tough battle I wound it in and Berto removed the fly from our fourth blue marlin if the day.
At 10:22 we raised another hot blue, my fishing partner made a great cast and that big marlin piled on the pink and white Jake Jordan Marlin popper fly. That marlin ran about 30 foot stopped and shook the hook loose and the fly came off, we re-teased that fish however the marlin was gone. Four out of five caught in the first five hours of our trip!
Our next marlin came up at noon, it ate the teaser Bonita and never came in for a cast. At 2:10 pm we raised a blue marlin that would not tease in, bright sunshine and calm seas since 11:00 am. Between 2:15 and 5:00 we raised 5 blue marlin, none of them would tease close enough to cast a fly at.
At 6:20 we deployed the sea anchor, took a hot shower and ate a delicious dinner. After dinner the crew caught a bunch of squid , so we will have fresh calamari for lunch tomorrow, we were asleep by 8:30.
Today we raised 12 Blue Marlin, 5 of them ate the fly, and 4 were caught and released all on 20 pound IGFA class tippet. 12-5-4
Thursday, June 23: we woke up at 5:00 am to cloudy skies with
15 knot wind and 3 to five foot swell. We started fishing at 6:00am while we ate breakfast, after a half hour we had not seen any fish so captain James headed off shore to a structure who’s was 20 miles away. Between 7:55 and 9:10am we raised three blue marlin, the first spit the hook on the hook set, the second broke the class tippet when the fly line got wrapped around the reel handle as the fish took off on the initial run. When that fish broke off the angler handed off that rod and picked up a rod out of a rod holder, stripped off line and then made a cast to the other half of a double. This marlin started to pull off line and eventually went slack, when he wound in the fly line the butt section of the 60 pound test leader had broken at the loop to loop connection. This was the leader which I had caught my big marlin on yesterday and I didn’t check it!
It is now 10:30am and we are 160+ miles offshore it is raining with 20 not south wind and 5 to 6 foot seas. We haven’t raised any fish since 9:00 am.
At 1:30 pm the seas continued to build, we are now over a sea mound 170+ miles offshore in rain and 5 to 8 foot seas. The weather improved and
The wave height decreased and at 2:01 pm we raised a red hot 100+ pound blue marlin which pounced on the well placed pink and white fly and took off down sea. After a great 15 minute fight in pouring rain my angler wound in the leader and caught his fourth blue marlin of the trip. Berto removed the fly and we watched that marlin swim away. The weather is tough but the fishing is good, however the wind continues at 25 with choppy seas and rain squalls. Never saw another fish today and quit for the day at 5:10 pm. After deployment of our sea anchor we relaxed and planned tomorrow’s strategy while eating dinner. After dinner we hit the bunks and went to sleep by 7:30.
Today we raised 4 Blue Marlin, all 4 ate the fly, my angler broke off 2, pulled the hook on one and caught one Blue Marlin on fly. 4-4-1.
Two day score is 16-9-5
Friday June 24: At 4:55 am in the dark James started the engines while the crew retrieved the sea anchor and made the coffee. We washed up and got ready for day three, while we headed back over to the sea mount which was six miles away. After one hour of fishing while scoping out the area with our new Omni sonar the captain decided that we needed to move inshore to another sea mound roughly 35 miles away. The weather this morning is overcast with a 10 to 15 knot breeze and 2 to 4 foot seas. We are cruising at 22 knots on mild seas and will be fishing again by 7:45. At 7:58 am in bright sunshine, we raised a hot blue which gobbled the fly and raced away. About a hundred feet out the fish let go of the fly and was gone. At 8:42 another marlin crashed the teaser in the bright sunlight, however that fish never teased in for a bite. At 9:20 am we raised a blue that would not come in. At 10:12am we raised another lazy blue marlin, this fish stayed around and chased the teasers but would not tease in and eat the fly.
At 11:49 we raised a red hot pacific blue marlin which teased in and ate the well placed pink and white popper tube marlin fly. The fish took off and felt the one pound of drag pressure and began to go through a spectacular series of jumps before settling in for a battle. After twenty one minutes my angler closed the deal and we released that 200+ pound beautiful blue marlin. 5-2-1 at noon. At 1:12 my buddy hooked another hot blue, that fish put on a great show with lots of jumps then kicked it into overdrive and broke the 20 pound class tippet.
At 2:24 we hooked a Striped Marlin that went crazy, it jumped many times before finally breaking the tippet. Then at 2:45 another blue hit the teaser but wouldn’t tease for a cast. Another blue was raised at 2:59, didn’t bite and another came up at 3:09, again no bite. After 4:00 pm it started to rain and we pointed the “Dragin Fly” and began trolling back toward Los Suenos. At 6:00 it was pretty dark and fishing was finished for this trip. We showered, had a delicious dinner and went to bed at 8:00 pm.
Todays score was 7 blue marlin and 1 Striped Marlin raised, 3 blue and 1 Striped Marlin bites, and 1 Blue Marlin caught. 8-4-1
Week # 2 Score:
For the trip we raised 24 Marlin
We got 13 Bites
And we caught 6 Blue Marlin on fly!
24-13-6 trip score!
I Love My Job,
Stand by for more “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” Reports
Captain Jake Jordan
@tforods @makoreels @cortlandline
#tforods #makoreels #cortlandline
"6/28-7/1/2022 Costa Blue Marlin School"
REPORT
June 28: George Beckwith ( managing partner of “Dragin Fly”) and I boarded “Dragin Fly” at 5:00 pm for a short 2 day blue marlin fly fishing trip. Captain James Smith with mates Aramis and Roberto were aboard and ready to head out. Conditions were cloudy, light rain with a light chop on the water. We had chicken lasagna with a green salad then went to sleep at 8:00 pm.
June 29: At 5:00 am we woke up to the smell of coffee brewing and bacon frying, cleaned up and began fishing at 5:15 am. We raised our first blue marlin at 5:59 am however it did not tease, another blue marlin crashed the long teaser at 5:24 am that fish kept going and didn’t tease.
At 8:14 am George cast his pink and white popper fly at a hot blue marlin that ate the fly and pulled off 50 yards in a few seconds. After some spectacular jumps George had the fish within 80 feet from the boat when the marlin jumped and we saw the hook come out of it’s mouth and that marlin swam away. We raised another blue at 8:27 and another blue at 8:36 am neither bit the fly.
At 9:03 another blue that didn’t bite and then at 9:21 George hooked a blue marlin in the 150 pound class. He fought that marlin for 14 minutes before the first jump. At 9:43 after a bunch of jumps George wound in that hot marlin and got the release before we retrieved the fly and watched our first marlin of the trip swim away.
At 11:04 am George hooked another red hot Blue Marlin, this fish took a lot of backing out before a great series of jumps. This marlin went deep and fought valiantly before coming to the surface for more jumps. At 11:36 George released his second blue marlin of the day on fly, using IGFA 20 pound class tippet and my Mako 9700 RH fly reel and TFO BWSD-HD FLY ROD, a Cortland Billfish fly line, and one of my pink and white , large tube, marlin popper flies rigged with an 8/0 Gamakatsu octopus hook.
At: 11:58 I hooked a big marlin that took out 100 yards in 10 seconds then went crazy and jumped dozens of times. As I began to wind that marlin took off against the slack and broke the class tippet. At 12:12pm I hooked another hot fish that immediately ripped off over 250 yards of backing and jumped full speed around I a semi circle and jumped past the boat. On the last jump the fish was ripping line off of the mako reel which had less than halo a pound of drag, zip pow the 20 pound class tippet broke and that fish was gone. At 12:34 we raised a fish which didn’t tease. At 12:50 we decided to move to another sea mount which was about 90 minutes away so we headed off shore. We got out there and there was no bait or marlin on that spot so we trolled back to where we started. At 3:50 we raised a blue marlin that didn’t tease and then at 4:01 from 2 raised, from a double that didn’t get a bite from. At 4:34 we raised a fish that didn’t tease in, then at 5:23 a triple came up on all three teasers, again none would eat the fly. At 5:32 we raised another blue marlin that ate the teaser then took off. As the sun set in the west we put out the sea anchor and shut down the engines. We all took showers, ate a delicious dinner of tuna, shrimp, mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables and then went to sleep at 8:00 pm. Todays score was 18 Blue Marlin raised, 5 bit the fly, and George caught 2 Blue Marlin on fly, In sunny, calm, and hot conditions.
18-5-2
June 30: we woke up at 5:00 am to calm seas and light wind and hot Costa Rican coffee brewing. At 5:13 we deployed the first teaser while I got the fly tackle ready. During the night George put out a bait for swordfish which got eaten by a shark, he also caught half a dozen squid . At 5:55 am we raised a blue that didn’t bite then at 5:58 I hooked a hot blue marlin which put on quite a show, lots of awesome jumps and at 6:20 I caught and released my first marlin of the trip. At 6:44 George cast to a hot fish that piled on the fly and raced away from the boat. That fish jumped in a big circle and then charged the boat from 150 yards out, jumping all the way. At 6:59 George caught and released our second blue marlin of the day. We raised a marlin at 7:06 am which ate a Bonita teaser, jumped and was gone. At 9:58 a hot blue marlin ate a Bonita teaser, then George teased that fish in for me to cast one of my pink and white large tube popper flies. That marlin gobbled my fly and took off to parts unknown, it fought valiantly got a fish under 200 pounds and only jumped once after it was hooked. The crew enjoyed a rest period of over 50 minutes and then finally I caught and released that powerful fish at 10:51 am. Next we raised a pair of big sailfish and one of them ate George’s well placed fly. During the battle the fly was dragging through the water behind the fish which George was fighting and the other sailfish tried to eat that fly. At 11:01am George landed and released that sailfish, so far today we got 4 bites and caught three blue marlin and one Sailfish.
We raised a blue after lunch at 1:04 pm but it did not tease, then at 1:48 George hooked a hot blue marlin, this fish put on a great show. After hard fight at 2:04 George caught that marlin, removed the fly and the marlin was released.
At 3:00 we left the sea mount and trolled toward the marina at Los Suenos and at 5:31 pm we raised a blue marlin double. My first cast got tangled in a teaser line and a marlin ate it then pulled the hook. My second cast got tangled in another teaser line, I switched rods, made a cast and hooked the other half of the double. This fish was hooked good and then went crazy, it charged the boat jumping full speed and jumped over my running line that was still going out fast. Now it raced away at full speed and 10 seconds later it jumped repeatedly at least 300 yards out and the 20 pound tippet broke. This was the only fly that we didn’t retrieve from a fish all day.
Todays score was: 10 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish raised, 6 Blue Marlin and a Sailfish bites, 4 Blue Marlin and a Sailfish caught.
Week # 3 Report:
10-6-4 Blue Marlin
1-1-1 Sailfish.
Our two day trip total was: 28 Blue Marlin raised, 11 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish bites, 6 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish caught and released during our short two day trip.
28-11-6 Blue Marlin
1-1-1 Sailfish
All fish were caught and released using fly tackle while following IGFA fly fishing rules and 20 pound test IGFA class tippet.
Prior to this two day trip, my buddy George had caught 2 blue marlin on fly, total, he caught 4 on this two day trip! Thanks to Captain James Smith along with mates Aramis and Roberto and to the “Dragin Fly” team for another awesome trip. I Love My Job
@tforods @makoreels @cortlandline
@Gamakatsuhooks #tforods #makoreels #gamakatsu #cortlandline @jonesbrothersmarine #jonesbrothersmarine
July 4-8, 2022
Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School Log Book Report
July 4 2022 Bill and Nikki Wilson are back in Costa Rica for their second shot at catching Blue Marlin on fly in less than a month. They joined me as we left my condo at 4:00 pm and headed down to the marina to board “Dragin Fly”. Captain James Smith along with Mates Berto and Arimus were waiting with the engines running, we left the dock at 4:45 pm.
It got dark at 6:15, we had a great fish salad with chicken lasagna then went to bed.
July 5, 2022: Woke at 5:00 am, had coffee and breakfast, in choppy seas with light rain. We arrived at a sea mount at 8:30 am and caught a bunch of Bonita and small yellowfin tuna for sashimi and teaser baits. Our first marlin raised was at 9:05 am, Nikki made a good cast and that Marlin ate her pink and white, large tube, popper fly. That marlin ran 60 feet, stopped, then shook the hook out of its mouth and swam away. At 9:24 another marlin teased up, ate a Bonita teaser, the line broke and the marlin swam away, never saw the fly. At 11:03 we raised a marlin, it ate the long teaser and took off, Nikki never got a bite. At 11:14 Nikki cast to a hot Blue Marlin which ate her fly and the battle was on. That 175 pound class marlin jumped more than 30times over a 17 minute battle, then Nikki finally wound the leader into the tiptop of my TFO-HD fly rod and caught that marlin, her first of this trip. At 11:32 am Berto retreated the fly and released that awesome marlin. Raised a blue at 12:29 no bite then at 1:12 pm a hot Blue Marlin teased in and looked at the fly and refused to eat it. That marlin stayed around the boat for almost three minutes and would grab the fresh Bonita teaser then chase it up to the fly but would not eat, finally at 1:16 that lit up big marlin swam away.
At 2:31 we raised a hot Blue, Bill made a good cast and that marlin piled on the fly and began ripping the Cortland Billfish fly line and backing off of the Mako 9700-B fly reel. 26 minutes later Bill Wilson caught and released his first Blue Marlin of the trip on 20 pound IGFA class tippet.
Next at 3:10 Nikki cast to, hooked, caught and released a short billed spearfish, on fly, the first spearfish ever on the Dragin Fly. At 3:24 Bill cast to a big Sailfish which ate the fly and jumped a couple of times then stopped and shook its bill like a windshield wiper. Bill raised his rod tip up into the air, causing slack and that sailfish spit the hook and swam away. No more fish showed up in the rain today and at 5:40pm we quit fishing for the day and put out the sea anchor. After getting cleaned up we were served a wonderful dinner consisting of “World Record Snook” (caught by my awesome friend George Beckwith), along with fresh sauté vegetables and mashed potatoes. By 8:00 we were all asleep.
Todays score was: 9 Blue Marlin, 1 Spearfish, and 1 Sailfish raised,
3 Blue Marlin, 1 Spearfish, and 1 Sailfish bites, 2 Blue Marlin, and 1 Spearfish, caught and released on fly.
9/3/2 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Short Billed Spearfish
1/1/0 Sailfish
July, 6, 2022: At 5:00 am we were traveling 20 miles back to the sea mount at 6:00 am we arrived and deployed our teasers. The seas are choppy with mostly cloudy skies and scattered rain showers around us. We are marking fish but none raised
by 8:30 am. At 9:29 we raised a 150 pound class Blue Marlin, Nikki made a great cast and that marlin gobbled her fly. The marlin pulled hard for 15 minutes before starting several spurts of jumps, then charged the boat before she wound in the leader and released her second blue marlin of the trip at 9:49. Bill hooked a 120 pound Blue marlin at 9:54, it stayed on top and jumped a lot before he wound it in and got our 4th Blue Marlin of the trip. At noon we hadn’t seen a fish for several hours, the captain had heard about a location that was producing fish on a sea mount about 12 hours away. At 12:30 began fishing our way toward this sea mount, we should arrive in time to start tomorrow on that location. At 5:01 we raised a blue marlin, it crashed the teaser and followed hallway in then faded away. At 6:15 we quit fishing, took a hot shower and then Aramis served an awesome shrimp in white garlic cream sauce over pasta dinner. At 8:00 we were asleep with another 5 hours to go.
Today we raised 3 Blue Marlin, we got 2 bites, and both Bill and Nikki caught a Blue Marlin on fly.
3/2/2 on Blue Marlin.
Two day trip score is:
12/5/4 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Spearfish
1/1/0 Sailfish
July 7, 2022: We woke up at 5:00 am to cloudy skies, light rain, with a 2 to 4 foot chop on the water and the spell of Costa RicN coffee brewing. By 5:30 the teasers were deployed and we were trolling back toward a sea mount. Breakfast was served at 6:15am and we raised no fish for 1.5 hours. We ran about 20 miles in 50 minutes to another sea mount and raised a double at 8:30. Nikki hooked one and it broke off so I handed her another rod and she hooked the other half of the double at 9:09 she caught her first Blue Marlin of the day. At 9:21 Bill hooked a hot blue which fought valiantly and then at 9:34 Bill caught and released his first Blue Marlin of the day and our sixth so far of the trip. At 9:48 We raised a Blue Marlin, it refused to eat Nikki’s well placed fly. At 9:56 we raised a 300+ pound Blue, it didn’t tease and then at 10:15 we raised a blue, bill cast but got tangled with a teaser and that fish was gone. At 10:21 Nikki hooked a great marlin, it jumped steady for over 2 minutes then settled in for a battle, after 9 minutes the fish jumped stretched the line and broke the 20 pound tippet. At 10: 35 Bill hooked a red hot 150 pound blue, that marlin put on a spectacular series of jumps. Bill was doing great then tried to palm the spool, as his finger hit the fast spinning handle on the Mako reel the fish surged and broke off the IGFA 20 pound class tippet. Next we raised a blue marlin at 10:58 but it wouldn’t eat the fly, then at 10:12 we raised a double of blue marlin, the second fish, a big one, ate Nikki’s fly, jumped once and then ripped off 400 yards of backing, turned left and broke the tippet. We raised 3 more fish in the next 34 minutes that didn’t tease and then at
2:32 Bill hooked and caught a big 100 pound Sailfish. At 2:50 Nikki hooked a small Blue Marlin, she had the line wrapped around the rod so she backed all the way off on the Mako drag, unwrapped the backing, re set the drag and then after a 12 minute battle Nikki caught her fourth Blue Marlin of the trip. At 3:09 Bill Wilson hooked a striped marlin on fly while using 20 pound IGFA class tippet and at 3:24 pm he wound that striped marlin in, Alberto grabbed the leader, removed the fly, and released that fish. We all celebrated Bills first billfish grand slam with a Blue Marlin, a Striped Marlin, and a Pacific Sailfish, on fly, on IGFA 20 pound class tippet, on July 7, 2022. At 3:47 Nikki Wilson cast my TFO BW-HD Fly rod with a Cortland Billfish fly line connected to one of my pink and white large tube Marlin popper flies to a hot 180 pound Blue Marlin. That marlin ate the fly and took off at high speed pulling one pound of drag off of my Mako #9700 fly reel for a hundred yards before jumping steady for a full minute. Nikki eventually applied 6 pounds of drag and kicked the butt of that marlin. At 4:06 Alberto grabbed the leader, removed the fly, and released another awesome Blue Marlin. The crew on “Dragin Fly”, Captain James along with Mates Berto and Arimus are red hot today, what a great fly fishing adventure. At 4:48 we raised a Blue Marlin that didn’t tease in and then we continued fishing until dark. At six o’clock we headed Dragin Fly toward Los Suenos
Todays score was:
19 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish raised.
8 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish bites.
4 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, 1 Sailfish caught and released
Bill Wilson caught a Billfish Grand Slam.
All fish were caught using IGFA rules of fly fishing and 20 pound class tippet.
Week # 4 trip total for 3 days of fly fishing was:
31 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, 2 Sailfish, 1 Spearfish raised.
13 Blue Marlin, 2 Sailfish, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Spearfish Bites.
8 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, 1 Sailfish, and 1 Spearfish, caught and released on Fly using 20 pound IGFA class tippet.
Also Bill Wilson Caught a IGFA Billfish Fly Grand Slam today!
I still Love my job
More pictures to Follow
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| Lee Smith and I aboard Dragin Fly |
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| Marlin on Fly June 15 2022 |
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| Bill and Nikki June 2022 |
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| Releasing one of Georges Marlin on Fly |
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Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School Report Week # 5 July 11-15, 2022
July 11, 2022: Nancy and Tim Llacuna joined me as we left my Los Suenos condo, went to the marina, and boarded the vessel “Dragin Fly” at 4:00 pm.
Captain James Smith with Mates: Aramis, Danny, and Roberto were all ready for us so we left Los Suenos marina and headed offshore for a “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School”! Seas are choppy and it has been raining since we left the dock. We ate dinner after dark around 6:15 then went to sleep at 7:30pm as the boat headed off shore.
July 12, 2022: we woke up at 5:00am to the smell of fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee and frying bacon. At 5:15 the crew deployed the teasers while I got the TFO BW-HD fly rods, with Mako 9700-B fly reels, Cortland billfish fly lines, and my pink and white large tube popper flies, rigged with IGFA 20 pound class tippet and a 8/0 Gamakatsu octopus hooks ready to cast. We still had until 7:30 am before we arrived at a sea mount where we hope to find some Marlin.
At 7:32 am Tim hooked a hot Blue Marlin, it pulled off 150 yards of backing then proceeded into a series of jumps. At 7:59 Tim caught and released our first marlin of the trip.
At 8:04 am we raised a Blue that didn’t tease in and then at 8:29 we raised a doubleheader one ate the teaser and left while the other one wouldn’t eat Nancy’s fly. At 9:01 we raised a Blue which ate Nancy’s well placed fly, that fish swam fifty feet away then stopped to shake its head, the fly came out and that fish would not eat again. At 9:32 we raised a double Blue Marlin, Tim hooked the smaller 150 pound fish, Nancy cast at the other one but it missed the fly. After a great fight, at 10:01 Tim caught his second marlin of the day.
At 10:13 Nancy hooked a red hot Blue Marlin that put on a great series of jumps after which Nancy wound the leader into the tiptop for the technical release. She then fought that fish for another 12 minutes until at 10:46 Danny leadered the fish for a picture and removed the fly after which Nancy’s first marlin of the trip swam away. At 11:04 Tim hooked a 200+ pound red hot Blue Marlin that ripped off over 200 yards of backing before beginning to jump around in a giant semi circle an going deep. After a 12 minute standoff in and out, that marlin swam to the surface and jumped some more. With 7 pounds of drag at 11:29 Tim caught that marlin and after removing the fly we released our fourth blue marlin of the morning. At 11:56 Tim hooked a big Blue Marlin a long run and a bunch of jumps turned into an epic battle however in the end at 12:39 Tim caught our fifth marlin of the day.
At 1:23 Nancy hooked a 220 pound class Blue Marlin, it jumped more than 50 times and twice she got within 15 feet of the leader and that big marlin took off. On the last jump that fish got tail wrapped and the fight was at a standstill for several minutes,Nancy turned the drag up to 6 pounds, the fish shook and the tail wrap came off. At 1:48 she caught and released that marlin. At 1:55 we raised a Blue that Tim hooked in the rain, it was another big fish. Tim fought that fish in pouring down rain and after an epic battle he caught and released our 7th marlin of the day at 2:19 pm! At 3:30 we raised a Blue that ate Nancy’s well placed fly, that fish ran off the length of the fly then spit the hook. At 3:47 we raised a marlin that would not eat then at 3:55 Tim hooked a big Blue Marlin that pulled 400 yards of backing in 10 seconds and then jumped, as he was in mid air the 20 pound IGFA class tippet broke. At 4:12 we raised another blue that would not bite and then at 4:15 a 250+ pound piled on Nancy’s fly and went crazy with incredible jumps, then charged the boat and stayed on top jumping for 9 minutes and at 4:31 Nancy caught and released our eighth Blue Marlin of the day. At 4:54 we raised a marlin that didn’t tease in. So far today at 5:00 pm we raised 20, got bites from 13, we caught and released 8 Blue Marlin on Fly! Today we were served scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, bacon and sausage for breakfast. Watermelon as a snack, then fresh caught (2 hours ago) yellowfin tuna seared with orange jalapeño jelly for lunch. Later Roberto made chicken quesadillas and for dinner we had jumbo shrimp over pasta. The last hour of daylight it rained really hard and at 5:30 the crew deployed the sea anchor and we shut down the engines for the first time in 26 hours.
Todays score was:
20 blue marlin raised, 13 bites, we caught 8 Blue Marlin on fly using IGFA 20 pound class tippet. We were asleep by 8:00 pm.
20-13-8 day #1
July 13, 2022: We woke up at 5:00 am, the Costa Rican coffee was brewing and the crew had pulled the sea anchor. Wind coming from south at 15-20 knots and strong current pushed us 15 miles from where we stopped last night. It got light at 5:30 as we trolled back toward the sea mount and ate breakfast. At 7:00 am we arrived at the sea mount, there are large swells with a 3 to 4 foot chop on top (rough seas) with intermittent rain showers.
At 7:31 we raised a Blue that was not interested in the fly, then 3 minutes later we raised one that didn’t tease in.
At 7:59 Nancy hooked a hot 150 pound blue marlin, it stayed on top jumping for 30 minutes then went deep. That fish stayed deep for 55 more minutes and then at 9:32 am Nancy wound it up to the surface and caught our first Marlin of the day.
At 9:36 am Tim hooked a bigger fish, it stayed on top jumping a lot and then at 9:49 he caught and released our second of the day which was our tenth Blue Matlin of the trip.
At 10:37 am Nancy cast her fly to a hot Blue that ate immediately, it ran about 50 feet and then tailed down sea toward the boat. After a short, very quick battle Nancy wound the leader in and got a quick release on our third marlin of the day at 10:42 am.
Just a short note; the seas are 5 to 7 foot, close together with large swells and steady 15 knot wind. This morning we are surrounded by intermittent rain showers and strong rain, oh yeah, and the Marlin are biting.
At 11:29 we raised a Blue Marlin that refused to eat and then at 12:15 Tim hooked half of a double blue marlin, he fought it for 19 minutes then the hook pulled and the fish was gone.
At 12:59 we raised a marlin that didn’t eat a fly and then at 1:38 Nancy hooked a great Blue Marlin, that broke the 20 pound IGFA class tippet on its first jump.
At 2:22 Tim hooked a blue then broke it off then at 2:58 pm Nancy hooked a hot blue that stayed on top and jumped a lot, she caught our 4th blue of the day at 3:09 pm. Then at 3:14 Tim hooked another hot fish that never stopped until it jumped and broke off about 400 yards out. Now the weather improved slightly out here about 150 miles from Los to How are you Suenos however we are still surrounded by rain.
At 3:28 we raised a Blue Marlin that didn’t tease and then at 4:14 another marlin raised that didn’t bite. The next at 5:00 we raised another blue that refused to eat Tim’s well placed fly. At 6:00 we pulled in the teasers, deployed the sea anchor, took a hot shower, and then had an awesome dinner, before going to bed at 8:00 pm.
Todays score was:
16 BLUE marlin raised, 9 bites, and we caught 4 Blue Marlin on fly!
16/9/4
Our 2 day total is:
36/22/12
July 14, 2022: This morning we woke at 5:00 am, pulled the sea anchor, and started heading back toward the sea mount. As we drank fresh brewed coffee Roberto made breakfast and I got the fly tackle ready. We arrived back at the sea mount at 6:05 am and at 6:29 Tim hooked a hot Blue Marlin. That fish pulls off at least 300 yards of backing and then the IGFA 20 pound class tippet broke at a setting of between one and two pounds of pressure. At 6:54 we raised one that didn’t eat and then at 7:01 Nancy got a bite that didn’t stick. At 7:04 Tim pulled the hooks on a blue. At 7:21 Nancy hooked a hot blue marlin that put on quite a show, lots of jumps and at 7:30 she caught that marlin. At 7:37 we raised a blue, that Tim hooked that fish and it broke off. At 7:44 Nancy got a bite that looked good but the marlin spit the hook. Our next Blue Marlin was at 8:25 but didn’t bite, then at 8:39 Tim hooked a big hot blue marlin. That fish put on an excellent fight with lots of awesome jumps, then went deep for about 12 minutes before coming back to the surface and at 8:59 the fish went deep again. Finally after 9 more minutes it came up tail wrapped and Tim caught our second fish of the day at 9:11 am!
Our next marlin raised at 9:29 didn’t tease and at 9:32 another no bite. At 9:48 we raised a marlin but again no bite then at 9:52 another no tease.
Finally at 9:56 Nancy hooked a big 350+ pound Blue Marlin, this fish was hot and put on a great jumping display and after jumping very close to the boat the hook pulled and the marlin was gone.
At 10:25 it started raining harder and at 11:01 we raised a marlin that did not bite. At 11:36 we raised a marlin and that Marlin ate the long teaser jumped a couple times toward the boat and then spit out that teaser and swam away. 11:49 we raise another blue marlin Tim made a great cast and a marlin ate his fly quickly he’s been fighting the fish now for 12 minutes with an incredible display of jumping and running around the entire boat at 11:59 Tim caught and released our third marlin of the day. After lunch at 12:21 we raised a blue marlin that would not bite, next at 12:33 we raised a double Nancy hooked half then Tim hooked the other half at 12:35 Tim caught the first half of the double and then Nancy had the second marlin within 5 foot of catching it and that 200 plus pound marlin took off, jumped, got tail wrapped, and fought until 1:07 when the tail wrap came off the marlin jumped and broke the class tippet. Our next marlin was another double raised at 1:24 pm, Nancy hooked the first half and while Tim was trying for the other one Nancy’s marlin broke the 20 pound IGFA class tippet.
At 1:59 Tm hooked a Striped Marlin which fought hard and at 2:28 we released our first striped marlin of the trip. This was Tim’s first striped ever!
Our next fish raised was at 3:00 pm it refused to eat the fly. At 3:00 we stopped and caught some yellowfin tuna for sashimi and then at 3:29 we raised another blue marlin that refused to bite. At 3:43 a blue teased in and tried to eat the fly but missed it then at 4:15 Nancy hooked a big hot marlin that she fought valiantly for 28 minutes until she had that fish 10 foot from the leader. As she was ready to wind that marlin in it surged and my TFO BW-HD fly rod broke just below the middle Ferrule and shortly later the IGFA class tippet broke and the marlin was gone. At
Todays final score was:
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
26/14/4 Blue Marlin
Tim and Nancy Llacuna’s total score for the trip was:
1 Striped and 62 Blue Marlin raised,
1 Striped and 36 Blue Marlin bites,
1 Striped and 16 Blue Marlin caught!
All fish were caught using IGFA fly fishing rules and 20 pound class tippet.
As usual the vessel “Dragin Fly” along with her crew Captain James Smith and his mates Arimus Jimenez, Roberto Cruz, and Danny Smith, did a world class job. Thanks to George and Anna Beckwith for making this all possible. Tim and Nancy are world class fly anglers, during two, of my three day, “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” trips they have caught 25 Blue Marlin, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish, all on fly!
In conclusion, I Love My Job! ❤️❤️❤️
Week # 5 Report
62/36/16 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
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| Costa Rica Blue Marlin School, Vessel "Dragin Fly" July 2022 Tim and Nancy Llacuna |
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| Tim and Nancy Llacuna Marlin on Fly July 2022 |
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“Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” Report, July 18 to 22, 2022! Week # 6
July 18, 2022: Peter Gelfands and Tyler Garbutt arrived here yesterday at my condo and spent the night this is Peters second year at my “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” and the first time for Tyler. Last year Tyler’s dad Eworth was here with Peter and caught the other half if a doubleheader blue marlin with me.
Today we left my condo and arrived at the marina at 4:00 pm. Captain James along with mates Berto, Aramis, and Roberto had the “Dragin Fly” Ready to head off shore. As we headed out to sea it got dark at 6:15 and Roberto served us a great salad and meatloaf dinner, we we’re asleep by 8:00 pm.
July 19, 2022: We woke up at about 5:00 am to the smell of fresh brewed Costa Rican Coffee and bacon frying. The skies are mostly clear with dark clouds on the horizon there is a 1 foot chop on top of the pacific swell. Berto deployed the teasers at 5:30 and breakfast was served by Roberto at 5:45. At 8:00 am we arrived at the fishing hole and raised a Blue Marlin that didn’t bite then at 8:04 Peter hooked a Blue Marlin that pulled off a couple hundred Yards of backing, jumped twice and the hook came out.
At 8:29 we raised another blue marlin that didn’t tease in and then at 8:33 Tyler cast my pink and white marlin big tube popper fly to a 200 pound Blue Marlin. That marlin pounced on the fly and then pulled out a couple hundred yards of backing before putting on a great jumping show, at 8:44 am Tyler Garbutt caught and released his first Blue Marlin on fly ever. At 9:09 am Peter Gelfands cast to a Striped Marlin, that marlin piled on the fly and at 9:19 Peter released that awesome Striped Marlin. At: 9:31 we raised a blue that would not bite then at 9:36 Tyler hooked a big blue marlin. We got close to a quick catch but the marlin went crazy and pulled out 300+ yards of backing, jumped 3 times and broke the 20 pound tippet. Next at 10:31 we raised a blue that came in hot, Peter made a good cast and that marlin tried to eat his fly but totally missed it then faded away. At noon Roberto served fresh made smoked pork chop hash with homemade fresh salsa, and seared, rare, sesame seed encrusted, Yellowfin tuna loin, caught 3 hours ago, for lunch. After Lunch at 12:38 we raised a blue one that didn’t bite. Next at 1:01 pm we raised a blue that didn’t eat then at 1:49 we raised a blue on the short teaser, never got a good cast. At 2:04 peter hooked a Blue Marlin and broke it off 2 minutes later. Then at 2:19 we raised a marlin that didn’t tease then Tyler hooked a hot fish that ran a long distance and spit the fly. At 3:20 we raised a blue which ate Tyler’s fly and slowly swam 30 feet then stopped and shook its head and the fly came out. Our next fish at 3:49 Tyler hooked a nice blue which was the best jumping fish of the day. After a great battle he wound that marlin, Berto retrieved the hook and fly and we released our third marlin of the day. After that it slowed down and we didn’t raise another fish. At 6:00 we quit fishing, deployed the sea anchor, took a hot shower, and had an awesome dinner of shrimp and fresh caught tuna served with awesome fresh vegetables. We we’re asleep before 8:00 pm.
Todays score was:
17/8/2 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped
July 20, 2022: Today began with hot Costa Rican Coffee, cloudy skies, and choppy seas on top of a large swell. Berto and Aramis deployed the teasers as Roberto cooked breakfast and at 6:22 we raised a blue one that didn’t bite. At 6:26 am peter hooked a small tough blue marlin that went deep, he fought valiantly and never jumped . Then at 7:19 when the fish came to the surface Peter got 15 foot from the leader and then broke the 20 pound IGFA class tippet and that marlin was gone. Our next marlin was at 7:58, it hit the long teaser hard and never came back. At 8:30 am the wind came up out of the southwest at close to 20 knots the seas are 3 to five on top of a good swell and we have rain storms surrounding us on 3 sides. Our next marlin was at 8:47 Tyler hooked a good marlin that pulled off 250 yards of backing and the rough seas caused slack so the 20 pound class tippet broke. We raised another blue marlin at 9:01, this one would not tease in for a bite. At 11:28 we raised a blue marlin that didn’t tease and then at 1:32 pm, after lunch, we raised a blue marlin that piled onto Tyler’s fly. That fish ran for several minutes and almost dumped the reel ( remember we are fishing in 12 foot choppy swells) then started jumping in front of the boat. On the third jump the IGFA 20 pound class tippet broke and that marlin kept jumping away from the boat. The weather is snotty with white caps and deep swells and it seems that the pressure change has turned off the hot bite. The sun is peaking through the clouds for the first time today and at 1:43 a blue marlin ate peters well presented fly. That marlin raced away and after a couple minutes the fish kicked in the afterburner and broke the tippet. At 2:11 Tyler cast to a small marlin, this fish tried to eat the fly but got it hooked on the marlin’s bill. After a short slow run of 50 foot the marlin stopped, shook its head and the fly fell off. At 3:12 am in rough seas Peter hooked a red hot 100 pound Blue Marlin which into the big swells then turned and jumped on the port side of the boat. When we got the bow out of the line that marlin went deep and pulled out 400 yards of backing then came up jumping toward the boat. Finally after being close 4 different times, Peter got the leader inside of the rod tip at 4:01 pm and caught his first Blue Marlin of the trip. After that the conditions worsened and it was ROUGH seas, we shut down operations at 5:45 and deployed the sea anchor. Everyone got a dry shower, then Roberto served a magnificent Chicken Cordon Bleu Dinner. We we’re asleep at 7:30.
Todays total score was:
10/6/1 Blue Marlin
Our 2 day score
27/14/3 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
July 21, 2022: We awoke somewhere between 80 and 180 miles out in the Pacific Ocean from Los Suenos Marina. The awesome Costa Rican coffee was brewing at 5:00 am. It is rough with hard rain this morning, we are the only boat out here in this area. By 7:00 the wind started dropping and the rain stopped and at 7:15 we raised a blue that ate Tyler’s fly but never pulled hard and 5 seconds later spit the hook. Next at 8:04 am Tyler hooked a hot blue marlin that jumped a lot and fought valiantly then went deep at 9:01 after fighting that fish in pouring rain the fish jumped. At 9:11 am that marlin came in for a picture and then Tyler released his third blue marlin of the trip. The wind is cold and blowing a steady 20 knots out of the west with rain and rough seas. Our next marlin was raised at 9:54, Peter made a good cast and hooked this hot blue. This fish put in a great display of aerobatics at high speed with many dozen jumps, it stayed on top for over 10 minutes and twice Peter got within 8 foot of the leader but couldn’t get to the leader. (Peter is a big strong man but has a problem standing up fighting fish, so after the cast and hook up, he fights the marlin sitting on a cooler making fighting the fish on fly much more difficult) that marlin next went deep and stayed down for another 34 minutes before finally the 20 pound class tippet broke at 10:38 am in pouring down rain and rough seas.
Next at 3:29 Tyler hooked another marlin, it ran and jumped several times and then put on a great show before he wound it in at 3:43 pm and released our sixth marlin of the trip.
At 5:00 pm in rough seas with pouring down rain we ended the fishing and set a course for home port of Los Suenos Resoyand Marina. We enjoyed a great dinner with steak, mashed potatoes, and fresh vegetables. By 7:30 we were asleep.
Today score was :
4 Blue Marlin raised,
4 bites, and 2 Blue Marlin caught!
4/4/2 on Blue Marlin
Week # 6 total score for this trip was:
31/18/5 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
Thanks to Captain James and mates Berto, Aramis, and Roberto of the fishing vessel”Dragin Fly” for all of their hard work in providing the best Blue Marlin Fly Fishing in the world! I love my job❤️❤️❤️ More reports to follow!
Captain Jake Jordan
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| Peter Gelfand and Tyler Garbutt at Costa Ric Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School, Captain Jake Jordan photo July 2022 |
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| Peter Gelfand Blue Marlin on Fly, Vessel Dragin Fly, July 2022 Jake Jordan photo Fly |
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| Tyler Garbutt at Jake Jordan's "Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School" Vessel Dragin Fly, July 2022 |
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Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School Report, Week # 7, July 25 to 29, 2022.
This past January we donated a “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” week aboard the fishing vessel “Dragin Fly” here in Los Suenos Costa Rica. This trip was purchased by Chad Moss (IGFA board member) at the annual auction. This was the week of that trip and on July 25 Chad and I arrived at the marina where Captain James Smith along with his mates Berto and Aramis had the boat ready to head off shore.
July 26, 2022 was an awesome day aboard Dragin Fly, this is Chads first time fly fishing for billfish, let alone Blue Marlin.
His first day we raised 14 Blue Marlin, got 6 Blue Marlin bites, and Chad caught his first 4 Blue Marlin ever on Fly.
14/6/4 on Blue Marlin
July 27, 2022 had sunny and calm weather and produced excellent fly fishing. We raised 14 Blue and 2 Striped Marlin, got 10 Blue and 1 Striped Marlin bites, and Chad caught 5 Blue and 1 Striped Marlin on Fly.
14/10/5 on Blue Marlin
2/1/1 on Striped Marlin
July 28, 2022 another great day, we raised 24 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish raised, we got 15 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish bites, and Chad caught 4 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish on Fly. Remember all fish were caught using IGFA rules of fly fishing, and 20 pound class tippet.
Chad’s trip total was:
52 Blue, 2 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish raised.
31 Blue, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish bites.
13 Blue, 1 Striped Marlin, and 1 Sailfish caught and released on fly, using 20 pound IGFA class tippet.
(We call that a trip billfish grand slam)
Week # 7 Results
52/31/13 Blue Marlin
2/1/1 Striped Marlin
1/1/1 Sailfish
Congratulations to Chad Moss on a great accomplishment and to the Dragin Fly team, James, Berto, and Aramis for another great fly fishing trip. More reports to follow, I Love My Job❤️❤️❤️
Captain Jake Jordan
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| Chad and I after great trip |
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| Blue Marlin On Fly |
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| Chad fighting Blue Marlin on Fly at Jake Jordan's Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School July 2022 |
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| James "Bim" Blake aboard "Dragin Fly" at my Coata Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School,August 2022 |
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Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly fishing School Report # 8 August 1 to 5, 2022
August 1, 2022: Justin Melin ( USMC) from Morehead City, NC and Beaufort, SC along with James (Bim) Blake from Alaska joined me this week at my “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School #8. We left my condo, arrived at the Los Suenos marina, boarded FV “Dragin Fly”, and headed offshore at 4:00 pm. Captain James Smith along with crew members Berto, Aramis, and Roberto had everything ready and at 6:15 when it got dark we had a great dinner then fell asleep.
August 2, 2022: woke up to fairly rough conditions with rain and heavy chop. Fishing was slow as we only raised 3 Blue Marlin all day. Justin hooked his first bite and had it on for a couple minutes through a long run then broke it off. At 3:00 pm in very rough seas we left this sea mount and headed to another spot about 100 miles away. At 8:00 pm it was very rough and raining very hard, we put out the sea anchor and slept until 1:00 am. Todays Result:
3/1/0 on Blue Marlin.
August 3, 2022: we got under way at 1:00 am and arrived at our fishing location at 9:00 am in calmer seas with light rain. We discovered that we had diesel fuel in the oil in our port engine at noon, started heading back to the dock by 10:00 pm. We cut the trip short and will fish these clients again in the near future.
Todays results:
7/4/0 Blue Marlin
1/1/0 Sailfish
Trip total:
10/5/0 Blue Marlin
1/1/0 Sailfish
Even though this was a short trip it was our first trip since we started where no blue marlin were caught at one of my “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing Schools”, I hope that doesn’t happen again soon. I still love my Job! the boat has been repaired as I send this report. More reports to follow!
Captain Jake Jordan!
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| Justin Malin aboard "Dragin Fly" at my "Costa Rica Blue Marlin Flyfishing School" August 2022 |
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| Blue Marlin on Fly release at my Costa Roca Blue Marlin Flyfishing School, August 2022 |
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“Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School”# 9 Report
August 8 to 12, 2022
August 8, 2022: Bill and Nikki Wilson left my condo and boarded the fishing vessel “Dragin Fly” at the Los Suenos marina at 4:00 pm. Captain James Smith with mates Aramis, Roberto, and Danny, had the boat running, pulled away from the dock, and then headed out to sea on my ninth “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” of 2022. After dark a wonderful dinner was served then everyone was asleep by 8:00 pm.
August 9, 2022: Fishing started at 5:30 am in clear, calm, conditions.
Total score today after 12 1/2 hours of fly fishing was:
12/10/5 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Sailfish
August 10, 2022: Engines started at 5:00 am and then a few minutes later the crew retrieved the sea anchor and Captain James headed back toward the sea mount. Coffee and breakfast was served at 5:30 as the fishing began. The day started with calm seas and clear skies and the fishing was good. At 6:00 fishing ended and after showers dinner was served, everyone was asleep by 8:00 pm. Todays Score was:
23/7/3 Blue Marlin
Trip Score after 2 days:
35/17/8 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Sailfish
August 11, 2022: The weather changed and it was mostly cloudy skies, choppy seas, and lightning in the distance. Fishing was good with Bill and Nikki having another great trip.
Today’s Score was:
12/5/3 Blue Marlin
Total Trip Score:
47/22/11 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Sailfish
All Marlin and Sailfish were caught using IGFA rules for fly fishing and 20 pound class tippet. More reports to follow, I love my Job
#marlinonfly #gamakatsu #cortlandline #tforods #makoreels #jonesbrothersmarine #jakejordansfishingadventures
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| Nikki Wilson releasing a Blue Marlin on Fly August 2022 |
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| George Maybee and Roy Jensen August 2022 |
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Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School Report, # 10, August 15-19, 2022.
August 15, 2022: George Maybe and Roy Jensen, both from Colorado, are back again this year to attend my Tenth “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” of 2022. At 4:00 pm Captain James Smith with Mates Berto and Aramis had the “Dragin Fly “ waiting for us to arrive and after boarding headed off shore. Everyone was asleep by 8:00 pm.
August 16, 2022: Woke up at 5:00 am to the smell of fresh brewed Costa Rican coffee, and beautiful weather and calm seas. Fishing was slow today, 6 Blue Marlin raised, 4 Bites, Roy broke one off and pulled the hook on one, George caught both of his bites.
Todays Score:
6/4/2 Blue Marlin
August 17, 2022: sunny and calm today over 150 miles offshore, with slow fishing. After fishing James headed to another sea mount where fishing should improve.
Todays Score: 4 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish raised, 2 Blue Marlin and 1 Sailfish bites, 1 Sailfish caught.
4/2/0 Blue Marlin
2/2/2 Sailfish
August 18, 2022: Woke up on a different Sea Mount, to calm seas and mostly sunny skies. Fishing was
Very slow, raised one Blue Marlin that didn’t bite, caught 2 Sailfish. Green cold water offshore it looks better closer in. Todays Score:
1/0/0 Blue Marlin
2/2/2 Sailfish
Trip total score:
11/6/2 Blue Marlin
4/4/4 Sailfish
All fish were caught on fly using IGFA rules for fly fishing and 20 pound class tippet
As my ninth season here at Los Suenos winds down, we still have one more trip scheduled during my 2022 “Costa Rica Blue Marlin fly fishing School” season. Hopefully fishing gets better next week. I love my Job More reports to follow.
Captain Jake Jordan
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| Roy Jensen, Sailfish on Fly, Dragin Fly, August 17,2022 |
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| George Maybee, Sailfish On Fly, August 17, 2022 |
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| Jonny Igoe and Mitchel Vitale aboard "Dragin Fly" atmy Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School" August 2022 |
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| Johny Igoe"s first Blue Marlin ever on Fly, Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School, "vessel "Dragin Fly", Los Suenos CR, August 2022 |
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Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing
School #11, August 22, to 25, 2022!
Monday, August 22, 2022: Johnny Igoe and Mitchel Vitale from Florida are joining me for their first “Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School” . We left my condo and arrived at the marina at 4:00 pm, where Captain James Smith along with mates Berto, Aramis, and Roberto had the Dragin Fly ready to head offshore. Seas are calm with overcast skies as it gets dark, Roberto served dinner of Fresh salad with Italian meatballs and then we were all asleep by 8:00 pm.
Tuesday, August 23, 2022: we awoke at 5:15 as it got light Roberto served coffee and breakfast as Berto deployed the teasers. Then at 7:04 am we arrived at the sea mount where we stopped and caught teaser bait. At 7:39 we raised a hot little Blue Marlin that ate Johnny’s well placed fly. That fish stayed around for 5 minutes and never got off of the running line. Twice we got within 10 foot from the leader and then the fish took off at high speed jumping as it raced away. At 7:46 during the fifth jump the 20 pound IGFA class tippet broke and that marlin was gone. At 8:47 James decided to move be offshore about 30 miles and when we arrived at this sea mount it was 10:01. At 10:13 we raised a Striped Marlin which Mitchel cast to, the marlin gobbled the pink and white fly and never pulled much line off of the Mako 9700 reel. At 10:18 Mitchel caught and released his first marlin on fly. At 10:46 Johnny hooked a red hot 200+ pound Blue Marlin, Johnny fought this powerful marlin valiantly and at 11:29 Johnny Igoe caught and released his first ever Blue Marlin on fly. Next at 12:01 we raised a big Blue that ate Mitchel’s well placed fly, that fish ripped 60 foot of line off of the reel then spit the hook. At 12:49 we raised a blue, it ate Mitchel’s fly and ripped off 200 yards of backing then kicked in the afterburner, broke the 20 pound class tippet and was gone. We raised a Blue Marlin at 1:14 but it didn’t eat and then at 4:09 we raised another Blue Marlin that didn’t tease in. At 6:10 we quit is hung and deployed the sea anchor as darkness set in. We had a delicious dinner discussed the days fishing and the fact that both Johnny and Mitchel both caught their first Marlin on fly. The crew filled the water tank, transferred the fuel to the main tank and filled the ice boxes then we all went to sleep at 8:00. Today’s Score was:
6/4/1 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
Wednesday, August 24, 2022: it rained hard all night and was still drizzling at 5:00 when I woke up. By 5:30 we had pulled the sea anchor, started the engines and deployed the teasers. At 6:00 Roberto served coffee with pancakes, cheese omelette, and sausage for breakfast. By 6:15 in choppy seas with light rain, we were fishing close to 180 miles from home port, surrounded by four other fishing boats. By 6:45 no one had a bite so James trolled away from that spot then we ran for an hour and 20 minutes to a different sea mount. At 8:30 am the water is much more blue here and we are marking bait along with some marlin, it is still raining and pretty choppy. Then at 11:57 as the sun came out and it started to calm down we raised our first Blue Marlin of the day. After a slight confusion Mitchel made a good cast and that marlin piled on the pink and white, large tube, Marlin popper fly. Then that fish took off at warp speed and began jumping until it was about 200 yards away and then the 20 pound tippet broke and it was over.
Johnny has been feeling sea sick since our first night at sea however he would not quit and roughed it out. After he landed his marlin he thought he felt better then got worse. Today with the choppy seas along with slow fishing and crappy weather he got worse, finally at 2:00 pm I convinced him that we needed to get him to shore. We started trolling toward Los Suenos immediately and should arrive at the dock early tomorrow morning.
Thursday, August 25, 2022: we arrived back at the dock in Los Suenos at 6:00 am today. Johnny feels better and is resting.
Our total score for a shortened trip was:
7/5/1 Blue Marlin
1/1/1 Striped Marlin
This was Johnny’s first ever Blue Marlin and Mitchel’s first ever Marlin on Fly. Remember these Marlin were caught using IGFA rules of fly fishing and 20 pound class tippet! As Johnny said “Fish of a lifetime” Congratulations to both anglers. I love my Job❤️❤️ More reports to follow!
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| Mitchel Vitale and Johnny Igoe, With Jake Jordan at his "Costa Rica Blue Marlin Fly Fishing School" aboard the vessel "Dragin Fly" at Los Suenos Costa Rica, August 2022 |
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