Excitement and anticipation was in the air as 83 of the world top sport fishing teams assembled in Quepos, Costa Rica for the 6th annual Pelagic Rock Star Offshore Tournament. Located on the Pacific coast of central Costa Rica, Marina Pez Vela and the surrounding area of Manuel Antonio National Park is known as one of the most biologically diverse places anywhere in the world, and the fishing is second to none. Open to the public, Marina Pez Vela is a super clean, modern, world-class yacht harbor with a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and shops – including a PELAGIC brand store – which makes it the perfect back drop for the sportfishing history that was about to be made.
Tournament Summary
Check out these incredible tournament stats:
Tournament Payout
Tournament Overview
Competing over two days of fishing, for most Billfish release points, (Blue Marlin & Black Marlin 300 Pts., Striped Marlin 200 Pts., Sailfish 100 Pts.) and heaviest weight for Dorado and Tuna in both Big Boat and Small Boat divisions, angling teams from across the globe gathered for what is now officially known as Central America largest and richest sportfishing tournament in history. When day two of registration was complete, a staggering 83 teams were entered to go head-to-head, against each other and competing for over $1.29 million in total prize money.
Saturday, first day of fishing, brought beautiful weather and perfect conditions for a billfish tournament. The 7:00 AM shotgun start did not disappoint as 83 of the world finest sportfishing machines roared off into the mighty Pacific Ocean. It didnt take long before it was apparent that this competition would be something special. The scorekeeper radio was almost immediately filled with Captains calling in billfish releases. That in and of itself was nothing out of the ordinary, but what was extraordinary were the number of Blue Marlin being caught. Over the two-day event, the Blue Marlin bite would be like none other in anyone in the fleet memory.
Team Vaquero with Captain Lance Hightower at the helm got off to a quick start, calling in a double header blue marlin release early in the day and continuing to be hot from there with a number of sailfish and marlin release throughout day one. Team Game Plan with Capt. John Brennan was not far behind and Team Cabana with Capt. Eddie Wheeler, Team Outage with Capt. Hans Kraaz, and Team Southern Pride with Capt. Chris Garner all finishing within striking distance of each other after day one.
Meanwhile in the small boat division (Boats under 35 feet in length) The teams on Go Fish2 and Go Fish 3 were in an all-out billfish battle with Team Marina Mighty Mites. After two days in close contact, The MPV sponsored Mighty Mites would ultimately take first place billfish release honors in the division with Go Fish 3 and Go Fish 2 finishing second and third respectfully.
For information on the Inaugural Pelagic Pura Vida Blue Marlin Classic coming this March, and upcoming dates for all events in the Pelagic International Tournament Series, please visit www.PelagicTournaments.com.
