InTheBite

Destination: Flamingo, Costa Rica

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Sportfisher cruising past the breakwall out of the new Marina Flamingo. (Photo/Marina Flamingo)

By Carol M. Bareuther, RD

Fishing couple Jerry and Deborah Dunaway, of Madam and Hooker fame, were among the first to put the waters off Flamingo, Costa Rica, on the world sportfishing map. In fact, the duo’s 2-pound test Pacific sailfish records—a 111-pounder for Jerry in 1993 and a 102-pounder for Deborah in 1992—still stand in the IGFA record books. Closure of the marina in 2003, and the popularity of Los Sueños, with its good fishing and facilities to the south, stopped some traveling boats from putting Flamingo on their calendar.

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Escape Plan: Adventure Awaits in Quepos, Costa Rica

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Beautiful aerial view of the Marina in Quepos Costa Rica

By Ben Begovic

They say a picture tells a thousand words. If “they” are correct, the photo of a traveling angler with grin from ear to ear aboard The Hooker releasing blue marlin under the watchful eye of Capt. Skip Smith speaks volumes. It’s an exotic image like this snapped off the beaten path that triggers the adventurous spirit in all of us.
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Captain Brad Philipps Breaks Down the Guatemala Billfish

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guatemala billfish

Photo courtesy Mark B. Hatter

By Mark B. Hatter

“We know more about the moon than we know about the habits of billfish.”

Brad Philipps, captain, owner and operator of the charter boat Decisive and Guatemala Billfishing Adventures, introspectively remarked as we sipped whisky and smoked Cuban cigars on the rooftop of his Casa Philipps in Antigua, in January of 2020. It had been a VERY slow week, yet under the uncharacteristic circumstances, we raised and released more sailfish using fly tackle than any other boat in the fleet.

So, I am not so sure about Philipp’s moon and billfish remark.

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Travel Alert: Paradise Awaits—Club Pelagic’s Private Escape in Quepos, Costa Rica

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By Dave Ferrell

I’ve just recently returned from a little piece of paradise that was the result of one man’s dream over 20 years in the making. But first, a little back story. I first met Ron Kawaja, owner of the Pelagic clothing brand, in a crappy Miami hotel room during the Miami Boat Show in the late-90s. Ron was getting ready to launch a new company that meant to capitalize on the surf style boardshorts that were popular with a lot of mates in the sportfishing world. I was the editor of Marlin at the time and told the crew that I thought it was a great idea and supplied them with as many names of well-regarded fishermen as I could. Now, 20 years later, Pelagic is a world-wide brand bringing the West Coast style and much more to the sportfishing community. [Read more…]

2021 Los Sueños Tournament Photo Gallery

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By Dale Wills

The 2021 Los Sueños Tournament Series has come and gone and I’d like to share a few more images from the series before they are tucked away on our server until who knows when. Congratulations to all the winners and a big thank you to the Jaruco operation for hosting me during the series. Needless to say, the boat is amazing and the entire program is like no other. Captain Jimmy definitely put us In The Bite. Congratulations to Team Galati on an unprecedented sweep during Leg 3. I’d like to also congratulate a few of our Champion’s Cup teams including Fish Tank, Uno Mas and Eight Eight’s who each found a spot on the leaderboard throughout the series. Till next time, safe travels and tight lines.

On This Day: First Ever Albino Marlin Released off Costa Rica

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This was originally published March 12, 2014

Capt. Daniel Espinoza doesn’t take many days off during the charter season but on March 12, 2014 he turned over the Spanish Fly to his backup captain, Juan Carlos Fallas. In the cockpit were mates Carlos Espinoza and Robert Salinas along with clients Bob and Karen Weaver.

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Captain Chris Sheeder Passes Away After Battle with Cancer

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January 7, 2021—It’s with a heavy heart that we announce well-known Hawaii Captain Chris Sheeder has passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to a public Facebook post from his brother. Sheeder’s love for the water began at the young age of 11 when he took his first offshore trip out of Kona. This eventually led him to become a leader in refining techniques for catching billfish on the fly. He accumulated a career billfish tally of more than 35,000.

Sheeder worked his way up the ladder, from mate and then to captain. And throughout his time in the fishing circuit, Sheeder was always ready to give back to the community and share what he had learned himself.

This is best summed up in his own words when InTheBite interviewed him a few years back.

“I don’t feel like I’m in the sportfishing business, I’m in the dream fulfillment business. It might sound cheesy, but fishing is a great way of enriching other people’s lives. It’s been my avenue to making lifetime memories. How can you touch other people’s lives? Take them fishing. Lots of people think about a day spent together for a long, long time.”

Read more about Captain Chris Sheeder’s career here.

November Brings Anglers Back to Panama’s Tropic Star Lodge

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Fish Caught at Tropic Star Lodge

Photo courtesy Tropic Star Lodge

 

Friday, November 20, 2020—This year has consisted of many challenges, and for anglers around the world, one of them has been having to put international fishing plans on hold. Outfitters of all shapes and sizes have had to turn guests away due to COVID-19 restrictions, and the world-renowned Tropic Star Lodge was no exception. Tides turned in Mid-November though, when the Tropic Star team were able to fire up boat engines, dust off tackle boxes, and welcome back exuberant anglers to reap the rewards that the
8-month-untouched waters of Piñas Bay had to offer.

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The Marlin Bar– the Latest from Tropic Star

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IMAGE OF THE MARLIN BAR AT TROPIC STAR LODEGE IN PANAMA

A sportfishing institution now has its latest landmark: The Marlin Bar at Tropic Star Lodge. Tropic Star Lodge is one of sportfishing’s most historic operations—and it has the photographs to prove it. From fishing pictures with John Wayne to all manner of giant yellowfin and huge black marlin, Tropic Star has it. Tropic Star recently unveiled its Marlin Bar. New and updated, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a cold beer and swap fishing stories. After all, you’re sure to make a few stories of your own while fishing at Tropic Star…

For a reminder of how great the fishing is at the lodge, check out this story we published last year.

The Bertram Bar, called Babe, allows you to drink your favorite rum drink at the helm of a 31’ Bertram all while overlooking the bay and Tropic Star’s fleet. You can certainly add this to the list of places we’re headed as soon as things get back to normal. In the meantime, here is a back stage pass from your friends at InTheBite….

For more information on Tropic Star Lodge, please e-mail info@inthebite.com or fill out the form below and our InTheBite concierge service will be happy to assist you.