The Yellowfin Tuna are still schooling offshore in those epic feeding frenzies. We have lost a few Tuna to Sharks which is a good sign of a healthy ecosystem. The Dorado have been hanging around the floating debris and when the current lines have pushed it all together. Fishing has been incredible. Inshore, the Roosterfish have still been tearing up baits and we have seen some nice-sized Cubera Snapper coming in off the deeper areas like the Zane Grey Reef.
The clouds are rolling in daily keeping the temperature nice and cool. We are experiencing rain along the coast a few days a week which is washing all the logs and debris out of the jungle and makes for great fishing this time of year. Water temperatures have been great with the temperature hanging between 80 to 84 degrees Fahrenheit. On some days the water has been murky but the blue water is never too far off with the Humboldt current always bringing in new rich clean water from the south. The live bait have been plentiful around the debris offshore making for some really fun times when the fleet find them.
Randy Sook was back for his second visit this year with his daughters, Maddy and Olivia, for more father-daughter fun on the water. All three of the Sooks love the outdoors and adventure and we love having them at the Lodge. On this trip they fished on Miss South Africa with Captain Vicente. The angling trio had some great fishing. They experienced exciting Tuna action on the surface and released Sailfish and Roosterfish. Olivia said she really wanted to release a pretty fish and she got that opportunity to release her first Roosterfish and Sailfish. The Sook family is always a lot of fun. We can’t wait to see them return so Maddy can get her Marlin Randy to release his Cubera Snapper which is proving to be his nemesis.
Thornston “Toast” Ritter joined us for his second visit as well with his entire beautiful family. Normally Toast comes fishing during January for Blue and Black Marlin. On this particular trip though he was joined by his lovely wife, Vanessa, and his four daughters. They fished with Walter on the Miss Darien as Toast always does and had an incredible time. Toast was able to experience his oldest daughter, Nicole, release her first Sailfish. His youngest daughter, Avery, released her first Sailfish and a Blue Marlin of 250 lbs. Both girls walked the plank and had the traditional swim off the end of the dock. Toast said it was the best day he has ever had at Tropic Star Lodge after so many years and so many fish, and he never touched a rod.
Jim Armstrong joined us with his two friends, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, Stew Vandelinden and Fletcher Brunell from Nevada. Jim has been coming for over 10 years and is part of the Tropic Star family. Jim and Stew released Marlin during their stay. Fletcher now is going to have to return with Jim next year to get his big girl. The gentlemen enjoyed the pool each afternoon with cocktails in hand regaling other guests with fish tales and other stories from their travels.
The past few days have flown by and the Lodge is becoming full of anglers of every age. Seeing the families having so much fun together with kids reeling in their first catches makes the parents even more excited than their kids makes this sport and our little piece of paradise feel even more magical. As we approach the heart of Blue Marlin season we look forward to welcoming more junior anglers to experience this sport that all of us love so very much.
Tight lines and fair seas,
Capt. Richard White
