A 400lb plus Black Marlin released on Tuesday (photos to follow!) & then our Roosterfish Rodeo win at the weekend.
The 2024 ROOSTERFISH RODEO took place on Saturday Feb 3rd & is in its 5th year. This tournament forms part of our low entry cost, family friendly, tournament series which have been introduced by Marina Pez Vela to make tournament fishing more accessible for all & we just love being a part of them.
TEAM SALTY BUCKEYES from Ohio Jay, Kim & Jan joined us aboard GOOD DAY & were so excited to be fishing a tournament here in Costa Rica for the first time.
21 boats set out in this 100% Catch & Release tournament, searching for the most & longest Roosterfish. Points are given for each Roosterfish measured & released, 50 points for a small fish, 100 for a mid sized & 150 for a large Rooster. So teams need to decide whether they fish the beaches for greater numbers of smaller Roosters or the Rocks for the chance at larger Roosters but typically less Quantity than along the beaches. The tournament has been won at both the beach & the rocks in previous years so it’s always interesting to see how teams strategies play out!
We spent our time fishing Rocks & Islands in deeper water looking for larger Roosters. After a slow start we started chipping away at the Fish & accumulated 8 Roosterfish releases with all fish being in the mid to large categories.
The Salty Buckeyes brought an unmatched excitement & energy to this day. Kim had been manifesting winning this tournament & I guess it worked as we lifted the trophy for 1st place, Kim won Top Lady Angler & husband Jay won Top first time tournament Angler. So cool!
We were delighted to see our buddies aboard Asi O Mas scoop 2nd place & Capt. Greiven aboard Fly Catcher with the largest of the day, a stunning 52” Roosterfish.
In total 69 Roosterfish were caught & 27 were tagged for the Gray FishTag Research program who were in attendance to help make the event a success.
Results
1. Good Day 8 Roosterfish 1000 points
2. Así O Más 650 points
3. Sky II 650 points
Largest Roosterfish/ Fly Catcher 52”
Our tournaments here have become a huge deal for the entire community & all the families involved in Fishing. It is an opportunity to inspire the next generation & the Kids & Grandkids of winning teams often end up on the stage to help collect the trophies & prizes, their smiles are priceless. Im certain many of these kids will be back on the same stage to collect more Trophies as Anglers or Crew in future.
What a weekend! Huge thanks to Ifish Marina Pez Vela for another great event!
Our next tournament is the 2024 Ladies Only Pescadora Billfish Championship taking place next weekend, this has become one of the top ladies fishing tournaments in the world & we can’t wait for that one with TEAM MADE YA HOOK aboard GOOD DAY, wish us luck!!