by Bill Graves
Over the years I’ve enjoyed a fair number of rod and gun ventures throughout the U.S., Canada, and several other exotic venues. Most have been relaxing, rewarding, and reinvigorating, yet the vacations that whisk me away from Maine’s winter deep freeze yield dual pleasures.
Contributed photo
Sailfish are very acrobatic and aerobatic fighters, and very plentiful off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The author caught 14 during the first three days he ever fished for them.
A week in the warm sun, azure clear water and balmy breezes enjoyed while fishing in Florida, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Texas, Aruba, Costa Rica and several other temperate destinations, where ice augers, snowmobile and layers of heavy clothes aren’t necessary, make the remainder of the ice and snow season tolerable. Other outdoorsmen must feel likewise, this year in particular, for some reason I’ve received an inordinate number of e-mails, letters, phone calls and face-to-face requests regarding my favorite winter getaway sites.
Some sportsmen want to catch certain species of fish, others require nearby attractions to entertain their family while they’re fishing, and of course expense, travel distance, and accommodations always figure into the final decision. I understand completely; my wife is adamant that if I’m going to be out casting or blasting there better be at least one golf course nearby to keep her entertained. Fair is fair, so I make every attempt to meet these meager guidelines and keep everybody happy.
Having enjoyed a good deal of freshwater angling I’m always searching for saltwater options, especially spots that boast plenty of high leaping, hard fighting billfish. After plenty of research I settled on Costa Rica, mostly due to its vast numbers of sailfish but also because of its warm weather. After many months of checking photos and advertising hype, five year ago I made reservation at a resort on the Pacific coast for mid-January and hoped for the best.
The accommodations, restaurants, golf courses, marina, charter boats, weather, beaches, tours and attractions were so great we have returned each of the last four winters. Now when folks ask me for recommendations for a fun family vacation spot with top-rate fishing too, I am quick to mention the Los Suenos Marriott Resort and Costa Rica Dreams sport fishing charters.
Gerard Alessio built Costa Rica Dreams from the water up, so to speak, and now owns nine luxurious, fully equipped charter boats with experienced crews. He also has charter access to a dozen other boats of every shape and size for inshore and off shore excursions from half a day to a full week or more.
Whether you’re a veteran blue-water angler, a rookie to deep sea fishing or a youngster, you will catch fish. Often entire families charter a boat and most of the time everyone catches fish, frequently the largest most memorable of their life! Sailfish are abundant, black, blue and striped marlin also abound during winter months, and tuna, wahoo, dorado, snapper and rooster fish provide regular action. Since all equipment is provided and each crew offers hands-on instructions, all visiting sportsmen need to bring are sunglasses, sun screen and a camera.
Non-fishing tourists won’t lack for fun adventures either since the Marriott Resort offers unlimited tours and trips. A unique golf course with nine holes along the ocean and nine in the rainforest offers a challenge with unparalleled scenery. Swimming, snorkeling, surfing, tennis, beach volleyball, sailing, wave runners and scuba diving will keep action seekers hopping, or spend a few hours sunbathing with a good book and a cool tropical beverage.
Explore remote beaches, waterfalls, rainforests or volcanoes on foot, horseback, four-wheeler, tram or gondola. Do a canopy tour on a zip line for a real breathtaking ride. An unbelievable assortment of animals and birds from crocodiles to cockatoo, monkeys to macaws, and frogs to fish keep cameras snapping.
Spacious rooms with awesome ocean or mountain sunset views are available in the main resort while one-, two- and three-bedroom condos perch on a hillside overlooking the bay and marina. Several restaurants, an expansive workout facility and even a casino provide further enjoyment, and a large friendly staff offers numerous programs and activities for the kids each day.
The Los Suenos area truly has something for everyone at reasonable prices. Temperatures average mid-80s each day and rain is rare. Fire up the computer and checkout www.costaricadreams.com for an overview of fine fishing opportunities or call 1-732-901-8625 for specific information or to make reservations. To check photos of the Los Suenos Marriott and to garner more info go to www.marriott.com or call 1-888-236-2427.
Nothing breaks up a long, cold winter like a few days fishing in a tropical paradise and if you’re anything like me your first trip won’t be your last.
