- Merle Seamon


Onshore Offshore’s Sailfish Ritual started in Costa Rica at Crocodile Bay in 2003 and we are happy to be returning there March 18th thru 21st of 2010. Now is your chance to sign up for this year’s trip. I have been fortunate enough to participate in two previous trips and I can assure you that this is a trip not to be missed.

Costa Rica is a truly beautiful country and Crocodile Bay is a world-class lodge and fishing operation. Crocodile Bay Resort is located in Costa Rica's most pristine region (The Osa Peninsula), which is referred to by National Geographic Magazine as "The most biologically intense place on Earth". Puerto Jimenez, where the lodge is located, is so far south that you can see Panama as you head out to fish.

My first year to attend the ritual was 2004 when my business partner, Mark Robertson and I joined the group that also included Bret Gamrot from Onshore Offshore, Dave Moore the former Tampa Bay Buccaneer and around 20 others. The fishing was great that year and we found the lodging, service, food, boats and crews to all be exceptional in every way.

The lodge has beautifully decorated rooms with lots of space and nice bathrooms. Typically two people share a room with double beds. The trip is all-inclusive with a big cooked breakfast and fabulous dinner served at the dining hall and sack lunches for you to take fishing. They provide beer and soft drinks on the boats and a full bar at the lodge and in the pool. The only thing extra is premium brand liquors and tips for the great staff. I don’t usually like overly sweet tropical drinks but the pina coladas they made with fresh cut pineapple are the best I’ve ever had (they really hit the spot after a hot day on the water).

Once we arrived at Crocodile Bay we were grouped into four man teams. Mark and I were teamed with Vic Maffe and Mike Martin. The large boats (30 to 35’ Strikes) easily and comfortably accommodate 4 fishermen. For rooster fishing we used 25’ whalers and split into 2 man groups. Most participants chose to do 2 days offshore and one day on the beach for roosterfish.

The first day we fished offshore from around 7 am to 3 pm when we returned to relax at the underwater bar in the beautiful pool. Our first day was a success with everyone getting a sail and some of us doubling up. Our team wasn’t in the lead after the first day, but we were still in the running.

The second day we decided to split up and go after roosterfish at the beach. The beautiful and hard fighting roosters can be found right up to the breaking waves at the beach. The scenery is especially stunning when you stay close to the beach to see the bluffs and occasional outcrops out in the Pacific. Mark and I fished together in one of the whalers and we had a truly incredible day to remember. I may be a little off, but if memory serves me correctly, the two of us caught 18 roosters and 12 nice jack. Vic and Mike also had a good catch so our team finished the day with a commanding lead in the points standings.

On the 3rd day we went offshore intending to maintain our lead, but we were dismayed that the fish did not want to cooperate. We fished hard but it was almost time to go home and we still had no fish. We hoped our lead would hold up and finally Mark succeeded in boating one little chicken dolphin. We headed in reluctantly and had to wait till after dinner to find out who was the winner. As it turned out, that one little dolphin netted us the 5 points that we needed to still take first place in the tournament. We were thrilled to be the winners and our team decided to return again the next year.

We have made one change in our plans for the 2010-year. Three full days of fishing has been too much for many participants, so we have only scheduled two days of fishing with a day free to take advantage of eco tours, kayaking, horseback riding, the in house spa, the pool and butterfly gardens and much more. If you are hard core and want to fish three days, that can also be arranged for a little extra money. The trip remains a real bargain at $2595 plus the cost of your flight to San Jose.

Join us in March for the 2010 Sailfish Ritual, you won’t regret it. Call us at (727) 935-4866 to reserve your spot.