It's not always about fishing!

Girl's Day Out!

As you can see from the photo I received this week, these girls had a blast on the Frenzy. From the story I heard these ladies did a little shopping in downtown Quepos then went to Marina Pez Vela and hopped on the Frenzy for a little cruise down the coast. Apparently they brought along some floats, and if my guess is correct, some wine and snacks too! Rumor has it that they had a fabulous time cruising down the coast and stopping for a swim. I wonder what Jose and Marco thought of this? I bet they jumped in too...

Stay tuned as the Frenzy continues with my upcoming forecast for the 2011 GIFT Tournament...

Jamie

Frenzy Sportfishing

Steffen Family Christmas 2010 Day 7

The Marlin Fisherman are lazy today!!! They got up late and were moving slow. I guess catching all those big fish wears them out. We stopped last night at Marsha’s for a quick meal and to tell fish stories. She wants pictures of the kids and their fish to put up on her new “Wall of Shame”.

Ian was funny last night as I put him to bed, with his newly won Leatherman’s tool on his nightstand, he asked me if it was more difficult to catch a Marlin on a fly. I told him that yes it was much more difficult to catch one on the fly. He looked me in the eye and said “Well, I’m ready to catch one on a fly because I need something more advanced!!!”

I guess I don’t have to worry about Ian wanting to fish. We laughed all day today about that one and Lisa said that it would not be long before Ian would want to be my partner in the Harry Gray Fly Tournament. I said at the rate he is going, Jamie Walker is going to request Ian as his partner and demote me to third mate!

This afternoon we went to beautiful Casa Carolina for Lisa to meet with Willy and Ingrid to go over some work matters. As is the custom here, we are treated with great hospitality as Willy and Saule surprised us with lunch of hamburgers on the grill.

We got every one to bed early as we are going after Marlin again tomorrow. The Frenzy was out today and released two more marlin, broke the hook on another, and landed three yellow-fin tuna. Another boat we know had a marlin in the spread estimated at 1000lbs. Fortunately it didn’t bite. I wouldn’t want it to have a sore mouth when we are out tomorrow. The Frenzy continues…..

Steffen Family Christmas 2010 First Fishing Day at last!!!

As I said before we have been lazy this trip. It was a little tough this morning, especially getting the boy up and going. I got the coffee made and myself and the boy ready to go. Then it was wait for the 14 y.o. as she primped!!! My patience was really tested.

We hop in the car and it’s a quick trip to Café Milagro (now that the road to the condo is paved) so the Seattle girls can have their lattes to start the day. It’s an easy trip to Quepos and soon I slide into a paved parking space in the marina, purchase a license for Lisa, and step onto the Frenzy with ease!!! So different from the old days where it was an extreme adventure just to get down the gangway to the boat. We greet the crew and make a plan for the day. It’s decided to go offshore for marlin!!

I let the boy and mom snooze while we head to Jose’s chosen spot about 22 miles offshore. Olivia is on the bridge with Jose. We are soon in that beautiful cobalt blue water and the boat slows to trolling speed. The baits are dropped into the water and I begin talking to the family about who will be first up. I haven't finished getting out my first sentence when a marlin is crashing the left short teaser. Marco and second mate, Mako, work their magic and Olivia is soon fighting the first fish of the day. After about 30 minutes of excellent work and much coaching from Dad, she lands a nice Blue Marlin about 175 pounds.

Now it’s Ian’s turn. The crew works and works, with the boat zig and zagging, but not much action. We see porpoise playing, one sailfish on the surface, sea turtles, and flying fish which is fun for all of us but especially for the kids. It’s about noon and I’m watching the teasers when a Marlin does a suicide dive on the left short teaser. By the time the boys have done the marlin dance and finally hooked the same fish, I think it has attacked every teaser in our spread! Ian’s now in the chair.

I had found a small leatherman’s tool in my gear and that morning I told Ian he could have it if he would catch a big fish. A more determined face I’ve never seen as he did his best on this fish. After a good 30 minute fight Marco had touched the leader so it was a legal caught fish but we had no pictures. Suddenly we had an equipment failure as the rod snapped off about midway down. I learned something new as the boys went to work and before long we had spliced the line with the marlin on it onto a new rod and reel. Another 20 minutes and another nice Blue was along side estimated at about 300lbs. Ian says 325 and he is so smart I have to trust his judgment.

We all have a nice lunch of Arroz con Pollo and salad. The boy takes a well deserved rest with his new leatherman's tool, broken rod, and 150 leader nearly broken through. Now it’s Lisa’s turn. I threaten to call her Mr. Walker since her turn seems to take so long. It’s about 3PM and we get two more Laaaazy Marlin in the spread. The crew works hard but they just won’t bite.

We head home with a new family catch order. Lisa still in the lead with 400lbs. Now Ian is in second with 325lb (and a new leatherman tool in his pocket) and Oliva and Dad tied at 200lbs. The Frenzy Continues!!!!

The Steffen 2010 Christmas Trip

Days 1-5

As Lisa says we have been Laaaaazy!!! We were all very busy before leaving for Costa Rica. It is especially tough on Lisa because of having to close all the books at year end. Santa visited our house in Gig Harbor on Sunday the 19^th. Good thing those elves have internet now. It seemed like I was checking the weather report hourly for several days as I was so hopeful we wouldn’t get snowed in. We were fortunate to have great weather and no delays on any flights.

We have just been kicking back so far. Actually resting up since our first day of fishing is tomorrow. Ian and Olivia are arguing as to who will get the first fish. Seeing old friends is one of the things we look forward to on each visit. I saw Enrique who was our van driver on one of my first trips to Costa Rica as a member of the Tacoma Five. We’ve had dinner at El Gran Escape (home of the Gray Invitational Fly Tournament) and visited with Marsha, the owner and a dear friend. I’ve also seen Rafa (Captain of the Frenzy II), Roger (Hollywood), and Beetlejuice who have both worked for us as mates in the past and many other friends.

I came across a picture of our mate Marco when he was about 12 years old and his Dad Rafa on one of my first trips to Costa Rica.

The kids love it here. Ian ( 7 now) is in heaven. The kid could eat chicken and tortillas every day, a little of Mom’s Guac as he calls it, and drink watermelon juice. He could live in the pool if I would let him. He has spent time with his novia, Monseratte, playing their video games.

Olivia….what can I say? A fourteen year old girl. Enough said!

The condo complex has really come a long way since our last visit. The new Suu hotel is open and filled to capacity for the holidays. The restaurant is open and busy. The new pool deck is complete and it’s great having pool-side service when you need a cool drink or snack. We have been rewarded with visits from Lisa’s relatives (the monkeys!!! LOL) every night between 4 and 5 PM.

We attended church services on Christmas Eve. It was all in Spanish so I had to ask Olivia for a translation since she is a star in her Spanish class back home. We didn’t understand the language but got the message any way. Back in the condo they were having a large fiesta in the restaurant. I have to admit it’s a bit weird hearing Christmas songs like “Let It Snow” and “Sleigh Ride” with a background of palm trees and 80 degree weather.

We have made a trip to the Marina and the facility has come a long way since ourlast trip. The marina store is open, there is paved parking and many boats I’ve never seen before. The Frenzy looks at home in it’s new berth and appears to be as anxious as we are to get fishin’! Well I’m off the bed to prepare for a day on the FRENZY!!!!

The marlin bite continues!!!

The Frenzy into a school of Yellowfin tuna!

You would think that with this month's strong marlin bite I would have updated the blog sooner. I have always said that December should have at least 45 days in it! Oh well, better late than never so here goes:

You already know about my friend Bobby who fished one day and caught his first marlin. Jenny and I went down right afterwards and only had one day to fish with Rafa on the 35. We were trying to get Jenny a marlin on fly but unfortunately none showed up that day. Apparently the marlin were a few miles away as one boat saw 6 that day. We did catch some yellowfin up to about 40 pounds on fly! That was a blast. Photo and some rigging advice will follow in a separate blog.

The Kosloski family had 4 tremendous days of fishing with Jose and Marco on the 43.Their four days went like this:
     Day 1: 1 blue marlin, 1 striped marlin, 1 sailfish and 14 yellowfin tuna
     Day 2: 1 blue marlin, 3 dorado and 7 yellowfin tuna
     Day 3: 1 blue marlin, 1 sailfish, 1 dorado and 3 yellowfin tuna
     Day 4: 2 sailfish and 2 dorado (What, no marlin?)

All in all a fantastic trip for the Kosloski family and a prime example of why we believe that early December is a fantastic time to come fishing with Frenzy Sportfishing if you're trying to catch a marlin.

Our friend Harold Lovelady caught a nice blue on fly the same week! Pretty work there Harold. Practicing up for the upcoming GIFT tournament are you? I'll have to keep my eye on you.

The next couple of charter days saw some fair action on fly with our charter clients catching a nice striped marlin on fly and missing a blue on fly.

Then there was my buddy Chris who went down with 3 of his buddies to celebrate their 40th birthdays. Chris had planned 1, maybe 2 days of fishing but ended up fishing three days with Rafa on the Frenzy II. Their 3 day total of 2 blue marlin, a whopper of a striped marlin, 5 sailfish and a few dorado ensured that they had a great time coming to Costa Rica for their birthday celebration. I have been promised a bunch of photos, but so far this is what I have...

So as you can see the December marlin bite has once again proven that this is a great time of year to be fishing Costa Rica with Frenzy Sportfishing.

We have a few open days in January - April but they are filling fast! Contact Willy to make a reservation (www.frenzysportfishing.com/contact.html and come experience Frenzy Sportfishing!

The Frenzy continues as my partner Kerwin leaves today for a week of chasing billfish and having a great time with his family at Condo Del Mar.

Jamie

A marlin for my pal Bobby!

My good friend Bobby from NYC is staying at Casa Carolina this week and decided that he would go fishing on the Frenzy 43. Before he left the dock Monday he told Willy that all he really wanted was a marlin, but that some other fish would be good too! Now most folks say that jokingly but I have know Bobby for 25 years and Bobby wanted a marlin. So Capt. Jose took Bobby out to the Furuno for some live bait fishing. After Marco caught and rigged some live bonito Jose slow trolled the baits out to some deeper water.

Not too much later a nice 250 pound blue marlin granted Bobby's wish by eating one of the bonito. Bobby is a pretty good angler so he managed to bring the marlin to the Frenzy in short order. A nice way to start the day. Pretty work Bobby!

After the release Marco tossed the baits from the tuna tubes back in the water and Jose started the slow trolling routine again. A little while later a sailfish comes calling and rewarded Bobby with a nice pacific sailfish. By this time Bobby is saying to Jose and Marco, "Hey what else you got swimming out here?" Jose finds a school of yellowfin tuna and Bobby proceeds to catch 6. Just enough for fresh sashimi by the Casa Carolina pool and a nice fillet for dinner. The rest was enjoyed by Jose and Marco and their families.

By now Bobby is thinking that he's hot stuff so Jose has Marco rig some bottom rigs and puts Bobby on a huge amberjack! They are not called "reef donkeys" for nothing! That slowed Bobby down a bit for sure! But Bobby manages a comeback and catches a nice pargo (snapper) to finish the day.

Back to the pool at Casa Carolina in time to enjoy another beautiful Costa Rica sunset. So Bobby are you going back to NYC or do you want to quit that nice stockbroker job you have and come work for Frenzy Sportfishing? We would love to have you anytime!

See you soon my good friend. And hey, thanks for the photo.

The Frenzy continues...

Jamie
www.frenzysportfishing.com

35' Frenzy II Gets a new coat of paint

Captain Rafa has been busy the last 6 weeks prepping the Frenzy II for the upcoming high season. She's been given a new coat of paint and really shines. We have to paint these boats every 3 to 4 years because we fish so hard and catch so many billfish that the paint literally wears off. Lots of bill marks from releasing fish. I consider this a good thing!

I am putting together a tackle order for Rafa as he needs some new teasers. We use mostly Moldcraft Wide-range lures for teasers. After a couple of seasons they start to fade and even though they probably work as well as new ones we don't leave anything to chance! I like to have to best tackle we can get on the 35 and the 43. We buy most of our tackle from Jeremy at Atlantic Game and Tackle in Charleston, SC as he seems to always have what we need or can get it easily.

Well the 35 will be back in the water in a week or so and ready for another year of catching and releasing marlin and sails at the hand of Captain Rafa Solano. I expect that Rafa will have his first marlin of the year by December 10th. Last year the first week in December saw a pretty good marlin bite and also a bunch of big dorado were caught, including the 50 lb dorado that I caught on the fly aboard the 43.

More to come as the Frenzy continues...

Jamie