Costa Rica Fishing Tour 2005 - Parrot Bay Village - An Unforgettable Experience!

“Releasing my first sailfish ever was something I will never forget!”
exclaimed Lena Black, who attended the second annual “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” tour in Costa Rica, held Jan. 10-15 at Parrot Bay Village, Oso Penninsula. Each of the eight participants had a chance to catch and release Pacific sailfish, and many caught yellowfin tuna and large dolphin.

The guests enjoyed two days of solid offshore fishing and were able to see the wildlife, horseback ride, climb the waterfall in Matapalo and sit back and enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the Golfo Dulce.

“I came to feel the excitement of watching a huge Pacific sail leap from the ocean, and I saw several!” exclaimed Linda Talbot, one of the three women who conquered the challenge of releasing her first-ever sailfish.

“All I wanted to do was to catch a big sailfish on my birthday,” said Mary Metcalf, who received the trip as a birthday gift from her husband, “and the ocean granted my wish!”
Participants fished from 30' center consoles. The sailfish ranged up to 140 lbs. as was the one released by Sandy Breda.

On January 11, aboard the Moondancer with Captain Donald McGuinness, anglers Linda Talbot, Sandy Breda ,Mary Metcalf and Lena Black headed offshore, with their goals set on releasing sailfish. They raised 22 and released four. The same day, aboard the Wavejammer with Captain Darren, anglers Betty Bauman, Chuck Baldwin, Nils and Cheryl Swenson raised 12 and released three sailfish. They also caught dinner for the group, bringing in three Dorados in the 30 pound range. On January 12 aboard the Moondancer with Captain Donald McGuinness, Nils, Cheryl, Linda and Lena raised 18 sailfish and released three. The same day aboard the Wavejammer with Captain Darren, Betty, Chuck, Sandy, and Mary raised 11 sailfish and released three.

On January 14, aboard the Moondancer with Captain Donald McGuinness, Betty, Chuck, Linda, Lena and Mary raised 19 sailfish, all in the 100 pound range, using the “bait and switch” method.

The event was held at Parrot Bay Village, which offers proximity to great fishing, typically calm seas, jungle beach location, fishing ability and competent staff. Commented “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Founder, Betty Bauman, “After conducting fishing seminars for almost ten years, some of the 4,000 graduates of the program expressed interest in conquering fishing challenges in far away places. We chose Costa Rica because it offers the perfect place for tackling big game fishing, as well as a jungle and beach experience.” Participants came from Florida and South Carolina.

Bauman explained, while the “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” weekend seminars are for women only, the ladies voted to invite men on the foreign fishing trips. Two of the ladies brought their husbands.

In addition to their annual series of four women’s fishing seminars and one special event in Florida, the group also offers a Fishing Tour at The Cove Lodge, Elfin Cove, Alaska, July 7-11, 2005. For more information, contact “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” at 954-475-9068, email billfishbetty@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.ladiesletsgofishing.com.