Catching a 350 pound Black Marlin on a banana!
Capt. John Schuchert
November 17, 2011
Quepos - Saltwater Fishing Report
Who Says Bananas Are Bad Luck?
Ok, before I explain the picture of the 350 pound 120 inch Black Marlin with a banana in his mouth (which was caught by us today), I'll have to take you back a few weeks. I decided I was going to start eating better. That meant lots of berrys, fruit, veggies and juice. So I started bringing different healthy foods on the boat, in my lunchbox. One of those good wholesome foods was a banana. You know, potassium, helps to keep the cramps away, etc. Well, i quickly learned from a customer that you can't catch fish with a banana in the boat. Now, I have no doubt that bananas are a very, very evil thing while fishing in other parts of the world, but here in Costa Rica, I have the insider's knowledge that big, Costa Rican, fish don't like cramps either. Well, as it went, today I had my banana for lunch, in my lunchbox, and the mate started complaining that we could never catch a fish with it aboard. Granted it was only noon, and we already had a pair of sailfish released, he just kept going about bad luck, no bananas etc. ??? Knowing what I know about Costa Rica Marlin, and other big Costa Rican fish, I decided to just dispell the rumors once and for all, and I went ahead and put a really big hook in the banana, attached it to the 50 wide, and threw it out in the spread. Literally five minutes later, we were hooked up with the big one in the photo... So next time you're out and the fishing is slow, remember two things, eating bananas is great for keeping away the cramps, and bananas are best trolled from the shotgun, way back, oh yeah, and they swim better frozen!
Quepos Fishing Forecast:
November through April here is when all the sailfish and Marlin come out and we are so looking forward to some awesome billfish action! This year we have tons of new tricks in addition to the old ones so we should have some great numbers! In addition to the Top of the line Furuno Sonar, and all new Penn Reels, I just got some High Powered stabilized binoculars. These are the ones that can spot birds at 5-6 miles, and if you shake them, the picture in them doesn't move. They look like something out of a Star Wars Movie and I expect to find lots of birds, floating debris and most importantly FINS! We also installed about 8000 dollars in sound and vibration reducing equipment and this should be our best year yet! We should really start seeing some good Dorado action from October to January, landing quite a few of the big bulls. We'll have the spinning gear ready for those fisherman who are really looking for a crazy fight. For those of you who like pulling up big fish from way down below, the bottom fishing should stay really awesome as well with quite a few Amberjacks and Snapper coming out each trip. With the new gear, we should also be able to spot Yellow Fins from way off, so I expect to be getting quite a bit more Tuna Action! Inshore we now will use a smaller boat with captain Jerry. last year in high season, Jerry really cleaned up the Roosterfish with his largest being 80 pounds and his most released were 11 large ones. In addition, we have quite a few areas that will be great to throw poppers to hit those snappes on top! Inshore should also come with the occasional Jack, Spanish Mackeral and Barracuda bite. High season is finally here, and we are already 50% booked so make sure to reserve your days quick before we fill up!
Target Species:
Black marlin, Pacific Sailfish
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