I got back last Friday from the Zancudo lodge in Costa Rica. This was my third trip down to Zancudo Lodge in the last 18 months
I got back last Friday from the Zancudo lodge in Costa Rica. This was my third trip down to Zancudo Lodge in the last 18 months; the first was a inshore bonanza, the second was a sailfish slam and this was a Dorado catching clinic. I went down with three of my friends and we had an absolutely great time (two of the guys had never caught Dorado before).
As usual we made all connections and arrived on time to the lodge to greet a hot breakfast with my favorite food… bacon. I don’t know what it is about their pork product but it is the best I’ve ever had (we had chops as well a couple of nights for dinner). We ate Dorado and Tuna just about every night as well. Greg and the staff really took care of us as usual and the other guests at the lodge were great to be around as well.
I could keep talking about the food, service and poolside cocktails and the 88 degrees but the fishing was the real story… it was spectacular. I fished five days; four offshore and one inshore. I lost count of the Dorado we caught every day as we released most but we kept a few to eat. We raised and hooked several Sailfish but I couldn’t keep them on the line. My friends had the same success and raised several Marlin as well but couldn’t get them to buckle up. We did have some good success with the Tuna. One of my friends caught one about 80 lbs and the other close to 100 lbs. My buddy and I got into them pretty good hooking three to four at a pop as we chased around the dophins. Most were football size and like albacore it was a bloody frenzy. It was an absolute blast. I also learned a good lesson as on the first day I didn’t wear a belt/rod holder when fighting fish and had about 19 circular purple bruises on my waste and legs (maybe that is how I could have counted my catch). That fighting belt sure felt good the next morning with my first hook up.
I spent my last day inshore fishing hooking many species; snapper, roosterfish, mackeral, Jack’s (too many species to name) and my rooster was around 30 lbs. I ended up heading in a bit early after some quality catching to get some pool time and cocktails in (I didn’t fall out of the hammock this trip which was a major victory for me).
I had a late flight out of San Jose the next day and I managed to get a surf session in the morning of my departure, which was a bonus for me sitting in water that was 87 degrees.
I celebrated my 46th birthday while I was there and was surprised with a big chocolate cake and candle by Greg. I would have likely never found the Zancudo Lodge if it were not for the Coastside crew… thank you for the introduction. Quality people here and there!
I count my blessings that I have a job, supporting wife and great friends that allow me to make these trips.
Tight lines to all of you,
Wes
