It’s
the Icing on the Cake!
Capt. Joe Webb
FV/ Billy The Kid
We first arrived at Los Sueños in April 2005. I was
running our new 130’ Westport, BIG DADDY. We were
set up as a mother ship operation. We had our game boat
with us. It’s a 50’ custom Carolina fish boat.
When we arrived it was the end of the season. The rainy
season was just starting. The rivers were washing out and
whole trees were making their way out to the blue water.
We found a lot of wahoo and dorado around them. There was
always plenty of action. The sail fishing was very good
for us, even at this particular time of the year.
I had come from the gulf coast of Florida, where I
ran an offshore charter boat for about twenty years, mostly
fishing for grouper and snapper. I ran my charter boat out
of the bayou on Anna Maria Island at Galati Yacht Basin.
Later I started running billfish trips in the Bahamas, mostly
on Rum Cay. My boss, Bill Mullis, started coming down to
Rum and fishing with me but most of the time it was very
rough and he didn’t like the experience. Which brings
us back to Los Sueños. When Bill arrived and we started
fishing here, he was in heaven. After the first day fishing
out of Los Sueños I’ll never forget what he
said, “I’ve fished all over the Caribbean and
have had my brains beat out. I have now found the perfect
place where I can come and not have to worry about it being
rough!”
That said, in late 2006 we flew back down here and he bought
a villa at Bay Residences. We shipped the fifty-footer back
down here and got with the program. So what it all comes
down to is, when you can lean over the gunnel and pet a
400 lb blue marlin that’s chewing on the teaser, what
more can you ask for?
LOS SUENOS CREWS—I’ve been lucky enough to have
some of the best first mates fish with us over the last
six months. All these guys have taught me a lot and as the
boss says, we’re learning...And that’s a good
thing! The mates at Los Sueños are some of the hardest
working guys and girls I’ve ever seen. From what I’ve
seen, they all love what they do!
ON THE HORIZON—We take delivery of our new Viking
60’ in mid-November, 2007. It’s Viking’s
latest addition to their fleet. It’s a custom edition
model- no bow rail and all teaked out. She’s powered
by twin Caterpillar c32’s.This boat will cruise in
the high 30’s. Now we’ll be able to fish way
up north when the bite is on.
LOS SUENOS RESORT—— This place has it together!
The landscaping is second to none. Those guys can trim a
hedge perfect with a machete. It’s a golfer’s
paradise, a bird watcher’s paradise and a surfer’s
paradise. And the fishing? That’s The Icing On The
Cake!!
Capt. Joe Webb
FV/ Billy The Kid
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www.LifestyleCR.com©
2002 |
I was able to
have my wife, Leslie, and two children, Bennet (10) and Alexa (14),
join us on a later trip in July. My son, Bennet, caught his first
blue marlin and had a great time doing it. As a captain, I am always
very happy every time we catch a marlin. As a father, I had the
chance to be the captain when my son caught his first blue marlin.
I am sure you can imagine the happiness and excitement I felt.!
He also caught a Dorado that weighed 49 pounds. It would have been
another junior world record, but more than one person touched the
rod, which made it ineligible for the record books.
In addition to the fishing, all of our children have learned how
to surf. Now, coming from “God’s Country”, South
Louisiana, that is a big deal. I had never seen a surf board with
my own eyes until Costa Rica. The extent of our surfing experience
was limited to the ditches at home after a big rain. Needless to
say, the kids have found a new passion that hopefully will keep
them out of the ditches! All of the kids say it is one of the most
enjoyable things they have ever done.
I can only imagine what the future may hold for us in Costa Rica.
If the past is truly a predictor of the future, we are in for a
great time. Los Sueños is growing in every way. More and
more people are discovering this remarkable paradise. Fishing will
remain incredible, the seas calm, the sunsets breathtaking and the
surfing consistent. We plan to venture out and discover the many
different activities beyond Los Sueños, although you can
certainly have the experience of a lifetime without ever leaving
the resort. There are more than enough activities to keep the entire
family occupied.
During your stay here,, please feel free to stop by the C’est
Tout Bon and say hello. Chances are we will have some cold beverages
and some great Cajun food to add to your Costa Rican experience!
P.S. C’est Tout Bon translates to It’s All Good - and
believe me, it truly is.
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Marina
Tails
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The One that didn’t get away.
Capitain
Eliot Cline
Above and below are photos of Blue and Black Marlins
caught and released onboard the 61 foot Garlington,
Patricia in January and February 2007.The big fish
was estimated to be an 800 pound plus Blue Marlin
caught and released on March 1 2007 onboard the Patricia
by boat owner Dan McGlaughlin, Captain Elliott Cline,
with mates Parker Stevens and Eric Morales. This fish
was teased from a bridge teaser and pitch-baited a
Spanish mackerel on 50lb stand-up gear. The fish was
caught and released in an estimated time of 25 minutes.
Captain Elliott Cline
Over 150 guests attended the Grand Opening celebration
of the Marina Village Commercial Center where they
enjoyed a beautiful concert by renowned Costa Rican
pianist, Manuel Obregon, wine and hors d’ouvres
to the backdrop of the Los Sueños Marina. (See
page 68)
C’est
tout Bon Capitain
Shannon Peacot
For many years as a captain, I listened with
envy to other captains talk about their incredible
experiences in Costa Rica, fantasizing that
one day I would be able to experience it myself.
Then, while fishing in Isla Mujeres in 2006,
my boss, Joey, and his family decided they
would spend Easter in Costa Rica. Anticipating
calm seas, he lined up a couple of days fishing
for the family on one of the local charter
boats. His wife Robin, son Jake, and two daughters,
Maggie and Jolie, were going to fish the Pacific
for the first time.
I was more than anxious to get a report as
soon as I could from him. When he was able
to call and tell me about it, his first words
were, “I reserved a slip [for next year]
in Los Sueños!” When I asked
him for details, he told me that words would
not suffice to describe their experience.
Finally, I was able to find out that the fishing
was awesome, the seas were calm and they ran
out of time before they could see a fraction
of the region surrounding Los Sueños.
Now can you guess our 2007 vacation destination?
In December of 2006 we loaded the boat on
a ship bound for Costa Rica. I met the ship
in Golfito on the 20th of December and after
clearing customs, I immediately went north
to Los Sueños. The 130-mile ride was
breathtaking, to say the least. The tranquil
waters and incredible views captivated me;
the four-hour ride seemed to end in 15 minutes.
“Wow!”, was the extent of my vocabulary
along the way.
I have been very fortunate in my brief 40
years of life to have seen many different
parts of the world. Never before have I seen
a place with more life or beauty than this
tropical paradise of Costa Rica. I remember
text messaging Joey (the boss) and asking
him to call my wife and tell her we were moving.
The excitement in his voice was evident when
I first spoke to him. He was elated to hear
the enthusiasm in my voice because Joey gets
his enjoyment out of seeing others (especially
children) have a great time.
In addition, I was in awe with the magnificent
beauty of Los Sueños itself. What a
vision the developer must have had, was my
thought. I have never seen a resort with more
natural beauty, set off by the nicest and
most complete marina on the Pacific. We were
impressed by the 5-star golf course, multiple
theme restaurants, casino, and accommodations
ranging from the Marriott Hotel and luxurious
condos, to incredible homes.
Our first fishing trip took place on December
28th. Once again, Joey did not come, but sent
his nephew as an early graduation gift along
with a friend. In four days of fishing we
caught over 40 sailfish and a marlin. We were
ecstatic because we had never fished in the
Pacific - not to mention the size of the fish
in comparison to the Atlantic sails we had
been catching for years.
Joey made it to Costa Rica for the first tournament
in January.” Fishing was slow, but we
managed to catch a few and have a great time.
The one constant I really appreciate in Los
Sueños is the calmness of the seas
you will find each and every time you depart.
What a great feeling not to have to constantly
watch the weather and then worry about not
being able to fish because of it. “
Joey was confident that because of the calm
seas, all of our children and many close friends
could really enjoy the boat and fish more
than ever. He could not have been more right,
even if I hate admitting it! In the first
four months of fishing, we have recorded over
400 sailfish and 22 marlin. Not to mention
the many dorado, grouper, tuna, and wahoo
we have caught. One of the marlin we released
was a striped marlin caught by Joey’s
daughter, Maggie (11). I estimated the fish
to be over 300 pounds. I am more than certain
this fish would have easily topped the current
junior world record.
Maggie is an amazing angler - she fought the
fish the entire time. In fact, Joey was desperately
trying to get her to relinquish the rod so
he could fight it, too. In the process, he
almost lost his life at the hands of an 11-year
old. Luckily she was occupied at the time.
On the same trip, Maggie, and Joey’s
son Jake (9) teamed up for 15 sailfish over
a two-day
period.
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