“Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Costa Rica Fishing Tour 2006 - Parrot Bay Village - Catch of a Lifetime!
Mild-mannered People Become ‘Super Anglers’ Overnight!

It was the fishing experience of a lifetime, for many who attended the third annual “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” (LLGF) tour in Costa Rica, held Jan. 19-24, 2006 at Parrot Bay Village, Oso Penninsula. Each of the ten participants had a chance to catch and release Pacific sailfish, and many caught yellowfin tuna, large dolphin, large roosterfish and huge cubera snapper. The guests enjoyed two days of solid offshore fishing and were able to see wildlife, ride horses on the beach, glide on cables from treetop to treetop in the rainforest and enjoy the beautiful sunsets over the Golfo Dulce.
“Last year on this trip I released my first sailfish. This year, I had the thrill of releasing my first blue marlin ever!” exclaimed Mary Metcalf, a teacher who brought her husband and another male friend. Six of the participants released their first sailfish ever during the trip.

Participants fished from 30' center consoles. The sailfish ranged up to 100 lbs., and were caught close to the boats utilizing the “bait and switch”
method.

On January 19, aboard the Moondancer with Captain Donald McGuinness, anglers Dierdra Madgey, Sandy White, Mary Metcalf and George Dykstra headed offshore, with their goals set on releasing sailfish. In addition to the thrill of Metcalf’s hour-long battle with a 250 lb. blue marlin, they raised 14 and released six Pacific sailfish. The same day, aboard the Wavejammer with Captain Corey Craig, anglers Betty Bauman, husband Chuck Baldwin, Ivy Faggione and J.R. (Jim Richardson) had two spectacular double headers and a triple header, raising 13 and releasing seven sailfish. They also caught dinner for the group with a 30 lb. dolphin. “Reeling in that monster sailfish was wild...awesome...there are no words to describe it!” exclaimed J.R.

On January 20 aboard the Moondancer, Bill Metcalf released his first sailfish ever, Mary Metcalf landed a 30 lb. yellowfin tuna and George Dykstra released a sailfish and caught a 60 lb. yellowfin tuna which later became sushi for the group. The same day aboard the Wavejammer, the group fished a half day offshore and a half day inshore and caught ten species of fish ranging from sailfish, roosterfish, 30 lb. cubera snapper, sharks and more. The surprise was catching a 30 lb. dolphin while fishing inshore.
Most of the group opted for extra days of fishing, returning with tales of 60 lb. roosterfish, 60 lb. yellowfin tuna, and sightings of pilot whales.

“Our Viper Bob fishing vest was our savior this year,” commented “Ladies, Let’s Go Fishing!” Founder, Betty Bauman. “After having surgery in the summer, it enabled me to tackle 100 lb. sailfish so comfortably!” Petite Sandy Breda from North Carolina became hooked on the vest after using it to catch multiple fish almost her size. The patented, lightweight Viper Bob fishing vest clips onto the reel and reduces muscle stress when fish fighting.

The LLGF staff chose Parrot Bay Village for their five night excursion because of its proximity to great fishing, typically calm seas, jungle beach location, excellent charters, competent staff and unforgettable meals.

Bauman explained, “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 rainforest 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 this foreign fishing trip.

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.

Fishing report:
Day 1:
Moondancer:/Dierdra M. - 2 dolphin; Sandy W. - First sail ever, 1 dolphin; Mary M. - 3 sails, one 250 lb. blue marlin; George D. - 3 sails, 1 dolphin Wavejammer/(Two double header sailfish and 1 triple header, raised a blue marlin which did not eat)/ J.R. - First sailfish and first big fish ever; total 2 sails and 1 dolphin; Chuck B. - 1 sail, 1 dogtooth snapper; Betty
B.- 2 sails, 1 roosterfish, 1 cubera snapper; Ivy - 2 sails, 1 dolphin, 1 cubera snapper.
Day 2:
Moondancer/ Bill M. - First sail ever, 100 lbs; Mary M. 40 lb. Yellowfin tuna; George D. - 1 sail, 60 lb. yellowfin tuna Wavejammer/Sandy B. - 1 sail, 30 lb. Tuna, first roosterfish ever 40 lb., 1 mullet snapper, 50 lb. jack cravelle, 15 lb. pompano; Betty B. - 40 lb.
yellowfin tuna, 1 mullet snapper, 35 lb. roosterfish, 1 pompano, 40 lb. Jack cravalle, 1 pompano; Chuck B. - 30 lb. jack crevalle, 1 stingray, 1 shark Day 3:
Moondancer/Dierdre M - first sail ever, first roosterfish ever, big jack crevalle, 1 snapper; Sandy W. - First roosterfish ever; Ivy F. - first roosterfish ever, 1 jack crevalle; J.R. - 1 roosterfish, one 35 lb. bull dolphin caught on a plug Wavejammer/Sandy B. - 40 lb. roosterfish, 1 sail; Betty B. - 1 sail; Chuck B. - 55 lb. roosterfish; Cory - 60 lb. roosterfish Day 4:
Moondancer/Mary M.- 1 yellowfin tuna, 1 jack crevalle Capt. Donald McGinnis/George D. - 40 lb. cubera snapper, 6 mullet snapper, 1 rock snapper, 1 silky snapper, 1 yellowtail snapper, 4 roosterfish, 12 blue runners