3/19/12

I got back from Costa Rica this past very early this past Wednesday. We had spent the
last couple of days up in the mountains at Monteverde where it can be a little chilly. It felt
warmer at JFK than it did there.

I guess the winter codfishing is over and now we’re into the spring codfishing, with little
if any change in the bottom line. It isn’t what it has been over the last couple of years, and
that apparently is a result of the warm winter we’ve had. There are still occasional seabass
and porgies being caught. But, it really isn’t as bad as it seems. There are still some
occasional decent catches of cod being taken and when they aren’t cooperating, there are
always ling available to fill up the fillet bags. I watched Capt Mark unloading on
Saturday. His six patrons walked away with about 75 pounds or so of fillets.

The carptebagger boats have all left, and based on what I saw in the parking lots, I doubt
a couple of them even paid their expenses to spend the couple of months here. I imagine
they might wait a little longer next year before committing to come back.

According to a couple of charterboat captains that I have spoken to, the bookings for the
upcoming season are looking up. That could be a result of the warmer than normal winter
or maybe the economy is improving a little. Whichever it is, it’s welcome. If you have to
fish on a weekend, it might be a good idea to start your planning . Otherwise you just
might not be able to get the date you want on the boat that you want.

I might have an occasional report, but don’t expect weekly reports until sometime in May
when things start to get more active.

Of course the fishing in Central America will still be hot through the spring and some of
the lodges that were booked up through the winter months are starting to have some
availability, so if the ling don’t interest you and you can’t wait until the fluke and stripers
show up, give it a thought and check it out at www.tropicalfishing.com