Wow....
I just got back from there last week. Did a canoe trip into the jungle, walked into the jungle. mingled and drank too much beer with the locals...
Ended up meeting some new friends that i have stayed in contact with after i got back. Of course did a lot of fishing. I was already planing next years trip.
Watching the news now...
https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-storm-hurricane-otto-caribbean-central-america-forecastThinking i was just there.... I stayed in Tortuguero with a population of maybe 1200 people. Tourist go there mainly to watch sea Turtles and visit the jungle which is the same as the Amazon. I was there a week! fish 5 times...the locals new us as " the Fisherman's" The experience of seeing their culture was very interesting and learning how they live there in shacks in a corrupt society with nothing that we take for granted. They have cell phones and tvs....no banks, no cars or roads. only boats and bicycles. Only stores are restaurants that offer rice and beans at every meal. Some nice lodges and 1 star hotels with a couple convenient stores is all that is there. So everyone drinks alot!! Great people...meet some new fishing friends that I hope are ok with this storm hitting them now. I am sure that the village is completely wiped out....most homes were built of termite infested wood with tin roofs.
This whole experience was a trip of a lifetime for my friend and i. Basically a third world country that i would love to go back to visit and fish again.
As for the fishing...its incredible!! World class Tarpon fishing all year long. Key west florida is basically only may and June. with maybe 150lb fish. East coast of Costa Rica has Tarpon over 200lbs anytime. We found out!
We caught a 200lber that was just over 6 feet long that took 3 hours to reel in. The fight was a rush spooling 100's of yards 15 times after we get the fish near the boat. It was a complete arm wrestle.
We also did some night fishing for tarpon. I had on a 150lber ish.....after spooling a 7000 series reel almost completely of 100lb. Power Pro. it ended up chewing through the 100lb. Fl. Leader that was on the Rapala shad rap. (next time....i need some Huskie Musky leaders with me).
We ended up catching a a 3 Tarpons, losing a few others...went after Snook with no luck, caught Jack carvelle, went after Barracuda with no luck but seen them.
But the Tarpon is the Silver King! I enjoy fishing around the world. In the past I have caught 600lb. plus Pacific Blue Marlin in Hawaii over 12 feet long, I have caught 200lb. plus Sturgeon in the Frasier River...nothing is like a Tarpon!
For anyone even interested in Tarpon fishing....go for it! you will never forget the rush and the experience specially if you go off the grid and visit Tortuguero Costa Rica. (if its still there) .
I am sharing some photos....Obviously with this hurricane going through now....these places will never be the same.
Praying that the people down there are safe....and I hope to be going back soon.
What an experience...I am glade i have done. If anyone every wants some info on this....contact me.
Stacy
Pro Tackle