Marlin, Sailfish, Yellowfin Tuna, Roosterfish, Cubera Snapper

The bite really turned on this last week, mostly mixed bag but the highlight was the fact that Yellowfin Tunas were piled up offshore and our guests had loads of fun catching them. The big ones are here too, up to 180 lbs. There were a few Black Marlin around, but when the tuna bite is on, most folks prefer the nonstop action. These fish are voracious feeders and will basically nail the bait as soon as it lands in the water. Both live bonito and poppers worked well. A number of Sailfish were also released this week, most of them were out on the 20 mile drop-off and many large Dorado were also taken offshore which is a sure sign that the marlin bite is going to turn on soon! Inshore has also been nothing short of spectacular and some really big Roosterfish were released up to 70 lbs and big Cubera Snappers.

Mark Agresti released his first Black Marlin estimated at 400 lbs and his son Blake also had great action on the Yellowfin Tunas, biggest around 140 lbs. Blake also released his first Pacific Sailfish around 100 lbs. John Waldrop was also here last week and really got onto some great fishing. On his first day out he released a nice Blue Marlin estimated at 450 lbs. He also had some epic moments inshore. One evening he returned to the lodge with 2 Giant Roosterfish released and 5 Cubera Snappers up to around 50 lbs. Jimmy Burns, Kevin Shaw and Colton Beam were also here last week for the first time and also had great week of mixed bag fishing. Kevin nailed a Roosterfish estimated at 70+ lbs and Colton released his first Pacific Sailfish estimated at around 90 lbs. Jimmy released his first Pacific Sailfish that went 100 lbs. Other highlights include Jack Steiner’s  release of  his first Pacific Sailfish estimated at 130 lbs and Norm Steiner also got his first Pacific Sailfish release with a 100 lb fish.  Other catches if note were by Perry Forrester who caught a giant Yellowfin Tuna estimated at 170 lbs. Twelve year old Ethan Steiner caught his very first Roosterfish estimated at over 60 lbs and Colton Beam caught huge Almaco Jack around 60 lbs and Cubera Snapper around 50 lbs. Brad and Brett Forrester landed a Double Header Yellowfin Tuna both in the 130 lb range.

Looks like the coming weeks are going to be red hot and with the tuna bite improving there’s going to be lots of sore muscles at TSL.

For more Tropic Star Lodge action, check out our photo gallery on Facebook and Flickr 

Tight Lines!

Albert Battoo
Fishing Director