Fourteen year old Adam Hartman was the hero when he caught an IGFA Junior Angler World Record: a 64.2 lb. Roosterfish. We have many families fishing together, including three generations of Jandl’s. Grandson Bill released his first Sail on fly. Sheryl Meyer also released her first Sail on fly. Our final Presidential Challenge of Central America ended with a record. After seven years, (21) tournaments in Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica, TSL provided a tournament record for the MOST SAILFISH EVER RELEASED IN ANY LEG OF THIS TOURNAMENT. On 16 boats (4 club boats for 3 days and 12 private boats for two days), 47 anglers released 570 Sailfish! What a Grand Finale!!

Adam Hartman’s
IGFA Jr. Angler World Record Roosterfish

MAY:

The 3rd Annual Tropic Star Challenge Invitational Tournament returned. The fishing was great, and some returning guests were still talking about last May’s amazing phenomenon, when 1016 Sailfish were landed! Bill Crozier, now 81, released 22 Sails in one day!

Top boat went to “Vintage,” followed by “Miss Darien” and “Miss Scandia.” Our South African friends, John Keil and Arthur Kidson released 112 Sails and in one day released 38! Mark Springer and Bob Warwick raised 7 Blue Marlin in one day. The Blue Marlin fishing just 20 miles out is something we will be exploring more in the future!

Billy Wagner’s Group Does It Again

Great friends, John Richardson and Travis Russell, threw a Texan–style tournament. The “Bills and Bones Tournament” rules: Just be on the boat, all species count, including Bonito, and in the afternoon you can make up points by playing dominoes (bones!) The three–day tournament was an incredible success, and most guests were novice anglers.

1 Day / 4 Boats + 15 Blue Marlin Raised x 7 Released = Equation for Fun

A total of 159 Sailfish were released, as well as Dolphin, Yellowfin Tuna and Amberjacks! Thanks to John and Travis for hosting such a great event and for insisting that Mike put down his tools, and Hennie leave his 100 employees, to fish the tournament!

John Richardson and Friends Celebrate
their First “Bills and Bones Tournament”
photo: Billy Wagner

After the tournament some boats went off shore and ran into an amazing Blue Marlin bite. On Friday, 4 boats raised 15 Blue Marlin and released 7! Everett and Sandy Trout returned fishing Sailfish on fly, and they also had a good fight with a potential World Record Blue Marlin!