Leg I of the first annual Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown was held January 22-25 on Costa Rica’s central Pacific coast, and the three days of fishing turned out to be an epic, record setting event.

Over the three days, 42 teams released on average more than 50 fish per team, including a combined total of 2,170 billfish–11 marlin and 2,159 sailfish. Those are some staggering numbers, and tournament officials are calling them a world record for tournaments sanctioned by the World Billfish Series (WBS).

Tournament Director Ashley Bretecher said “It very clearly solidifies the event as a world-record tournament that will go down in the history books.”

Teams came from South America, Central America, and North America to participate, paying entry fees of $7,000 or $20,000 for the three tournament series. Leg II  is scheduled for February 26-March 1 and Leg 3 March 12-15.

Bretcher reported that on the opening day of the tournament, two teams had called in hook ups six minutes after the 8 am start, including back-to-back doubles. “By 9:15 am,” she confirmed, “the teams had already released 135 sailfish and by 10:33 a.m. had doubled that number.”

At the end of the first day, teams had released 696 billfish–4 marlin and 692 sails. The leader at the end of the first day had 30 releases and the top four boats had 158 fish between them.

The second day–not quite as active as the first–saw 674 fish released, bringing the total to 1,362 sails and 8 marlin.

The remaining 800 fish were taken on day three.

The Xta Sea, a 60-foot Hatteras out of Nicaragua, owned by Alex Chamorro and captained by John Lagrone, took first place with 78 sailfish releases. They collected the top prize of $65,000.

Two teams tied for second place: The Spanish Fly Team fishing their 42-foot Maverick claimed the second place prize with 68 sails, but won based on the times of catch. Their prize was $39,000. Third prize, also with 698 sails went to the Sea Angel. for $26,000.

Phil Arkin aboard the Gunsmoke took top angler awards with 36 releases in three days. The Gunsmoke totaled 61 releases in three days.

Inventive Fishing congratulates all of the winners and participants, and offers a big congratulations to Tournament Director Ashley Bretecher and everyone who helped organize this incredible inaugural event.

FISH ON!

 

 

Costa Rica, fish, Fishing, marlin, Sailfish, Tournament

By Sid

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