Just released #101 a 500lb. class monster at 11:20 A.M. on 80lbs. standup at Banko Hannibal

Arrived Puerto Armuelles last night and port captain sent a panga to our anchorage to bring us ashore.We cleared customs,quarantine,immigration and got our Zarpe(cruising permit) and fishing permits.These guys then went over the top with a guided tour and fiesta grande.And I thought Costa Rica was cool.Left this morning for our next anchorage at Bahia Ensenada Hermosa on Coiba the largest island in the Mesoamerican Pacific and 15 miles from Banco Hannibal.At dawn tomorrow we hunt.

Started the new year with a Blue Marlin first bite…Inta had a triple today on Pacific Sail.Got mugged by a blitz of 150lb.class yellowfin.Golfito got it going on.World class offshore,inshore and onshore action.Got to love it

The 1st day of the year is filled with celebrations.Numero uno is Tami Nolt’s birthday.What a problem,football,fiesta,siesta or just to stay up night and day…No delay,send best wishes her way….

We’ll be satisfied with 95 Billfish releases for this leg of our Journey…Had 2 blue marlin shots today and the Marlin won…Tonight we party on Valkyrie Bill Gates Yacht that’s docked next to us with Inta’s new best friends.Having a ball…Hope you are….Hanging to fish for a few days and then on to Panama

This is the reel deal.Party and fish….Tomorrow will be our first day offshore.Hooked up with local mate compliments of our fishing buddy Doctor Joe(swamp fox).We have 94 billfish so far and are going for 100 by year end.Inta ‘s new best friends Brad and Angelina are here for New Years,staying in a tree house on a jungle cliff overlooking the Pacific.They left the kids in Botswana.

Last time I was in a cloud forest was Laos 1968.However,unlike the locals here,the Meo were not cultivating coffee.Last night at Arenal Lodge was our first evening together off the boat since we left San Diego.I found the sound of Macaws much more soothing than AK47’s.

Leaving early AM for the Monteverde cloud forest preserve and the evening firework display at Arenal volcano.Will leave Friday night for the run to Golfito and hang for New Years.We got spoiled in Guatemala and are pushing to Hannibal Bank and the Black Marlin Grounds of Panama.

After a very scary nite off Nicaraga we have completed the 355 mile,38 hour run to Costa Rica.Have not seen a place like this since Acapulco.Real food,,,,real mudslides (a health food cocktail ) and Philly Cheesesteaks…Going to R&R for a few days and visit the Volcano’s and cloud forests.Might even fish…..

Our stop today in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua was foiled by rough sea conditions.We are pushing thru to Costa Rica.