In this section of our web, we will try to provide most of the information you would need or would like to know.  Just remember, mere words cannot capture the fun and excitement of the real thing.  You have to experience a Cheslock Sportfishing Fishing Trip to Costa Rica. The Country:  Costa Rica is one of most democratic countries in Central America.  One of their  presidents recently won the Nobel Peace Prize.  There are more schoolteachers than policemen in Costa Rica.  Costa Rica has no military - no army, no navy, and no air force.  Costa Rica has socialized medicine. Even when you come down on a fishing trip and you get sick, you will be cared for at no charge.  Costa Rica has a higher literacy level for their children than we do in the United States.  Life expectancy is equal to the United States.  The president can only serve for two years, and there is an election every two years.  The infrastructure of Costa Rica is better than any other Central American country.  Almost everybody in Costa Rica speaks English as his or her second language.  You will have no problem communicating with people when in Costa Rica.  The Population of Fish In Costa Rica:  On the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, the primary game fish are Sailfish, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Striped Marlin, Dorado, Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, Rooster Fish, and a number of others.  Catching these species of fish is determined; not only by where you fish, but also by what time of year you fish.  The very best time of year for Sailfish, Marlin, Yellow Fin Tuna, Dorado, Wahoo, and Rooster Fish, would be from the middle of January to the middle of March.  This is the time of year in Costa Rica when it rarely rains, and the Pacific Ocean is as calm as your bathtub. The bait is in at that time of year and the fishing is just awesome.  We have taken in to the boat, hooked and released as many as 17 Sailfish in one day, using trolling gear.  We had one man who was fly fishing for Sailfish and he hooked and landed 6 Sails before 12 noon.  Our Hook and Release Policy on Billfish:  All billfish, which are hooked and brought to the boat are released after you take photos of the fish.  Any other fish, such as Yellow Fin Tuna, Wahoo, Dorado, or Roosterfish can be filleted and brought to shore where the Restaurant or Hotel  will prepare them for you.  A typical fishing day with Cheslock Sportfishing:   During the fishing portion of your trip: 5:30 am - Awaken to the tropical sounds of monkeys and exotic birds of the rain forest 6:00 a.m. - Full, American style buffet breakfast in the Parador Hotel, out on the patio overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 7:00 a.m. - Travel by van to the dock 7:30 a.m. - Board your sport fishing boat for the day.  You will leave the dock at approximately 7:30 a.m. and travel for approximately one hour until you get to the fishing grounds.  All the lines, approximately seven, will be let out. Five of the lines will have teasers on them and two will have bait on them.  The water out there is calm.  You will see many dolphins around the boat, and maybe even a whale.  You will always be in sight of land and other sport fishing boats.  The level of assistance provided is determined by your experience.  Inexperienced anglers will have no problem as the mates will ensure the fish is properly hooked and will help you into the fighting chair.  When the billfish comes up to chase the lures or baits, the mate will determine which one of the two lines will be used to hook-up the fish.  He will hook up the fish, hand you the pole, you will get into the fighting chair and “fight” that fish and, hopefully, land him.  If you are well experienced on hooking up your fish, you can do so your self.  As you will fight that fish, he will dance across the water and do some awesome jumps.  Then, when he gets near the boat, the mate will take the leader, pull the fish by the bill alongside the boat and remove the bait and/or lure from the fish’s mouth.  You will get in back of him on the transom of the boat, and he will pull the fish up out of the water so you can have photos taken of you and your fish.  The billfish will then be released into the water to live another day. At the end of the day, around 3:00 p.m., your boat will head back to shore.  You should arrive at the dock at approximately 4:30 p.m.  You will be picked up by a van or taxi which will bring you back to the Parador Hotel.  You will go to your room, get cleaned, showered and get your bathing suit on. You will come out to the giant pool, which looks out over the Pacific Ocean. It has a built in Jacuzzi and bar for cocktails.  The views there of the Pacific Ocean are awesome.  After you are finished with swimming or lounging by the pool, you can go back to your room, get changed and make your own arrangements for dinner.  There are patios all around the hotel where you can have your cocktails, dinner and Cuban cigars.  This hotel also has pool tables, exercise equipment, a spa, a mini golf course, and tennis courts.  It also has a beach that you can walk down to should you so desire.  And, of course, magnificent dinners - whatever you want, beef, fowl or fish or perhaps your own fish you caught that very day on the boat. The Boats:  The boats are Typically Bertrams and Hatteras from  31 to 44 feet in length.  All have open back decks, Outriggers, twin diesels, fighting chairs, fly bridge, Shimano or Penn International reels, fishing tackle with 30, 50 and 80 pound test line, GPS Navigation equipment, Bait boxes on board if necessary, as are all lures and anything and everything you need for fishing.  You don’t need to bring anything.  Either the captain or the mate are bilingual. If your boat breaks down before or during the time you are fishing , you will be put on an equivalent boat. The Weather:  The weather in Costa Rica, between January and March is outrageously beautiful.  It never or rarely ever rains.  You should bring along a good hat and plenty of suntan lotion, sunglasses and camera.  There is always a breeze blowing so it is never unusually hot on the boat.  When you are in the hotel, needless to say, there are air conditioners in every room. Recommended Fishing Tackle: You need not bring any fishing tackle with you, as it is provided free on the boat. Trolling tackle is provided.  Should you be a  fly fishing person, or want to bring your Spinning or Bait casting rods,  you can do so, with your own reels, lines and lures.  Fly Rods should be a minimum of 12 weight.  Our guides and captains are experts in handling fly fisherman. They will tease the billfish right up to the back of the boat so you can cast your fly to him. Costa Rica Fishing Licenses:  You will purchase your fishing license the first day that you come down to the dock which gives you the right to fish on all of the waters of Costa Rica for one year.  This license will cost approximately $27.00.  STAFF:  Staff will be myself, Bernard Sippin or a manager, when you are on this trip.  We will be with you at all times except when you are on the boat fishing.  We are the “confidence situation” so if anything happens or breaks down or you are dissatisfied, We will be there to take care of any and all problems that may occur. Accommodations: TWO days and nights at the Irazu Best Western Hotel in San Jose.  This Great Hotel has been recently renovated. It includes a large outdoor pool, tennis courts, fitness center, sauna and steam room, Casino, Business Center with free 24 hour  Internet access, Complimentary cocktails, free local calls and is next to a Mall and many restaurants.  It is close to downtown San Jose and the International Airport.  A Continental, Tropical or Typical Breakfast is included every morning. Accommodations:  Four days and nights at the Parador Hotel and Resort.  This magnificent hotel was recently built at the end of a peninsula, on a cliff, over looking the Pacific Ocean in Manuel Antonio.  It is only 15 minutes from the dock where you take the boat fishing each morning.  This magnificent hotel was built in the style of Colonial Spanish architecture and is filled with countless artifacts from Spain.  It possesses two pools with a bar overlooking the Pacific Ocean, a Jacuzzi, exercise equipment, steam room, mini-golf, tennis courts, beach, Internet Access  and other amenities.  There are spectacular views from almost any place in this hotel.  A full American buffet breakfast is provided every morning. NOT INCLUDED: All other food on the trip, fishing license, tips, alcohol, personal items, airport tax and transportation to Costa Rica. GROUP SIZE - MAXIMUM 16 fisher persons each timeframe.