Page 10 - 2019_Season_Newsletter

Fishing Highlights June to September, 2019
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The summer began a little early this year with the billfish bite exploding during early June while the inshore bite was still making reels scream. The Sailfish really came through in big numbers at the beginning of June with guests catching them pretty much on anything they wanted, from live bait to fly and everything in between. The most productive method was definitely bait and switch with bonito belly baits. The Blue Marlin and Dorado were found further offshore and came through after the heart of the Sailfish frenzy had moved on. Boats actively looking for the bite found some phenomenal fish in doing so. The shoals of Yellowfin Tuna always come through our waters in huge numbers over this time of year and this season was no different. Many guests were tested just as hard as the tackle was as these bus-like creatures were hooked-up using all manner of methods from popping to live bait, just depending on what size fish was targeted. Inshore, the bite never slowed down with behemoth Roosters and Cubera released among with all the other species anglers can target along the rocks. For the guests who were determined and put in the time, the Wahoo were around hugging the rocks just a few miles north of the lodge.
Brothers, Mark and Gary Rose, from Texas have been coming to Tropic Star Lodge for many years and this was their 18th trip down. They were joined with by their wives, Peggy and Eda, and friends. The group of friends released over 120 Sailfish and over 70 Roosterfish during their stay. They had great fishing all around catching loads of Yellowfin Tuna making its way back to the kitchen for fresh Sushi and Mahi Mahi for our famous fish fingers. The group had a giant family style table each night with many stories and jokes going around. Thorsten Ritter, or Toast as his friends call him, joined us with his entire beautiful family. Normally Toast fishes with us every January for Blue and Black Marlin. On this trip, he was joined by his lovely wife, Vanessa, and his four daughters Nicole, Rachael, Erin, and Avery. They fished with Walter on the Miss Darien as Toast always does and they had an incredible time. Toast saw his oldest daughter, Nicole, release her first Sailfish and his youngest daughter, Avery, release her first sailfish and Blue Marlin of 250 lb. Both girls walked the plank and had the traditional swim off the end of the dock. Toast said it was the best day he has ever had at Tropic Star Lodge after so many years and so many fish, and he never touched a rod.