"Come on down, they are jumping in the boat," and "you should have been here yesterday," are two phrases I never want to use. One brings bad luck and the other can get you punched in the face. Last month as soon as I reported that the fish were biting like crazy, masses of bait moved in and full bellied fish don't have much energy to chase brightly colored lures trolled overhead. Then guests and captains reported seeing many groups of three or four sails up on the surface with their sails open, lazily cruising. When this happens, there is usually one female followed by two or three males and when they are thinking about making babies they don't think a lot about eating?Ķ.

What is the purpose of a fishing report? In my opinion it is to keep informed old friends that have already visited with us, some many times, and to attract new clients as well. It is in the case of the latter we as "reporters," must resist the temptation to act like used car salesman. I recently read a report from a new operator in this area where a boat landed a 700 lb, an 800 lb and followed by a 900 lb marlin. In my nearly ten years at Crocodile Bay, I have seen only one marlin over 800 lbs. In my seventeen years in this business, I have yet to see any Marlin larger (or any legitimate proof from the other companies) than that single 800 lb bad boy caught here in Costa Rica. What we do have is marlin that can be challenged by fly equipment and some that will turn a fly reel into a smoking pinwheel.

With all that being said, "how's the fishing?" Well to be honest it's good, not great, but certainly not bad. We have had to work a lot harder for what we have caught but there have certainly been some highlights.

Peter Damp pulled in an almost 200lb shark, took a dozen jack and a couple dorado inshore and lost the big one. " A giant angry cubera snapper that took popper!" Sometimes the most lasting fishing memories are the one that got away. The explosion as the fish hit the top water bait and then muscled its way to the rocky volcanic bottom will be forever imbedded in memory.

Five time visitor, Duane Dunn and his family of 7 had a bang up day, taking one of several grand slams this month (A grand slam is catching a marlin, sail, tuna, and dorado in the same day). Duane topped off his stellar day by stopping inshore and picking up a 56 lb rooster on his way home.

Robert Waltrip who passes his time between Texas and Colorado, dug out of a Colorado snow drift for his second visit this season. He managed to fool a few sails on the top by casting live bait and then reeling fast past them as if the bait was in escape mode. He is one of those anglers who makes fishing a study, not just a pastime.

First timers Hunter and Alison Swearingen from Tampa found the uncooperative fish aggravating until their last day a when 350 lb marlin made it all worthwhile. They got some amazing footage of the fight and are still waiting for the photos.

Kirk Dill had his fishing club down for their fourth visit from Bermuda for a roosterfish tournament. A 45 pounder took top prize and our friend "Spider" ranked number one for having the most fun and even taught us some new tricks while he was at it. We cannot wait to have those guys back for class to begin again next year!

To wrap it up- Andy Starling and Brian Czawlytko had a 10 rooster day, and proved that you can never have enough of a good thing!

Full bellied, mating fish. New moon, full moon. I guess Neil Armstrong didn't notice the little sign that said, "Fisherman, figure me out" on the lunar floor. I suppose the bottom line is ?Ķ?Ķ You should have been here tomorrow!