While the economic crisis seems to have doused cold water on a lot of people's anticipated Costa Rica fishing trip this year, the billfish on the Pacific side either can't read or don't care.

It's been a tremendous January and February for those who have been fortunate enough to fish the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Bill Kieldsen, captain of the 35-foot Sailfish out of Los Sueños, calls it the best marlin year in the last ten. Back from fishing earlier this week, he e-mailed us with his open days in March, and added that his clients had brought eight sails to the boat that day.

His words are echoed by Americana Sportfishing client Mark Pisarek, who with three of his buddies fished two days out of Los Sueños on the 38-foot Macushla with Captain Johnny Cerpas and a day on the 38-foot Tres Amigos with Captain Tim Blair. Mark writes: "Well, another year's trip on the books and what a great time it was.

"Our totals were: 20 sailfish raised and 12 released; three yellowfin tuna of 25lbs each all caught at the same time (yes, we had a triple hook up!); two large dorado of 35 and 50lbs; and two black marlin caught and released, one 400lbs and one 275lbs which was brought to the boat and then revived in the water by Mario the deckhand. Great trip as always, and thanks for setting it up."

Mark has already booked his February 2010 dates. Another FishCostaRica repeat client, Don Austin of Atlanta, had an extremely successful day offshore out of Quepos an hour south of Los Sueños with Captain Bill Gannon on the 33-foot Unique. "Here is a picture (above left) of one of the six fish I caught with Captain Bill: five sails and a marlin", he e-mailed us. "Thanks for putting together a great trip".

These two accounts are being echoed by clients and captains all along the Pacific, from Captain Bobby McGuinness in Golfito in the South to Captain Randy Wilson in Tamarindo, and boat manager Darrell Furton in Flamingo and the Bay of Papagayo in the North. So now's your opportunity to get in on this great bite in the upcoming months while the fish are here and the weather is ideal. Call me at one of our toll-free numbers — 1-800-634-0012, 1-800-399-8532, 1-866-978-5198 — or e-mail me and I'll make sure you go out with one or more of the top captains fishing in Costa Rica at any time of year.

It's been equally rewarding inshore as well. Angelo DeFalco and his friends had a banner half day earlier this month with experienced local captain Tomas Villalobos on the 28-foot Barracuda. The moment they were back within cell phone range after some inshore fishing off Playa Hermosa, just south of Los Sueños, Tomas called me to say that the guys had caught 14 — yes, fourteen — roosters that morning (and had given him a generous tip!).

Sportfishing isn't the only thing that attracts people here. Costa Rica is one of the world's most beautiful countries. It has a great climate. Many Americans, Canadians and Europeans have made it either their permanent home like me, built a second residence, or have bought property and contemplate building and living here sometime in the future.

Besides carrying on my sportfishing business in San José, I’m developing my own 60-acre project in one of the most beautiful areas of the country. It's called Lomas Coronado, with 29 spectacular ocean view and mountain view lots, each ranging from one and a quarter acres to almost four acres, on the gorgeous South Pacific coast between Dominical and Palmar Sur. I've sold six so far, so there are 23 lots left.

As well as its natural beauty and many amenities, the area is an angler's paradise. The Terraba and Sierpe river deltas offer marvelous inland and fresh-water fishing. There is a small boat ramp nearby at the mouth of the Terraba River with access to the ocean. The coastline is a haven for roosters, snapper and snook, while the nearby Furuno Bank, where marlin, sails and tuna abound, is one of the best fishing grounds in all of Central America.

Combine your next Costa Rica fishing trip with a visit to Lomas Coronado. I can set that up easily. Catch some prized gamefish and perhaps a piece of prime Costa Rica real estate into the bargain. As I always say, call me at one of our toll-free numbers — 1-800-634-0012, 1-800-399-8532, 1-866-978-5198 — or e-mail me. I'll hook you up with the top captains fishing in Costa Rica, and personally take you down to Lomas Coronado for a look at my property. See ya soon!