Marina Papagayo hosts second annual Fishing Frenzy in Costa Rica

By Marina Papagayo

Fri, Jun 25, 2010

Marina Papagayo hosted the Second Fishing Frenzy June 11-12, hosting 10 boats and coordinating the tournament with the annual IGFA Board Meeting held at the Four Seasons Hotel on property.

Marina Manager, Capt. Dan Eaffaldano said the fishing was very active, "The captains and crews and fishermen had seen several marlin free jumping in the water," 

The event began a year ago as a social event to promote the great fishing in the Northwest waters of Costa Rica. This year did not disappoint the anglers. The event began with a cocktail party and captains meeting Friday night, Fishing was limited to just Saturday with an awards dinner and ceremony Saturday night.

The heaviest Dorado caught was 53.1 pounds by Kevin Kopp on the boat, Family and Friends. The heaviest Tuna weighed 29.4 pounds and was caught by Blake Deer on the vessel Plautas. Most billfish releases with 300 points went to Sjon Harless, releasing a Black Marlin and one sailfish. Eaffaldano, who also fished, actually would have won the tournament with 400 points of billfish release but couldn't win his own organized tournament. 

"Hop on an airplane and come to Marina Papagayo. Now is the time for great fishing," said Eaffaldano, also President of Costa Rican operations for Brandy Marine International, L.L.C. of Sarasota, FL, which manages, and performs consulting work for the new, state-of-the-art 180-slip luxury marina at Peninsula Papagayo.

Marina Papagayo, which opened in December, 2008, is a safe, state-of-the-art harbor for mega-yachts, sport fishing boats and other luxury vessels. The marina has 180 wet slips, an innovative floating dock system, ultra-wide slips and fairways, full in-slip amenities, a fuel dock with high-speed diesel dispensing, a Customs & Immigration office, a swimming pool, a ship's store, a bar and restaurant and other landside amenities. A Marina Village with shops, restaurants, nightclubs and condominiums is under construction. At build-out, Marina Papagayo will have 350 wet slips and a 200-unit dry storage facility.Brandy Marine International has been involved in consulting, design, and management of Marina Papagayo since its inception in 2003.

Brandy Marine is a 33-year-old marina management, design and consulting firm with extensive marina experience in the U.S. and in other countries, including Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Panama, the Turks & Caicos Islands and the Bahamas.

Peninsula Papagayo also has an Arnold Palmer Golf Course and clubhouse, tennis courts and the exclusive Prieta Beach Club. The resort is expected to have 500 residences at build out.

For information on Marina Papagayo and/or sport fishing charters, contact Capt. Dan Eaffaldano at 1-888-860-0301 or 011-506-2690-3600 or at dan.eaffaldano@marinapapagayo.com.