Page 105 - South Mississippi Living - April, 2019

ManTrip Expedition team arrived to spend three days fishing the FADs. These artificial structures
are deployed on seamounts up to 1,500 feet deep
and 150 miles offshore. The FADs attract bait which establishes the food chain and attracts huge numbers of blue, black, and striped marlin as well as sailfish and other pelagic species.
Upon our arrival in Costa Rica, we learned that while there was a lot of bait on the FADs, there were no fish. Thus, we opted for Plan B and headed up the coast to Carrillo to fish. By mid-afternoon we had arrived and soon boated a box filled with nice mahi- mahis in the 35-40 pound range and three sails before heading inshore to tie up on a mooring ball for the night. Not a bad day.
One bizarre thing which I had never experienced or even heard of happening involved a big bull mahi- mahi. We had just gotten lines in the water when we had a triple hook up — or so we thought. As we each fought our fish it became obvious that something was not right. Turns out, the dolphin had started from
the back of our spread and ate three baits in quick succession. So, our triple hook-up was the same fish which had eaten three baits! Like I said, you never know what you’re going to get.
The next day brought non-stop action with the team boating a dozen mahi-mahis and releasing 14 sails. The final day went well too and by the end of the trip we had released a total 29 sails. The 17 we had released when we prefished brought the trip total to 46 sailfish.
The only marlin I saw, however, was a 300-pound blue that came up beside the boat after our teaser but wouldn’t eat. Of course, after a trip like this it was hard to feel too frustrated.
Paci c sail sh tail walking at boat during ght.
Frank Wilem is CEO of The Wilem Group which produces television shows including Find Your Outdoors (formerly Gulf South Outdoors.) Info on air times
and channels may be found on their website at www. findyouroutdoors.tv.
FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net April 2019 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 105