There’s a reason why they call it fishing, and not catching.

Richard Krug, owner/founder of Americana Sportfishing, drove down to Golfito in the South Pacific earlier this week with three of his high-school buddies – Kip Ives, Dean Burriston and Billy Thresher. They flew to Costa Rica from La Jolla California to spend a couple of days offshore fishing with Captain Bobby McGuinness on his 37ft Cazador.

The guys do a fishing trip every year. Even if you are not an angler, it’s a wonderful drive from San José to Golfito along the coastal highway via Jacó, Quepos, Dominical and Palmar Norte; over the six-seven hours on the road you will see some of Costa Rica’s most spectacular scenery, especially along the stretch between Dominical and Ciudad Cortés, and the 20-25 miles before you reach Golfito.

The South Pacific is one of the top sportfishing destinations in Costa Rica. Drake Bay, Puerto Jiménez and Golfito, especially the latter two (Puerto Jiménez is on the east side of the Golfo Dulce, Golfito is across the bay on the west), are where the sportfishing fleets can be found.

The offshore/inshore sportfishing combination once you get outside Golfo Dulce is virtually unrivalled. There are Blue, Black and Striped Marlin, Dorado (Mahi-Mahi), Yellowfin Tuna and Wahoo offshore. Inshore there is even greater variety: prized Roosterfish; 12 Snapper species, including Red, Cubera and Dog-Tooth; Amberjack; Grouper; Barracuda; Bonito, and a host of others.

Bobby McGuinness (photo) is one of Costa Rica’s – and the world’s – best-known captains. Named world’s foremost captain/guide by the International Game Fish Association in 2006 and again in 2010, he was also included among the world’s 50 top saltwater charter captains earlier this year by Saltwater Sportsman Magazine. Bobby’s 200+ IGFA-sanctioned world records are more than any captain fishing in Costa Rica has ever set.

First day (Monday, December 2) was an angler’s dream. Kip released a 225lb Blue Marlin and two Sailfish. He didn’t stop there either; he also caught four Dorado. Dean released two Sailfish and caught five Dorado. Billy released two Sails and caught four Dorado. Finally, Richard released a Sailfish and caught four Dorado – one was a beauty weighing in at 65lbs. They also pulled in 20 small Black-tipped Sharks – perfect for ceviche.

Freezers were piled high. Day 2 expectations soared. But… As Kip Ives wrote: ‘(We) only caught two Sailfish and one Dorado. But still, what’s better than fishing with good friends? And a bad day of fishing is a lot better than a good day at work.’ Kip also provided this great photo of a sunset over the Osa Peninsula.

That’s why they call it fishing, and not catching. If the fish aren’t there, or are there but decide not to bite, even the best captain can’t do much about it. A great day yesterday doesn’t always mean an equally great day today. And a slow today can well be followed by a fabulous tomorrow.

The guys now leave for Nicaragua to fish two days for Tarpon, Snook and the wonderfully tasty Calba (a small Snook species) at the exotic Rio Indio Lodge at the mouth of the San Juan River on the Caribbean coast.

This exclusive article comes courtesy of Americana Sportfishing which has been arranging sportfishing charters and complete sportfishing vacations in Costa Rica for the past 20 years.