2011 Flounder Pounder presented by Salt Life

Anglers competed in the 2nd Annual Flounder Pounder presented by Salt Life on October 22nd at Fort George island Marina. This tournament raised money to help support the Jacksonville School for Autism. Salt life is proud to be the presenting sponsor and wants to thank everyone who participated in this tournament.

2nd Annual Flounder Pounder winners are:

BIG FISH:
FIrst Place Winner $1500 ~ Rick Thacker 8.29
Second Place Winner $750 ~ Ray McCauley 5.89
Third Place Winner $500 ~ Randy Kight 5.67
Fourth Place Winner $350 ~ Robert Dykes 5.47
Fifth Place Winner $200 ~ Rich Kersey 5.45

3 FISH AGGREGATE:
FIrst Place Winner $1500 ~ David Merry 15.42
Second Place Winner $750 ~ Ben Dodd 14.03
Third Place Winner $500 ~ Bill Kelly 12.81
Fourth Place Winner $350 ~ Kevin Mears 12.68
Fifth Place Winner $200 ~John English 12.38

Jr. ANGLER:
FIrst Place Winner ~ Ross Kersey 5.45
Second Place Winner ~ Tony Eden 4.68 (JA First Name?)
Third Place Winner ~ Chris Bunting 4.17 (JA First Name ?)

HEAVIEST TOAD FISH:
Mike Mango 2.10
Wins 1 sandwich a week for a year from Angie's Subs

Congratulations to all of the winners!

-Salt Life

http://www.saltlife.com/

http://www.jsakids.org/

http://flounderpounderjax.com/results.htm

Costa 2

Waves crashing on the beach from a building swell, traveling all the way across the Pacific... A fresh cup of Tican coffee, "Si, con leche, por favor." there is nothing like waking up in Costa. A couple hours in the water, now it's time to check in with old friends. This part of Costa Rica is like home away from home for me. There are things here I always have to cross off my list when I get here: Caliche's tuna poke in Jaco, smoothies, fresh fried chicken, pastries, coffee, rice and beans, diving, surfing, fishing.... So what's next? After hearing about it from two friends that have lived there for over twenty years, I decided I had to check out some secret local waterfalls. Armed with a detailed hand drawn map (if you ever get Tican directions, you know they might not be entirely accurate, everyone just assumes you will get there. "Just keep going... don't be scared of the road, Don" seems to accompany most of the directions) we set off in search of the waterfalls. After saying "is this it?" 50 times, we pulled into a driveway. We knew we needed to pay the lady to park in her yard, turns out the price is double for gringos. She points out into the cow field and went back inside. We turned and followed the trail to a fork.... One side was a road, the other a cow trail. We stood there for a few moments looking lost. > "Have you guys been here before? Are you going to the waterfalls?". We turn around and I see a blond girl in a bikini and cowboy hat. She says "You can follow us to the waterfalls." It felt like I was in that scene from "Turistas." but we didn't know where we were going, so we decided to chance it and follow her and her friends. > "It's too muddy for flip flops, take them off, watch out for cow patties and the spiky plants." she points out the local plant that reacts to movement by wilting and growing razor sharp spikes. After a mile and a half of twisting trails and every terrain, we finally get to the waterfalls. A beautiful three tiered waterfall with deep pools in the middle of nowhere, all to ourselves.

Gotta love Costa...Slimy 5's,

Capt Don

Costa

Finally, my plane lands in San Jose, Costa Rica. Bags, check. Rental car, check. Over the mountains to the Pacific Central. Anytime you have someone new in Costa on the road to Jaco you have to make a stop at the croc bridge. Even though it's the start of the rainy season and the water was high, there were still a few monster crocs around, hanging out on the bank.

Oh yeah, one more thing before we hit the road again- a fresh, chilled coconut. They chopped the top off with a machete and stuck in a straw, 1,000 colones, now onto the beach.
Note to Self: There is something about being in a Tican rental car with full coverage insurance that might lead to slightly more aggressive driving behavior. We were headed to Los Suenos, but after that flight I had to see some salt water, so we stopped by the beach, just to take a look. Next stop is Wishbone's for a huge bowl of tuna poke....After a good night's sleep it's time to fish! We met my good friend Capt Dana Thomas on the "Hoo's Your Daddy" at Los Suenos Marina with all our gear ready for a new adventure! Something about pulling out of Los Suenos... it's one of those "no where in the world" kinda' places....We've shot quite a few episodes over the years with Dana. Big sails, Marlin, triple tail, tuna, deep dropping... but today was all about just having fun and fishing. Our anglers Joshua and are ready! We jigged some runners and put the lines out by the island of Tortuga... It wasn't long before we had a nice Roosterfish boat side!
Over the next couple of hours... nice sized cero mackeral and jacks kept the lines tight.
Capt Dana suggested we take a break and head to Tortuga for some fresh ocean oysters... An older guy in a small panga pulls along boat side and begins to prepare fresh ceviche in the shell...Good Stuff! I can still taste them... (gotta' get back there!)

After a short swim and stroll on the island it was time to climb back abourd the Hoo's your Daddy and head home. Good day of fishing with old and new friends in paradise.....my kind of day....Livin the Salt Life...

Slimy 5's,

Capt Don