My initial trip to Costa Rica took place in 1995, where I experienced world-class Tarpon fishing on the East coast at Barra del Colorado Lodge. This unforgettable adventure was won through a raffle held at a fishing tournament awards ceremony. Two years later, I returned and realized that one day I wanted to relocate here. Having spent over 30 years fishing in Florida, participating in numerous tournaments—and winning a few—I had also built a solid career in the underground utility sector, starting from the ground up to become a General Superintendent, all while running a side business offering fishing charters.

I raised two children and supported their college education; my daughter attended Massachusetts Maritime Academy, while my son went to Key West Community College. Today, my daughter works at Florida Aero Precision, manufacturing components used by NASA, Boeing, and others. My son stayed in Key West, earned his Captain’s license, and now works as a charter captain for Second Generation Charters.

In 2010, I remarried and shared my dream of moving to Costa Rica to establish a fishing charter business when the timing was right. I’m not sure if my wife truly believed it would come to fruition. Tragically, in 2019 I lost a close friend and former coworker from the underground industry to cancer—he never got to enjoy even one day of retirement fishing. At that time, I was managing over 125 employees as a General Superintendent, and the stress was taking a serious toll. I promised myself I would honor my friend’s memory by following my passion for charter fishing before it was too late.

In 2021, I brought my wife to Quepos, and she instantly fell in love with the area. We planned a trip in November to explore various marinas and towns along the coast. It didn’t take long before we decided that Quepos was the perfect place for us. Upon returning to Florida, we listed our home—which we had built in 2018—and sold it within 30 days. We quit our jobs, sold virtually everything, packed up our lives, and relocated to Quepos with our two dogs. During the transition, I found the ideal boat for launching the charter business: a stunning 30-foot Palm Beach Express with a Marlin tower.

I took ownership of the boat just two days before leaving for Costa Rica. Six months later, we were ready to start fishing. The boat, a 1986 30' Palm Beach/Gamefisher built in De Oca, Costa Rica (Hull #1), is one of the pioneers in the sportfishing industry there. It’s a cold-molded wooden vessel powered by a single 315 hp Yanmar engine, cruising comfortably at about 21 knots — fast enough to reach prime fishing spots. Known for their ability to minimize wake and maintain clean water around the hull, Palm Beach/Gamefisher boats are highly regarded for their fish-raising qualities.

Our experience with Butch and Roy was exceptional; they were welcoming, down-to-earth, and ensured that everyone on board, whether beginners or seasoned anglers, felt included and had a fantastic time. The trip was filled with laughter, smiles, and unforgettable moments. We can’t stop raving about how incredible today’s adventure was—this is truly a must-do experience. Many thanks to Butch for the wonderful review. We had an amazing time fishing with you and hope to see you again soon! Tight lines, Captain Butch.