Tournaments

2017 Lucas Oil Offshore World Championship On the Docks

Quepos, Costa Rica hosts the prestigious annual tournament

By Sam White

Updated: May 4, 2017

2017 Offshore World Championship Quepos Costa Rica

With Manuel Antonio National Park in the background, the boats head for the fishing grounds off Quepos, Costa Rica, during the 2017 Offshore World Championship. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Few tournaments attract as much international attention as the Offshore World Championship. Teams from the four corners of the world are drawn to the highly competitive format in an event that’s held amid one of the planet’s greatest sport-fishing destinations: Quepos, Costa Rica. With blue, black and striped marlin and plenty of big Pacific sailfish readily abundant, it’s an angling paradise. Back ashore, participants can relax in a nation that’s known for its laid-back pura vida lifestyle. Marina Pez Vela provides a perfect host location and serves as the epicenter for the week’s activities.

The Offshore World Championship is unique in that teams rotate among chartered vessels each day, fishing with a new boat and crew on each of the four days of competition. Teams are also required to capture video evidence of all billfish released during the day. Entry into the OWC is by means of winning a qualifying tournament, and the requirements are stringent. Only the best in the world can even show up to fish in Costa Rica.

Enjoy this photo gallery from the 2017 Offshore World Championship, and make plans now to fish a qualifying event.

Marina Pez Vela hosted the event and proved to be an ideal location for the tournament fleet. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Flying the official OWC flag. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The team representing the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament gets ready for a big day on the water. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A strong international contingent from all over the world participated in the OWC this year. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The team from Saint Martin prepares to depart on Big Eye II. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Sea Fly departs from Marina Pez Vela with a team from Brazil aboard. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

One of 11 Brazilian teams in the tournament, this one represents the Torneio de Pesca de Canavieiras. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The excitement of fishing a world-class event like the OWC is contagious. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A team from Tonga, ready to roll aboard Tranquilo. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

All the way from Papua New Guinea, these anglers are ready to fish. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Representing the International Roosterfish Tournament (and ready to party). Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Let’s go fishing! Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A sailfish takes to the air off Costa Rica. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Captured on camera, that special moment when a billfish jumps through the dredge. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

“Does this sailfish make my head look big?” Courtesy Offshore World Championship

All participants were required to use non-offset circle hooks when fishing with any type of natural bait. Sailfish like this one were released after the fight. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A blue marlin, ready for release. There were a surprisingly large number of blues in this year’s OWC. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The waters off Quepos offer calm sea conditions for most of the year. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A team battles a blue marlin. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A little rain didn’t stop this team from weighing in a nice mahimahi. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The winners: Tornieo de Peixes de Bico, from Brazil. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

Another Brazilian team, Team Torneio Marlin do Rio de Janeiro, placed second. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

In third place was the 2016 OWC champion team, representing Trinidad. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

The international teams proudly represented their home countries. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

A group of Brazilians celebrates their nation’s accomplishments in the OWC during the awards presentation. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

After four days of tough competition on the water, the conclusion of the event meant it was time to party a little and enjoy the famous Costa Rican hospitality. Courtesy Offshore World Championship

More: Tournament Essentials, Tournaments

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