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The inaugural Bisbee’s Costa Rica Offshore, held out of the renowned Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, marked the first time the renowned series ventured beyond Mexican waters. The result was success by all indications, and further cemented Costa Rica’s reputation as one of the premier big-game fishing destinations in the world and strengthened an already stacked early-season tournament lineup in the region.
A total of 79 teams assembled for the debut, competing for a purse totaling $2,155,900. When the dust settled, it was fitting that a team named Pura Vida, a nod to the country’s national ethos, rose to the top.
Fishing aboard a 62-foot Paul Mann, Pura Vida delivered a dominant performance, releasing 59 sailfish and three blue marlin over the course of the tournament. Led by Capt. Rudy Arguedas, with mates Armando Delgado, Sebastian Delgado and Stiward Porras, and owners JC and Aileen Gonzalez alongside teammates Evan Alonzo, Ericka Sandi and Chris Witherington, the crew secured Top Overall Release Team, Top Captain and Crew honors, along with multiple daily jackpots. Their efforts earned them a tournament-leading payday of $929,850.
Second-place honors went to Fish Tank/Galati, a 64-foot Viking captained by Ben Horning, which posted an impressive mixed bag of one blue marlin, one black marlin and 54 sailfish. Close behind in third was Deal Sled/Junk Male, a 50-foot Dean Johnson run by Capt. Andy Moyes, with one blue marlin and 55 sailfish releases.
Rounding out the top five were Poco Ocho, a 58 Weaver under Capt. Sean Gallagher, and Miss Behavin’, a 72 Ricky Scarborough captained by Jose Reyes, each tallying 57 sailfish. Meanwhile, Blackhawk made a major statement in the marlin-heavy optional categories, releasing five blue marlin to go with 40 sailfish and cashing in for $343,400. In the non-sonar division, Five More Minutes/Kelly Dawn, Double Nickel, E&A, and Reel Gold led the charge among teams opting out of advanced sonar technology.
Gamefish divisions also produced standout performances. North Star Costa Rica weighed the tournament’s heaviest tuna, a 187-pound yellowfin, to claim top honors, along with additional tuna and dorado jackpots, earning $186,550. Howler, captained by Jean Carlos Segura Serrato, took top dorado with a 60.91-pound bull worth $79,450.
Other notable payouts included Concan Castaways, which earned $73,525 with a 149.7-pound tuna; Zancudo Lodge Z-1, matching that payout with a 141.9-pound yellowfin; and Rock N Reel, whose 29.8-pound dorado translated into a hefty $107,100 thanks to optional entries.
On the angler side, Nikita Timmermans, fishing aboard Salochankita, a 74 Viking captained by Andrew Mason, earned Top Lady Angler honors with 18 sailfish releases. Daily Flor de Caña Happy Hour awards went to Trophy Fly, Pura Vida and Fish Tank.
Across the fleet, the numbers underscored just how productive the fishery proved to be: 1,722 Pacific sailfish, 33 blue marlin, two black marlin, 55 tuna and eight dorado released or weighed over the course of the event.
“What a great tournament,” said Blake Bisbee, Director of Operations. “I’m really proud of how this first one came together and honored by the level of teams that showed up. The fishing was incredible, the sportsmanship was top-notch, and it set a strong tone for what this event can become. This is just the start, and we’re already looking ahead to making 2027 even better.”
With a successful debut now in the books, the Bisbee’s Costa Rica Offshore has officially planted its flag in one of sportfishing’s most competitive regions. The 2027 Bisbee’s Costa Rica Offshore is scheduled for April 6–10, 2027, returning once again to Marina Pez Vela in Quepos.
