LSTournaments- Los Sueños Resort and Marina is home to the most prestigious sportfishing tournament series ever to take place in Costa Rica and Central America

Press Releases 2008

THE SECOND LEG OF THE
2008 LOS SUEÑOS SIGNATURE BILLFISH SERIES
MARCH 12-15, 2008

THE BITE IS ON

The first leg of the 2008 Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series, presented by CABO Yachts, was defined by the marlin. The second leg, held March 12-15, was just the opposite. Sailfish were jumping left, right and center for the 42 teams, comprised of 163 anglers. Of the incredible 783 billfish caught and released over three days of fishing, 727 were sailfish (leaving 56 marlin). January might have been all about the points, but March was all about the numbers. An average of 18 fish per boat were hooked, confirming Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast remains one of the best fisheries in the world.

DAY 1- Nearly Half Way There
At the end of March 13th, the participants had already managed to reel in 205 billfish, including 185 sails and 20 marlin. They were nearly half way to the total of 440 fish caught and released during the January event. At the top of the leader board, Iron Trader was a force to be reckoned with, having released 6 sails and 3 marlin for 2100 points, a 100 point lead over the second place team, Prime Time, with 2000 points (15 sails and 1 marlin). R and J placed third for the day with 4 sails, 2 marlin and 1400 points.

DAY 2- The Competition Heats Up
The competition was fierce on the second day of fishing. The leader board featured three entirely different names, proving that it was still anyone’s game. Miss Behavin placed first for the day and third for the overall with a two-day combined total of 10 sails and 3 marlin for 2500 points. For the daily, Penguin placed second with 11 sails, 1 marlin and 1600 points and Muy Caliente came in third with 5 sails, 2 marlin and 1500 points. However, the Signature Series is not about the dailies…All eyes were focused on the top prize, tournament champion. Having caught and released an astounding 2-day combined total of 24 sails and 1 marlin for 2900 points, Prime Time was in a fantastic position for the overall after day 2. Muy Caliente was pretty comfortable as well, with 2600 points (16 sails and 2 marlin).

DAY 3- It’s all comes down to Time
The one thing both legs of the 2008 Signature Series have in common is the time factor. The placing for both tournaments came down to the time of the last fish. Nothing could be more exciting! Muy Caliente secured their first place finish with 23 sails and 4 marlin for an incredible 4300 points; however placing the runners up would prove to be a little more difficult. The unofficial 4 pm standings had Spanish Fly in second with 3900 points and Miss Behavin in third with 3800 points. After the scorecards came in though, everything changed. Miss Behavin, Spanish Fly and Clean Sweep were all tied for second with 3800 points! It all came down to the time of the last catch. What suspense! At the awards ceremony, it was finally announced that Miss Behavin had placed second by time and Spanish Fly third.

Edwin Bustos of team Predator took home the Top Angler award, presented by WBS representative Sam White. The Top Angler from each WBS sanctioned event will qualify to compete at the WBS Grand Championships in Los Sueños, Costa Rica, December 3-6, 2008.
At the awards dinner sponsored by CABO Yachts later that evening, Los Sueños President and CEO William Royster presented the winning teams with checks for their share of the tournament’s US$108,000 cash jackpot ($54,000 to first, $32,400 to second, $21,600 to third) and trophies featuring Bodo Muche bronze billfish sculptures. Each angler also received Costa Del Mar sunglasses. All 3 winning teams received a humidor with cigars provided by La Casa del Habano and a framed print from Rick Bogert. The first place boat also received individual trophies for the captain, anglers and crew.
Prime Time was shocked at the announcement that their team had run away with the title of Series Champion with 8000 points (40 sails and 8 marlin) over the two-leg series. They took home $50,000, presented by tournament organizer, Los Sueños Resort and Marina; six fishing rods, handcrafted by the Signature Series’ official tournament artist, Rick Bogert; an $8500 gift certificate from Dockwise Yacht Transport; and most importantly, bragging rights.

Tournament participants enjoyed four days of dinner events and entertainment, including dockside cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. The awards dinner on March 15th was amazing, with live entertainment – including ESPN personality Chris Fischer, from Offshore Adventures – a jaw dropping tournament show filmed and produced by Fischer Productions, open bars and fireworks.
As always, the Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series could not be what it is without the generous support of a long list of staff, volunteers, IGFA certified observers, and of course our sponsors: CABO Yachts; Contender Boats; Dockwise Yacht Transport; Viking Yachts; BLP Abogados; Caterpillar Engines in conjunction with Ransome Engines and Johnson Power Systems; Imperial; HMY Yacht Sales; Knight and Carver; La Casa del Habano; Rick Bogert; Scotiabank; Toyota; Blue Water Chairs; Bodo Muche; Costa del Mar; Costa Rica Dreams; Costa Rica Luxury; Durman Esquivel; Flor de Caña; Gray Taxidermy; IK Yacht Design; Marriott Hotels; National Car Rental; Northern Lights in conjunction with Luggar engines; Pacific Design; Riviera Yachts; Stewart Title; Vanmark; the International Game Fish Association (IGFA); and the World Billfish Series (WBS).

The Los Sueños Signature Billfish Series presented by CABO Yachts is sanctioned by the World Billfish Series (WBS). Anglers competing in the Los Sueños tournaments are automatically enrolled in the WBS and compete for points in the Pacific Rim Division.

Entries for the 2009 tournament series (January 21-24 and February 25-28 9) are now being accepted via the official series website. The total cash prize jackpot for the series is expected to exceed $300,000, and the boat with the highest combined score from the first and second tournaments will receive a guaranteed grand prize of US$50,000 from the tournament promoter, Los Sueños Resort and Marina.

For further information, please contact Ashley Bretecher, Tournament Director, toll-free 1-866-865-9759, ph: 011.506.2637.8886, ext. 1075, ph: 011-506-2630-4000 or via e-mail. More information on the tournament series can also be found online at www.LStournaments.com.