Meet Captain Emilio Villarreal, who’s been in the sport fishing industry since 1990 targeting billfish in many parts of the world as a Captain and professional mate. After years working on tournament boats and running a flats fishing charter in South Padre Island TX, Captain Emilio has taken a golden opportunity to purchase the world famous “Bushwacker” out of Flamingo, Costa Rica from global Capt. Skeet Warren, who ran the operation for 18 years. Captain Skeet and I met back in 1996 in Cabo San Lucas, where we were both running sport fishing yachts, and now I get to fish on a tournament rigged game boat in the billfish capital of the world.
The year-round warm climate, calm seas, and abundance of fish, combined with Costa Rica’s stable economy and friendly, welcoming people, made it an easy choice. For anglers and adventurers, the general atmosphere of resource conservation and the safety of the country enhance its appeal as a destination.
Offshore or inshore, you can’t go wrong. Costa Rica’s waters offer something for everyone, and he will put you on the fish with uncanny instincts, breadth of knowledge and experience, and an unwavering persistence that ensures a great day on the water.
Whether you’re an intrepid fly-fisherman, a curious beginner, or an experienced bluewater angler, you can be sure a day aboard the Bushwacker will be memorable.
You’ll find no shortage of choices for fishing in Costa Rica. Many operators put up a shingle to make a living, but a majority are doing just that, and often, like so many things, you don’t get what you paid for. Not so here.
