Jaco Blog: Sportfishing World Championship 2022 Recap

From April 24-29, the Pacific coast that stretches between Jaco, Costa Rica and Manuel Antonio National Park was dotted with fishing vessels taking part in the 2022 Costa Offshore World Championship (OWC) sportfishing tournament.

With 37 teams and 168 anglers from 18 different countries, this year’s OWC was one to remember. Participants competed for one of the most exclusive titles in tournament fishing in the world.

Championship Neighbors Jaco City

On each of the four days of the Offshore World Championship, teams departed from Marina Pez Vela, about 60 kilometers down the coast from the center of Jaco, Costa Rica. From 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM local time each day, expert anglers dropped their lines into the ocean and played exciting tug-of-war games with fish that were often larger than the average man!

Costa Rica is well-known throughout the world for its eco-tourism, drawing fish enthusiasts and professional anglers from countries around the globe to its beautiful beaches. The waters off its “rich coast” teem with an abundance of billfish year-round, including Pacific sailfish, yellowfin tuna, marlin, dorado, and wahoo. This makes it the perfect country to host the largest and most prestigious sportfishing tournament of the year.

Top Teams from the 2022 Offshore World Championship

Over the course of the 2022 OWC, a total of 673 billfish were released for points. The tally included 606 Pacific sailfish, 65 blue marlin, and 1 each of black and striped marlin. The teams wrestled and reeled their catches in and then used video verification to score points on the fish.

In an incredible come-from-behind victory on the final day, Team 22 (who qualified at the Watamu Fishing Festival) from Kenya took home the top prize in the tournament. Steve Harries and Florian Biziere were the top two anglers of the entire championship - each releasing 6 sailfish and 5 blue marlin - and both were members of this winning team.

Second place went to Team 11 from New Smyrna Beach, Florida who were the 2002 OWC Champions. Their strong showing throughout the tournament concluded with 10 sailfish releases on the final day. Another dramatic finale came from Team 18 from Croatia, who reeled in two sailfish in the last two minutes of the final day’s fishing time to squeak ahead.

Prizes were also awarded to top anglers, top boat and crew, top captains, and the heaviest dorado released.

Other 2022 Billfishing Tournaments in Costa Rica

Places like Quepos, Los Sueños, and Jaco, Costa Rica are ideal spots for sportfishing. Their high density of game fish, excellent weather, and unparalleled landscape beauty create the perfect environment for tournaments throughout the year. Here are the billfishing tournaments held in Costa Rica in 2022:

Past 2022 Sportfishing Tournaments

• Pelagic Rock Star Offshore Tournament in Quepos (January 14-16)
• The Masters Angling Tournament in Los Sueños (January 19-22)
• Pescadora Billfish Championship in Quepos (February 17-19)
• Los Sueños Signature Triple Crown (Legs II & III) in Los Sueños (February 23-26; March 30- April 2)
• Pelagic Pura Vida Blue Marlin Classic in Quepos (March 24-27)
• Marina Pez Vela Open in Quepos (April 22-23)

Upcoming 2022 Sportfishing Tournaments

• International Light Tackle Tournament Association in Flamingo (June 20-25)
• Presidential Flamingo Fishing Rodeo in Flamingo (August 7-8)

Sportfishing for Hobbyists and Amateurs in Jaco, Costa Rica

Even heading into the rainy season, visitors to Jaco, Costa Rica continue to take advantage of fishing charter trips by Adventure Tours Costa Rica. The success of the Offshore World Championship is proving to be a great indicator of fruitful casts for non-professional anglers this season.

Stay up to date on the sportfishing seasons with our regular fishing reports!