Atrapasueños SportFishing, Costa Rica with Captain Experiences

About Your Guide

Butch Carlson

Independent Guide 36 years of exp.

About Your Guide

Butch Carlson

Independent Guide 36 years of exp.

My first visit to Costa Rica was in 1995 fishing for world class Tarpon on the East coast at Bara del Colorado lodge. This trip was possible because I won a raffle at an awards ceremony for a fishing tournament. I returned again two years later and decided then that I would move here when the time was right. I’ve been fishing in Florida for 30 plus years, fished many tournaments, even won a few. Worked hard in the underground utility industry starting at the bottom and working my way to General superintendent and having a charter business on the side. Raised 2 kids and sent them to college. My daughter went to Massachusetts Maritime Academy, My son went to Key West community college. My daughter is now working for Florida Aero Precision building parts for NASA, Boeing, and others. My son stayed in Key West and got his Captains license and became a charter captain for Second generation charters.

In 2010 I got remarried, I told my wife then that my dream was to move to Costa Rica and start a fishing charter business when the time is right for us. Not sure she really thought it would happen. Anyway, in 2019 I lost a friend of mine who I also worked with in the underground industry to cancer. He passed away without even enjoying one day of retirement to fish. I became the general superintendent for a company with over 125 employees, the stress level was more than my body could handle so I made myself a promise that I would learn from my friend before it was too late and follow my passion to charter fish.

In 2021 I brought my wife to Quepos and she fell in love with Costa Rica. We booked our next visit in November and drove the coast checking out all the marinas and towns. We decided! Quepos is the place! As soon as we got home to Florida we put the house that we just built in 2018 on the market, 30 days later we had a contract. Quit our jobs, sold everything packed up our lives and moved to Quepos with our 2 dogs. During that process, I found the perfect boat for the charter business I wanted to start. It is a beautiful 30’ Palm Beach express with a Marlin tower. Long story short, I took possession of the boat 2 days before we left for Costa Rica. 6 months later we were ready to fish.

Boat History

1986 30’ PALMBEACH/GAMEFISHER built in De Oca Costa Rica Hull #1 she is one of the pioneers of the sport fishing boat industry in Costa Rica. She is a cold molded wood boat with a single yanmar 315 hp engine. She runs about 21knts which is fast enough to get to the fishing grounds. The palmbeach/gamefisher boats are known for their fish raising abilities with their clean water and small wakes.

Scroll for more

Recent Reviews of Atrapasueños SportFishing, Costa Rica

5.0

based on 1 review

Larry

Verified Review

Butch and Roy were very welcoming and personable. They made the trip very exciting and inclusive of all on board (beginner and advanced). Lots of laughs and smiles all around. We cannot stop talking about how amazing of an experience this was today. This is a MUST DO!

Larry

Verified Review

Scroll for more

Response from Butch:

Thank you for your review. We had a great time fishing with you. Hope to see you again soon!! Tight lines Capt Butch

Response from Butch:

Thank you for your review. We had a great time fishing with you. Hope to see you again soon!! Tight lines Capt Butch

Scroll for more

Potential Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	August	September	October	November	December
Amberjack	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good
Black Marlin	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Not Ideal	Not Ideal	Good	Great	Great	Good	Good
Blue Marlin	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Great	Great
Bluefin Tuna	Not Ideal	Not Ideal	Good	Good	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good	Not Ideal
Cubera Snapper	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Jack Crevalle	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Mahi Mahi	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great
Red Grouper	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Red Snapper	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Roosterfish	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good
Sailfish	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Snook	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Good	Good	Great	Great
Striped Marlin	Good	Good	Great	Great	Good	Not Ideal	Not Ideal	Good	Good	Great	Good	Good
Wahoo	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Not Ideal	Not Ideal	Good	Great
Yellowfin Tuna	Great	Great	Great	Great	Great	Good	Good	Good	Not Ideal	Not Ideal	Good	Good