My 6-year-old daughter and I had an unforgettable morning on the water with Captain Eymhus and First Mate Juan. We launched from the beach in Tamarindo around 7AM aboard the Pichel - I’ll admit I was a little nervous about the smaller boat, but Eymhus put me at ease immediately. When he learned we had a young one on board, he made a thoughtful call to stay within 6 miles of shore. He even mentioned he had a 13-year-old daughter of his own.
Once we cleared the national park boundary about ~3 miles out, we dropped lines and began trolling the reef. For the next four hours, Eymhus and Juan worked tirelessly - swapping lures, monitoring the radio, reading the water - all while making sure my daughter was having the time of her life. They pointed out flying manta rays and dolphins, expertly navigated the wake from larger boats, and kept the mood fun and engaging throughout. A little wind-driven spray was the only reminder we were at sea.
With just 15 minutes left before we planned to head in, magic happened. A sailfish appeared behind our lines. Eymhus calmly coaxed it into striking, and ten minutes later we were celebrating a landed sailfish on the near the deck. The boat erupted. Watching my daughter’s face in that moment is something I’ll never forget.
If you’re visiting Tamarindo and debating whether to book an authentic fishing trip that won't break the bank - especially with kids - stop debating. Captain Eymhus and Juan delivered a world-class experience. Highly recommend.
