When it comes tarpon time at HFC the man on the front lines is none other than Frank Raffa. Back at it again for another round, the weather conditions had been unfavorable for several days and Franks tarpon senses were tingling. Today he was granted a chance to get out there and do what he loves most with his good friend and captain. Edlin Leslie, the guys caught two decent tarpon and Frank was more than satisfied with his HFC approved day.

This HFC story involves two people, two very adventurous people who both have been many places and seen many things, but one thing they haven’t done was see the world through the eyes of Hardcore Fishing. Mr. and Mrs. Frost came to Belize looking for a great time, say no more, cause we here at HFC are all about good times. They did it all from taking a slow paced throttle up the monkey river (known for its abundance of howler monkeys), to view manatees and enjoy the flora and fauna that call the banks home. Captain Martin Westby then took them to enjoy a local lunch in the village after the mornings sight seeing was done. In the afternoon they spent time fly casting along the river bank for snook and tarpon. The next day they headed out the the famous Glover’s Reef to enjoy a beauty of Belize that even a lot of the locals don’t know. The marine reserve out here is teeming with life and fishing, just outside its limits, brings for a day of excitement and adventure. Mr. Shawn Frost got to show off his skills on the fly rod as he hooked up on some pretty decent sized bone-fish, a fish that fights pound for pound. Later in the afternoon they boarded the HFC Pelagic vessel and hit the blue water ranging in depths from 700 to 3000ft to try their luck for some bill fish. The bill fish weren’t biting but they ran into some nice Dorado and it was Mrs. Frost whom got the thrill out of this fight. It’s something she won’t soon forget and nor will we. They also caught a host of barracuda’s, yellow fin tunas and memories they will take with them for the rest of their lives. Better to be Fishing than to be Wishing!!!

It’s no secret that our guys love to fish, so what do they do when they’re not on a fishing charter, well, just in case you were wondering… they go out and fish harder! The crew headed out for a few nights at Glover’s reef where the pristine waters and sandy beaches are for most people only a myth, but here in Belize beauty is never-ending. The guys did it all, from trolling to spin casting, live bait fishing, bottom fishing they even ran out to the gulf stream where they hooked up on some small Yellowfin tunas, huge Dorado’s among others. Mike was the star of this trip though, hauling in a 55 pound black grouper. But just being out there, on the water can make anyone feel like a star, the world around you has your full attention and likewise you feel the same. This is how us here at HFC enjoy our lives, connecting while disconnecting, it’s all here in Belize.

We took out a group from the Mission Bay Lodge, to do a day of snorkeling and a beach barbecue at the Island Park and Marine Reserve of Laughing Bird Caye. The guest had a great time with Captain/Guide Edlin Leslie who took them snorkeling off the islands beaches whilst pointing our many different species of fish and allowing them to acquire knowledge and appreciation for the beauty that is Belize. Meanwhile Captain Martin/Darrel Westby prepared lunch and watched from ashore to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible. Not in our usual zone today, but nonetheless a great job by our HFC crew!!

Captain Edlin along with Junior Angler Darnell once again took Mr. Frank Raffa on a trip for tarpon. They had a wonderful day, as the sun was shining brightly and the winds were perfect to cool off your skin but not disturb your cast. The guys took to live baiting as this is Franks favorite way to fish, the bite was on as the hooked up on several tarpons only to loose them on the jump. But that’s all in fishing; the thrill is not in the kill. It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that Frank hooked up on a tarpon that gave an amazing fight and flew out of the water as if it had wings. Weighing in at 60 pounds and making Frank a very happy man, the guys then revived the fish and set it free, so that another might enjoy its wonder.

Captain Edlin along with Junior Angler Darnell once again took Mr. Frank Raffa on a trip for tarpon. They had a wonderful day, as the sun was shining brightly and the winds were perfect to cool off your skin but not disturb your cast. The guys took to live baiting as this is Franks favorite way to fish, the bite was on as the hooked up on several tarpons only to loose them on the jump. But that’s all in fishing; the thrill is not in the kill. It wasn’t until later in the afternoon that Frank hooked up on a tarpon that gave an amazing fight and flew out of the water as if it had wings. Weighing in at 60 pounds and making Frank a very happy man, the guys then revived the fish and set it free, so that another might enjoy its wonder.