Captain David of the Explorer is one of the most well-rounded boatmen that Garza has ever seen. As a lifelong resident of the area and close friend/family to all of the other Captains, this man was literally born to fish these waters.
David joined his brother Vibert Wingrove for a charter on the Secret Spot and served as a top-notch first mate. Despite some threatening weather and choppy seas, they still had a bunch of action. Check out this excellent Rooster fish they delivered for the clients:
Great fishing (and photos) by Captain Vibert Wingrove and excellent work by David Barrantes!
Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament – July 17-23, 2011
FishingNosara and Nosara Paradise Rentals were super-stoked to be a sponsor and exhibitor of the 2011 Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament once again. This tournament is the mother of all Kingfish Tournaments and FishingNosara has pulled out all the stops for this great week of fishing.
A free trip to Costa Rica was raffled to one lucky winner. Also we were running a complementary shuttle service in our brand-new 6 Passenger Safari Cart from the parking lots to the main tournament entrance.
Of course there we were loading people down with coasters, coozies, hats, shirts and tons more promo items. But the biggest moment of the weekend was this cover shot from the Florida Times Union:
Nice shirt and hat fellas!
What an great weekend for all the Jacksonville-based friends and family of FishingNosara! Both our sponsored boats made it to the leaderboard and the big winner was one of our favorite clients from the 2011 season.
Captain Jack on the Drifter II made his first run in the tournament and weighing in a nice 15lbs. Kingfish. With over 250 boats in the event and only 50 reporting to the scales, Captain Jack effectively is in the upper fifth of Jacksonville anglers in the tournament.
Over on the Fishtastic Craig Sutton, Mate Andrew Herbenick and Paula Price had rough luck the first day, but saved the weekend with a 28.75lbs. Kingfish that put them in the top 20. Great performance from a boat that always catches fish.
The big winner was none other than Eddie McGowan on the Tail Chaser. You remember Eddie, right?
Just a few short months ago Mr. McGowan had a fantastic week of fishing with Captain David on the Explorer. Clearly the time with a world-class angler like Captain David had an effect on Eddie and helped him win his first major Kingfish title.
Captain David sends along his best wishes and is very happy to hear of Eddie’s great tournament winning catch. Great work by Eddie McGowan and the rest of the FishingNosara team!
Our good buddy and Guiones Beach neighbor Ron LaGro was back on the Wanderer for his fifth trip of the season, and once again Captain William and First Mate Alex had the big blue beauty on the fish with rods bent.
The action was fierce early in the day with eight Bonitas in the boat. Ron also caught a big green Dorado for the dinner table and lost a massive Yellowfin Tuna right at the boat.
They also saw lots of whales and finally headed back in with dinner in the bag and another great day of fishing behind them.
On July 20 Captain William and the Wanderer welcomed a group from the local hotel Tierra Magnifica for a morning trip to the inshore reefs. They had some excellent action highlighted by a 40lbs. Cubera Snapper.
They also put four Bonitas and a football sized Yellowfin Tuna in the fishbox before calling it an early day and heading in.
Offshore or inshore, the Wanderer always catches fish and keeps clients satisfied.
We are super-stoked to be a sponsor and exhibitor of the 2011 Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament once again. This tournament is the mother of all Kingfish Tournaments and FishingNosara has pulled out all the stops for this great week of fishing.
A free trip to Costa Rica will be raffled to one lucky winner. Also we will be running a complementary shuttle service in our brand-new 6 Passenger Safari Cart from the parking lots to the main tournament entrance.
Of course there we will be loading people down with coasters, coozies, hats, shirts and tons more promo items.
Look out for Craig and Captain Jack on the leaderboard later in the week as the general tournament gets rolling. Looks like perfect conditions and lots of Kingfish. Come on out to Sister’s Creek and say hello! Pura Vida!
Captain David and the Explorer have made their reputation by disproving assumed notions about what a 26-foot Super Panga can do. Today with client Christopher Granda from South Tampa aboard, Captain David once again gave notice to doubters that the Explorer is a true world-class sportfishing vessel.
They started inshore to pick up some Bonitas for bait and Christopher brought in this excellent Ponpano. An excellent tasting fish, this particular Ponpano is one of the biggest we’ve caught this season.
Things got serious as Captain David pushed offshore away from the torrential rains bearing down the mountain. He put out a modified high-speed lure setup and almost immediately this beefy Dorado gulped down a bonita strip with a 9/0 hook on the side. A quick fight and this 40lbs. Dorado was headed for the dinner table.
Captain David got the spread back out and after a little more trolling a curious Sailfish came along whacking at the teaser. On the way back to rob the long baits, this Sailfish fell for a pitched ballyhoo with Captain David on the other end expertly setting the circle hook. The fight was on but this fish was no match for Chris Granda on the reel. Twenty minutes after hook-up this Sailfish was safely released.
Great end to a fine day of fishing by Captain David and Chris Granda!
FishingNosara was pleased to welcome back Greg Vetto from and his friends for an afternoon of fishing on the Explorer with Captain David. A few years ago Mr. Vetto was one of the first clients to fish on the Wanderer and a reunion with Captain David spelled trouble for the inshore reef fish.
Greg and his posse knocked out several nice Yellowfin on a short three-hour trip. It may have been pouring rain on shore, but on the Explorer it has been raining Yellowfin Tuna. Great work Captain David!
Traditional wisdom says that this time of year the fishing is all but finished in Costa Rica, the Captains and crew of FishingNosara are pioneering a new school of thought. For instance the Explorer had an excellent trip today with Captain David reportingย three Yellowfin Tunas, a Macarela and a nice Yellowtail snapper in the fishbox.
Captain William and the Wanderer had a fantastic day of offshore billfish scores and inshore Yella fella catches for client Gerald Wyles and his group.
They released four Sailfish including a Double header plus added ten nice Yellowfin Tunas for the dinner table.
Great work by both boats…proving that the fishing in Costa Rica doesn’t cool off until the rains come in early September.
This last month has been one of FishingNosara’s busiest to date and the Yellowfin Tuna are chewing the bottom out of the boats. Captain David welcomed client Ronny Marchena aboard the Explorer for a quick 3 hour trip.
How’s that for three hours of fishing? Captain David didn’t waste any time getting on the fish and Ronny reeled in a full dozen Yellowfin Tunas. Great work by the Explorer… it’ s not everyday you average a fish every 15 minutes!
