December 16, 2011

Finally, many readers sent comments on Captain David’s beautiful rod rack he built for our vintage Safari cart last month.

First Mate Alex (who is an amazing carpenter in his own right) wasn’t about to let his good friend get the best of him, so he set out on his own woodworking mission.

The result is this beautiful rod holder to mount to the Wanderer‘s fighting chair.

Two things to notice here:

1.) I was just at the St. Pete and Ft. Lauderdale Boat shows and I did not see this level of woodworking craftsmanship, even with all the big-money boat builders in attendance.

Between the wood grain and the stain this piece has a finish that looks a mile deep.

2.) Ya gotta love a guy who does this on his day off! For a man who puts in 12-hour workdays on the water to sacrifice his own time shows Alex’s dedication to his boat and the FishingNosara team.

December 15, 2011

Mark Shaw enlisted Captian David and the Explorer for a fishing trip today that took them all around the Garza area and brought great fish for the table and the trophy room.  In the morning they stayed inshore and around 9:30 bent the rod with this nice White Tuna.

With dinner in the box, Captain David headed offshore to blue water where Mr. Shaw had chances at lots of fish. Around noon they lost a big Dorado and soon after  a sailfish. A hour of near-misses passed, then the fish of a lifetime came barrel-rolling through the spread.

Mate Pipio saw him first and alertly pitched a rigged ballyhoo down the exhaust alley. The Black Marlin showed his bill as he snatched the bait, and Mark buckled in for a wild ride.

After 20 minutes of combat this 200lbs. Black Marlin gave up the fight; Perfect bill and release by Pipio to ensure the safety of the fish and angler.

The Explorer proves once again that big billfish don’t care how big the boat is, so long as the right Captain, angler, and tackle are on the scene to take care of the job. Great fish, great release, great trip for Mark Shaw!


Salt Life

Salt Life Big Wave Challenge

The Salt Life Big Wave Challenge is an event that honors the surfer and photographer who capture the most popular big wave shot as voted on by thousands of online fans.

FishingNosara and Nosara Paradise Rentals were proud to award a week in Costa Rica and a fishing trip on the Explorer to the riders and shooters of these winning shots:

Great waves and great shots by these NE Florida legends!

December 14, 2011

Our buddy Jeff Grosshandler of Namaste Oasis has been in town fishing with his uncle for the last week and their trip on Wednesday brought another beautiful Pacific Sail to the Wanderer.

Though Mr. Grosshandler has fished with us many times in the last two years I believe this is Jeff’s first Billfish. This is truly a mighty trophy fish for the Hoboken, NJ based angler. Looks like Jeff has the eye of the tiger!

Welcome to the bill collector’s club Jeff!

December 13, 2011

Frank Keres returned to shore with a big smile today. He booked the Wanderer for a offshore billfish hunt and his persistence was rewarded with not one but two fish of a lifetime.


Around 1:30pm the first big fish came calling and it was a gigantic Sailfish. A great short fight and perfect release ensued; little did Frank and his group know that this monster was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.


Not 15 minutes after releasing the sailfish, ‘El Cachudo Grande’ (Big Marlin in gringo) came barreling through the spread. The fight was intense but Mr. Keres managed to keep the fish calm and motivated toward the Wanderer.


Captain William expertly kept the angler in a position of strength while in the cockpit First Mate Alex billed and released the fish with his trademark fearlessness.

Excellent work by the Keres group and the mighty Wanderer!

December 12, 2011

Our great friend Jeff Grosshandler and his uncle Arthur enlisted Captain William and First Mate Alex for an offshore billfish hunt today on the mighty Wanderer. They set off for the blue water and had two good shots at Pacific Sailfish.

These guys are used to fishing the brutal waters of the Northeast Atlantic where a 120 mile trip to deep water is the norm. Quite a change of pace to ride for 15 minutes and be in 600 feet of water!

The first one spit the hook, but his buddy gulped the ballyhoo from the long shotgun line and the fight was on!


The mighty Sailfish bucked and danced, tail-walking and grey-hounding  the whole way but Arthur Grosshandler kept tension on the line as Captain William expertly backed the Wanderer toward the fish.

A brief fight ensued and First Mate Alex professionally handled and released this beauty unstressed and unharmed.

“We had a good fight and my uncle and I had a great time. Alex and William really are a great team, Alex very much impressed my uncle….he was smiles ear to ear. Plus the weather was great and hopefully we will get some more on Wednesday.” -Jeff Grosshandler

We’re looking forward to it…can’t say the same for the fish though!

Javier on the Radio

Check out El Jefe himself getting on the air of the famous La Buena Pescas Programa de Radio today.

Captain Atanes is the host of this show out of the Tampa / St. Petersburg / Clearwater region and the show has defined itself as the preeminent Spanish-language fishing broadcast in the whole state.

Take a listen to his fishing report from Nosara, CR:

Thanks to Captain Sergio Atanes and the whole team at ReelFishy.com!