Craig Sutton | Costa Rica Fishing Report from FishingNosara

March 8, 2011

The same team of expert superstars from The Explorer Story and The Wanderer Story took a break from boat building to fabricate a trailer rack for FishingNosara’s 13′ Ocean Kayaks. Granted, as car guys this is right in Jack, Craig, and Matty’s comfort zone.

Take a look at the progress from a stock 8 foot trailer to a spiny, menacing, Road Warrior-esque battle wagon. This beast should be in Nosara sometime next week and be in full time service shortly thereafter.

Craig got in on the action and brought his old-school approach to bear on the cross-members. Even though we have power saws, he cut them all with a hacksaw and achieved perfectly equal lengths and nice flat corners. Can’t teach Experience kids!

Of course Jack has been welding for many years and this project was no challenge to his mammoth skills with the metal whip. From race cars to boat trailers, Jack has many successful welds under his belt.

By adding crossmember support to the stock trailer we estimate that the carrying capacity is double the stock load. Also the superstructure can be removed in a few minutes to allow for more utility from the trailer.

Despite the modifications and extreme attention to detail, this whole project took only one day of fabrication with a second day allocated for painting. Great work from the Dream Building Team!

January 29, 2011

Captain Craig Sutton, US Representative of FishingNosara, invited Matty and longtime Nosara client David Leibowitz for a day-long Wahoo hunt off the Atlantic Ledge east of Jacksonville, FL.

Without trusty First Mate Carl Schmidt, Craig took care of the gaff while calling on David to reel up the monsters and Matty to handle the boat. Though not the most seasoned crew the Fishtastic has ever seen, they got the job done to the tune of four big Wahoos.

We used our specialty Wahoo spread that includes skirted bonita strips, planer/spoon combo, and the infamous Cedar plug.

Rest assured that when we are not fishing in Costa Rica, the FishingNosara team is constantly engaging in this kind of “corporate field research”. Pura Vida!

LATE ADDITION: Jack wanted to get his bit in, so check out this awesome King Mackeral from August 2010. Captain Jack and his boat Drifter II are legendary in Northeast Florida much like his babies the Wanderer and Explorer are in Garza.

November 21, 2010

On November 21 Craig Sutton was joined on the Wanderer by Matty, Pat, Paula, Craig Jr., Sylvia and Charley Barnhart and we did a full day of work on the offshore Yellowfin Tuna.

The big Yellas were chowing down on Williamson Jet Poppers and slow-trolled cedar plugs. Even though these catches were great, we still left a few big fellas in the water.

Overall, a great day fishing with some great folks.

November 14, 2010

November 14 was a big day for the Wanderer. In the morning, Matty and client Eduardo Barrios caught two little White Tunas, then deep jigged for a nice 25lbs. White Tuna. Then Matty hooked up this massive 50lbs. Cabrilla (Broomtail Grouper).

The fight was short but violent, and about three minutes after this picture was taken, Matty took a 45 minute nap in the cabin.

After picking up Craig at Garza, they went 25 miles offshore seeking the blue water.

After boating several 20-30lbs. Yellowfin Tunas, Eduardo hooked up a beautiful Striped Marlin. He put on a show, but managed to cut the line off on a stray piece of driftwood less than 100 feet from the boat. Eduardo did everything right, but the Stripey got away.

All told they caught eight Yellowfins with the big one weighing 40lbs. Great trip!

August 15, 2010

On August 15th Craig enjoyed his last day in Costa on the Wanderer along with good friends Andrew (from Playa Garza), Andrew (from Playa Jacksonville), and the Georgia peach Paula. It was a relaxing trip without the hustle and bustle of the TV crew, but Craig still found time to catch a 150lbs. Striped Marlin.

With a meter-long razor-sharp spear and a top speed over 60 knots, these fish are known for their aggressive fighting tactics and bulldog strength. This particular Marlin had the attitude of a bareknuckle street-fighter, but Craig stayed vigilant on the reel and Alex was right there to safely bill and release this massive marine monster.

Of course the greatest victory for FishingNosara crews is the safe release of all billfish. As with dozens of other Marlins and Sailfish caught by the Wanderer this season, this brutal behemoth was safely released back into the blue water.

Captain William and the boys are feeling on top of the world these days. The fish are biting, the clients are smiling, and the schedule is filling up fast.

It’s hard to believe that it has been a year already since completing the Wanderer. This boat represent a classic story of a few dudes getting themselves WAAAAYYYY in over their heads, but persevering to succeed beyond even their own imaginations.

August 14, 2010

Craig Sutton and the Inside Sportfishing crew had one thing on their minds when they hit the water on August 11th: Marlin.

This bad boy came tearing up the spread and hit the naked ballyhoo rig so hard it almost pulled the rod holder right off the boat. After an amazingly acrobatic 25 minute fight, the fish was finally in range to be billed. With the stress of the fight and the huge stature of the fish, we decided to release without removing it from the water.

On the final day of filming, the crew got a Blue Marlin hooked up and tailwalking for the cameras, but this one got away. They retreated to the reefs and caught a whole boatload of Yellowfin Tunas and Dorados.

Look for episodes of Inside Sportfishing from Nosara in the near future. It was a blast to host these seasoned world travelers and treat them to some world-class fishing and down-home fun!

July 11, 2010

2010 Ancient City Kingfish Challenge

37.70lbs. King Mackeral caught by Craig Sutton on Fishtastic.

Captain Craig Sutton and the Fishtastic came in second place in this year’s tournament. First Mate Carl, Andrew, and Paula were on the crew for the catch, which was in first for the whole first day and most of the final day, but that’s fishing.

We were honored to give away a week in Nosara to the lucky winner of the raffle. Great work by the crew, the staff, and Capitan Craig!

July 5, 2010

I forgot to mention that last month I got the chance to fish with my good friend and Lifetime Achievement Hall of Famer Richmond Phipps and her daughter Brooke Shields. She was there for the awesome Rooster fish (pictured above) that we caught with a live bonita. Richmond is a legendary angler and in her life has had immeasurable impact in the lives and well-beings of our Captains, crew and staff. We love you Richmond!

May 30, 2010

Craig Sutton was joined by clients Ray Carter and the lovely Georgia peach Paula Price for a great trip on the Wanderer on May 30th.

The weather was just about as perfect as could be imagined and the party had a fantastic array of catches. In total they caught a mean little 20lbs. Wahoo (above), a 30lbs. Amberjack, a 35lbs. Cuberra snapper and two 12lbs. Yellowfin tuna.

The highlight of the trip was a pair of 100+lbs. Sailfish releases. Paula showed her skills on the reel as both fights were under ten minutes and both fish were released.

March 26, 2010

Captain William has the Wanderer locked in and has cemented her reputation as the king of the hill! Captain William had several awesome days fishing this month and the clients have been grinning from ear to ear!

On March 26th Manuel (Concierge Numero Uno at Nosara Paradise Rentals) and Craig Sutton released a Black marlin, one Sailfish and lost a nice dorado.

The marlin was going absolutely crazy, moving from one teaser to the other one and spanking it with his bill. One of the teasers broke clean off ! I spent 42 minutes to release this fish, albeit with a few water breaks. This marked the beginning of some great billfish action on the Wanderer in March and April.

Most of the days I fished in March we were raising several Sails and releasing 2 to 4 on half days.