Craig Sutton | Costa Rica Fishing Report from FishingNosara

May 1, 2014

After a few days of assembly and shake-down, the Discoverer is in the water and catching fish!

Captain David has accepted the promotion to the new 31′ battle wagon and has tapped Mate Kevin to stick with him on this transition. On their first trip they were joined by Mate Fico and young Garza legend Hernan for an offshore trip with Craig Sutton and Ms. Paula.

Our new vessel headed to the blue water flanked by the FishingNosara flagship Wanderer and the super panga Explorer, and this three-headed fishing monster found a big mancha of spinning porpoises.

You know what that means….Yellowfin Tuna time!

Craig nabbed the first 15lbs. Yella Fella, then young Hernan strapped up for an Ahi of his own.

Ms. Paula notched the first billfish in Discoverer history with this fine Sailfish release, assisted by Mate Kevin.

In addition to dialing in the fishing tools for the new boat, Captain David and Mate Kevin are also experimenting with new photography angles to best deliver the blue water action to your eyeballs. With a 21′ tower and all kinds of good sight-lines it will be no time at all until we can all see how fun fishing on the Discoverer can be.

All smiles all around on the unflappable Discoverer!

November 29, 2013

Great send off for Craig Sutton as the Explorer produced another legendary Cubera Snapper for the US Rep for FishingNosara.

Like usual, this fish was a ‘day-saver’…after a long day of nothing but Bonitas, this monster took the live tuna off the bottom and gave Craig a heck of a fight.

Great filets are already on the way back to Jacksonville, much to the delight of the US office!

August 21, 2013

The Marlin Magic of August returned again this year and the last month of the season was also the most productive.

Craig Sutton was joined by Arturo and Alejandro of Nosara Paradise Rentals for a day offshore on the mighty Wanderer and they posted the second Grand Slam of the Week: 2 Blue Marlin, 1 Black Marlin, and a Pacific Sailfish!

The Sailfish was first in the boat as Alejandro flexed his fishing muscles.

Around 11am two lines popped off and the Wanderer strapped in for a double Marlin battle.

Craig took hold of the Black Marlin while Arturo, Alejandro, and Alex combined to fight the Blue Marlin.

Both fish were released safely and the Grand Slam was completed! As a curtain call Craig brought in another Blue Marlin later in the day.

To quote Alejandro: “Un Increíble Día de Pesca!!!!!”

August 17, 2013

Craig Sutton returned to the offshore bite on August 17 as Captain William guided the flagship to the scene of yesterday’s Grand Slam.

Once again the billfish were in the house as Craig released two Marlins: one Blue and one big Black!

August has been an action-packed month for the last few years, but this billfish bite is unheard-of!

May 17, 2013

The Wanderer hosted the A-Team to today with Craig Sutton and Matty being joined by Nosara Paradise Rentals GM Javier Hernandez and security chief Eduardo Hernandez. The action got off to a quick start with this beefy Sailfish release.

Shortly after the release Eduardo got a big Dorado on the line and brought him all the way into the cooler. Estimated at 35lbs., this Mahi will definitely keep the farm fed for a while.

Eduardo has been part of our family since the beginning, yet we were shocked to learn that El Gato has only fished inshore prior to this trip. Great results from what we hope is the first of many trips offshore to the blue water.

May 16, 2013

The Wanderer welcomed Craig Sutton and Matty on May 16 for one of the rare occasion of the US Office fishing without any other guests. First Mate Alex and Captain William were joined by Junior Mate Hernan for a trip to the blue water that yield a trio of nice Sailfish releases, plus a bit of dinner for the fishbox.

First Mate Alex stayed busy with all these Sailfish releases, plus it was a great learning opportunity for Junior Mate Hernan to see how the pros do it.

After the Sailfish bite the Wanderer hooked-up a pair of Dorados; Craig boated the smaller one (25lbs.) quickly and easily:

With the cow in the box, Matty fought the Bull Dorado for about 10 more minutes until the fish reared it’s head just enough for Alex to get a gaff shot:

Three great Sailfish releases and filets on ice…just another outstanding day on the flagship Wanderer.

May 15, 2013

Craig Sutton was joined by Paula, Matty, and Alejandro for an afternoon of fishing on the Wanderer on May 15. Captain William gathered the intellegence from Captain David on the Explorer that a large ‘mancha’ (school) of spinning dolphin were in the area feasting on Yellowfin Tuna.

The team worked this school together as First Mate Alex and Craig tossed poppers from the foredeck while Paula and Alejandro went to work in the cockpit. Captain William and Captain David worked together to keep the fish corralled so that both boats would have maximum chances at success.

Once the bite shut down around 3pm it was once again time for an honored FishingNosara tradition: Fresh Sushi!

March 8, 2013

So lots of attention is getting paid to some poor boat-handling fool down in Panama. Yes Marlin are strong, and yes they swim fast. It is a true fish-of-a-lifetime but only an amateur sinks his own boat and puts his clients in the drink trying to catch one.

Here’s how real professionals catch and release Marlin.

Captain William of the Wanderer keeps this fight short (under 25 minutes) with superb boat handling, angler Craig Sutton keep tension on the fish for the duration, and First Mate Alex executes a perfect revival and release.

All while keeping the boat on top of the water 🙂

Proper tackle + strong boat and crew = safe releases and good times

See more at blog.fishingnosara.com

February 21, 2013

FishingNosara Master engineer Captain Jack Weinmann is in town for a combination work / pleasure trip as he oversees the maintainance of the boats, safari carts, and trucks that keep our operation running smoothly. However its not all wrenches and grease this week as Captain Jack joined Craig Sutton and Ms. Paula for a productive day on the Wanderer.

This Spanish Mackeral is a rare delicacy and the boys will no doubt be munching on this all week long.

Jack and Craig also added two lovely Ponpanos for use as ceviche. What about thick-filet sandwich meat?

Jack’s got that covered as well! This small but meaty Grouper should yield some tasty filets that will make this group very popular around the Nosara Paradise Rentals campus. Excellent catches by FishingNosara’s #1 tech, Captain Jack!

November 21, 2012

Craig Sutton has been hunting billfish all week in between surf sessions with his extended family and relaxing on the NPR campus. The waves have been strong but the billfish have been scarce.

The Explorer sought to end the drought on November 21 as Captain David pointed the super panga off shore. Just after 9pm this Pacific Sailfish came screaming through the spread and even though he only weighs 85lbs. this Sail fought with vigor.

Craig and Carlos executed a safe revival and release as always, so we can look forward to seeing this bad mamajamma later on down the line. when he weighs 185lbs.!

Craig still has two more fishing days so lets see if he can find that ever-elusive Marlin. Stay Tuned!