Dave Wenzel | Costa Rica Fishing Report from FishingNosara

June 30, 2013

Dave Wenzel was back in action on the Wanderer hoping to follow up his Sailfish release from earlier in the week with the crown jewel of offshore billfishing: a big bad Marlin! Captain William took the blue beauty 10 miles offshore and the monster came calling at 1:28pm.

Dave showed his Northeast Florida angling mettle as he strapped in to fight the furious beast.

Young son: “Why is Alex shaking the fish so violently?”

Dad: “Son, that’s the fish shaking the man!”

After a harrowing 25 minute battle Mr. Wenzel brought the beast alongside the Wanderer for a wonderful release.

Another amazing release by First Mate Alex, complete with his signature romantic sendoff

From Dave’s Facebook page: “I enjoyed the Wanderer 4 days and and only switched from David on the Explorer the last day (after they slammed the yellowfin I may add) to chase that Marlin dream.”

“I saw her, I hooked her, I fought her, she jumped a lot, Alex the mate and I landed her, then I jumped up and down like a 12 year old!!!!!”

“I did it, I won, 400 lb Blue Marlin. Now a bottle of Advil and an Imperial!

“Thanks to Alex for all the coaching and talk of techniques and information of the entire fishery. We enjoyed our entire visit. Well done NPR!”

June 29, 2013

The offshore action was slowed today by some rainy conditions, so the Wanderer stayed inside for most of the trip and dropped lines to the bottom.

Team Wenzel added a few morsels for the dinner table as well in the form of this small White Tuna and a tasty Ciero Mackerel.

The action was a bit slow, but the crew of the Wanderer keeps the mood light and fun no matter the scorecard. First Mate Alex showed Mr. Wenzel some of his signature knots, while Captain William found a small school of dolphins to the client’s delight.

Tracy Wenzel had a big Wahoo on the line, but ended up losing it after a few titanic leaps; The fact that she managed to hook the beast with spinning tackle is an accomplisment on its own, but clearly the fight was slanted in the fish’s favor on this encounter.

Still, it was a nice day of fishing with some filets to show for it. Team Wenzel is all smiles, showing their true Florida angling roots…let’s see if their patience will pay off as they have a few more trips on the schedule this week.

June 23, 2013

Great Sailfish action on the Wanderer! Dave Wenzel’s group took to the blue water and hooked up two nice Pacific Sailfish.

Conway Johnson was the angler for the first fish, backed up by young Alex Wenzel on the release. Nice FSU hat son!

What a perfect way to get acquainted with the local billfish population! The kid’s smile says it all:

The second Sailfish of the trip was bested by Dave Wenzel and it was just as much a monsters as the first.

Excellent fish handling by First Mate Alex to ensure the safety of the fish and the anglers, and great hunting as always by the master Captain William.

June 22, 2013

Dave Wenzel is the latest in a long parade of Jacksonville, FL anglers who have bested blue water billfish on the big blue beauty the Wanderer. On June 22 his posse got a show from a big-shouldered Pacific Sailfish.

Everyone had their cameras at the ready once the leader broke through the water, revealing this wonderful creature.

Great fish by Dave Wenzel as the Wanderer notches two more safe Sailfish releases. From Dave’s Facebook page: “Two nice sails on the first day…Captain estimates them at 80 and 90 lbs. All smiles and sore biceps”