Costa Rica Fishing Report from FishingNosara
Costa Rica Fishing Report Archive | FishingNosara
On August 1 Jacksonville angler Rick Egan enlisted Captain David and the Explorer for a full day of fishing. Like all of our North Florida friends, Mr. Egan had a productive day with some nice filets for the table.
The morning was a bit slow, but by mid-day Rick had a nice Yellowfin Tuna in the box and a schoolie-sized Dorado. Rick was all smiles after this trip.
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!
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!
Big day of inshore action for the Explorer and the Wanderer as the FishingNosara team had some great weights on the hooks. The Harlins went out on the Explorer this morning for a half-day and caught four nice 15lbs. Yellowfin Tunas and fifteen Twofin Tunas between 10-12lbs.
Later in the day on the Explorer Frank Desoblin from Gecko Verde in Samara choose the Super Panga for a half day and caught four Yellowfin tunas and 3 Twofins.
Meanwhile on the Wanderer Captain William took the Huber group a little bit offshore to troll for some monsters, and they found the BIG Yellasย out by a school of porpoises. They had several multiple hook-ups and kept some nice behemoths for the fishbox.
Great day of fishing by the whole FishingNosara Team.
Richard Reiner had a nice day this morning with Captain David on the Explorer. They stayed near Garza Bay and bottom fished the reef under the Kingfish green water. Though they lost a nice Dorado, they did catch a nice 30lbs. Cubera Snapper and two 15lbs. Yellowfin Tunas.
They also caught this wee little Cubera but threw him back. Clearly this day’s haul will make for some fine dining back on shore. Great work Captain David!
Client Wendy Parker and Linda Jolly had a great day of action highlighted by a 60lbs. Rooster fish release. Rooster fish are a very exotic and unique species, so even though their release is not required by law (like Marlin and Sailfish), FishingNosara captains always release pez gallos.
Wendy did score two nice Yellowfin Tunas and a Ponpano for the dinner table, and got the thrill of catching the much-sought-after Roosterfish.
The Yellowfin Tuna have been all over the recent fishing reports, however the Explorer always seems to have another trick up her sleeve. Captain David stumbled upon a hot spot of the elusive Rainbow Runners this morning and with newlywed clients Jennie and Johnny on the reels, they piled the fishbox to the brim with 10 of these tasty morsels.
The Rainbow Runner (also called Rainbow Tunney) boasts delicious white meat and is a very challenging fish to hook and a strong fighter. It has been quite a while since a boat managed to wear out this many Rainbows. For an idea of how strong the Rainbow Runner can be, check out this picture:
Notice that while Jennie has the rod doubled over, Captain David has a firm hold of the fighting belt in one hand and a white-knuckle grip on the 3 inch. Stainless Steel superstructure of the Explorer. Without this chain of strength, something would have been swimming away (either the client or the fish).
Great job Captain David and congrats to the bride and groom. May the ‘Pura Vida’ spirit stay with you for all of your years together!
Great day for client Scott Howell on the Explorer with lots of variety and tons of meat in the box. The day started off strong with three Rainbow Runners, a feisty little 6lbs. Red Snapper, and a 10lbs. Yellowtail Snapper. They were just about to call it a day when a school of Yella Fellas wandered under the anchor and started popping off lines.
Scott and Captain David boated 10 nice Yellowfin Tuna during this late-day feeding frenzy, turning what was a great day into a legendary day for the Explorer. Mr. Howell has another trip booked for tomorrow and we can only hope that the good catches keep coming.
Captain David is the go-to-guy for sunset fishing trips; these late-afternoon 3 hour trips are a great way to introduce kids and novice anglers to the joy of Costa Rica sport fishing without committing to the expense and exertion of a full day on the water. Client Marc brought his daughter along for a sunset cruise yesterday evening and checked in with this nice Yellowfin Tuna.
The Explorer has seen many first-time anglers cut their teeth, and Captain David’s steady boat handling and genuine good nature have made it a fishing experience to last a lifetime for these young anglers. The look on the little lady’s face says it all!