Tag: Explorer

September 19, 2011

The unstoppable Captain David has mastered the maneuverable 26-foot Explorer and has her dialed in. He got her back in the water just in time to score some nice ‘off-season’ trips.

With calm seas and sunny skies proving to much to resist, Duane Stanley and his wife decided in the morning to go first for a billfish and come back to shore to catch something to eat on September 19.

Captain David was up for the challenge and brought along First Mate Alex from the Wanderer to do battle with the big boys!

About 8 o’clock they had their first hit and it was a nice Sailfish. The fight was short and fierce with Mrs. Stanley on the reel.

They released this acrobatic species a few minutes later, then came inshore had a field day on multiple species.

First, two nice Yellowfins came up the water column to David’s cloud of irresistible Bonita chunks. Duane made quick work of them and put them on ice. Then a line popped off a little stronger, and everyone thought that a big fish had hit the popper.

When most people think of a ‘double strike’ it is when two lines go off at once…not two fish on the same lure! It’s almost as if the fish missed seeing the Explorer. This Big-Eye Jack and his little Yellowfin companion could not help but throw themselves in the boat.

All of that surface commotion woke up the slumbering reef beasts, and Duane followed up this oddball double catch with a true Hall of Fame monster.

This Cubera Snapper fought like a panther and Duane Stanley earned his Hall of Fame enshrinement by digging his heels into the deck and holding on for dear life. A sweat-drenched, knock-down, drag-out, bareknuckle fish fight ensued with Duane and the Explorer emerging victorious.

Duane wrote us the following email:

“The day was amazing, we had such a good time and those guys down there are great! What are the chances that Snapper makes it on the Hall of Fame?”

It was a great day of ‘off-season’ fishing for the Explorer and clearly the clients, crew and Captain were all pumped to be on the water. Hall of Fame fishing for sure!

August 24, 2011

With the rains coming and the season almost over, Captain David welcomed client Marc Carson for North Carolina for a five-hour fishing trip and he came away with some excellent Yellowfin Tuna and a nice Sailfish release.


Great work by Captain David to squeeze every drop out of the Explorer‘s maiden season.ย  Look our for this legendary boat to raise the bar even higher in 2012.


August 17, 2011

It’s been raining for the last few days but yesterday the weather finally lifted and client Mark Carson took to the Explorer for a half-day fishing with Captain David. They got a few Bonitas for use as strip bait then headed offshore to where the swarms of Sailfish were before the rains (see August 8-12).


Though not as thick as before, Mr. Carson still caught and released a nice Sailfish. It’s good to see that the rain didn’t impact the fishing too much and we think that the next few days may provide one of the last weather windows for a few months. Good perseverance by the Explorer.

August 10, 2011

It has been ‘Sailfish City’ ever since the rain cleared up two weeks ago, and August 10 will go down in history has one of the best days in FishingNosara history. Both the Wanderer and Explorer released big sails today, plus Captain William delivered some of the best fish-fighting photos this report has ever seen.

Martin Epstein from Florida has four trips scheduled this week and his first day on the Wanderer got his acclimated to the fantastic fishing we have in Nosara. Things got started quickly with a nice 35lbs. Dorado in the fishbox and sushi on the plate.

Later Captain William expertly found the blue water / green water break and First Mate Alex switched over to brightly colored lures to take advantage of the clear water. The Sailfish were thick and came swarming through the spread in waves.


After the first five releases and with First Mate Alex’ arms about to fall off, Captain William masterfully billed and released the final Sailfish. The Wanderer’s scorecard shows 6 Sailfish, all released.


Marty and his posse have two more days on the Wanderer and a trip with Captain David on the Explorer booked for this week, so look out for Mr. Epstein to continue his assault on the blue water.

Speaking of the Explorer, client Tyler Malmstrom from New Jersey caught the fish of a lifetime with Captain David very close to when the Wanderer was fishing. So close that Captain William snapped this amazing sequence of the entire fight all the way from the hook to the capture/photo to the safe release. Amazing photos of an amazing fish!







Here is the email we got from Manuel:
I have to tell you man. Tyler had one of the best trip he ever had in his life. He released 4 sails and lost 2. He never caught big fish before.

When he booked with me he said, “Manuel, I want to catch big fish.” I said, “Let’s do it man”. This guy was totally crazy this afternoon.

Regular readers of this blog always inquire as to the authorship of this thing…basically “Who writes the blog?” The fact is that it is a communal effort between Craig and Matty in the US office, the Captains/crew taking the photographs, and Concierge #1 Manuel passing the information between these two elements separated by 1500 miles and a language barrier.

Great work by the Captains, Clients, and crews…and especially great work by Manuel #1. Pura Vida!

August 5, 2011

After several trips on the Wanderer, Rick Egan made his final lap around our fishery on August 5 hoping to cap off his trip that has already included great bottom fishing action and numerous Sailfish releases.

He chose Captain David and the Explorer for a morning half-day and they got off to a quick start with three Bonitas and a two Jacks (20lbs. and 35lbs.)

Mr. Egan also lost a big Roosterfish on a topwater Williamson Jet Popper close to the boat. It was a monster and it hurt Rick’s heart to not get him into the boat for the picture, but even though he still had a great time. Plus they got a smaller Roosterfish:

August 4, 2011

Decent fishing today with both the Explorer and the Wanderer reporting filets in the box. In the morning Captain David was joined by Judith Ricci for a 3 hour morning session on the reefs and had some nice early strikes from Bonitas on the Planer/Spoon rig. Then they drifted some bait chucks over the reef and caught this beautiful Yellowfin Tuna.

August 2, 2011

Captain David had an amazing trip with client Jake Davies from New Smyrna, FL and his posse. You know it was a good day when you take this kind of picture:

They headed offshore early in the morning and stayed on the Sailfish as long as they were biting. Using the high-speed trolling tactic and lots of strength on the reel, Jake’s group had four releases on five potential hits. Great fishing for these guys!

Jake lost a nice Dorado, but fortunately they made a stop at the inshore reef/fish market on the way in and caught 2 hearty Amberjacks. Great work once again by barroom brawler Explorer and the incomparable Captain David. Here is an Jake sent us:

Just wanted to say thanks to the boys at FishingNosara! We got into some big sailfish which really made the trip! Captain David and the mate were awesome and we will definitely pass the good word to our friends. Pura Vida Jake.

August 1, 2011

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.

July 14, 2011

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!

July 13, 2011

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!