Tag: Sailfish

November 24, 2012

Hulsey Bray signed up the mighty Wanderer for a full day excursion on November 24 and once again the blue beauty delivered the goods. Captain William used the time-honored hunting tactic of following schools of spinning dolphin to the target zone.

As the smartest creature in the sea and man’s closest genetic marine equivalent, dolphins are a fisherman’s ally because they corral smaller baitfish into spherical pods.

These pods are feeding beacons to larger pelagics (Yellowfin Tuna, Sailfish, Marlin, etc.) so it’s no suprise that Hulsey pulled this monster Pacific Sailfish right out from under the feeding frenzy.

This beast is estimated to weigh 100lbs. and is a sign of good fishing to come in the next few weeks. Another great release by the famous Wanderer.

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!

 

November 18, 2012

Brad and Annette Negaard are visting Nosara from good ole’ Jacksonville, FL and they are just the most recent in a long line of First Coast anglers who’ve successfully invaded Sailfish City. The Wanderer headed offshore at 7am armed for battle and as usual the mighty flagship delivered the goods.

The Negaard’s are proud alums of Jacksonville University (mascot: Dolphins) so it is fitting that Annette and Brad bested two of the baddest fish in the ocean. Even in Costa Rica, Dolphins are smarter than Sailfish.

They had a double hook-up leading to a pair of safe releases, plus had a third Sailfish escape just a few yards from the boat. Great performance from these Northeast Florida anglers! Here’s the second release:

 The Negaards have another trip on the schedule for the 20th so stay tuned!

November 15, 2012

Our new buddy TJ Conrads brought his family down from Boise, ID to take aim at some big game. TJ is an interesting adventurer who wrote the book on traditional longbow hunting (hunting with a wooden bow and arrows that he literally makes).

For 30 years he has published Tradtional Bowhunter Magazine which is the leading voice in the field.

Mr. Conrads is also the author of the “Traditional Bowhunter’s Handbook” (left). 

He has hunted with bow and arrow all over the world, in every different place you can imagine. An outdoorsman’s outdoorsman, TJ was also thrilled with the idea of offshore Costa Rican fishing.

Fortunately the Wanderer never leaves port without a full quiver and Captain William set his aim offshore at the blue water beasties.

Things got off to a fast start with this bright green Dorado finding its way to the ice chest in the first hour of the half day trip.

This respectable Dorado clocks in around 25lbs. and will certainly keep the family fed for the week.

Captain William guided the Wanderer a little further offshore into billfish territory and on cue a mean pair of Sailfish took off with baits just after 10am.

TJ and the posse reeled ’em in while the crew coordinated the daring and difficult Double Sailfish Release.

Great safe fish-handling like always by the incomparable First Mate Alex, and truly a fishing feat for the ages by TJ Conrads and his family.

We look forward to seeing Mr. Conrads again down the road…can’t say the same for these fellas:

November 4, 2012

Another great trip for Scott and his group today on the Wanderer. They added to their tasty Dorado haul with two more monsters.

They also added the first big Yellowfin Tuna of the season with this excellent catch estimated at 25lbs.

Later in the day Scott released a nice Pacific Sailfish. Estimated to weigh around 115lbs., this is the first billfish release of the season for the flagship.

Nice wig…I guess the Halloween spirit stuck around a few extra days for this posse. As always this billfish was safely released and we look forward to catching him again.

October 7, 2012

Cara Macksoud and her group came to Nosara for some green season relaxation, and fortunately the weather cooperated on October 7 for a little offshore billfish hunt. They put a nice 5lbs. Red Grouper on ice first thing in the morning, then headed offshore in search of Sailfish.

This skyrocketing monster hit the baits just after noon and was released after a short but vigorous 20 minute fight.

We should have more pics of this release really soon. Keep an eye right here for more ‘off-season’ action from Captain David and the unstoppable Explorer.

September 15, 2012

 

Tim Seyda and his lovely wife Nancy were interested in some billfish hunting and were willint to wait for a break in the weather to try it. These Northeast Florida anglers have wetted many a line, but this is the first Sailfish to which they have ever buried the hook.

They also added a tasty Pacific Ponpano for the dinner table and made it to shore just in time to beat the incoming afternoon rain storms. Definately a great way to spend their last day before returning to Jacksonville.

¨Craig: Fun trip caught one sailfish…. first time been fishing for sail so glad we caught one ….. Thanks again and was fun to meet u guys….¨
pure vida
Tim / Nancy Seyda

 

September 1, 2012

Australian badass Ross Boyce closed down the season today on the unstoppable Explorer and send the Super panga to the hill with a great send off. He replicated his awesome performance earlier in the week with another pair of Sailfish releases.

Ross boasts that he has fishing in small boats for big game all around the world, but his experience on the Explorer was truly one for the memories.

The Super panga ends the year with a staggering number of trips run (120) and bright future for the 2013 season. Stay tuned because if the weather breaks over the next two month we may just sneak the Explorer back in the water for some scattered day trips.

We were told that this hull could withstand a beating, but even in our wildest dreams we never imagined that this boat would stand so strong after so many trips. Big thanks to our main man Ernesto at NBC Boatworks…we´ll be calling him soon for a 15 foot panga for our new Garza transport vessel for sure!

August 30, 2012

Our new friend Ross Boyce is a world beating angler who comes to us from Brisbane, Australia. His email to us was so good that we’ve decided to reproduce it verbatim:

Great day yesterday, although nearly didn’t get to go. Overnight Wednesday we had the obligatory thunderstorm but with the loudest and most continuous thunder I have heard in my life and the most intense rain here for quite a number of years in such a short time; so much so the bridge on the road to Playa Garza had water over the top of the railings. (In actual fact it was to the top, approximately 4 feet over the road.)
 
Left at 7.30 but because of the rain, the foreshore water was brown and full of debris for about a mile out or more which precluded us from any bottom fishing. So headed for about the 12-14 mile mark out to sea where the swell was varying from 6 to 10 feet. Absolutely no action for trolling from 8.30 to 11.00; by this time we were about 18 –20 mile out then Wham!

Absolutely full of action for the next 2 .5 hours – a total of 6 sailfish caught and released including two double hook ups!!! Huge adrenaline rush.

Carlos (deck hand) and Captain David were brilliant and professional in the execution of boat work, gear rigging and handling of the fish during the capture and release. GREAT JOB….


 
During the past 2 years I have charter fished on the Great Barrier Reef, other parts of Australia, King fish at Tairua East Coast of New Zealand, Yellow Fin Tuna at Key West Florida, and on this vacation Salmon at Quadra Island, British Columbia before coming to Nosara and can I assure you the operation here is First Class!


 
Further heavy rain and thunder are expected in the next 24 hours..so will have to wait on the weather for the next charter.
The last picture indicates 5 fingers of the number of fish; but my camera battery ran out..bugger.


 
Ross Boyce
Manly, Brisbane Australia
currently in Nosara..August 31st