Tag: Sailfish

December 12, 2011

Our great friend Jeff Grosshandler and his uncle Arthur enlisted Captain William and First Mate Alex for an offshore billfish hunt today on the mighty Wanderer. They set off for the blue water and had two good shots at Pacific Sailfish.

These guys are used to fishing the brutal waters of the Northeast Atlantic where a 120 mile trip to deep water is the norm. Quite a change of pace to ride for 15 minutes and be in 600 feet of water!

The first one spit the hook, but his buddy gulped the ballyhoo from the long shotgun line and the fight was on!


The mighty Sailfish bucked and danced, tail-walking and grey-houndingย  the whole way but Arthur Grosshandler kept tension on the line as Captain William expertly backed the Wanderer toward the fish.

A brief fight ensued and First Mate Alex professionally handled and released this beauty unstressed and unharmed.

“We had a good fight and my uncle and I had a great time. Alex and William really are a great team, Alex very much impressed my uncle….he was smiles ear to ear. Plus the weather was great and hopefully we will get some more on Wednesday.” -Jeff Grosshandler

We’re looking forward to it…can’t say the same for the fish though!

December 4, 2011

Lots of great action today as both the Wanderer and Explorer both have excellent trips to report.

Derek and Cynthia Bowker come to Nosara from the tiny town of Joesph, Oregon but this husband and wife team caught a trio of MASSIVE Sailfish in Costa Rica that should have the whole town talking.

The first one slammed the outrigger bait and Captain William was quick on the draw to snap this excellent photo:


First Mate Alex brought the monster in close and executed a perfect release.


It’s hunting buddy wasn’t far behind and torpedoed down the center exhaust alley munching baits the whole way. Alex expertly presented a naked ballyhoo rig and Sailfish number two hooked up within 25 feet of the transom.


Captain William followed some dolphins around looking for meat fish and although the Wanderer shot at a 30lbs. Tuna and a mysteriously huge Dorado, the fishbox stayed clean this time.

However the day was saved by a late Sailfish release, the third of the day. Fantastic fishing from the Oregon-based Team Bowker!


November 28, 2011

On the morning of November 28 we received a report of five White Tunas and and some Bonitas from client Jeff Sampson from Colorado. Jeff has fished in a couple of times in Nosara before, but this was his first trip with Captain William on the famous Wanderer.

After the inshore harvest, they decided to go offshore and hunt billfish.

They had a few nice Sailfish in the spread throughout the day and released 3 of the beautiful behemoths before returning to Garza.

Great work by Mr. Sampson in displaying the patience and perseverance required for great billfish success…third trip is a charm!

November 22, 2011

She had a very special group with her this time: her family! The posse consisted of son Daniel, daughter Brooke, daughter-in-law Maria Yetty, and several of her grandkids visiting from the United States for Thanksgiving.

“Ever see a 15 year old kid who says he never caught anything trolling on the end of a mean Sail?” writes Richmond. “It was great.”

Awesome release by Oliver and Zeke Sheilds-Wald!

The Phipps posse released this Sailfish and lost a big Yellowfin tuna on the first day. On their second trip the group stayed inshore and had an absolute feeding frenzy on their hands.ย  Maria Yetty was the hot rod catching several tasty White tunas.

The big fish was this 20lbs. Amberjack, but they backed that catch up with a total of four White Tunas, five Jack Crevalles and a pair of nice Bonitas.

November 21, 2011

Matthew McCabe and his group just got back to shore from the Explorer and have some excellent catches to report. They released one of the biggest sailfish of the season (at least 130lbs.); the picture weighs 5 pounds!

They finished the day off with a 35lbs. Mahi-Mahi and a nice White Tuna. Great day of fishing for the McCabe group!

November 19, 2011

Captain Josh Eldridge and his wife Jennifer are in Nosara celebrating their 6th wedding anniversary, so obviously the perfect way for the IGFA-certified charter captain from Nantucket to celebrate was with some high-powered billfish hunting on the Wanderer.


Captain Josh and his wife had a super nice day with five Sailfish releases (including a Double header) backed up by a 30 lbs. Dorado for the dinner table.


“We a great time with William and Alex!” -Captain Josh Eldridge via email

November 18, 2011

It’s all about small adjustments when it comes to big time billfishing. Since the full moon passed yesterday the blue water break has moved offshore, which means the Sailfish bite has moved from 10am to about 1pm.

Chuck Darner, Bill Wilderotter, Gary Newman, and Ronnie Dorsett found this to be true when, after a dreadfully slow morning, the beautiful bullets came calling in the afternoon.


They released 3 more pacific sails on the Wanderer and displayed the yeoman’s patience required to best such beasts.

November 17, 2011

Amazing day for Chuck Darner and his posse on the Wanderer! With several Sailfish release under their belts this week, these Jacksonville anglers set their sights on another beautiful billfish release.


It was Chuck’s turn to do billfish battle this time and his prey put on quite a show for the crews’ cameras. What a fighter!


First Mate Alex kept the fish close and the fight was over in less than 20 minutes. With Chuck assisting the Wanderer released this beautiful monster unharmed and unstressed.


For a victory lap Bill Wilderotter put yet another tasty green Dorado into the fishbox. Excellent results from the Jacksonville anglers and the Wanderer.

November 15, 2011

Chuck Powell and Chris Landis were back on the Wanderer for another great day of fishing. Captain William put the boys on a school of spinning dolphins and everyone knows that when dolphins are feeding the billfish are not far behind.


This excellent Sailfish was released by Chuck and was the highlight of the day. There was other action but no solid hook-ups; still this keeps our sailfish-a-day streak alive and we are looking forward to even more billfish in the near future.

Another safe release by First Mate Alex! Great work all-around by mates, anglers and Captain William.


November 15, 2011

After a week serving as the spotter mate on the Wanderer, Captain David was back on the barroom brawler on November 15. FishingNosara Hall of Fame alums Chuck Darner, Bill Wilderotter, Ronnie Dorsett and Jerry Newman were back in Nosara with aspirations of more legendary fishing.

They joined Captain David on the Explorer for a great half-day of action along with newly-minted FishingNosara team member Carlos.

Our newest mate has a lifetime of experience on these waters, is an excellent boatman, and to quote US Representative Craig Sutton, “has the best eyes I have ever seen!”

There have been so many great performances from Jacksonville, FL fishermen down here in Costa Rica that the fish let out a groan when they see anglers wearing the logos of the Jacksonville Offshore Sportfishing Club and Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament…the fish know that it’s about to be a long day.

Bill Wilderotter released a nice Sailfish and just missed on another one. For the dinner table Chuck Darner boated a big green 40lbs. Dorado; excellent catch considering that the boys were just at the beginning of their week in Costa Rica…no need to hit the fish market!