Tag: Sailfish

April 3, 2012

Fresh off of their Top Angler award from the 2012 Ship of Fools Tournament, Captain William and First Mate Alex of the Wanderer aimed to keep the good times rollin’ for client Darren Godes and his family.

This crew has set a new standard for sportfishing in Costa Rica and they are deserving the title of best boat in the bay.

Nosara was drenched by rain overnight so getting the Godes posse to Garza was a bit tricky, but once they left shore the weather was clear and the fish were stirred up from the influx of new water.

This Sailfish was hungry and at 11:30 bit into the wrong ballyhoo.

The fight was furious but short, with this monster being safely released 11 minutes after hook-up…that’s how the pros do it!

With the trophy fish released, the Wanderer went looking for dinner and found it in the form of this 35lbs. Grouper lurking around 250 feet. This tasty beast was on ice just before 2pm and was on the dinner table at 7pm.

Great work by Captain William, First Mate Alex, and the Godes family on some great offshore action.

March 28, 2012

Chris DiCola and his lovely wife Carolyn have been fishing hard this whole week, but March 28 was certainly the highlight of their four fishing excursions. Enlisting Captain William and First Mate Alex of the legendary Wanderer, this husband and wife fishing team from Pennsylvania went on a very fruitful billfish hunt.

They released two Sailfish during the 10am morning bite, then added one more during the 1pm afternoon session.

As an added bonus Chris nailed this meaty Dorado for the dinner table.

Chris and Carolyn were nice enough to provide the filets for a little dinner party at Rancho Tico with Craig, Matty, Captain Jack, and the Bickel group. As always great friendships are forged over fresh fish filets.

March 27, 2012

Jeff Bickel was introduced to big Sailfish when he had a double release with his brother Brian back in January. 

This time there was a mighty billfish waiting on him and he bested this beastie in just 15 minutes.

Our new friend Steve matched his fishing buddy with a tremendous Sailfish release of his own.

Of course First Mate Alex saw to the safe release of both monsters. With the trophies released, Jeff and Steve checked in at the fish market and scooped up more that 50 pounds of Mahi-mahi.

Great gaff shot by First Mate Alex but an even better photo by Captain William:

 

 

March 26, 2012

Our new friends Chris and Carolyn DiCola ripped the Sailfish out of the frame on their first day of fishing today. The bills came in hot and heavy, but the Wanderer has built a reputation as the toughest bill collector in town.

The days action saw three beautiful Sailfish releases…great work on the reels by Team DiCola and by First Mate Alex to ensure the unstressed release of these magical creatures.

The DiCola’s have much more fishing planned this week, so look out for these Pennsylvania-based anglers.

March 14, 2012

Our old friend George Shipley returned to the blue waters of Garza hoping for a repeat of his excellent performance on the Explorer back in February 2011. With his young son in tow, Mr. Shipley opted for the more spacious Wanderer and once again he was face-to-face with a mighty pacific billfish.

This Pacific Sailfish weighs about 135lbs. and is a wonderful example of the beasts that lurk just a few miles off of our shores. Great work by the crew to ensure the safe release of this majestic beast.

March 4, 2012

John Winter Preiss returned to the Explorer for a full day of fishing and proved that with 8 hours to work with (and such close proximity to the blue water) it is possible to nab billfish and bottom fish on the same day.

Captain David set up on the reefs at Pincha Padre around 11 am and gathered the required bait for offshore hunting; meanwhile John and his group plucked a meaty pair of Groupers off of the reef.

In an abnormal development, the Red Grouper has been more prevalent than the Broomtail Grouper recently. Nice to see a true Broomtail again!

As the 1pm Sailfish bite neared, Captain William and Mate Carlos took the unbreakable Explorer out the blue water and put the billfish spread on display. A high-flying Sailfish came calling and charged one of the outrigger lures. The hook found its home and the fight was on with this acrobatic Sailfish.

Great bill and release by Mate Carlos to ensure the safety of boat, fish, and angler. Carlos is a local legend in Garza and his fishing prowess is unmatched; he has been a wonderful addition to the Explorer and has cemented her reputation as the best mid-sized boat in the bay.

The Explorer proves what can be done in this fertile fishery with the right combination of boat size, motor power, and tackle; this boat has no equal!

February 27, 2012

John Murdaugh and his group come from a small South Carolina town but when these guys hit the water in Nosara they meant buisness big-time. On board the magnificent Wanderer with Captain William and First Mate Alex, these guy brought home a trio of fish that are all monsters in their own regard; taken together this is truly the trip of a lifetime.

This 50+lbs. Dorado was first out of the chute and John brought him in like an old pro. Next up was a mighty Pacific Sailfish who they caught and released very efficeintly…less than 15 minutes from hook up to release.

The final fight was from a MASSIVE Striped Marlin that came screaming through the baits like a banshee. The fight was a true test of angling mettle, but John Murdaugh and his team were apt to win the battle. Both billfish were  safely released as always…nice  work by First Mate Alex.

I can’t wait to see the video from their pole camera but hopefully we’ll have in up here real soon.

A fantastic day of catching that will have the whole town of Hanahan, SC talking.