January 11, 2012

We have received word of a MASSIVE Dorado caught on the Wanderer by client Jim Bates that may be the biggest of the season so far. Captain William reports that this monster weighed upwards of 50lbs. and by these pictures I think he may be underestimating a bit.


What an excellent gaff shot by First Mate Alex! For those who don’t know the goal is to strike the fish in the head as far from the filets as possible. This prevents blood contamination in the meat and ensures maximum meat yield.

“Thanks for everything Craig…we will back again. The house was great and my friends had a great time. The Wanderer was a nice boat and great crew. We saw lots of wildlife and caught dinner…not bad! Thanks again for all your hospitalityย  we will be back as soon as we can.” -Jim Bates


January 3, 2012

John Fitzgerald from Connecticut caught the first Striped Marlin of the season today on the 26-foot fish-fightin’ Explorer. This rarest of all Marlin species weighed and estimated 200lbs. and was released alive and unstressed as always.

Excellent work by First Mate Carlos on the safe handling of this majestic fish.

It’s amazing how fast the fishing can turn down here…just yesterday Captain William of the Wanderer filed this unfortunate report: “Well, really slow today. We only had a sail on the teaser, but nothing. It’s too windy offshore and the water is green.” Now, Captain William can catch fish in a crock pot so if he says they ain’t bitin’ trust me they ain’t bitin’

Just a day later and Mr. Fitzgerald potentially fished himself right into the Hall of Fame.ย  He backed up the Marlin release with this nice Jack on a topwater plug.



Check out this email we got from Mr. Fitzgerald: Hey Craig just wanted to let you know that Cap David and Carlos are a great team! They put me on a bunch of fish today including a 200 plus Striped Marlin!!! Pura Vida! Many thanks John Fitz”

Great work by Captain David, First Mate Carlos, John Fitzgerald and the unconquerable Explorer on the first Striped Marlin of the season.

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!

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 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.

June 26, 2011

We went fishing on Nice ‘N’ Tight with Captain Eduardo on June 26. Thank you for a wonderful and memorable experience! Captain Eduardo was extremely helpful, professional, and an all around great man. He made our fishing experience so much fun.

Eric caught a pompano and 40lb amber jack! I had fun catching trigger fish!

After our catch being cut into fillets and returning to Casa Tucan, we had lovely fish tacos and grilled fish steaks prepared for us and the other hotel patrons! We were all very excited! Thanks again and if we make it back to Nosara, we will definitely be seeing you. As promised, here are pictures of our catch!

Pura Vida!

Christina and Eric

New Jersey

February 22, 2011

Client Submitted Report: Brenton Young

“We had an awesome time on the boat.ย  As a person who has fished most of my life I understand slow days.ย  We paid for a boat charter and there is no promise of fish.ย  The group said it was one of the best days they have had in CR and thoroughly enjoyed the ride.”

Fishing in Costa Rica

“William and Alex were awesome and made the trip even more enjoyable.ย  Alex really knows he is doing, and William took us through a huge pod of porpoise several times because he saw how happy it made the girls.”

“I will be back and will definitely charter the Wanderer again.”

January 10, 2011

It’s been more than a month, but the crew here at FishingNosara is still glowing from the Loughran wedding. It was the first destination wedding that we have had down here and featured five full days of fishing on the Wanderer, a full-on pig roast/marimba band fiesta, and of course the white-glove service that has made Nosara Paradise Rentals famous. Check out this great email we got:

“Wow—i cannot believe how awesome our wedding was!!! And it was so great b/c of you and all of your staff—especially Javier…we told him that he could add “Wedding Planner” on his resume…ha ha…that man knows how to get things done!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ It was such a special occasion and man, we have some good stories from that week!!!”

“Thanks again Craig for all your hard work and effort!!! I know my dad can get a little intense when it comes to fishing, but what other family can say they caught their own food for the wedding reception!!! ๐Ÿ™‚ Love it!!!”

Mary Loughran Foster

January 2, 2011

Our good friend Eduardo Barrios is back in Nosara. With several trips on the Wanderer under his belt, Sr. Barrios was itching to try the new Explorer. He brought his youngest daughter out and Captain David put them on some fish early and often.

“Lost track of how many black tuna,” writes Eduardo. “At least 10 plus one jack and two snappers.ย  And of course we lost several great hits that we just couldn’t get any leverage on. Below is a pic of what we took home.”



“We also had the opportunity to see a few sting rays, a whale, lots of turtles and dolphin. My daughter absolutely loved it.”

November 23, 2010

Russ and Nikki’s River Adventure

Adventure awaits around every corner in Costa Rica. Clients Russ and Nikki were on their way home from Nosara when they came upon a washed out bridge.


With no land access to the other side, Russ and Nikki were in danger of missing their outgoing flight in San Jose.

FishingNosara to the Rescue!

After loading their luggage across the river in a sling, it was Nikki and Russ’ turn.

They made it safe to the other side and made it home without further incident.
Great work by Javier, Manuel and Cumi in overcoming this obstacle.

Here is the email she sent to us:

“Thank you!! The trip was quite an adventure, looking back I wouldn’t change a thing!ย  We will be planning a trip back to Nosara during the “non-rainy” season. The staff at Nosara Paradise Rentals are a.m.a.z.i.n.g.!! and we are looking forward to seeing everyone again.”

ย Pura Vida,
~niki~