Captain
Stan Cook

Member since December 2024 Quepos, Costa Rica
Background
Stan is a retired US Army Special Forces veteran who started saltwater fishing as a child. Growing up, he spent most of his time outdoors hunting and fishing. By his teens, he was hooked and fished his way up and down the North Carolina coast. As a teenager, he always said he was going to buy a boat and catch the big ones. He quickly learned that boats and his fishing obsession were expensive, sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. While still on Active Duty, he started a small, part-time business with the goal of making enough money to buy his first offshore boat. That part-time business grew under his leadership and allowed him to expand his fishing obsession. After his first offshore boat, he bought a second one and opened his first charter business in Carolina Beach, NC. Stan is now on his fourth boat and has been fishing in Costa Rica for close to a decade. He is married to Michele, who is just as passionate about fishing and encourages females to become part of the offshore fishing world.
Techniques
Stan has caught thousands of fish all over the world and loved every minute of his adventures. As he aged his passion turned to putting anglers of all ages on their bucket list billfish or tuna and growing the sport for generations to come. Stan's wife, Michele is just as passionate about fishing and is and advocate for women's offshore fishing.

Hey, I'm Captain Stan Cook

Quepos, Costa Rica
Background
Stan is a retired US Army Special Forces veteran who started saltwater fishing as a child. Growing up, he spent most of his time outdoors hunting and fishing. By his teens, he was hooked and fished his way up and down the North Carolina coast. As a teenager, he always said he was going to buy a boat and catch the big ones. He quickly learned that boats and his fishing obsession were expensive, sparking his entrepreneurial spirit. While still on Active Duty, he started a small, part-time business with the goal of making enough money to buy his first offshore boat. That part-time business grew under his leadership and allowed him to expand his fishing obsession. After his first offshore boat, he bought a second one and opened his first charter business in Carolina Beach, NC. Stan is now on his fourth boat and has been fishing in Costa Rica for close to a decade. He is married to Michele, who is just as passionate about fishing and encourages females to become part of the offshore fishing world.
Techniques
Stan has caught thousands of fish all over the world and loved every minute of his adventures. As he aged his passion turned to putting anglers of all ages on their bucket list billfish or tuna and growing the sport for generations to come. Stan's wife, Michele is just as passionate about fishing and is and advocate for women's offshore fishing.
Our Team
Garden S.
First mate
Michele C.
Business associate
Bill C.
Captain
Stan C.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
5.0 / 5
(15 reviews)
Quepos
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $1,999

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
5.0 / 5
out of 5 stars from 15 reviews
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (35)
Full Day on Reel Freedom with Stan Cook
Full Day on Reel Freedom with Stan Cook
Full Day on Reel Freedom with Stan Cook
+32
Angler rating
15
0
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
100%
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Showing:
5 of 15 reviews
Justin K.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Good day in tough conditions

VERIFIED   Full Day Offshore Fishing on March 18, 2025
It wasnโ€™t a perfect set up for a great bite, but the capt and crew worked hard to set us up for success.ย  4 sails on the...
Justin K. recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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Justin K. recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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David B.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Southern Escape with Captain Stan

VERIFIED   3/4 Day Offshore on December 31, 2024
Our family of five enjoyed this tour.ย  On vacation from Georgia.ย  ย  First time deep sea fishing experience.ย  We got a...
David B. recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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David B. recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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FishingBooker Member
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Pelagic Rockstar Lifemed Team on Reel Freedom

Full Day Offshore Fishing on January 10, 2025
I have been fishing for 25 plus years off shore and by far my experience with Stan and his crew on Reel Freedom was the best....
FishingBooker Member recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
  Stan Cook Captain replied

FishingBooker Member
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

8 hr trip

3/4 Day Offshore on January 13, 2025
Caught 8 sails and one tuna. Had an amazing time. Stan and his crew were super cool
FishingBooker Member recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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FishingBooker Member recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
Mark review as helpful
You found this review helpful

FishingBooker Member
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Full day trip with Capt Stan

Full Day Offshore Fishing on September 2, 2024
Will definitely go with them again!
FishingBooker Member recommends Southern Escapes Sport Fishing
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2 persons find this review helpful
You and 2 people found this review helpful
  Stan Cook Captain replied