Guatemala Sailfishing Reports - Sailfish/Bill fish
August 2003

Mr. Kalshmitt
11th, On the La Sirena 2 Dorado's (½ day);
12th, On the Sirena 2 sails

Lawrence Crosby party

On the 28th of August, Larry and Tony Crosby along with their lifelong friend James Williamson of New York City came down to Guatemala for their second fishing trip. They stayed at the Villas del Pacífico Resort in one, one bedroom mini suite with kitchen, and one single room. They really liked the resort and explained that they all enjoyed going to the weekend disco and floor show.

August 29th. They boarded the La Piragua (31' Bertram) at about 7:00 A.M. at the new Pez Vela Marina. All of our boats leave from the new marina assuring a safe and uneventful passage to the Pacific. The other passage that some operators use is the old inlet, this is very dangerous with several accidents happening every year. Sometimes boats need to wait up to 30 minutes for the right set of waves before getting out to the Pacific. Because of the storms in Mexico causing a lot of green water, the La Piragua needed to go 50 miles before reaching blue water. The fishing was slow; however, they did catch and release two nice sized sails and brought back one Dorado. They also caught one Yellow-fin tuna that the crew made into a huge bowl of ceviche, which they really enjoyed. After returning to the hotel, getting refreshed and partaking of the large buffet they had drinks at the bar while enjoying a round of pool.

August 30th. On this day the La Piragua was set for a day of inshore fishing. The day produced five rooster-fish, six Spanish mackerel and several Jacks. They retired early after another grand meal at the Villas del Pacifico's buffet.

On the 31st we all took a nice leisurely drive to the Spanish Colonial city of Antigua Guatemala, going from sea level to 5300ft in about an hour. On the way we passed by sugarcane fields near the coast, shade grown coffee plants in the mountains and by the base of three volcanoes. Once in Antigua sightseeing and shopping were in order along cobble stone covered street. The night was spent at Casa Santo Domingo, the premier hotel in Antigua Guatemala. It was a convent, dating back to 1547, which was converted into what is arguably the most beautiful hotel in the city.

September 1st. We could tell Casa Santo Domingo had worked its magic (candles and old-fashioned lamps, statues of saints and other Spanish Colonial relics, bird of paradise plants, fountains, etc.) last night. We drove among the mountains from Antigua to Guatemala City in about an hour, taking one of the Crosby brothers to the airport. Afterwords, some sightseeing along the streets and avenues of the city was done before checking in at the Guatemala City Intercontinental Hotel, the premier hotel in the city. We said goodbye to our new friends then and wished them a safe trip back the next day.

October 2003

Roberto Lara
6th, On the La Piragua 3 sails, 5 Dorado's.
Weather was excellent with clear skies, a lot of sun and calm seas.

The weekend of Oct.11th and 12th.2003

The blue water line has been slowly moving in over the past several weeks. This Saturday and Sunday fishing was between 20 and 35 nautical miles from the coastline. The early mornings are very calm with winds picking up after 2:00P.M. These are the bill fishing results as reported by the sport-fishing boats captains. Overall rating for this weekend was fair.

Results for Saturday Oct.11th

1.Full Circle 31ft. Bertram 4 releases out of 6 hits.

2.La Pelagian 37ft. Rybovich 6 releases out of 6 hits.

3.La Classic 31ft. Bertram 4 releases out of 6 hits.

Results for Sunday Oct.12th

1.La Gadiel 33 Tiara 2 Medium Dorados - They only went out for a couple of hours inshore fishing.

2.La Pelagian 37ft. Rybovich 4 releases out of 8 hits.

3.La Classic 31ft.Bertram 6 releases out of 6 hits plus one 200lb+ Blue Marlin

Water Temperature 80º-85º
Air Temperature 85°-90º
Humidity 92%
Wind North at 2-4 mph
Conditions Scattered Clouds (SCT) : 1,800 ft
Visibility - 8ft.

Fishing Tech.

On the way to the fishing area, Ballyhoo are attached to sailfish rod leaders and a Marlin rod is made ready with a mackerel. When the fishing area is reached the sport fishing boat slows down and gets ready to troll. Both outriggers are extended and drag hook-less lures, usually plastic shapes resembling squids. Four sailfish rods are deployed, two with their lines attached to the outriggers and two placed in their holders at the back of the boat one at each corner, all dragging Ballyhoo. Additional rods, including the Marlin rod, are placed nearby in case they are needed.

Once a sailfish has been raised and taken the bait, the captain slows down the boat and reels in the squid shapes on the outriggers always keeping an eye on the fish, one mate reels in the other lines as quickly as possible so they don't snag and the mate in charge of the rod with the fish runs to it and gets ready to "set the hook". Depending on the anglers' preference, he or the mate can set the hook. If a double or triple hookup should happen, then it gets really exciting with anglers and mates shouting and running all over the boat trying not to bump into each other and entangle the lines. If the angler asks, the boat will back up closing in on the area where the bill-fish is swimming to shorten the time the bill fish is fought.

Boat of the week :

Piragua, 31' Bertram

Twin 210 hp marine diesel Caterpillar engines power this boat. It is equipped with a depth finder, GPS, VHF radio, fish finder, compass, CD player, and head. Standard equipment includes: a fighting chair, 4 Penn rods with Shimano reels and 20lb. line, 1 special Marlin rod with reel and 50 lb. line, 2 spinning rods and reels with spinning tackle, outriggers. The bait is Ballyhoo and the hooks used are circle hooks. Captain Manolo Díaz, with 10 years experience, runs this boat. This multiple award winner won a record in 2002 for bringing in a 225lb. Marlin on a fly rod and 15lb. tackle. It also placed third in the 2002 Presidential Challenge.

All boats come with an ice box stocked with snacks, lunch items and drinks including beer. Will supply wine upon request.

Mike Mulhearn party
25th. On the La Piragua - 2 sails on the fly
26th. On the La Piragua - 1 sail on the fly
27th. On the Full Circle - 4 on fly
28th On the Full Circle - 2 on fly
29th On the Full Circle - 0 on fly

November 2003

Israel Marin
29th On the La Gadiel 5 sails, 3 Dorado's

December 2003

Evelyn Kanga
6th On the La Tranquility 9 sails, 2 Dorado's
7th On the La Tranquility 19 sails

Rafael Garcia Prende
7th On the La Gypsy 10 sails

Pat Gomes
14th On the La Piragua 23 sails

Kathy Arth party
27th On the La Gadiel 4 sails

Elton Trent party
29th On the Blue Light Special 27 sails
30th On the Blue Light Special 7 sails
31th On the Blue Light Special 19 sails