Guatemala Sailfishing Reports - Sailfish/Bill fish

September 26, 2003

Our group of Micheal Spencer and friends from Georgia and Columbia went out on the La Piragua 31ft.Bertram for a good days fishing excursion. They traveled out about 30 miles before coming upon good blue water. During the day they raised 14 Pacific Sailfish of which 9 took the bait and were released. Mike explained that his friends from Georgia have their own 29ft.cat. and do a lot of tuna fishing. They had the pictures to prove it (some real nice 60 to 90lb. yellow-fins). This however was their first time doing real billfishing. They had read a lot of articles from Saltwater Magazine and stated that Guatemala is for real!! Come back again guys and soon!

Water Temp. 80-85 degrees F.
Clarity about 8 ft.
Seas 1 to 1 1/2 meters
Weather partly cloudy

The La Piragua :

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.