Guatemala Sailfishing Reports - Sailfish/Bill fish
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 billfishing 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.