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Bluewater bill fishing at its best
Sail fishing off the Pacific coast of Guatemala, the northern most country of Central America, right next to Mexico's southern border, offers anglers a once in a lifetime international sports fishing experience. Anglers return home with many memories that will last forever. Guatemala sportfishing has earned a worldwide reputation as THE destination for your billfish fishing trip because anglers regularly have shots at 20+ Sailfish per day. In addition to the prolific sailfish population , there are opportunities for Blue marlin, Black marlin, Tuna and Dorado. By airplane it's approximately 2 hours from Miami, 3 hours from Houston, 3.5 hours from Atlanta and 4.5 hours from Los Angeles.
There is nowhere else in the world with such a consistent record of high catch rates for billfish as Guatemala. Such a prolific population ensures that all members of the trip have the opportunity to participate in the action - and to develop their skills and experience in sight fishing for large aggressive fish. The average catch is about 15 sailfish a day. These high catch rates happen because of two factors: the shape of the seafloor and ocean currents creating a favorable environment for fish that billfish feed on and because under Guatemalan law, all bill fishing is catch and release.
Sail Fish Capital of the world : There are many places in the world that call themselves the “Sailfish Capital of the World” among them Martin County and Islamorada in Florida, USA; Mazatlan and Manzanillo in Mexico; Broome in Australia, Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala and Quepos in Costa Rica. To aspire to such a lofty title means there are probably more sailfish in that particular area than anywhere else in the world, during the year. To reinforce the claim of Guatemala truly being the Sailfish capital of the world, below is a chart from the US Department of Commerce that depicts catch per unit of effort (CPUE) in number of fish per angler day reported by region from 1969 to 2004.
What makes Guatemala so special for sailfish and other billfish species? The shape of the sea bottom, the flow of ocean currents, water temperature, sea life, etc., all contribute to create a habitat in which Pacific Sailfish thrive. Most of the fishing action takes place in and around a pocket or trench, which is visible in the below picture.
The run to the fishing ranges from 17 to 46 miles on the northern edge of this pocket. Sometimes during February the fishing is in much closer with runs to the sailfish being 10 miles. Guatemala has some of the world’s most fertile Pacific Sailfish breeding grounds. The Guatemalan Government and local fishermen have also played their part by adopting a catch and release policy for billfish and the use of circle hooks.
Pacific Sailfish: Guatemala has an abundance of pacific sailfish during the months of November through May. The Huatulco area of southern Mexico has a nice abundance of Sails during the months of May through October. A terrific light tackle opponent, the sailfish is known for its schooling, multiple hook-up tendencies and aerial acrobatics. Though they generally don't get much larger than 80 to 100 pounds, they will sometimes grow up to 180 pounds. Most sport anglers release Sailfish. Caught by trolling, teasing, and drop-back baiting methods for those paying close attention to when they arrive in the lure pattern behind a boat, schooling Sailfish are the target of tournament anglers from Baja to Peru on the Pacific side and Florida to Brazil on the Atlantic side, with many locations such as Panama, Mexico, Florida and Guatemala considered prime. The IGFA record for Sailfish was set in 1947 at 221 pounds, off the coast of Ecuador. Sailfish truly are hardy fighters leaping and diving many times before becoming totally exhausted and giving in to the angler. When the angler finally brings their sail in along side the boat and looks deeply into it's large translucent eyes, he will never forget the experience. Even better, are the photographs during the action and alongside the boat, after which it is returned to the water, where it is held by one of the mates until it recuperates its strength and swims away to fight another day. It comes as a surprise to some anglers that sailfish are smooth, with no scales and covered in “sailfish goo” which makes them slippery to the touch. This is a protective coating that guards the fish against parasites so the less it is handled the better. Sailfish are found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide and are related to the Spearfish and Marlin families. Females may spawn several times a year in the warm waters off the Pacific shores of Guatemala, Central America each releasing over one million eggs at a time, which are promptly fertilized by a male. Once fertilized, the eggs hatch in a day and a half and give birth to larvae that live near the surface making them easy prey to a large variety of predators. Of the over one million eggs released by the female, less than a half a dozen will actually become adult sailfish. The larvae turn into small sailfish and from about one inch they can grow to 4 or 5 feet long in a year. When adults they can reach over nine feet in length and weight up to 140 lbs, the female generally the larger fish. However, the average catch is between 70 to 100lbs and 6 to 7 feet in length. The record is 141lbs. Once adults, sailfish only have to worry about big adult Mako sharks, their natural predators, which are scarce in this part of the Pacific Ocean. Experts say sailfish can live up to 10 years but they usually average 4 or 5. Guatemalan law states that all billfish must be released once caught. The lack of natural predators, that females spawn several times a year, the fishing policies promoted by the Government of Guatemala and that local fishermen follow those policies, as a whole, are in great part the reason why there are so many sailfish near the coasts of Guatemala making this country the best place in the world to fish for sailfish. Sailfish are mostly caught with either conventional or fly fishing equipment and both ways involve trolling. Lures and baits are dragged behind a sport fishing boat (this is called trolling) while it slowly moves through the water. Lures are a synonym for teasers because they incite the fish to come closer for a better look and hopefully make a pass at the bait. Boat crews drag plastic animal shapes (squids, fish, crabs); anything they think will catch the sailfish’s eye. Sailfish have good eyesight, that is how they spot their prey, and are extremely fast. In fact they are among the fastest fish in the sea, with a top speed of over 50mph for short distances. After the sailfish takes the bait, the crew lets it swim away several yards before setting the hook. The inside of a sailfish’s mouth is bony and the hook will not set inside, so once the fish has taken the bait and begun swimming away, that is the moment to set the hook and hopefully it will catch on the side of the mouth. Several world records have been set in Guatemala in regards to the number of fish caught per day and our boats fish in these same Pacific waters and use the same type of equipment and methods that set these world records. Length and class of boat depends on sea conditions and distance to the fishing areas. The waters off Guatemala are placid most of the year with swells an average of one and a half to three feet. When it’s bad, swells rise five to six feet. These calm waters around the world earned this body of water the name Pacific Ocean. Lately, in Guatemala, the boats are going out between 25 to 50 miles. Therefore, the boats of choice are sport fishing craft ranging from 28 feet on up. The reason boats go out so far is that offshore from Iztapa there is a big deep basin, with a couple of dormant underwater volcanoes. This basin extends into the ocean for approximately 50 miles and has a maximum depth of almost 2000 ft making it a perfect habitat for Bonito tuna, Ballyhoo, squid and other fish that sailfish eats. Sailfish tend to be found around the rim of this basin. The bait used in Guatemala for sail fishing is natural: Ballyhoo. Several dozen Ballyhoo are prepared with circle hooks before the boat leaves the dock, ready to be put on a tippet at a moments notice.
Pacific Blue Marlin
Pacific Blue Marlin make their homes all across the Pacific, including Mexican waters. The best season is considered June through September, but just like any species and fishery, yearly fluctuations do occur. Many major tournaments targeting Blue Marlin take place in October when most anglers feel the highest populations exist. The Pacific Blue Marlin is considered by many to be sportfishing's ultimate prize. Growing as large as 2000 pounds (the largest caught on rod and reel was 1,805 pounds in Hawaii in 1970), and often seen in Mexican waters from 300-600 pounds in season, the fish is as acrobatic as it is powerful. Alive, the Pacific Blue tends to make colossal runs - like times trial on a liquid dragstrip - and perform aerial shows that give even non-anglers the opportunity to witness their majestic beauty. The Blue Marlin is truly a treat to catch. Anglers like to troll artificial plugs, but when conditions dictate, live and dead baiting techniques are used extensively. Drop-backs are often employed, using Ballyhoo or similar fish as baits. When using live bait such as a skipjack tuna (7-15 pounds is a good size), the bait will exhibit certain behaviors while attached to the line. It will become nervous when a larger fish is near and a strike is impending, and this is where the angler's and the boat driver's skills must work in unison. Although many claim the right approach is to count to 10 or more after the initial strike, Marlin open their mouths wide and engulf the entire bait with a vacuum-like force, and the hook is often safely set about 3 to 5 seconds after the taking of the bait. Any longer and the fish tends to have swallowed the bait making for a less enjoyable fight and a higher chance of mortality caused by gut-hooking. Though many biological characteristics distinguish the Blue Marlin from the Black, the easiest way to tell is from the pectoral fins. On a Blue Marlin, the pecs are hinged and will retract close into the body, whereas a Black Marlin's pectorals are fixed. The current IGFA record for Pacific Blue Marlin is 1,376 pounds, and this fish was caught in Hawaii in 1982.
Black Marlin
To four and a half meters. This is a heavy, thick set marlin of warm Indo-Pacific oceans. The best season is considered June through September, but just like any species and fishery, yearly fluctuations do occur. The short, thick spear, low dorsal lobe and fixed pectoral fin are features which immediately distinguish this species from the more abundant striped marlin. Color is blue-black above, greyish-white below, and an overall bronze flush is sometimes present. Stripes are often present but may fade quickly after capture. Any other fishes are taken as food. Black marlin are most regularly encountered around shallow reef structures. Captures of this species have dwindled in recent years, largely because of the swing towards lure fishing. Specialists targeting black marlin with large live-baits continue to have success
Dorado (MahiMahi or Dolphin)
This staple table food fish is also one of the most exciting to angle for because of its abundance and aerial acrobatics. While out looking for Marlin, many anglers will often find a cargo net, a piece of plywood or some other floating debris with a nice school of Dorado underneath it. They are also often found in open schools during spawning seasons, and peak times are April or May through October. Mexican for "golden," the Dorado is also known as the Dolphinfish or Mahimahi. There is another fish bearing the Dorado name, but that fish resembles a salmon and lives in South America, so don't be confused. In the East Cape, the fish come closer to shore as the summer progresses, and while it might take a trip to 30 or 40 miles in the early season to find them, Dorado will often come in just a couple miles offshore as the temperature warms up. A popular technique for multiple hookups is to angle the first catch to a position off the stern of the boat, where it can either be left on the rod or connected to a floating bottle. The fish will return to the school, and as he does, one crew will get out the light tackle casting gear while two or three crew will watch the bottle and the floating debris. Then the fun really begins.
Yellow fin tuna
Some anglers will tailor their entire mindset to target and catch the Yellowfin Tuna. From long range boats in San Diego to offshore charter boats in Hawaii to exploring new and exciting areas, the Yellowfin is a prize. And the East Cape has its share also. Prime season for Yellowfin is July through December, though like most species, they are caught to some degree year round in the East Cape. A long time staple in the Mexican diet, Yellowfin are succulent and flavorful, especially when prepared raw with Wasabi (a mixture of soy/shoyu and green-paste Japanese horseradish), and served chilled over a bed of shredded green cabbage. Hunt for the Yellowfin the same way you would for Marlin and other gamefish; look for piles of birds such as shearwaters that are active and organized. Mix up the lures to see what they bite on a given day; sometimes it's big and purple, sometimes it's small and green. Chrome jet heads are also effective. The fun thing about Yellowfin besides their pure fighting power is once you learn what they're biting on a given day, multiple hookups are common. Bait should also be carried when targeting Yellowfin, because these fish rise and drop frequently throughout a day, and there are many times when they are down that the only thing they will bite is bait. The IGFA record for Yellowfin is 388 pounds, 12 oz. This beast was caught off San Benedicto Island in Baja in 1977
Wahoo
The rule of thumb for catching one of the fastest and the most delicious and sharpest toothed of the Mexican species of gamefish is to use the depth recorder religiously in order to stay right at 40 fathoms. Although it is essentially unknown what the reason for Wahoo's preference to this depth is, scientists have acknowledged they often hang around near the bottom in this part of the water column and then attack surface lures with a vengeance, often trying to slice their prey in half with their extremely sharp teeth. Our theory is the pressure gradient at 40 fathoms allows them to be comfortable yet still have the ability to feed on both the bottom and the surface. Mexican waters have many ledges very close to shore, and the depth often drops from 40 fathoms to a few hundred fathoms in only a few miles. Wahoo are pelagic, but very territorial. Catches in deeper water are also common, and many skippers will mark the spot of a hookup and return to it for more action. The Wahoo average size is 30 pounds, but frequent catches to 60 and 70 pounds occur, and once in awhile fish over 100 pounds do make it to the docks. The current IGFA record is 158lbs 8 oz, and was caught off of Loreto in 1996.
Rooster fish
A great fighter without exceptionally sharp maneuvers and an extended runs, the Roosterfish is 101 is anglers love to cross off their life's catch list. This fish exists throughout Mexico and is highly abundant in the East Cape area and can be caught from the beach frequently. The body shape is remarkably similar to that of the Dorado, but that's where the similarities end. The Roosterfish has a comb-like dorsal fin and have a couple of very pronounced stripes, one running along the lateral line to the tail, and the other remaining in the midsection. Usually, the larger fish travel alone or in pairs, and the smaller fish remain in schools.Common method of targeting larger rooster fish is to utilize an ATV to keep up with the quick pace, set up to cast with a live bait, and try again. The wait for the rooster fish ranges between 20 and hundred pounds and is caught anywhere from the beach out to 40 or 50 feet of water, either from the shore or from the boat. The IGFA world record for rooster fish is when 114 pounds, caught off of La Paz in 1960.
Spanish Mackerel
Color of back green, shading to silver on sides, golden yellow irregular spots above and below lateral line; front of dorsal fin black; lateral line curves gently to base of tail. Remarks: schooling fish that migrates northward in spring, returning to southerly waters when water temperature drops below 70 degrees F; spawns OFFSHORE, spring through summer; feeds on small fish and squid.
Fly fishing and conventional tackle are both accommodated in our fleet of sportfishing boats. Our crews are full time, and experienced. Our main objective is for you to have a billfishing trip of a lifetime pursuing sailfish. We carry a range of quality tackle on each of our boats.
Source: Bill fish newsletter produced by US Department of Commerce, NOAA.
Year after year Guatemala has consistent numbers of raises, bites and releases, all recorded and reported, backed up with testimonials from satisfied anglers that agree Guatemala is the best close fishing for anglers from the US. Any brief search over the Internet, in fishing magazines, cable or TV fishing shows and newspaper columns will substantiate catches of over 25 sailfish per day are common, double and triple hookups are common, on average between 15 and 22 sailfish are caught and released per boat, per day. Local boat captains with conservative estimates affirm that between 1000 and 1400 sailfish are caught and released, per boat, per year, using conventional tackle and bait. The top captains in Guatemala, that go out more trips per season, release closer to 2000 sailfish. Our boats only go out of the Marina Pez Vela located in Puerto Quetzal assuring a safe and easy passage to the Pacific Ocean. Catch, Release and Catch some more - Guatemala Fishing at its Best! There is nowhere else in the world with such a consistent record of high catch rates for billfish as Guatemala. Such a prolific population ensures that all members of the trip have the opportunity to participate in the action - and to develop their skills and experience in sight fishing for large aggressive fish.
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