The Great Sailfishing Company
Billfishing
If you ask around as to where the world’s finest sailfishing is to be found, it won’t be long before the conversation turns to Guatemala. The simple fact of the matter is that there are a lot of sailfish here and anglers typically raise 15 to 25 fish per day in the prime months of the dry season. At the Great Sailfishing Company anglers can pick from private villas complete with personal cook or tasteful accommodations within the main resort. Both venues offer a secure setting, fine food, maid service, local alcoholic drinks, shuttles to and from the marina, tackle, and last night’s accommodations in Guatemala City. In addition, anglers fish from well maintained boats with experienced captains and mates that really understand the nuances of catching sailfish on the fly.
For those who want to break up their stay with guided tours of local craft markets or a few days of inshore fly fishing for roosterfish, snook and snapper, your host will be happy to accommodate you. For the finest sailfishing experience available at a fair price and custom itineraries built to suit your specific needs, this operation receives our highest marks. The offshore waters immediately outside of Puerto San Jose/Puerto Iztapa Guatemala are without question the most sailfish rich waters in the world. The largest numbers of sailfish landed by both conventional anglers and fly anglers in a single day have both been set from this port. The fly caught record was set in 2006 and tallied more than 50 sails released by a single boat and the conventional tackle record also set in 2005 included more than 130 sailfish released. With that said, days in which 20-40 fish are raised are not uncommon and it is safe to say that for anglers looking for maximum number of shots, this is the place. Most of the fly fishing occurs in an offshore bowl that begins roughly fifteen miles offshore and terminates about forty miles offshore. The region’s sailfish typically run from 70-120 pounds and are known to be willing takers of both flies and baits. While the fish are in the region year round, prime time is considered November through mid April, as this is the time when the seas and weather are most agreeable.
Location:
The Great Sailfishing Company is located in Puerto San Jose, Guatemala.
Fishing Program:
While there are several interesting inshore venues available, including rooster fish and jacks, Guatemala is first and foremost an offshore fly fishing destination based around sailfish and secondarily marlin. The Great Sailfishing Company employs a 37ft Hattaras, a 35 ft. Bertram and a host of 31 ft. Bertrams. All boats have a captain and two mates. While the crew is local, many members speak respectable English and are highly skilled at their trade. As many as four anglers can fish from a single boat but if you are serious about getting your fish on the fly we recommend fishing with a maximum of three anglers per boat. Fly fishing trips are priced to include use of top quality rods and reels (Cam Sigler rods and Billy Pate right hand retrieve anti reverse reels). The first fly is on the house and subsequent flies/leader set ups are billed.
The process of hooking a sailfish on a fly is coordinated team effort. Hookless teasers are trolled behind the boat and when a sailfish “comes into the spread” and begins slashing at the teaser with its bill, the captain slows the boat while the mate teases the fish in towards the transom. Meanwhile the fly angler drops his fly into the water in preparation to water load the fly for the cast. As the fish draws into the 20 ft. range, the mate will yank the teaser from the water and the angler will cast the fly immediately to the right of the fish. If all goes as planned, the fish will turn on the popper and take it from the surface. Then the angler must hold tight until fish swims 8-10 ft. with the fly and then set the hook by pulling straight back in the opposite direction of the fishes path.
Typically anglers will rotate turns in 20 minute increments but this can be adjusted as clients see fit. Having a second angler at the ready is also important, as often times more than one fish will be teased in.
Fisheries :
The offshore waters immediately outside of Puerto San Jose/Puerto Iztapa Guatemala are without question the most sailfish rich waters in the world. The largest numbers of sailfish landed by both conventional anglers and fly anglers in a single day have both been set from this port. The fly caught record was set in 2006 and tallied more than 50 sails released by a single boat and the conventional tackle record also set in 2005 included more than 130 sailfish released. With that said, days in which 20-40 fish are raised are not uncommon and it is safe to say that for anglers looking for maximum number of shots, this is the place. Most of the fishing occurs in an offshore bowl that begins roughly fifteen miles offshore and terminates roughly forty miles offshore. The region’s sailfish typically run from 70-120 pounds and are known to be willing takers of both flies and baits. While the fish are in the region year round, prime time is considered November through mid April as this is the time when the seas and weather are most agreeable.
Non-Angling Activities:
For those with the time and interest to see a bit more of Guatemala, we strongly recommend adding on a day trip or overnight tour of Antigua. This is a beautiful city built in the 1500’s with lovely architecture, craft markets and a pleasing high elevation climate. Day trips typically run about $150 and for those interested we can arrange for overnight accommodations at the five-star Hotel Casa Santa Domingo (not included). This hotel is built around and encompassing the ruins of an ancient monastery and will add greatly to any trip to Guatemala.
Accommodations and Meals:
The Soleil Resort is a large secured vacation complex used primarily by affluent Guatemalans seeking weekends at the beach. There is a large and handsome resort with multiple pools, beach front, restaurants, and bars as well as 120 rooms. Groups of two anglers or less typically opt to stay at the resort where meals and local drinks are included in the package price.
For groups of 3-6 anglers there are also a host of attractive private “cupulas” or private homes that will serve as a private base for your trip. The cupulas have 3-4 bedrooms, a combination of private and shared baths, AC, and often a private pool. As part of the package you will have your own private chef, server, and daily maid service. Meals are excellent and an open bar is included at each house.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive Guatemala City, transfer to lodge.
Days 2-5: Full days of guided fishing
Day 8: Depart lodge for Guatemala City and points beyond.
Typical Daily Schedule
6:00AM - Breakfast
6:30AM - Pick up
7:00AM - Depart the marina
5:00PM - Return to dock
6:00PM - Hors d'oeurves
7:30PM - Dinner
Complete Trip Details
