Pacific Sailfish

They are common in the offshore fishing waters within 20 miles of the Guatemalan shore all year around, although they concentrate most in the months of October through May. A terrific light tackle opponent, the Sailfish is known for its schooling, multiple hook-up tendencies and aerial acrobatics.

The Pacific variety are significantly larger than their Atlantic cousins – with an average fish being in the 80-100lb range – and much larger fish in the 120 lb class common. 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 and Guatemala is considered prime.

On average you can experience 15 to 20 bites a day. During the peak season from October through June, 40 or more bites a day is not uncommon. The top boats release over 2,000 Sailfish a year. On March 11, 2006 the daily release record was achieved with an unbelievable 124 Sailfish released.

Pacific Marlin Blue, Black, Striped

Pacific Blue Marlin make their homes all across the Pacific, including the warm blue waters of Guatemala. The best season is considered to be in the months of October-November and April-May but just like any species and fishery, yearly fluctuations do occur.

We do raise occasional black and stripe Marlin, but the waters of Guatemala are predominantly inhabited by blue Marlin which average between 200 and 500 pounds.

This is a heavy, thick set marlin of warm Indo-Pacific oceans which reaches our northern coasts in summer months wandering in the waters off Guatemala. The short, thick spear, low dorsal lobe and fixed pectoral fin are features which immediately distinguish this species from the more abundant striped Marlin. Specialists targeting black Marlin with large live-baits continue to have success.

Dorado (Mahi Mahi)

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. In Guatemala, 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!! If a Dorado is caught a part or all of it is used to make ceviche, a local delicious specialty.

Yellowfin Tuna

The Yellowfin is a prize. And Guatemala has its share. 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. Some anglers will tailor their entire mindset to target and catch the Yellowfin Tuna.

It is highly esteemed both as a sport fish and as table fare. Its flesh is very light compared to that of other tunas, with the exception of the albacore, which has white meat.

Prime season for Yellowfin is July through December, though like most species, they are caught to some degree year round in Guatemala waters.

Wahoo

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.

This specie of billfish is pelagic and seasonally migratory, it tends to be a loner or travel in small groups of 2 to 6 fish. It is reputed to be one of the fastest fish in the sea, attaining speeds of 50 mph (80 km) and more. The first scorching run may peel off several hundred yards of line in seconds. Occasionally this fish jumps on the strike and often shakes its head violently when hooked in an effort to free itself.

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.