More and more anglers are hearing and reading stories about fly fishing for Billfish, Dorado and Tuna. Some of them get curious and decide to try it out. After a trip to Guatemala it’s easy to catch the “this is the only way of fishing for billfish” bug. In fact, anglers like the challenge and intensity of saltwater fly fishing so much that it has become one of the fastest growing segments of the recreational bill fishing industry, gaining in popularity by leaps and bounds every season. Catching a billfish on a fly rod is different than fly fishing for Spanish mackerel, redfish, jack crevalle or snook. The adrenaline rush when fighting a sailfish is similar to catching a 70 to 140 pound tarpon and it goes off the chart if a marlin or giant tuna is hooked. Be ready for a fight!

When a sailfish takes the fly…the angler better have at least a rod for 12 weight line, a reel with a good drag and plenty of backing. Sailfish sometimes go absolutely berserk when they are hooked, they jump, dive, swim side-to-side, skip on the surface, try to jump into the boat and then do it all over again…you imagine a maneuver and some sailfish is bound to attempt it.

Now if a marlin shows up…better have a rod for 15 or 16 weight line with matching reel and hope it’s not a 600-pound or larger monster. Marlins can take off like a rocket, jump, dive and while the angler is reeling in line figuring out where the fish went, what looks like another marlin jumping off in the distance is actually your fish! Unlike sailfish, marlins often get so excited while being “teased” and fought that they change colors along their flanks, “lighting up” as the crews call it. It’s a sight anglers will treasure forever.

While all this is going on, if you bring a camera, one of the mates or the captain is clicking away. At The Hook we support conservation efforts so any billfish you catch will be returned to the sea.

The current world’s fly fishing record is 23 sailfish caught and released in one day. This record was set in February 2003 in Guatemala. Our boats fish in these same Pacific waters and use the same type of equipment and methods that set this current worlds record, except we try to get those expensive flies back! Each of our boats is equipped with quality fly equipment from 9-15Wt that is available for our clients to use free of charge.

Of course if you wish to bring your own fly equipment, the crews will be happy to help you to rig them in the optimal way for sailfish or marlin.