The New World Hotspot for Billfish
By: Rob
A trip to Guatemala is like taking a journey back in time, when the fishing was epic and the road was less traveled. While some of the old hot spots simply aren't what they used to be, Guatemala is thriving from a lack of fishing pressure and an unbelievable billfish population. Many of the world's top billfishermen have discovered Guatemala. As Marlin Magazine wrote in a recent article, "It's no big secret that the captains and mates in Guatemala see more billfish than anywhere else in the world."
So, how did Guatemala get discovered as a fishing destination and what might you expect on your next visit?
In the early 1960’s, Cabo San Lucas (at the southernmost point of Mexico’s Baja California) Costa Rica and the Florida Keys were being discovered for amazing billfishing and adventure. But Guatemala by its very nature was relatively quiet. Guatemala is bordered by Mexico to the northwest, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast.
Most of Guatemala's coastline lies on the Pacific. Active volcanoes showcase the landscape and huge marine mountain ranges spire from the abyss creating an amazing fishery, which is perfectly suited for billfish.
While the first evidence of human settlers in Guatemala goes back to at least 10,000 BC, it wasn't until the early 1990's that Americans discovered Guatemala as a fishing destination.
Florida fishing veteran Tim Choate, who has always searched the planet for new and different fishing destinations, had set up a charter fishing operation with three boats in Costa Rica. In June of 1994, he sent his friend and legendary fishing Capt. Ron Hamlin on a sportfishing mission to scout Guatemala for marlin. While Capt. Hamlin saw plenty of marlin, what really amazed him was the amazing numbers of sailfish that congregated in the area in true epic proportions.
Capt. Hamlin had never seen as many billfish as he did in Guatemala, even on the best days in Costa Rica. Soon afterwards, Tim Caoate and Capt. Hamlin started bringing fisherman over from the States. In 1995, Tim Choate opened up the first significant resort in Iztapa, a little port town on the Pacific in Guatemala called Fins ‘n Feathers.
Back in those days, Guatemala had very little infrastructure and bad roads, compared to today's advancements. Most of the local fishermen were fishing pangas, smaller boats with outboard motors that had a range of maybe 10-15 miles. That pales in comparison to today's luxury resort operations, where you will find English-speaking crews and the latest in luxury sportfishing yachts. These boats can travel 50 miles out and more, depending where the fish are, although fishing normally takes place much closer in area called “The Pocket,” a horseshoe-shaped deep underwater canyon that is 15 miles wide.
In addition to sailfish, marlin are common, including the striped, blue and black varieties. You will also find that dorado (dolphin fish) and yellowfin tuna abound in equally impressive numbers.
But most fisherman come for what is widely considered the best sailfishing spot in the world. On average, you can experience 15 to 20 bites a day and during the peak season of October through May, 40 or more bites is not uncommon. That’s about three times the average in Costa Rica, by example.
In fact, the top boats release over 2,000 sailfish a year. On March 11, 2006, Capt. Ron Hamlin set a daily release record with an unbelievable 124 sailfish caught (and released).
In February of 2007, the original Fins 'n Feathers resort was completely redone and opened in February of 2007 as Pacific Fins Resort. It is considered Guatemala's only four-star resort, complete with villas, plasma TVs, wireless internet, free long distance phone service and gourmet cuisine.
Most importantly, Pacific Fins has Capt. Ron Hamlin as its Director of Charter Operations. Captain Hamlin is a legend in the world of billfishing, and was named the Top Tagging Captain in the Pacific by the Billfish Foundation for an unprecedented 10th year in a row. Earlier in 2008, Capt. Hamlin caught (and released) his 25,000th billfish.
Hamlin credits the incredible Guatemalan fishery as one of the keys to his success. “Let me put it this way,” Capt. Hamlin explains. “It took me 35 years to catch 3,000. The last 22,000, I caught during my 14 years in Guatemala.” Averaging as many as 2,500 billfish a year (2,809 in 2006), Hamlin says‚ “You can’t do this anywhere but Guatemala. And Hamlin should know. He has fished all over the world, including Florida, Venezuela and St. Thomas.
Capt. Hamlin was also instrumental in introducing circle hooks to billfishing as part of the catch and release movement. Circle hooks rarely end up killing billfish, so they can be released for future generations, and once you learn not to yank on the line as soon as you get a bite, they are actually more effective at hooking fish.
In fact, Hamlin was recognized by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Association in 2000 as one of our “Seven Heroes of the Environment”. Other recipients that year included Al Gore for global warming. He is one of fishing’s most honored conservationists, having been recognized by both the Billfish Foundation and IGFA.
Capt. Hamlin hopes to fish until he catches 30,000 or more billfish. “I’m taking a few more days off here and there than in the past”, Capt. Hamlin goes on to say. “But I still enjoy it. My friends tell me I have half a fish brain,” Capt. Hamlin says laughing.
Getting to Guatemala is fast and easy. It’s only a two-hour flight from Miami. Guests are picked up at the airport by an English-speaking and driven to the resort in an air-conditioned van on a modern, four-lane highway. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour (not exactly roughing it).
The best time to come is from October through June, although the summer fishing can be incredible as well. The summer season usually brings the largest marlin and tuna to the surface.
So, if you’re ready to take your fishing to the next level, consider Guatemala. With calm waters and epic billfishing, you’ll never want to come home. And with resort amenities like free wireless internet, free long distance phone calls, gourmet cuisine, a pool, bar and luxury villas with plasma TV’s, there’s no reason to go home. Unless of course, your wife calls you in missing.
Click Here to go fishing with Pacific Fins: Pacific Fins Resort
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