We will start to announce all of the special guests and sponsors that will take part in this year’s Billfish Invitational. For all of you “Cigar Aficionados”, we are happy to invite, Rodriguez Cigars to the 9th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational.
“This year for the 2024 Guatemala Billfish Invitational, the Rodriguez Cigar Company, will be providing the anglers with an exclusive rum and cigar tasting experience! We will be pairing exquisite rum with vintage cigars from the Rodriguez family collection. Also, during the event, Rodriguez Cigar will be making an exclusive product release”. – Danny Difabio, Owner Rodriguez Cigar.
In 1947, the Rodriguez family began the masterful art of cultivating tobacco on their private plantation in the town of Siguaney. The tobacco plantation was called, La Finca De Carmencita. Located in the villas province of Cuba. La Finca De Carmencita specialized in growing, aging, and curing filler tobacco leaves for numerous manufacturers throughout Cuba.
By 1952, La Finca De Carmencita employed over 20 workers and grew over 120,000 pounds of tobacco annually.
Eight years later, the Cuban government nationalized the private plantation and the Rodriguez family was forced to immigrate to the Unites States.
In 1971, the Rodriguez family found a new beginning on the beautiful island of Key West and established the Rodriguez Cigar Factory.
“Nautical Pathfinder is proud to the present our Grandslam trophy to Pacific Fins. This award is only given to the most elite fishing charters around the world. Charters must earn a score of 90 or above to obtain.
Our grading system is based on 6 key elements – service, Safety, Education, Experience, Professionalism, and Communication. Pacific Fins crushed the grading scale (95) and is truly a must visit charter for avid and serious anglers. The management and staff make this place feel like home!
If you are looking for a special fishing experience, look no further, Pacific Fins is the place to be.” – Zak Miller, Owner of Nautical Pathfinder.
What is Nautical Pathfinder? Nautical Pathfinder was created for those seeking adventure, self-growth, and interaction with nature. At Nautical Pathfinder, we produce an Exclusive list for anglers worldwide to experience the best fishing charters this world has to offer. Only the top-graded charters make our list. In doing so, we help charters improve their services as needed and keep the fishing industry thriving. We want to produce a great experience for both the angler and the charters.
Curious about Guatemala’s fishing scene in May? I’ve always been asked if the bite is as good as January through March. My answer is always the same… you can’t go wrong fishing in Guatemala any time of the year. Plus, let the numbers below be the answer.
It was an action-packed May at Pacific Fins. We had groups from the Gale Force Twins, Amanda and Emily Gale, George Gozdz Unfathomed hosted trip, and One More Bite’s Matt George.
Sailfish gave our guests banner days. Some days we raised 20+ fish and some days up to 70. You know when that happens guests become a little more inspired to try out a sail on the fly.
Marlin activity has stayed consistent and it will continue through the summer months. Congratulations to all the anglers who had big smiles on their face, as they released their first-ever blue marlin.
May Fishing Report :
May 1st – 31st: Chechos – 475 sailfish raises, 428 bites and 241 releases (7 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 7 raises, 5 bites, and 3 released. Dorados: 9 (1 on FLY) and 9 Yellowfin Tuna. (21 days of fishing).
May 2nd – 31st: Knotwork – 539 sailfish raises, 439 bites and 227 releases (2 on FLY). Blue Marlin: 8 raises, 7 bites, and 6 released. Dorado: 17. (19 days of fishing).
May 1st – 31st: Maverick – 463 sailfish raises, 416 bites and 227 releases (6 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 10 raises, 7 bites, and 3 released. Dorado: 12. Yellowfin Tuna: 3. Roosterfish: 3 and Wahoo: 1 (15 days of fishing).
May 1st – 30th: Gypsy – 146 sailfish raises, 129 bites and 84 releases. Dorado: 5. (7 days of fishing).
May 3rd – 29th: Libertad – 109 sailfish raises, 97 bites and 70 releases. Blue Marlin: 2 raises and 2 bites. Dorado: 4. (5 days of fishing).
May 4th – 5th: Uno Mas – 15 sailfish raises, 11 bites and 10 releases. Dorado: 2. (2 days of fishing).
May 18th: Fishy Business – 22 sailfish raises, 20 bites, and 10 releases. Dorado: 1. (1 day of fishing).
TOTAL MAY NUMBERS: 1688 Sailfish raises, 1496 Bites, 917 Releases. 28 Blue Marlin raises 22 bites, and 12 are released. Sailfish on Fly: 83 raises, 46 bites, 15 released. 50 dorados, 12 yellowfin tuna, 3 Roosterfish, and 1 wahoo.
The HOT fishing streak continues. April produced stellar fishing and May numbers are not far behind.
Blue marlin and striped marlin continued to be the talk around the docks. When this much action is taking place, there is always the opportunity to release a “Billfish Grandslam”. Seasoned guest, Roy Clark, released a beautiful stripey on Fly. If you want marlin, they will continue through the summer months.
Dorado and yellowfin tuna are here and don’t expect them to disappear anytime soon.
With summer around the corner and the subject of where to travel during summer break, traveling to Guatemala is more affordable than many other spots around the world. Guests have expressed after you factor in fuel, hotel, and meals, traveling to Pacific Fins is a much more affordable vacation.
So, whether it’s for summer or the upcoming season, we highly suggest you book soon. Many have started to reserve into the months ahead and you don’t want to miss out on an experience of a lifetime.
April Fishing Report :
April 1st – 30th: Chechos – 568 sailfish raises, 497 bites and 289 releases (4 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 7 raised, 5 bite, and 3 released. Striped Marlin: 6 raises, 5 bites, and 2 released. Dorados: 41. Rooster Fish: 1 and Yellowfin Tuna: 2 (23 days of fishing).
April 4th – 30th: Knotwork – 538 sailfish raises, 433 bites and 289 releases. Blue Marlin: 6 raises, 5 bites, 4 releases. Striped Marlin: 2 Raises, 1 bite, and 1 release. Dorado: 33. Wahoo: 1 and Yellowfin Tuna: 5 (23 days of fishing).
April 1st – 30th: Gypsy – 335 sailfish raises, 254 bites, and 163 releases (3 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 1 bites, and 0 released. Striped Marlin: 3 raises. 2 bites and 1 released. Dorado: 34. Yellowfin Tuna: 7 and Rooster Fish 3. (10 days fishing).
April 4th – 30th: Maverick – 595 sailfish raises, 520 bites and 306 releases. Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 2 bites, and 1 released. Striped Marlin 6 raises, 5 bites, and 4 releases. Dorado: 22. Yellowfin Tuna: 2 (1 on the FLY) and Rooster Fish: 1. (22 days of fishing).
April 1st – 25th: Libertad – 423 sailfish raises, 358 bites and 245 releases. Blue Marlin: 7 raises, 4 bites and 2 releases. Striped Marlin: 1 raised, 1 bite, 1 released. Dorado: 21 and Yellowfin Tuna: 3 (13 days of fishing).
April 21st: Uno Mas – 25 sailfish raises, 18 bites, and 12 releases. Striped Marlin: 1 raised, 1 bite and 1 release. Dorado: 2 (1 day of fishing).
April 8th-24th: Mijooo – 108 sailfish raises, 93 bites, and 66 releases. Blue Marlin 2 raised, 0 bites, 0 released. Dorado: 6. (4 days of fishing).
April 20th: Mojo – 16 sailfish raises, 14 bites and 8 releases. (1 day of fishing).
TOTAL APRIL BILLFISH NUMBERS: 2608 Sailfish raises, 2187 Bites, 1378 Releases. 27 Blue Marlin raises, 17 bites, and 10 released. 19 Striped Marlin raises, 15 bites and 10 released.
Back to Back Champions!
The exciting annual fishing competition in Guatemalan waters reached its climax with Pacific Fins, Juan Manuel Cobar, as the undisputed national champion of 2024.
The national tournament stands out as one of the most challenging events in the region, with eight days of fishing spread over January, February, March, and May to determine the national champion.
The tourney is one of the most competitive to date. It showcased the talent of local anglers, with an intense battle that extended to the final day of the eighth and last leg of the 2024 National Sailfish Release Tournament. Uncertainty made participants wonder who would achieve the supreme title and, in turn, secure their place among the six fishermen who qualify to attend the ILTTA World Championship 2024, scheduled for October in Cabeza de Toro, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.
Last year, another well-known angler made history by winning his first National Championship, our very own Niels Erichsen.
The final results of the tournament confirmed Juan Manuel Cobar as the worthy Champion, accumulating a score of 25 points in the last leg. He pulled ahead in the last leg by releasing 8 sailfish, reaching a total of 103 points and securing first place.
Cobar’s exceptional performance stands out, having won three of the eight legs, giving him a significant advantage in the leaderboard.
In the Amateur category, Gonzalo Ruiz took first place with 86 points.
The overall team title went to boat “Mijooo”. The team is composed of Juan Manual Cobar, Rodrigo Guzman, and Pablo Sechel.
