It’s been non-stop since the start of the new year. Back-to-back trade shows in Dallas and Nashville. Now… preparing for the Miami International Boat Show, February 14th through the 18th (Booth # MB5022).
January’s bite was as it was supposed to be this time of year, awesome! The sails came to play and so did a lot of the guests. With that many numbers around, many brought out the Fly rods.
We also had our share of blue marlin bites. Dorado keeps on being strong and yellowfin tuna was hit or miss.
January Fishing Report:
January 16th – 31st: Maverick – 204 sailfish raises, 188 bites and 128 releases. Dorados: 72. (14 days of fishing). January 4th – 28th: Chechos – 482 sailfish raises, 406 bites and 260 releases (1 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 2 bites, 0 releases. Dorado: 114. (21 days of fishing). January 2nd – 28th: Gypsy – 502 sailfish raises, 438 bites and 278 releases (15 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 1 bites and 0 releases. Dorado: 89. (19 days fishing) January 2nd – 27th: Knotwork – 523 sailfish raises, 429 bites and 309 releases (2 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 1 bite and 1 release. Dorado: 31. (21 days of fishing). January 5th – 20th: Sirena – 137 sailfish raises, 103 bites and 56 releases (12 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 1 raise, 0 bite and 0 release. Dorado: 13 (3 on FLY!). (9 Days of fishing). January 12th – 15th: Mojo – 64 sailfish raises, 52 bites and 31 releases. Dorado: 10. (3 Days of fishing). January 7th: Tranquility – 19 sailfish raises, 17 bites and 13 releases. Dorado: 3. (1 Day of fishing). January 12th: Mijooo – 37 sailfish raises, 30 bites and 22 releases. Dorado: 2. (1 Day of fishing).
I hope everyone had an amazing holiday and a Happy New Year. We are still on a high from last month’s Guatemala Billfish Invitational.
December was one for the books for sure. We are now prepping for the hunting/sportfishing trade show season and Dallas, Texas is first. If you are in the area, please visit us at the DSC Convention, January 11th – 14th, Booth #355. We are excited to see and hear from so many who are looking forward to traveling in 2024.
THANKS TO YOU! Our fleet has been non-stop. The blue marlin bite has also been good. Anglers who never had the opportunity to check off from their bucket list got to experience it. Always a great sight to see the excitement in their faces releasing their first fish.
There was no shortage of Dorado during December. I always make a joke about it, as during the Invitational, anglers were trying to break off 20-30lb fish, so they could concentrate on the sails. Where else around the world do you hear that?
The tournament in 3 days generated 1534 sailfish raises, 1267 bites, and 764 Sailfish releases. 17 blue marlin raises, 11 blue marlin bites, and 5 released. The fishing report below does not include these numbers. So this shows you how good the numbers in December were.
December Fishing Report:
December 2nd – 7th: Maverick – 90 sailfish raises, 69 bites and 49 releases. Dorados: 51. (5 days of fishing). December 2nd – 31st: Chechos – 464 sailfish raises, 417 bites and 259 releases. Blue Marlin: 4 raises, 2 bites, 0 releases. Dorado: 173. (26 days of fishing). December 2nd – 31st: Gypsy – 402 sailfish raises, 440 bites and 235 releases (4 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 6 raises, 5 bites and 4 releases. Dorado: 211 and 3 Rooster fish. (23 days fishing) December 2nd – 31st: Knotwork – 302 sailfish raises, 219 bites and 164 releases (6 on FLY!). Blue Marlin: 4 raises, 3 bites and 1 release. Dorado: 118 and 1 on FLY!. (18 days of fishing).
I’ve always been a firm believer that October is the month to be in Guatemala. It kicks off the season with lots of action and variety. One thing is for certain, the meat fish was not in short supply. The dorado were so thick that at times they wouldn’t let the sails get to the bait. There were yellowfin tuna and dorado to go around for guests to take home fresh filets.Fall is known as a good blue marlin month and the numbers proved once again, that this is the time of year to keep in your fishing plans for 2024.
This past month the Gale Force Twins hosted their second all-ladies fishing trip and now they are getting ready for their first all-ladies fishing tournament on May 3rd, 2024. Ladies, contact us for more info.We want to give congratulations to the crew of Gypsy for putting guests Lynn Adkins and his twin brother on their first-ever blue marlin.
October Fishing Report :
October 7th – 21st: Knotwork – 42 sailfish raises, 38 bites and 28 releases. Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 1 bites, 0 releases. Dorados: 86 and 2 yellowfin tuna. (7 days of fishing). October 2nd – 23rd: Gypsy – 119 sailfish raises, 104 bites and 65 releases. Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 3 bites, 2 releases. Dorado: 185. (12 days of fishing). October 7th – 24th: Maverick – 53 sailfish raises, 50 bites and 39 releases. Dorado: 90. (7 days fishing) October 1st – 21st: Chechos – 37 sailfish raises, 30 bites and 18 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 4 raises, 1 bite, 1 release. Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 1 bite, 1 release. Dorado: 55. (6 days of fishing). October 1st – 21st: Tranquility – 59 sailfish raises, 51 bites and 37 releases. Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 2 bites, 2 releases. Dorado: 35. (3 days of fishing).
We are hosting our first women’s fishing tournament. The goal of this tournament is to bring lady anglers together to catch fish, but most importantly have fun on the water! Get your friends together and enter as a team (4 anglers) or enter as an individual and meet new anglers. Each boat will include a captain and two mates. No experience is required.
Blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna will be the main attraction.
Ladies will be competing for beautiful hardware from our friends at Kingsailfish Mounts.
Awards:
Top Billfish Release Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd)
Top Billfish Release Angler
Top Dorado
Top Yellowfin Tuna
May 3rd – 6th, 2023. This is an all-inclusive package with 3 nights and 2 full days of offshore fishing during prime time.
Price: $3225 per person
Due to limited space and high demand, we highly recommend to secure your spot!
For more info, you can contact us at: 888-431-5556 or Ozzy Delgado at [email protected]
A frequently asked question we get from hunters is, Is there any hunting in Guatemala?
Yes, it is possible to fish and hunt in Guatemala and what makes it even better is the geographical distance from our resort – 45 minutes. Our region offer opportunities for both activities, allowing individuals to enjoy a diverse outdoor experience. Some may call it “Cast & Blast”, but we call it “Live the Pacific Fins Experience”.
Guatemala is the most incredible and exotic place for duck and dove hunting. It’s widely known for its beautiful virgin landscapes and outstanding flora and fauna sightseeing. Worldwide hunters will be in love with the different types of hunts we can offer (duck hunting and dove hunting), and the variety of species they’ll find. You can see Blue and Green-winged Teal, Gadwall, Whistlers, Shovelers, etc. The tours take place on the South coast of Guatemala, near the BEST PLACE in the whole world for Billfishing.
The hunting areas provided have been very well scouted and guarantee a great hunt. There are different hunting tours with experienced hunters who will be by your side, top-of-the-line services, and awesome hospitality; everything to make sure you have the best of times and a trip you will never forget.
Guatemala hunting includes generous duck bag limits which are strictly abided. Limits are 25 ducks per day. Duck Hunting season is from November to February, and Dove Hunting season is from May to December.
The Duck Hunting tours take place in private freshwater ponds with amazing scenic views of the volcanos. On the other hand, in the Dove Hunting tours, you can gaze at the beautiful local agricultural cropping lands.
The properties where you will hunt are amongst the very best in the region.
We provide water transport, decoys placed by field staff, Berretta shotguns, water boys, and blinds. Depending on the tour you choose, hunters will be placed in different strategic spots, all provided with cold drinks, snacks, and an emergency kit.
The Duck hunting tour is from 4:00 am to 2:00 pm, and the Dove Hunting tour is from 5:00 am to 2:00 am. After the hunt is over, the hunters and the team will enjoy our delicious local foods and drinks to recharge and get to know a little bit more of our culture, and the wonderful hospitality of our people and listen to the team’s stories.
We want to make this the best hunting experience you ever imagined by mixing a great hunting adventure and all our country has to offer as well as its unique landscapes and wonderful weather. These tours were created by two extremely passionate Guatemalan hunters with the purpose of sharing their love for hunting and the beauties their country has to offer you.
WHAT TO BRING
Packing for this Guatemala South Coast duck hunting combo is very simple. The weather is practically the same the whole season (78-90F).
– Breathable pants for hot weather, light shirts (long or short sleeves), cap, hiking or rubber boots.
– Light – weight clothing in camo or earth tones, ball cap and sunglasses, hearing and eye protection, and sunscreen are musts.
– If taking trophies home, bring 2-gallon zip-locks, pen or marker, and tags for properly labeling your trophies. Contact your USDA-approved taxidermist prior to travel to discuss taxidermy and import.
We realize many anglers focus on freshwater destinations – places like Alaska, Canada, and the American West during the summer months. But what many don’t realize this region hosts good numbers of blue marlin, plenty of dorados, and yellowfin tuna during the so-called “Off Season” (summer and early fall).
During this time of year, our blue-water fishery becomes more diverse. Water temperatures heat up, but our climate remains pleasant. We consider the summer (June – September) to be prime time for Dorado and Yellowfin tuna. You can catch these species many days until your arms completely falls off. To hear guests return to the dock catching 25 Dorado and 15 Yellowfin plus several sailfish in a given day is pretty normal in the Guatemalan summer months. And let’s not forget about Marlin. The summer is a great time for our blue marlin fishery, also.
Summertime is superb for family fishing, a father-son/trip, or a corporate excursion. The calm Guatemalan waters offer a wonderful time to take that trip and experience what this country has to offer.
We are always open to guests that can’t make a trip during other months.
June Fishing Report:
June 1st – 30th: Gypsy – 116 sailfish raises, 95 bites and 69 releases. Blue Marlin: 4 raise, 3 bite, 3 releases. Dorados: 39. (14 days of fishing).
June 2nd – 30th: Chechos – 207 sailfish raises, 170 bites and 114 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 4 raises, 2 bites, 1 release. Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 3 bite, 3 releases. Dorados: 41. (15 days of fishing).
June 1st – 28th: Knotwork – 39 sailfish raises, 34 bites and 27 releases. Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 1 bite, 1 release. Dorados: 8. (5 days of fishing).
June 1st – 20th: Sirena – 39 sailfish raises, 34 bites, 26 releases. Blue Marlin: 1 raise, 1 bite, 1 release. Dorado: 12. Yellowfin Tuna: 1. Wahoo: 1. (5 days of fishing)
June 23rd – 30th: Uno Mas – 28 sailfish raises, 21 bites, 12 releases. Blue Marlin: 1 raise, 1 bite, 1 release. Dorado: 3. (2 days of fishing)
June 1st – 30th: Maverick – (Boat Maintenance).
July Fishing Report:
July 2nd – 23rd: Gypsy – 69 sailfish raises, 58 bites and 37 releases. Dorados: 19 and 17 yellowfin tuna. (6 days of fishing).
July 21st: Chechos – 15 sailfish raises, 14 bites and 9 releases. Dorados: 1. (1 day of fishing).
July 15th – 30th: Knotwork – 69 sailfish raises, 54 bites and 37 releases. Dorados: 4 and 14 yellowfin tuna. (7 days of fishing).
July 9th – 21st: Sirena – 15 sailfish raises, 14 bites and 17 releases. Dorados: 5. (2 days of fishing).
July 22nd: Intensity – 9 sailfish raises, 9 bites and 6 releases. Dorados: 3. (1 day of fishing).
July 1st – 31st: Maverick – (Boat Maintenance).
8th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational
Get ready anglers! The 8th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational just got bigger. Which means is shaping up to be the biggest in Guatemala’s history. It’s no surprise we have this turnout. Last year’s event was our largest and the vibe after that one indicated that 2023’s event will surpass it.As last year, we will have a woman’s division. Yes… we will have several ladies competing for a beautiful trophy from Kingsailfish Mounts.In the coming weeks, we will be making announcements about the tournament and the special guests that will be part of this year’s event. So, if you think last year’s tournament was one for the record books… we can’t wait for this one!
The newsletter you’ve been waiting for! The 8th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational Tournament.
The 7th annual tournament generated a record 2023 sailfish raises, 1725 bites and 1078 Sailfish releases. 11 blue marlin raises, 1 striped marlin, countless dorado and yellowfin tuna. Making the tournament the largest in the history of Guatemala!
The objective for this tournament is to create awareness for the benefit of conservation of sailfish, being a resource of great importance for the country. In this event, like the previous ones, we had different celebrities of international stature and personalities that contribute to sport fishing in the region. There was 35 brands and entities supporting sport fishing in the country, as well endorsed by the National Fisheries Association in Guatemala. The tournament will consist of three days of fishing and will have anglers from the US, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and Guatemala. This tournament gives the opportunity for amateurs and professional anglers to compete to be the team that releases the most sailfish, marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna.Awards: Top Professional Team (1st, 2nd & 3rd), Top Amateur Team, Top Captain, Top Pro Lady Angler, Top Amateur Lady Angler, Top Marlin, Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna.Plus, a crowd favorite, a calcutta for those brave enough to bet on their skills and luck.
The 2022 Guatemala Billfish Invitational was the biggest yet. We had 8 lodging locations at capacity. It’s no surprise with such high anticipation that always builds throughout the year. So, if you think last year’s event was one for the record books… just wait till this December.We started to receive reservations and we highly recommend for those that want to participate in this year’s event, to contact us and secure your spot. Due to limited capacity, you don’t want to be left out of this amazing fun, but competitive tournament.
Tournament dates: December 7th – 11th, 2023. For more information, please contact us at 1-888-431-5556 or [email protected]
The month of April and May produced stellar fishing. Anglers that traveled to Pacific Fins sure had one heck of a time and got to “Live the Pacific Fins Experience”.
Some days we raised 20+ fish and some days close to 60. You know when that happens seasoned anglers and weekend warriors become a little more inspired to try out a sail on fly. With that many shots, why not – bring out the Nautilus reel/Biscayne rod combo!
Marlin activity started to become a norm and it will continue through the summer months (Marlin Season). The supporting cast: dorado and yellowfin tuna have been plentiful. Don’t expect for yellowfin tuna and BIG dorado to disappear anytime soon. They will be here waiting for you!
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, meals, and local charters… 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 – 441 sailfish raises, 362 bites and 210 releases. Blue Marlin: 15 raises, 4 bites, 3 release. Dorados: 71 and 14 yellowfin tuna. (26 days of fishing). April 5th – 30th: Knotwork – 272 sailfish raises, 228 bites and 156 releases. April 1st – 3rd Sailfish on Fly: 22 raises, 10 bites, 7 release. Blue Marlin: 17 raises, 11 bites, 7 release. Dorado: 34 and 8 yellowfin tuna. (25 days of fishing). April 1st – 30th: Gypsy – 267 sailfish raises, 199 bites and 112 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 87 Sailfish raises, 27 bites, 5 releases. Blue Marlin on Fly: 4 raises.Dorado: 25, and 7 yellowfin tuna. (21 days of fishing) April 1st and 3rd: Uno Mas – 27 sailfish raises, 22 bites and 12 releases. Dorado: 1 and 2 yellowfin tuna. (2 days of fishing). April 1st – 28th: Sirena – 87 sailfish raises, 73 bites and 51 releases. Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 3 bites, 2 releases. Dorado: 6. (8 days of fishing). April 10th – 29th: Mojo – 156 sailfish raises, 121 bites, 76 releases. Blue Marlin: 2 raises, 2 bites. 12 dorado. 4 yellowfin tuna (9 days of fishing). April 21st: Fresh Catch – 9 sailfish raises, 9 bites and 7 releases. Dorado: 4. (1 day of fishing). April 25th: Danmark – 19 sailfish raises, 15 bites and 19 releases. 2 dorado. (1 day of fishing). April 29th: Tranquility – 5 sailfish raises, 4 bites and 2 releases. Blue Marlin 2 raises, 1 bite, 1 release and 6 yellowfin tuna (1 day of fishing).May Fishing Report : May 1st – 28th: Chechos – 231 sailfish raises, 196 bites and 117 releases conventional plus 34 sailfish raises, 16 bites and 7 released on fly. Blue Marlin: 9 raises, 5 bites, 5 release (INCLUDING A DOUBLE!!!). Dorados: 45 and 1 yellowfin tuna. (20 days of fishing). May 1st – 31st: Knotwork – 186 sailfish raises, 152 bites and 98 releases. Blue Marlin: 1 raises, 1 bites, 0 release. Dorado: 28 and 4 yellowfin tuna. (13 days of fishing). May 1st – 31st: Gypsy – 176 sailfish raises, 149 bites and 105 releases. Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 2 bites and 2 releases.Dorado: 48. (16 days of fishing) May 5th: Sirena – 26 sailfish raises, 23 bites and 14 releases. Dorado: 3. (1 day of fishing). May 10th-13th: Mojo – 33 sailfish raises, 15 bites and 10 releases. Blue Marlin: 1 raise. Dorado: 1. (4 days of fishing).
“This is my 3rd trip to Pacific Fins, and as expected, it was amazing. Each trip has had its own unique features, but there is always the common thread, which is an epic experience. Transportation to and from is always with great ease and clearly organized. When you arrive at the resort, it is obvious how much care and attention goes into it. The grounds are always manicured and the entire resort including the rooms are very clean. The service is absolutely first class and the food rivals any top rated restaurant. And of course there is the fishing, which is top notch. The Captains and Mates are very knowledgeable, professional, and polite. They will accommodate the most experienced person to the beginner, and will let you be as much involved as you want with the fishing experience. I highly recommend this resort to everyone looking for a first class fishing experience and at first class resort! I have already booked a return trip, this time with my family.” – Will Crook.
What an amazing trip hosted by Pacific Fins Ambassador, George Gozdz. We had a mixed group of guys that were veterans of the blue water and others who wanted to have a taste of what Guatemala’s fishery is like. For those seasoned anglers and even those weekend warriors, Guatemala has a reputation for making dreams come true.
Sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna were the main attraction. Everyone enjoyed a hot sailfish bite, big dorados, and yellowfin tuna.
After three rod bending days at Pacific Fins, it was time to move to the next step on the itinerary. The nice thing about how George’s trips are setup, the ladder part of it involves the chance to unwind and relax our muscles at the beautiful hotel, Casa Santo Domingo in Antigua. So on the last day… breakfast at Pacific Fins and a short drive to the ancient city.
When catching lots of fish is not enough… you get pampered by flying into Pacific Fins to start the party faster.
First timers catching billfish get the plunge.
“They Keep getting better! Our hosted trip to Pacific Fins was nothing short of amazing. We had a great group of guests that were welcomed with incredible fishing, food, sight seeing, and all around good time. Bucket list items were checked off with impressive catches of dorado, sailfish, and yellowfin tuna. Topping the trip off was time well spent in the old city of Antigua. We experienced the rich culture of Guatemala. ” – George Gozdz
In Guatemala there is a demonym called “Chapin” and it’s not offensive. We can start to call George a Chapin for the many times he has traveled to Guatemala. From all of us George, CONGRATS again on your success!
It’s no surprise these trips book in record time and this is why we are announcing Fall 2023 Unfathomed hosted trip.
Our next adventure which has only 6 spots left, October 10th – 15th, 2023.
This is an all-inclusive adventure with 5 nights and 3 full days of offshore/inshore during prime fishing. In addition to Pacific Fins, we have added a night stay/sightseeing in the old capital city of Antigua on the day we arrive. We will be lodging at one of the best hotels in town, Casa Santo Domingo.
Price: $3900 per person (includes night in Casa Santo Domingo)
Due to limited space and demand, we highly recommend to secure your spot!
You can’t mention “Spring Break” without thinking of a fishing trip. Guests who traveled to Pacific Fins in March were greeted with really good numbers.This is the time of year many love. It’s when not only you get intense sailfish action, it’s when the man in the blue suit aka blue marlin start to be more abundant as well.Yellowfin tuna will be active around spinner dolphins, and dorado will be in the larger class (Pics below don’t lie).
Plus, you can’t never rule out a striped marlin in the spread.For those looking to travel with family, March through June is a great time to be here. It’s also months that book 10 to 12 months in advance. Which is why, I always advice those that couldn’t find a spot to start planning for the following year.We still have a few spaces available, want to be part of an epic season? Call your fishing partners, grab your passports, pack your bags, and head to Guatemala!
March Fishing Report :
March 1st – 30th: Chechos – 306 sailfish raises, 261 bites and 166 releases. Blue Marlin: 4 raises, 3 bites, 0 release. Dorados: 41. (20 days of fishing). March 2nd – 30th: Knotwork – 314 sailfish raises, 273 bites and 163 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 7 raises, 4 bites, 1 release. Blue Marlin: 2 raises. Striped marlin: 1. Dorado: 30, 2 yellowfin tuna, and 2 Rooster fish. (22 days of fishing). March 3rd – 31st: Gypsy – 205 sailfish raises, 142 bites and 72 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 77 Sailfish raises, 22 bites, 7 releases. Blue Marlin: 4 raises, 2 bites, 1 release.Dorado: 17, and 1 yellowfin tuna. (21 days of fishing) March 2nd – 28th: Uno Mas – 199 sailfish raises, 152 bites and 87 releases. Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 2 bites, 1 releases. Dorado: 12. (13 days of fishing). March 17th – 29th: Mojo – 164 sailfish raises, 123 bites and 81 releases. Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 3 bites, 2 releases. Dorado: 10. (9 days of fishing). March 3rd – 5th: Mijooo – 20 sailfish raises, 17 bites, 10 releases. 5 dorado. 1 roosterfish (3 days of fishing).March 6th – 26th: Sirena – 72 sailfish raises, 57 bites and 35 releases. Dorado: 13. (7 days of fishing). March 15th: Fresh Catch – 23 sailfish raises, 23 bites and 11 releases. (1 day of fishing). March 16th: Captain Hook – 55 sailfish raises, 46 bites and 33 releases. (1 day of fishing). March 17th – 22nd: Fishy Business – 42 sailfish raises, 32 bites and 20 releases. Striped Marlin: 2 raises, 1 bites, 1 releases. Dorado: 2. (3 days of fishing). March 17th – 22nd: Danmark – 40 sailfish raises, 33 bites and 22 releases. Dorado: 3. (13 days of fishing). March 24th – 25th: Intensity – 22 sailfish raises, 18 bites and 12 releases. Dorado: 1. (2 days of fishing).
