yellowfintuna Archives - Pacificfins Resort

May 14, 2025May 14, 2025

The Tournament and Party of the Year! – 10th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational

The Tournament and Celebration of the Year!

The 10th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational is shaping up to be the most unforgettable tournament yet! Compete in Guatemala’s most prestigious billfish competition, meet celebrated figures in fishing and marine conservation, and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime live performance by country music star David Lee Murphy.

This year, we’re also thrilled to welcome back Chef Matt Moore, the renowned serial griller, cookbook author, and TV personality, who will be joining us to prepare mouth-watering culinary delights throughout the tournament. Additionally, Dr. Guy Harvey, the legendary marine biologist, artist, and conservationist, will be making a special appearance to celebrate this milestone. This is a tournament like no other!

A Decade of Excellence: The 10th Annual Invitational celebrates ten years of bringing together the best anglers and fishing enthusiasts from around the world. Join us in Guatemala, one of the world’s premier billfishing destinations, for a unique experience!

Unbeatable Location: Located in Guatemala, known for its world-class billfishing, this tournament offers anglers the chance to catch trophy species like Marlin, Sailfish. Dorado, and Yellowfin Tuna.

Exclusive Event: Join a select group of anglers, VIPs, and industry leaders for an invite-only event that promises unmatched camaraderie and competition.

Live Performance by David Lee Murphy: After an exciting day on the water, relax and enjoy a live show by David Lee Murphy, known for hits like “Dust on the Bottle” and “Party Crowd.”

Meet Dr. Guy Harvey: As one of the leading voices in marine conservation, Dr. Guy Harvey will join us to share his expertise and passion for conserving our oceans, bringing the mission of the Guy Harvey Foundation to life, and making this year’s tournament even more special.

Culinary Delights with Chef Matt Moore: We’re excited to welcome back Chef Matt Moore, the serial griller and author, known for his amazing BBQ skills and culinary creations. Get ready for mouth-watering dishes that will keep you fueled and satisfied throughout the tournament. Chef Matt will be serving up exclusive meals that blend his love of grilling with the flavors of Guatemala.

Don’t Just Take Our Word For It

– [Sean Kelly – Bajio Sunglasses]“The Guatemala Billfish Invitational is an experience like no other. The fishing is world-class, the competition is fierce, and the camaraderie is second to none. This tournament has everything!”

– [Christopher Thompson – Angler]

“With David Lee Murphy, Dr. Guy Harvey, and Chef Matt Moore, this year’s event is shaping up to be the most exciting and unique one yet. I can’t wait to return!”

Ready to Compete? Register Now!

Don’t miss your chance to be part of the 10th Annual Guatemala Billfish Invitational. This is your opportunity to experience world-class fishing, enjoy an incredible live performance by David Lee Murphy, meet Dr. Guy Harvey for a unique conservation experience, and savor the culinary delights of Chef Matt Moore. Spots are filling up quickly—register now to secure your place in the tournament!

The prize structure for 2025: Top Professional Team (1st, 2nd & 3rd), Top Amateur Team (1st, 2nd, 3rd), Top Captain, Top Pro Lady Angler, Top Amateur Lady Angler, Top Marlin, Fun Fish – Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna.

January 20, 2025January 20, 2025

December Fishing Report: A Banner Month on the Water

As we wrap up an incredible year of fishing, December proved to be another standout month, offering some of the best action we’ve seen all season! Anglers had plenty to celebrate, with an abundance of blue marlin, sailfish, dorado, and yellowfin tuna gracing our waters.

Billfish Invitational Tournament: A Spectacular Showdown: December also saw the return of our highly anticipated Billfish Invitational Tournament, a highlight of the season! This annual event brought together anglers from all over, competing for top honors in the pursuit of the elusive blue marlin and sailfish. The tournament was a true test of skill, with some impressive catches and fierce competition throughout the event. With many blue marlin released and multiple sailfish landed, it was clear that the waters were in peak condition, providing an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

Blue Marlin & Sailfish: Speaking of the Billfish Invitational, the blue marlin bite was absolutely phenomenal this month. These majestic creatures were out in full force, with several boats reporting multiple hookups in a single outing. The offshore bite remained consistent, with fish ranging from 200 to 400 pounds, providing thrilling challenges for anglers. Sailfish, often considered the “pinnacle” of sport fishing, were also abundant, adding a touch of elegance to the water. Many fishermen had the opportunity to hook into these fast, acrobatic beauties, with some lucky crews landing multiple fish per trip.

Dorado (Mahi-Mahi): For anglers looking for a bit of fun and a tasty reward, dorado, also known as mahi-mahi, were plentiful. These beautiful, colorful fish provided great action, with many catches in the 15-50 lb range. Whether trolling or casting live bait, dorado proved to be a consistent target throughout the month, providing a perfect balance of sport and culinary delight.

Yellowfin Tuna: If you’re after some fast-paced action, the yellowfin tuna delivered! From the smaller 20-25 lb tunas to the larger trophy fish, which tipped the scales at over 161 lbs. These fish kept anglers on their toes, offering powerful runs and relentless fights, making for a fun mixed bag.

As we look forward to 2025, we’re excited to see what the year holds. The waters are abundant with opportunities, and if December is any indication, the fishing action will continue to be strong in the coming months. Whether you’re a seasoned angler or a newcomer looking to cast your first line, the future is bright, and we can’t wait to share more great fishing moments with you!

Tight lines and happy fishing to all our anglers—see you out there in the new year!

December Fishing Report :

December 1st – 30th: Maverick – 142 sailfish raises, 110 bites and 64 releases. Blue Marlin: 5 Raises, 1 Bite, 1 Release. Striped Marlin: 1 Raise, 1 Bite, 1 Release. Dorados: 23. Yellowfin Tuna: 5 (14 days of fishing).
December 7th – 31st: Chechos – 242 sailfish raises, 190 bites and 116 releases (1 on FLY). Blue Marlin: 3 raises, 1 bites, 1 release. Dorado: 124. Yellowfin Tuna: 6. (13 days of fishing).
December 1st – 28th: Gypsy – 236 sailfish raises, 193 bites and 121 releases. Blue Marlin: 11 raises, 8 bites and 4 releases. Dorado: 20. Yelowfin Tuna: 17. (17 days fishing)
December 1st – 30th: Knotwork – 182 sailfish raises, 135 bites and 91 releases. Blue Marlin: 7 raises, 4 bites and 3 releases. Dorado: 21. Yellowfin Tuna: 8. (16 days of fishing).
December 1st – 31st: Bandido – 417 sailfish raises, 372 bites and 235 releases (4 on FLY). Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 3 bites and 3 releases. Striped Marlin: 3 raises, 3 bites, 2 releases. Dorado: 30. (16 days of fishing).
December 1st – 8th: Libertad – 81 sailfish raises, 71 bites and 31 releases. Blue Marlin: 5 raises, 2 bites and 1 release. Striped Marlin: 1 raise, 1 bite, 1 release. Dorado: 7. Yellowfin Tuna: 1. (6 days of fishing).

A huge shoutout to Captain Jimmy and his incredible crew aboard Bandido (new name soon) – JJ, Spencer, Tommy, and Alex – for making this year end trip one to remember! With 252 sailfish raises, 223 bites, and 139 releases. 1 blue marlin and 4 sails on Fly. These guys know how to end the year on a high.

November 2, 2024November 2, 2024

October Fishing – Out of this World!

Sailfish, marlin, dorado and yellowfin tuna were the main attraction this month. But, the blue marlin bite was on FIRE!

For me, October has been one of my go-to months when it comes to fishing in Guatemala. It’s the start of the peak season and it’s right after all the rain in September. That’s the perfect blend as the water cools off and the bait fish arrive in big numbers. And what happens when all the bait fish start to show? you guessed it…it’s feeding time.

For years, October has produced some impressive catches. Whether is a 150lb+ yellowfin tuna, 60lb+ dorado, or triple digits sailfish releases, this month should be on your radar. Even around the bright full moon, the fishing has been amazing. For those opposed to fishing on or around the full moon, see the below numbers as another example (Steve Reiter group).

October 10th – 29th: Maverick – 283 sailfish raises, 205 bites and 124 releases. Blue Marlin: 23 raised, 14 bites, and 6 released. Dorados: 9. Yellowfin Tuna: 46 (18 days of fishing).
October 4th – 24th: Knotwork – 350 sailfish raises, 257 bites and 178 releases. Sailfish on Fly: 14 raises, 2 bites and 1 released. Blue Marlin: 10 raises, 6 bites and 5 released. Blue Marlin on Fly: 1. Dorado 12. Yellowfin tuna: 12. (19 days of fishing).
October 4th – 28th: Chechos – 230 sailfish raises, 177 bites and 103 releases. Blue marlin: 26 raises, 21 bites and 8 released. 16 dorados and 59 yellowfin tuna. (14 days of fishing)
October 4th – 27th: Amante – 266 sailfish raises, 223 bites and 130 releases. Blue marlin: 33 raises, 24 bites and released 16. Striped marlin: 1. Dorado: 11. 48 yellowfin tuna. (15 days of fishing)
October 18th – 20th: Libertad – 204 sailfish raises, 178 bites and 112 releases. Blue marlin: 2 for 2. 3 dorados and 1 yellowfin tuna. (3 days of fishing)
October 4th – 24th: Mojo – 59 sailfish raises, 44 bites and 21 releases. Blue marlin: 4 raises, 1 bite, 1 release. 4 dorado. (5 days of fishing).

This month was full of many highlights and one of those were the crew of Amante. Captain Jimmy Fajardo with mates Edgar Hernandez, Edinson Fajardo and anglers Dwight Korenek, Gaylan Rawdon, and Caden Kozik raised 12 blue marlin, had 10 bites, and released 7! All in one day. And that’s not all…the team went out on their second day and raised 7 blue marlin, had 6 bites and released 4 more.

Full Moon Action: Congratulations to Steve Reiter, Dave Gallen, Kevin Naugle, and Greg Duffin for an awesome three days of fishing.

204 Sailfish raises, 178 bites, and 112 releases. 2 for 2 on blue marlin, which Steve and Kevin got to release their first ever. Three dorados, and one yellowfin tuna.

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

Pacific Fins Wins Elite Charter 2024

“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.

June 13, 2024June 13, 2024

One HOT May!

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.